St Mark's Catholic Primary School students learning how to find their blind spot

Over the last month, the Monash Vision Group (MVG) has visited two schools to demonstrate the bionic eye and raise awareness about blindness and vision impairment.

On Thursday 11^th October, MVG celebrated World Sight Day at St Mark’s Catholic Primary School in Dingley with students from grades 5 and 6.

“World Sight Day is a global event to raise awareness about blindness and vision impairment. In Australia, 75% of blindness and vision impairment can be prevented or treated,” said Judy Tran of the MVG.

During the incursion, the students were taught the basic anatomy of the eye, along with what can go wrong with the eye and the most common types of vision impairments in Australia. The students then brainstormed 5 ways on how to maintain healthy eyes.

“The group watched an animation of the MVG's 'direct to brain' bionic eye to help them see how this type of bionic eye technology works.”

On Thursday 18^th October MVG attended an incursion to John Monash Science School to demonstrate the bionic eye technology to year 10 students.

“We were very fortunate to have Mr Hong Lim MP, local member for Clayton, attend the incursion.”

These school visits are a great way for groups like MVG to educate the community on the benefits of their research.