Huanani
Collaboration With:
Problem:
Diagnosis: I was diagnosed at 15 with visual snow syndrome (VSS), a neurological condition that presents as static over the eyes
Sensory Overload: struggled to read on black text with white backgrounds due to intense contrast glare. Discovered blue paper provided a solution for my eyes and relieved the strain.
Solution Insight: Physical trial-and-error proved that shifting reading backdrops to a specific blue wavelength instantly reduced glare and strain
Solution:
AI - Assisted Coding: I designed and developed a multilingual digital tool for individuals with VSS using Claude Code.
Accessibility: Created the resource in 4 major languages, to provide unbiased results and provide global accessibility
Institutional collaboration: Resource rolled out with the Visual Snow Initiative, a global organization helping us reach individuals with VSS
French
English
Spanish
中文
Removing Language Bias
Language and biased results: When creating the resource, I interviewed people from foreign countries and realized reading speeds are different due to cultural aspects. Left to right vs right to left etc.
Design Solution: Initially explored how visual snow affects people genetically, and choose languages based on those countries. Data is skewed as more research is done in developed countries. After conducting more interviews with patients, I opted to go for the most popular languages
Language choices: This resource uses 4 different languages, English, Spanish, French and Chinese
Results
Users complete a series of timed readings across selected colored backgrounds and shades. The tool collects data including reading speed, comfort rating, question accuracy and response time; users receive only their personalised colour recommendation, reading speed and comfort ratings.
Select language and complete a baseline reading on white
Rank colours and their shades, then complete timed readings on your top three for accuracy
Receive a personalised colour and shade recommendation
Navigating Regulatory Compliance
Compliance Bottleneck: Tracking, storing or profiling user medical symptoms triggers complex regulatory frameworks in this case it was HIPAA compliance.
Design Solution: Initially I went through JotForm to collect responses and embed that into the code, however I avoided extra costs bypassed legal friction by making the resource entirely anonymous.
Data Anonymity: The resource enforces anonymity and has no user accounts, sign ups, or personal identifiable data collection streams. I also added that it's intended for users 18 and over to avoid more regulatory constraints when working with minors.
Data Collection: Resulting data is simply focused on the colour preferences, timings and their condition.
Hardware to Software Pivot
Initial Response: Designed and built physical tinted lenses to reduce contrast glare for VSS, sketched, CAD modelled in SolidWorks and hand-built a working prototype using laser-cut wood and acetate
Limitation: Physical hardware is expensive to manufacture and inaccessible to most people with VSS globally
Pivot: Shifted the project entirely to software , designed and used Claude Code to make a free, live digital tool that anyone with a browser can access instantly
Logo: Used the initial design for the digital interface logo, the glasses change color with the page color, making it a small interactive feature for users.
