Diabetic Retinopathy Sleep Mask
Sarah MoreheadAbstract
This research, carried out between 2015 and 2017, resulted in the making of a contour garment in the form of a mask to house a medical therapy for diabetic retinopathy.
The aim was to experiment with new materials to construct a mask that fitted around the complex anatomical areas of the head and face accommodating a wide-ranging individual variation in facial topography, so providing a comfortable ‘garment’ to wear in bed which allowed for undisturbed sleep.
This research was part of a wider project working with Noctura, who specialise in medical therapy to arrest Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the leading cause of vision-loss globally. The design addresses the issue of non-compliance from patients in wearing the mask due to lack of comfort during sleep that inhibits their ability to receive the therapy.