Dr Jason Turuwhenua wearing the VA screening headset

An eye-movement-based test to measure visual acuity in pre-schoolers developed by researchers at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute has been awarded a $1.2 million Health Research Council (HRC) project grant. The grant will facilitate a trial of the optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) technology at South Auckland childcare centres, said Dr Jason Turuwhenua, a research fellow based between the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and the School of Optometry and Vision Science at Auckland University.

The amblyopia detection tool, which Dr Turuwhenua and his team have been developing for 10 years, is designed to assess visual acuity by measuring involuntary and natural eye movements when tracking a moving object. Recently adapted for use on a tablet, the HRC funding will allow researchers from Canada and New Zealand to test the technology’s ability to monitor amblyopia progression, said Dr Turuwhenua. “We expect that, through this device, better management of the condition will lead to more accurate monitoring, reducing the need for unnecessary treatments, such as patching, which can be time consuming and challenging for children and their families.”

A significant component of the development work involves a unique partnership with a group of Māori-led childcare centres in the South Auckland area. “This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen our ability to do impactful research within the local community and at the same time gain a better understanding of eye health in South Auckland,” said Dr Turuwhenua, adding he’s hopeful future tests can be administered by parents or caregivers at home.