Assessment of digital light processing (DLP) projector stimulators for visual electrophysiology

Visual electrophysiology tests require the use of precise and calibrated visual display units (VDUs). Existing VDUs for presenting structured stimuli are now mostly obsolete, with modern solutions limited or unsuitable for clinical testing. Digital light processing (DLP) laser projectors have recently become commercially available and this study aimed to assess their suitability as VDUs for visual electrophysiology testing.

This study consisted of two sections. The first was a photometric study of two DLP laser projectors (Viewsonic LS831WU and HiSense 100L5FTUK) to assess luminance, contrast, spectral and temporal characteristics of the stimulus. The second was a physiological study comparing pattern electroretinograms (PERG) and visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) amplitudes and peak-times recorded using a DLP laser projector, photometrically and spatially matched to existing plasma VDUs at our institution (Pioneer Electronics Corporation, PDP422MXE).

The Viewsonic DLP laser projector was capable of high luminance levels (0–587.5 cd/m²) whilst maintaining contrast above 93%. The temporal properties showed fast rise and fall times of 0.5–1 ms and 0.5–1 ms, respectively, without any transient luminance change with reversals. The device required a warm-up time of at least 2 min until reaching near maximal luminance. The second (Hisense) device was observed to have a detrimental input lag jitter so was not used for any further analysis. PERGs and PVEPs showed high agreement and correlation (r = 0.766–0.905) between the Viewsonic DLP device and existing plasma VDUs. No significant differences were observed for P50 and P100 peak-time (p =  > 0.05), however P50, N95 and P100 amplitudes were all significantly larger for the DLP device (p =  < 0.05).

The DLP laser projector tested in this study is a viable and practical replacement VDU for clinical electrophysiology tests of vision. The device is easily capable of meeting ISCEV standards, and showed PERG and PVEP amplitudes larger than existing systems despite photometric and spatial matching. The DLP laser projectors are capable of very large field sizes so are beneficial for paediatric testing or those wishing to examine large field responses. Importantly, it was observed that some devices may suffer input lag jitter, therefore, individual calibration and assessment of DLP projection systems is an important consideration before clinical implementation.