VOLUNTEER IN OUR RESEARCH STUDIES
Participation in research studies can lead to new or improved treatments in eye and vision care.
Studies currently recruiting new subjects are below. All studies have been reviewed and have received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board.
We thank you in advance for your consideration.
We are researching the impact of childhood eye conditions such as lazy eye (amblyopia) on everyday life. This study is important because children and adults with childhood eye conditions may have different eye movements, read slowly, or have motor issues. We want to better understand the causes of these issues, which may lead to the development of early interventions and treatments. This study's primary investigator is Dr. Krista Kelly.
Eligibility: Children and adults 3 to <40 years of age diagnosed with a childhood eye condition (amblyopia, strabismus, anisometropia, cataract). We are also recruiting control participants with no vision conditions other than wearing glasses.
Time commitment: One in-person visit at the School of Optometry & Vision Science, approximately 60 minutes with an optional second visit later. Participants will receive a $50 Walmart gift card per visit at each visit in appreciation of their time, plus reimbursement for parking.
To participate, please contact Krista Kelly at krista.kelly@uwaterloo.ca or call 519-888-4567 ext 41330.
We are looking for adults diagnosed with macular degeneration for a study which examines whether reading can be improved through a combination of practice and the use of a safe, well-established technique for temporarily changing brain function called non-invasive brain stimulation. It is important to note that we cannot guarantee that you will personally experience any visual benefits. However, we are performing this study because we believe it might hold promise for future treatments and interventions.
Participants will be asked to read words on a computer screen for 9 study sessions spaced out over a period of 2 to 3 months.
Eligibility: Adults diagnosed with macular degeneration. Participants must not have any additional eye conditions (previous cataract surgery is acceptable), should not be undergoing eye-based injections, and must be eligible for non-invasive brain stimulation (researchers will screen for this).
Time commitment: Attend 9 visits (2 hours per visit) over the course of approximately 2 to 3 months. You will be given $20 per session in appreciation for your time. Transportation will be provided at no cost to you. However, if you have a driver, we can provide them with a parking voucher to cover any parking expenses.
To participate, please contact Melanie Mungalsingh at mamungal@uwaterloo.ca. Alternatively, you can call 519-888-4567 ext. 38651. If necessary, please leave a message so we can get back to you as soon as possible.
Healthy vision is crucial at every stage of life.
Researchers at the School of Optometry & Vision Science are interested in how the public wants to receive health information through this short survey.
Eligibility: All are eligible to participate. Your response will remain anonymous.
Time commitment:Approximately 5-10 minutes.
If you have any other inquiries regarding this survey, you may contact Dr. Elizabeth Irving at elizabeth.irving@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 ext. 35529.
We have developed a new test of visual acuity (VA) designed for young infants called the Waterloo Differential Acuity Test (WatDAT). We expect that this test will be more sensitive for diagnosing vision problems earlier in young children. In adults, we are comparing with other clinical tests to determine how well the new test can differentiate between normal or reduced vision. This study's primary investigator is Dr. Susan Leat; other investigators are Drs Christian, D. Jones, McCulloch and Irving.
Eligibility: Adults (18-<40 years old) with reduced vision, such as amblyopia, in one or both eyes, even with spectacles or contact lenses.
Time commitment: Attend 2 in-person visits, approximately 1 week apart at the School of Optometry & Vision Science. First visit - about 90 minutes; 2nd visit - about 60 minutes. Participants will receive $20 per visit at each visit in appreciation of their time, plus reimbursement for parking.
To participate, please contact Victor Opoku-Yamoah at vopokuya@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 ext. 36760.
We have developed a new test of visual acuity (VA) designed for young children called the Waterloo Differential Acuity Test (WatDAT). We expect that this test will be more sensitive for detecting vision problems earlier in young children. We are comparing how children perform on this test compared to other clinical tests and also collecting normal data for the test. The study includes tasks such as pointing at shapes and faces shown on a touch screen. The study's primary investigator is Dr. Susan Leat; other investigators are Drs. Christian, D. Jones, McCulloch and Irving.
Eligibility: Healthy children (18-<48 months old) with typical development for their age.
Time commitment: One in-person visit at the School of Optometry & Vision Science lasting about 30 minutes with an optional second visit later. Participants will receive $20 per visit at each visit in appreciation of their time, plus reimbursement for parking.
To participate, please contact Suypriya Aryal, University of Waterloo at s5aryal@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 ext. 36760.
We are seeking adults to participate in a study to investigate the effects of coloured light adaptation in myopic and non-myopic eyes. The study aims to understand whether coloured light adaptation alters responses. The participants vision will be measured with a standard eye chart along with their refractive error. Electroretinography (ERG) measurements will be recorded using a skin sensor on the lower eyelid before light adaptation for 20 minutes followed by another ERG measurement after.
Eligibility: Healthy adults (18 to 30 years old) who need corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) for myopia in one or both eyes or see well without correction. This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University.
Time commitment: Two in-person visits of 40 minutes to one hour. Eligible participants will receive $25 per visit.
Contact: To participate please contact Ashita Bidarkar at abidarka@uwaterloo.ca or call 519-570-8741
We're looking for participants with dry eyes to participate in a study to investigate the effect of refrigeration on instillation comfort of an anti-inflammatory eyedrop (Cequa, 0.09% cyclosporine A). You'll be asked to compare the comfort of a refrigerated Cequa drop in one eye, and a non-refrigerated Cequa drop in the other. You'll also undergo routine examination of the front of the eye, and some of these procedures involve touching the surface of your eye.
Eligibility: Adults (>18 y/o) with moderate to severe dry eyes who are not pregnant, not breastfeeding, not a contact lens wearer, do not have an allergy to Cequa (cyclosporine) and fluorescein, do not have cancer or precancerous tissues around the eye.
Time commitment: Attend a single, 1-hour visit. Participants will receive $20 for their time and reimbursement for parking or public transit (max $7).