Sachi Rathod
For most children, a simple pair of glasses can make a world of difference. But what happens when vision problems aren't picked up in the first place?
That's the question driving optometrist and PhD researcher Sachi's doctoral research at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Her work explores how Aotearoa's school vision screening programme could better identify children who need eye care and make it easier for them and their whānau to access treatment.
"I've had glasses since I was eight years old, so I understand the night-and-day difference first hand," Sachi says.
It's really fun working with young patients, and best of all, you can make a lasting
positive impact on their lives by detecting and treating conditions early.
After graduating from the University's School of Optometry and Vision Science with the Dean's Medal in 2020, Sachi spent a year as a Professional Teaching Fellow on Vision Bus Aotearoa – a mobile eye clinic that visits low socio-economic schools across Auckland while providing hands-on learning for optometry students.
The experience opened her eyes to the barriers many children face in accessing eye care and inspired her to pursue doctoral research in health economics and health systems.
"In Aotearoa, we only screen children's vision twice throughout school," she explains. "Our screening methods aren't as accurate as they could be, and failing screening doesn't always lead to eye tests and treatment, especially if you're a child from a vulnerable community."
Her research explores the costs and benefits of more accurate screening, more frequent screening, and providing eye tests in schools, with the goal of helping shape future health policy.
Ultimately, she hopes to create an eyecare pathway that removes barriers by integrating vision screening, eye tests and treatment throughout a child's school years.
"A similar model exists for children's dental care – it's about time we brought vision on board too!"
Sachi also enjoys sharing her research beyond academia and recently presented her work in the University of Auckland Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, where doctoral candidates explain their research to a general audience in just three minutes.
For students considering a PhD, she has some simple advice. "If there's a problem you'd like to solve, and you're willing to spend three to four years exploring the answers whilst practising resilience, patience, and tolerating uncertainty – go for it! There's nothing out there quite as character-building and revealing as a PhD."