Refractive Error Research Projects

Refractive error, a major cause of visual impairment, affects approximately 2.7 billion people worldwide, with nearly 1 billion cases uncorrected. This includes myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia (age-related near vision loss). These conditions occur when the eye’s shape prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, causing blurred vision. Unaddressed refractive error impacts education, productivity, and quality of life, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Uncorrected refractive errors hinder children’s learning and adults’ workplace efficiency, imposing economic and social burdens.

Effective strategies to tackle the challenge include:

Screening: Ensuring that people with refractive errors are detected, for instance through community or school screening programmes.

Improving Services: Expanding eye care services, for example through mobile clinics, outreach programmes and improved eye care facilities. 

Integrating Services: Integrating eye care into other primary health care services, so that people are treated when being seen for other conditions, and ensuring sustainability of the eye care service.

Affordability: Ensuring that eyeglasses are low-cost, subsidised, or that people see the benefit in purchasing them. 

Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about regular eye exams and early intervention.

Our research projects aim to provide evidence for interventions that can improve access for people through these strategies. 

The EARN trial 

This clinical trial will assess the impact of providing eyeglasses for people with near-vision impairments in India and Kenya

Peek practice-based evidence framework 

This project aims to identify those left behind in eye services and test interventions to ensure they reach care