qOMR - Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity

qOMR system for measuring optomotor response

The optomotor response (OMR) is a reflex used to assess visual function. The PhenoSys qOMR (quantitative optomotor response) is a unique system that objectively measures the OMR with minimal experimenter effort. It employs a virtual stimulation cylinder that continuously aligns with the animal´s head position. Based on real-time head tracking, quantitative OMR measurements automatically provide visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. This is a PhenoSys Collaboration product brought to market together with its developer, Dr. Friedrich Kretschmer. New:qOMR-XT for rats

Check out this video to see how it is operated.

Features Applications Advantages Collaboration Gallery References

Hardware features

  • Calibrated 4 screen environment for presenting the virtual stimulation cylinder
  • Elevated central platform for placing the unrestrained animal
  • Top and bottom mirrors to create the illusion of infinite depth for optimized stimulation
  • IR-camera for automated head tracking independent of coat color
  • Adjustable IR-illumination
  • Anti-reflective (and protective) shields for the screens
  • Filter set for scotopic measurements

Software features

  • Video-based real-time tracking of head movement is used for both:
    1. Continuous automated position-adjustment of the virtual cylinder to the animal´s head position.
    2. Evaluation of head movement synchronous to the stimulation for a quantitative measure of the optomotor response. This analysis is fully automated.
  • Batch run option with multiple stimulation protocols.
  • Example for real-time tracking:
    qOMR video with visible stimulus

General application areas:

  • Characterization of vision
  • Screening for vision defects
  • Tracking of disease progression and recovery
  • Phenotyping of new breed lines
  • Quantification of treatment response

 

Characterisation or preclinical testing in relevant disease models, for example:

  • Glaucoma
  • Retinal degeneration
  • Diabetes
  • Aging
  • Restoration of vision

 

Investigation of various aspects of vision in mice and other rodents:

  • Visual acuity
  • Contrast sensitivity
  • Spectral sensitivity
  • Temporal sensitivity
  • Simple, robust, and non-invasive test to examine vision in rodents
  • Fully automated measurement and analysis: no manual positioning of the stimulus, no specially trained experimenter required, time and cost effective, and unbiased
  • As a reflex, optomotor response measurements do not require animal training
  • Freely behaving animals, no surgery, no fixation
  • Flexible, user-friendly experimental design and data handling.

The PhenoSys qOMR is a PhenoSys Collaboration product. These products are brought to market together with the scientists who developed them.

qOMR is a joint product of Dr. Friedrich Kretschmer and PhenoSys.

qOMR is based on his publications:

  • Kretschmer F et al., PLOSone 2013 read more
  • Kretschmer F et al., J Neurosci Meth 2015 read more

PhenoSys qOMR main unit with partially opened lid.

qOMR system for measuring optomotor response

Hardware Features

  • Calibrated 4 screen environment for presenting the virtual stimulation cylinder
  • Elevated central platform for placing the unrestrained animal
  • Top and bottom mirrors to create an illusion of infinite vertical depth
  • IR-camera with adjustable IR-illumination for automated head tracking.
qOMR principle

Principle of the experiment with a mouse on top of the platform. The stimulus is normally invisible to the IR camera.

qOMR software

Video-based real-time tracking of head movement. The contour and pointing direction is determined by a fast algorithm using minimal assumptions for the geometry of the animal.

qOMR software

Software omrStudio: stimulus design specifying the presented pattern and the movement scheme

qOMR software

Software omrStudio: running experiment.

qOMR screenshot

Actual measurement data (single frame) and recorded video with superimposed tracking results:
qOMR video with visible stimulus.
The visibility of the stimulus is enhanced compared to the normal qOMR for better clarity.

qOMR live mouse showing algorithm

Software omrStudio: data analysis.

qOMR software

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