AAOF and Meta Reality Labs Launch $1.5 Million Open-Science Initiative to Study Myopia and Visual Experience

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) has partnered with Meta Reality Labs to fund an open-science research initiative aimed at understanding the relationship between visual experience and the onset and progression of myopia. This collaboration will support three independent research studies focused on quantified longitudinal visual experiences and their effects on myopia outcomes, totaling $1.5 million.

“We are excited to announce this open-science research initiative in partnership with Meta Reality Labs,” AAOF President Dr. Rachel A. 'Stacey' Coulter said in a news release. “This industry-sponsored opportunity fosters transformative partnerships where academic rigor aligns with real-world application, driving innovation and creating solutions that benefit both science and society.”

Historically, studies on visual experience have been conducted in isolation, limiting the ability to aggregate data and draw comprehensive conclusions on this complex issue. To overcome this challenge, the AAOF and Meta are adopting an open-science model for the initiative. Researchers involved will not only make their publications publicly accessible but also share the underlying data in accordance with the FAIR data principles. This includes providing necessary metadata artifacts to ensure that the data can be properly interpreted.

By facilitating this level of transparency, the initiative aims to promote comparison and harmonization of findings, enhancing reproducibility and enabling federated analysis of the datasets by other researchers. This collaborative approach seeks to unravel the intricate role visual experience plays in the development of myopia.

The submission criteria and application window for these research awards will be announced during Academy 2024 Indianapolis, the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry. Attendees can look forward to details during the AAOF’s Awards Celebration Brunch on Saturday, November 9.