Effect of refractive blur on a novel retinal birefringence scanning device

The Blinq takes non-invasive infrared scans of the two eyes over about 2-5 seconds to check if the two eyes are aligned. Refractive errors like short-sightedness or long-sightedness can cause the scans to be blurry, which may impact accuracy. We want to investigate exactly what levels of refractive errors will cause significant inaccuracies. This will help to develop guidelines for how best to use the Blinq device in children's vision screening.

We will first ask participants to complete an Online Consent Form. They will then be invited  to attend the first study visit (Part 1). Participation will involve a total of 1-3 visits to the Eye Clinic at the Grafton Campus. 

Part 1 takes up to an hour, and will include standard optometry tests to measure vision and refraction.  We will then perform the Blinq scan 5 times (2-5 seconds per scan). From the clinical results, we can then inform participants whether they are eligible for Part 2 of the study.

All eligible participants will then have the choice of whether to participate in part 2., which will take 2 hours. The second part of this study involves 1 to 2 visits to the clinic and using up to 7 pairs of daily disposable soft contact lenses of different powers, to induce specific levels of refractive error.  Participants will need to put on and remove the contact lenses themselves.

The inducing lenses will make vision temporarily blurry, but will return to normal after they are removed. Participants will need to wear each set of lenses for 10 to 15 minutes while we check their refraction and repeat the Blinq scans. The lenses can then be removed for a short break before the next set.

As a gratuity/koha for participating, petrol or Westfield vouchers will be offered. $20 for completing Part 1, and $40 for completing Part 2.

You're invited to participate in Part 1 of  this research if you meet the following criteria:

• You are 16 years of age or over. (Participants under the age of 18 must have written consent from their legal guardian/s)
• Have vision in both eyes (regardless of the level of vision, lazy eye is okay)
• Do not have any eye disease or condition that may impact the Blinq scan quality (e.g. cataract, glaucoma, keratoconus, etc)

You're invited to participate in Part 2 of  this research if you meet the following criteria:

• Meet all criteria for Part 1 and complete the clinical screening
• Have normal vision (corrected with glasses or contact lenses where needed)
• Have a spherical refractive error only with low or no astigmatism (≤1.00 DC)
• Are willing and able to wear soft contact lenses and can put in and remove the contact lenses by yourself

Student Researcher

Grace McKee 
Email:  gmck923@aucklanduni.ac.nz 

Principal Investigator

Dr Tina Gao 
Email:  t.gao@auckland.ac.nz 

Co-Investigators

Professor Steven Dakin
Email:  s.dakin@auckland.ac.nz 

Associate Professor Joanna Black
Email:  j.black@auckland.ac.nz