Feasibility of Using Bluetooth Beacon Sensors to Detect Magnifier Usage by Low Vision Patients in Clinic and at Home

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Objective. Bluetooth beacons were evaluated as an indicator of held-held optical magnifier use during reading by low vision patients. Background. Bluetooth low energy beacons are an emerging, novel technology involving tiny sensors that collect real-time continuous, objective data, which might help ascertain the abandonment of low vision devices (magnifiers) in a timely manner to prompt a follow-up evaluation to resolve any issues. Methods. Temperature and/or humidity data were recorded by Estimote and BlueMaestroTM beacons that we attached to the handle of optical magnifiers used to help with reading by low vision patients in clinic(n=13) and at home(n=3). Results. In the clinic, patients whose hand/fingers made direct vs. indirect contact with Estimote beacons had greater temperature increases on average from baseline after 30 seconds (0.68°C vs. 0.26°C), 60 seconds (1.02°C vs. 0.35°C), 90 seconds (1.39°C vs. 0.54°C), 105-120 seconds (1.54°C vs. 0.62°C), and 135-150 seconds (2.07°C vs. 0.8°C). During magnifier usage at home, the BlueMaestroTM beacon measured rapid increases in temperature (5.6°C per minute on average; range 2.7-7.3°C) and humidity (19.4% per minute on average; range 8.7-34%). Humidity tended to reach its maximum increase and return back to baseline more quickly than temperature. All increases during magnifier usage were much greater than the maximum room fluctuations without use (clinic: 0.2°C over 120 seconds; home: 0.6°C and 2.4% over 1 minute). The beacons were non-intrusive and acceptable by patients. Conclusions. Estimote and BlueMaestroTM beacons can reliably detect temperature and humidity increases when held by low vision patients while reading with a magnifier.