Handmade Infrared Rays Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (IR-CMOS) Camera for Recording Eye Movements

Objective: It is important to observe eye movements in order to evaluate peripheral or central vestibular disorders in dizzy patients. An infrared rays charge coupling device (IR-CCD) camera is now widely used in daily practice. The technical advantage of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) now allows us to develop an inexpensive handmade camera for carrying out nystagmus recordings. Methods: We developed a handmade IR-CMOS camera at a reasonable cost of less than $150. The costs of a small IRCMOS camera, scuba diving goggles, an AC adapter, an audiovisual (AV) cord, and a plastic board with a thickness of 0.5 mm were $60, $60, $10, $10, and $10, respectively. It takes almost an hour to assemble the camera. We recorded eye movements using this camera. Results: The image obtained using this inexpensive handmade camera was clear and highly comparable to that obtained using a conventional IR-CCD camera. Conclusion: The handmade IR-CMOS camera is inexpensive, easy to develop, and can be effectively used in daily practice. In future, with technical developments in electronics, we intend to develop a more compact and high-quality camera for recording eye movements.