Yvette Gonzalez, Plymouth University visiting researcher, exploring the Gruta do Natal cave
Bristol-based Okko Health and the University of Plymouth were partnering on a project to test eye health and track disease detection in extreme environments, including a cave and outer space.
A smart phone app created by the eye health technology company measured vision across multiple dimensions and features a puzzle game to collect data and assess a person’s eye health.
The Okko app was created to monitor eye health at home and by testing it in extreme environments, scientists could validate its effectiveness in unusual conditions.
The app would first be tested deep within a cave, in preparation for launching it into space, where researchers would face similar challenges of confinement and limited equipment.
The research team would use learnings from how vision responds to microgravity and the visual effects of altered intracranial pressure to better understand, detect and monitor neurological conditions back on earth.
‘Current eye charts, while great for prescribing glasses, fall short in detecting and monitoring eye diseases early. Static, black-and-white letters don't capture the full picture of how we actually see the world, said Dr Oehring, associate professor at the University of Plymouth.
‘Okko's app has the potential to transform eye care by better capturing how we see and providing deeper insights into the eyes' function.’