Eye gaze is a form of AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) that allows a person to control or provide input to a computer (or a tablet) using only their eyes. Think of it like controlling a computer mouse with your eyes, as a small camera tracks where the eyes are looking and turns that into a “click” or selection. Eye gaze technology can be great for individuals with limited ability to make hand or head movements.
The technology shines infrared light toward a child’s eyes. A small camera then captures how that light is reflected back, allowing the system to track where the child is looking. The infrared lights and camera work together to track where a child’s eyes focus, blink, or dwell on specific areas of the screen. From there, a specialized software then pinpoints where the child’s eyes are looking and interprets it into some type of command. These commands can generate speech, access computers, and control certain devices in the home.
Shining this infrared light into a child's eyes has no negative effect, and most people don’t even see the light. This type of technology is similar to that of using face ID to unlock your phone.
For more information, see our full article Eye Gaze 101.
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