In recent years, augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) has been attracting attention and investment in both the tech and academic communities, kickstarting a new wave of innovations. In the wake of this momentum, this feature issue was launched to cover the latest advances in this burgeoning field that pertains to optics and photonics. Alongside the 31 research articles being published, this introduction is appended to share with readers the behind-the-issue stories, submission statistics, reading guides, author biographies, and editors' perspectives.

Introduction to the feature issue on augmented/virtual reality: optics & photonics.

We present an intraocular augmented reality display featuring retinal prostheses in association with bionic vision processing. Unlike conventional retinal prostheses, whose electrodes are spaced equidistantly, our solution is to rearrange the electrodes to match the distribution of ganglion cells. To naturally imitate the human vision, a scheme of bionic vision processing is developed. On top of a three-dimensional eye model, our bionic vision processing is able to visualize the monocular image, binocular image fusion, and parallax-induced depth map.

Intraocular augmented reality display with retinal prosthesis

We present an implantable metaverse featuring retinal prostheses in association with bionic vision processing. Unlike conventional retinal prostheses, whose electrodes are spaced equidistantly, our solution is to rearrange the electrodes to match the distribution of ganglion cells. To naturally imitate the human vision, a scheme of bionic vision processing is developed. On top of a three-dimensional eye model, our bionic vision processing is able to visualize the monocular image, binocular image fusion, and parallax-induced depth map.

Haiyang Hu

Papers

Implantable metaverse with retinal prostheses and bionic vision processing.

The "Hand as Foot" figural teaching method in Billroth II anastomosis.

Intraocular augmented reality display with retinal prosthesis