Sruthi Chamarty, project 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 'Is air-puff induced whole eye movement altered in early-onset high myopes?'
Mentored by Dr Pavan Kumar Verkicharla, Sruthi’s research focuses on early-onset high myopia, i.e., when myopia is worse than -6D and develops at or before the age of six. It aims to identify what factors are likely to be associated with the development of this condition, as well as assess how early-onset high myopia impacts the quality of life of affected individuals.
Why this study matters: Individuals who develop early-onset high myopia carry lifelong risks of vision-threatening complications, highlighting the need to understand its causation for early detection, prevention, and management of the condition.
Quote from the mentor: A lot of research in the field of myopia focuses on regular school-related myopia. But early-onset high myopia in children under 6 years with ≤-6D is overlooked. This PhD project aims to provide new insights in this untapped territory. We are grateful to ARVO for supporting this critical area. (Dr Pavan Kumar Verkicharla)
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.
