Wearing Google Glass creates a potentially dangerous visual obstruction, according to medical experts in the United States.
Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, based on a limited experiment, claims the wearable device creates a blind spot.
“The device created a clinically meaningful visual field obstruction in the upper right quadrant,” the journal said, as reported by the New York Times.
The researchers found the obstruction created has a negative effect on the field of vision much more significant than wearing normal spectacles, due to the positioning of the digital display and camera modules.
Dr Edward Koo, who carried out the experiment, said: “The Google Glass hardware produces a significant blocking effect of the right peripheral vision.
“The defect would not be compensated by the left eye and thus may negatively impact daily activities such as driving, cycling and running.”
Google hasn’t denied Glass impacts on the wearer’s field of vision and instead likened the effect to wearing a baseball hat or a hooded sweatshirt.
In a statement, the company wrote: “Put on your favorite shades, glasses, baseball hat, or hoodie, and you’ll quickly see that this study tells us what we already know; wearing something on your face or head may affect your peripheral vision.
“From the beginning, the Glass team has worked closely with a range of experts to develop a device that is safe for use, and after extensive study they have not found any safety issues when it’s used correctly.”
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
