Get involved in our research

We are always in need of participants, whether vision-impaired or not, to help us with our research.

Register your interest in participating in VERI research

Our mission here at the Vision and Eye Research Institute (VERI) is to carry out world class research. We have a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and partners with a common aim of reducing the impact of global blindness.

Why get involved?

Research volunteers play a fundamental role in helping us show the world the causes and effects of vision loss, and how our interventions can help those impacted by vision loss.

VERI’s research has been published in hundreds of scientific journal articles, read by optometrists, ophthalmologists and scientists all over the world, promoting real change that benefits patients.

We could not produce any research without the involvement of our research participants, and we value your time and commitment hugely, and fully appreciate your role in the research that we produce.

All personal information is kept private, and only anonymous data is ever published.

What kind of research could I get involved in?

VERI is a multi-disciplinary research centre, with expert researchers from a wide-range of backgrounds and interests. We have research involving nutrition, psychology, hearing, physical activity, and more. You could volunteer for:

• Home-based research, involving questionnaires or interviews online or over the phone.
• On-site research at our labs in Cambridge, using cutting-edge testing and measuring equipment, such as for assessing the ways vision-loss impacts everyday activities.
• Testing more advanced interventions, such as improved spectacles or navigation aids.

How do I get involved?

To get involved in our research, please fill in our online form.

We'll contact you whenever appropriate research opportunities arise, and to periodically check that we have your correct details and that you're happy for us to continue storing this information and inviting you to participate.

There is no obligation to participate in any study. We'll inform you of the latest opportunities, and you can volunteer for anything that appeals to or interests you.

You can find out more, or let us know if you would like us to remove your details from our database, by emailing [email protected]

For more information about how ARU uses your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

Case study: Dr Andrew Mitchelmore

Freelance broadcaster Tom Walker talks to VERI's Dr Jasleen Jolly and Dr Andrew Mitchelmore from Oxford Brookes University, who has the eye condition choroideremia and has participated in research which he hasn’t directly benefited from.

The studies below are currently recruiting participants. If you'd like to get involved, please contact the individual researchers using the details provided.

During the COVID-19 pandemic we ran a number of surveys to find out about people's experiences. While the surveys are now closed, you can see all publications related to our COVID-19 research.

We are currently running a trial of a highly anticipated spectacle lens which is understood to slow down short-sightedness (myopia) in children.

Register your interest in participating in VERI research