Georgie Burgess
2 October 2025: When faced with a screen of static noise, most people would assume their TV has lost reception and would try to change the channel – but in the lab of Associate Professor Jeroen van Boxtel, of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Faculty of Health, researchers are using a device that displays visual noise with the aim to improve vision, especially for those with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in Australia, affecting one in seven people over the age of 50 (Source: ), with impacts ranging from problems with reading and writing, to watching content on screens, and recognising family members.
“Research has shown that people with AMD do experience a poorer quality of life and loss of independence, especially with things like being able to read a book or get behind the wheel of a car. It can also impact their mental health and make them vulnerable to mood and anxiety concerns,” Discipline of Psychology Associate Research Fellow, Dr Pratik Raul said.
“So, if we can contribute a little bit to improve their quality of life, that’ll be an achievement for us.”
To do just that, Dr Raul and his team in the van Boxtel lab are currently testing how static-like visual noise can change the way those who don’t experience vision loss are impacted by different stimuli.
To test the stimuli, an Augmented Reality headset is used – which allows for white visual noise (which looks like tv static) to be shown to the participants, while letters are displayed in front of them on a computer screen.
Around five slightly different versions of the visual noise varying in intensity, are played to find the stimulus which allows the most visual accuracy.
“We need participants who have normal or corrected-to-normal vision – which means you can wear your glasses if you need to. It’s really great when people sign up, because it does have a massive impact on our ability to collect data and make change in clinical spaces – so we really appreciate it if you can take the time to help,” Research Assistant and Clinical Psychology PhD Student Kayla Herbert said.
Insights gained from this and future studies, could contribute to the development of visual aids using the Augmented Reality for those who have been diagnosed with a visual impairment.
“Eventually we are hoping that this technology could serve as a non-invasive visual prothesis that people can use to enhance their eyesight – something they can take with them to the coffee shop or to use at home,” Dr Raul said.
“At the moment, treatment for AMD involves injections [directly into the eyeball], which are effective but also invasive. We think our solution could complement that treatment in a cost-effective and non-invasive way.”
Operating out of a lab at the University, the test takes around 45 to 60 minutes to complete and will be conducted by Ms Herbert.
“The first thing they can expect to see is my smiling face,” she said.
“Then it involves sitting down in front of the computer and putting on the Augmented Reality device where you can expect to see the static-like noise, and once you’re wearing that, we’ll try to see how accurate you are at identifying letters and symbols at each different noise condition.”
Dr Raul reported that initial results have been quite promising, and the team is happy with their findings at this point.
“Due to the visual noise, it can be challenging at times to tell if there are changes happening for participants – so it’s really rewarding when they do report that they can see better, after certain types of stimuli are used,” Ms Herbert said.
The research team is looking for more participants for the study. For more information and to participate, send an email to Kayla.Herbert@canberra.edu.au.