MEC ImpactReport 2024 flipBook v1.0 single pages - Flipbook - Page 20
Patient care
Putting children in charge
Dr Pete Jones, researcher
eye conditions affecting their
at The Child Vision Lab (UCL
vision and children with good
Institute of Ophthalmology),
vision) Dr Jones discovered
was awarded a springboard
that children as young as
award to continue his work
five years old could reliably
supporting children with eye
complete several tablet-based
conditions. He and his team
tests of how well they could
investigated whether young
see small and faint details
children could reliably test
with minimal guidance and
their own vision at home using
supervision. The results of
specially designed self-tests,
these self-administered tests
without needing to visit a clinic.
were closely aligned with tests
In a study of 40 children
performed by an optometrist
(including both children with
in a clinic.
Dr Pete Jones, researcher
at The Child Vision Lab (UCL
Institute of Ophthalmology)
What next?
This study indicated that simple, self-administered tests can
reliably monitor children’s vision. With 98% of children in
the study saying they would be happy to do one of these
tests themselves at home at least once a month, it paves
98%
the way for regular eye testing for children to be self-
of children in study
administered at home - reducing the burden on families of
happy to do one of
travelling to hospital, empowering children to track their
eye tests at home at
own eye health, and relieving pressure on hospital clinics.
least once a month
