Jersey Girl Joins Cutting-Edge Eye Trial Using Video Games

A five-year-old girl from Jersey is taking part in a groundbreaking trial that uses computer games to explore new ways of improving children’s vision.

Nevaeh, who has albinism and a rare eye condition called nystagmus, struggles to open her eyes fully in bright light and experiences involuntary eye movements. Her younger sister, eight-month-old Novah, has the same inherited condition.

Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a series of games designed to track eye movement and test how well glasses are improving vision in children like Nevaeh.

Her mother, Carly, said the trial has given her renewed optimism:

“I’ve often felt lost about how Nevaeh will cope as she grows up, but now I feel hopeful that her sight could be improved.”

What Is Nystagmus?

Nystagmus affects around 24 in every 10,000 people, according to University of Leicester research. The condition can cause rapid, uncontrolled eye movement and make focusing difficult. In children with albinism, the lack of melanin in the eyes can make vision problems worse.

Dr. Jay Self, who is leading the Southampton study, said there is currently no cure but several supportive options exist, including glasses, medication, and surgery.

However, he noted that traditional sight tests, such as reading letters from a static chart, fail to reflect everyday challenges:

“In real life, things are moving — cars on the road, people in a crowd. These games let us measure not just clarity, but also how quickly a child can see and process what’s happening.”

From Worry to Hope

Carly first noticed her daughter’s unusual eye movements when Nevaeh was just eight weeks old. Doctors in Dubai initially dismissed her concerns, but after the family returned to Jersey, specialists confirmed the diagnosis.

Now, as Nevaeh prepares to enter Year 1, her family is hopeful that the gaming trial will give her a stronger start at school.

One of the games — created by Nucleolus Software, a university spin-out company — challenges children to run a virtual fast-food kitchen, taking orders, assembling burgers, and spotting hidden objects. The tasks allow researchers to monitor how quickly players detect and recognise visual details.

Looking Ahead

The project is among the first initiatives supported by the new £100m Institute for Medical Innovation, a partnership between the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

For Carly, the trial is not only about helping her daughters but also about raising awareness of albinism and nystagmus:

“I want my girls to feel empowered by their albinism, not limited by it. Talking about these conditions is the first step to greater understanding and acceptance.”