Monika Thakur, research optometrist at LVPEI, has received the prestigious Developing Country Eye Researcher Travel Fellowship (DCERF) by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) for her work titled ‘Investigation of reaction time to light fixation in typically healthy infants and infants with early visual deprivation.’
Mentored by Dr PremNandhini Satgunam, Monika’s research focuses on visual recovery in infants with early visual deprivation, particularly those with bilateral congenital cataract. Her PhD work focuses on the impact of early visual deprivation on fixation-to-light behavior as well as primary visual functions such as visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in infants with bilateral congenital cataract pre- and post-surgical/optical intervention.
Why this study matters: This research offers new insights into the various neural mechanisms and the maturation of visual functions in infants with early visual deprivation.
Quote from the mentor: We are glad that the transformative work being done at LVPEI is being recognized at a global platform like ARVO, which is the largest international meeting for eye care practitioners and researchers. (Dr PremNandhini Satgunam)
The Developing Country Eye Researcher Travel Fellowship (DCERF) program invites aspiring scientists from developing countries to ARVO’s Annual Meeting, being held from May 3-7, 2026, to provide young researchers with access to the latest in vision sciences, offering them opportunities to network with colleagues, mentors, and thought leaders, and to develop an effective vision research program in their home countries.
