A Readalyzer measurement is fast and easy. The subject puts the measuring goggles on. If the subject has ordinary glasses or contact lenses, they can be worn as usual with the recording goggles being worn over them. The interpupillary distance is adjusted, and the subject reads a text from the text booklet. The system auto-calibrates in seconds and the patient is free to move as they would naturally.  The primary use of the Readalyzer is to analyze the mechanics of eye movements used during reading.  The Readalyzer is supplied with a series of graded stories with comprehension tests to assure that the reading sample taken is a valid measure of the person's true reading ability.  The Readalyzer has multiple language support as well as a series of special 800+ word long stories.  The long stories give more insight into prolonged reading performance that is essential in gaining insight into the person's reading abilities.   Objective data that is obtained with the Readalyzer includes the number of fixations and regressions per 100 words read, the average duration of fixation, reading speed, and comprehension.  The device is powered by the USB connection.  The goggles afford the most open field of view of the devices commonly used by optometry.           

• Fixations

• Regressions (backward movements during reading)

• Fixation duration (mean, standard deviation and as histogram)

• Reading speed

• Cross Correlation between right and left eye

• Play-Back of recorded Eye Movements on top of text read

      The recorded eye movements can be shown

      superimposed on the text read. A black rectangle

      shows the fixation area in the text. This is very

      useful to explain the reading process to the 

      tested person.

You can also view the recording as a graph where the text is synchronized with the eye movements and details

about the analysis are shown. The Readalyzer system can be used to:

• Evaluate reading skill

• Monitor individual reading skill development

• Check that reading skill goals have been achieved

• Objectively measure reading parameters such as reading speed, regressions and fixation duration

Technical information: The Readalyzer system consists of a measuring unit, measuring goggles, a book of stories and software. The system is powered through the USB connection. Power consumption is 100 mA. The system can easily be run from a battery operated laptop computer. The power consumption of the Readalyzer system is negligible compared to the computer and will only marginally reduce running time on the battery.

Computer requirements:

• CPU: Pentium-class or better.

• Connection: USB 1.1 or better.

• Operating system: Windows with USB support. (Windows 95B or higher including Vista)

• Space on hard drive: 10 Megabytes for program + approx. 10 kilobyte for each measurement.