DoCEG - First two weeks at Hatch Ride School

Over two weeks, I had the privilege of working with children at a local primary school in Crowthorne as part of my UKRI-funded project: Dynamics of Childhood Eye Growth (DoCEG).

Over the next five years (and possibly longer), the DoCEG project aims to unravel how the structures within the eye grow in relation to one another during childhood. By tracking these changes, we hope to identify key risk factors that predict the onset and progression of myopia (short-sightedness) and lead to earlier interventions that preserve vision.

Emily introducing a young participant to the AO-HRR colour vision test.

 I must admit, I was a little apprehensive at first. How many children would sign up? Would they be cooperative? To my delight, the turnout was fantastic! Over ten days, my colleague, Ashlesha Mahadar, and I tested 159 children (318 eyes) across seven classes, aged between four and 11 years.

During these sessions, we measured:

·        Height and weight

·        Colour vision

·        Corneal thickness, using the PM1 Pachymeter (Occuity)

·        Ocular biometric measurements, such as axial length and corneal curvature, using the Lenstar (Haag-Streit)

Ashlesha taking biometric measurements on a young participant, using the Lenstar (Haag-Streit).

What stood out most was how inquisitive and cooperative the children were. Their curiosity was contagious, and I was thrilled to achieve a 100% success rate with the PM1 Pachymeter—a testament to both the children’s engagement and the device’s user-friendliness.

The first phase of data collection couldn’t have gone better. From the measurements we gathered, we’ll gain insights into how the eye’s structure develops during these formative years. I’m especially excited to analyse the results and share them with the children, their parents, and their teachers.

The children’s enthusiasm made the experience even more rewarding. Many were fascinated by the technology, asking questions and eager to see their own eyes reflected in the PM1. Their positive attitude reassured me that we’re on the right path to making this study both impactful and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Emily taking corneal thickness measurements on a young participant using the PM1 Pachymeter (Occuity).

Looking Ahead: Exciting Next Steps

This is just the beginning. In six months, I’ll revisit the school to collect additional data. This next phase will include photoreceptor metrics, captured using an adaptive optics fundus camera (Imagine Eyes rtx1), and refraction measurements, taken with an autorefractor (Nidek Handy-Ref).

Each step brings us closer to a comprehensive understanding of childhood eye development. With each visit, I hope to continue building strong connections with the children and their school community.