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Sight-Sim Instructions

Posted by Helen St Clair Tracy Chair of Trustees, CVI Scotland · Guide
Published: 02/08/2020, 12:59am | Updated: 10/08/2020, 10:11am

Please see also our Sight-Sim Page where we explain what Sight-Sim is, and does.

The Sight-Sim website has detailed download instructions, but during testing we found some people had difficulties setting it up and using it for the first time.

We want everyone to benefit from Sight-Sim. We can't update or change it (it's not ours) but we can take you through every step and hopefully identify and help solve any stages you may find confusing.

In this guide we have tried to address everything that came up. Not everyone is going to have all the difficulties, so if anything is obvious, just skip it.

These instructions are in three sections:

  • 1. Preparations
  • 2. Loading Sight-Sim
  • 3. Using Sight-Sim

1. Preparations

Sight-Sim is a computer programme written in a language called Java. Lots of things are written using Java, including the popular computer game Minecraft. To run Sight-Sim you need Java on your computer or device. You may already have it installed, or you may have a version that needs updating. Java is free to download. Click here to link to the Java website where you can check if you already have it loaded, and download if needed.

You will need the images you wish to use, already saved on your computer. We have found it useful to create a file with the images to use, because when using Sight-Sim, you can scroll from one image to the next, if they are in the same file.

Remember that getting close means that things appear bigger and which makes them clearer. For example, you may want to see how clear everything is in your child's classroom, including how clearly the teacher and the work on the board can be seen. Remembering that these will look different depending on where in the class your child sits.

Sight-Sim is free and you can use it as often as you like, so you can always load more photos to review more images.

Things will look different depending on how far away you are from them.Things will look different depending on how far away you are from them.

You will also need a credit card, or another card of the same standard size like a store loyalty card. There is no charge, this is just to hold up against your screen to mark the size.

You will be given a lot of options around different measurement. Not everyone has the exact measurements, particularly where contrast sensitivity is used - you may have just been told a person will benefit from greater contrast. For very complex children, they may never have been given an actual visual acuity measurement. You can still use Sight-Sim and see how different varying levels of clarity and contrast affect what different things look like.

We recommend everyone to ask their vision professionals for the measurements of visual acuity.

2. Loading Sight-Sim

To load Sight-Sim you need to go to this page on their website, where there are three options:

  • How to use Sight-Sim on a Mac
  • How to use Sight-Sim on a Windows Computer
  • How to use Sight-Sim on a Mobile Phone

Click on the option that is correct for your device, and follow the instructions.

Once downloaded onto your computer, you should get this screen (below). This is the Set-Up Screen. There are user instructions on the Sight-Sim website, click here to view.

Sight-Sim Set-Up ScreenSight-Sim Set-Up Screen

Below, we go through each screen. At the bottom of this page is a demonstration video, from this first Set-Up Screen. If you prefer to watch the video first, just scroll to the end where you will find it.

Click on StartClick on Start

The next screen looks like this.The next screen looks like this.

The next thing your need to do is get a credit card, or card of the same standard size, and with one hand place it on the screen, with the top left corner against the white marker. Then, with the other hand, position the mouse where the bottom right corner of the card is, and double click, as shown on this short clip:

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/443769435

This is the programmers way of making sure that the simulations will be accurate for your screen.

Once you have double clicked, a blue rectangle will appear, you can remove your card now.Once you have double clicked, a blue rectangle will appear, you can remove your card now.

Click on NextClick on Next

3. Using Sight Sim

The next screen is the Setup Eye Sight ScreenThe next screen is the Setup Eye Sight Screen

Don't worry if you don't have all the measurements and are just wanting to have a bit of a play with Sight-Sim. Also, you may want to try different measurements, not just one. When using Sight-Sim you can change the measurements (shown on the demonstration video at the bottom of this page).

Visual Acuity

Visual Acuity is measured in different ways in different countries and by different professions. Sight-Sim gives you the options to use any one of the following measures:

  • Metric
  • Imperial
  • LogMAR
  • Decimal

If you click on Metric it will come up with the list of the other options.If you click on Metric it will come up with the list of the other options.

Each option has a list of measurements.Each option has a list of measurements.

Contrast Sensitivity

Do you know the contrast sensitivity? If not, click No, to get to the Show Pictures screen (four images below this one). If yes, follow next three stages below.Do you know the contrast sensitivity? If not, click No, to get to the Show Pictures screen (four images below this one). If yes, follow next three stages below.

Contrast sensitive is measured as a percentage or log. If you select Yes you will be given the options.Contrast sensitive is measured as a percentage or log. If you select Yes you will be given the options.

Click on Percent and you will be given the option for Percent or Log, and each one will have a list of different measurements.Click on Percent and you will be given the option for Percent or Log, and each one will have a list of different measurements.

To get to the next screen, even if you have not added any measurements, click Next.To get to the next screen, even if you have not added any measurements, click Next.

Show Pictures Screen, Click Show PicturesShow Pictures Screen, Click Show Pictures

Show Images PageShow Images Page

Move your mouse towards the top or bottom of this page...Move your mouse towards the top or bottom of this page...

...and you will see more options appear at the top and then the bottom of the screen....and you will see more options appear at the top and then the bottom of the screen.

  • 1. Demonstration Images - separated into images relating to Communication, Knowledge and Mobility. Many photographs with notes.
  • 2. Change or add measurements.
  • 3. Use own images - click on Browse My Pictures to open up your files to select your own picture.
  • 4. Save simulated image - if you wish to save an image you have simulated, to show other people or keep.

If you click Show Images it will take you to the demonstration images, but you can always make changes (1-4 above) by moving your mouse to the top and bottom of the screen.If you click Show Images it will take you to the demonstration images, but you can always make changes (1-4 above) by moving your mouse to the top and bottom of the screen.

To use your own photos / images.

Click Browse my PicturesClick Browse my Pictures

A box will open with a list of your files.A box will open with a list of your files.

Go to the file where your image is, and click open (it won't work if you double click on the file).Go to the file where your image is, and click open (it won't work if you double click on the file).

The image will come up, and then you can change the measurements to see how vision is affected by different levels of visual acuity and contrast.The image will come up, and then you can change the measurements to see how vision is affected by different levels of visual acuity and contrast.

Here we have altered the visual acuity to 6/120, and the image on the right has been altered.Here we have altered the visual acuity to 6/120, and the image on the right has been altered.

If you have more images in the same file you wish to view, you can scroll through them using the small white arrows on the left and right of the screen (shown in the demonstration video).If you have more images in the same file you wish to view, you can scroll through them using the small white arrows on the left and right of the screen (shown in the demonstration video).

To save the edited image, click Save ImageTo save the edited image, click Save Image

A box will open for you to name and save your file. You may not be able to access the files you wish, but can change this by clicking on the file format, set to PNG Files.A box will open for you to name and save your file. You may not be able to access the files you wish, but can change this by clicking on the file format, set to PNG Files.

If you change PNG Files to All Files, this should give you access to all your files, so you can name and save your image where you choose. If you change PNG Files to All Files, this should give you access to all your files, so you can name and save your image where you choose.

Find below a video demonstration. It is good to familiarise yourself with the settings so it is easy to use regularly.

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/441983598

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At CVI Scotland we are devoted to helping people understand cerebral visual impairments, and together working towards developing the understanding of this complex condition.