Research

Optometry and Visual Science Research

Optometry and Visual Science has a mature and thriving research community with a strong international reputation in applied vision and clinical research.

Our overall objective is to gain a greater understanding of the processes involved in the acquisition, analysis, storage and retrieval of visual information and the motor response with particular emphasis on applied vision and translational research.

Applied Vision Research Centre (AVRC)

The research programme is co-ordinated through the Applied Vision Research Centre (AVRC) under the direction of Professor John Barbur. The AVRC was formed in 1987 and is part of the School of Health Sciences which brings together a number of strong research groups and provides an excellent base for vision-related, interdisciplinary research studies.

Research Areas

Research areas cover topics concerned with fundamental visual processes, ophthalmic and physiological optics, vision care and clinical practice, visual neuroscience and the development of specialised instrumentation for non-invasive objective responses with emphasis on clinical applications.

In recent years, the Centre has expanded its faculty particularly in areas such as glaucoma, retinal imaging and ophthalmic public health. The translation of knowledge derived from fundamental vision studies into eye care and clinical applications has benefited greatly from the strong links established with Moorfields Eye Hospital Trust, The Institute of Ophthalmology and the National Hospital (Queens Square). Patient-based studies that exploit the latest research techniques to understand diseases of the eye, their detection and management and their effects on patients' quality of life as well as the funding to support this work have benefited significantly from these links. The award of research grants and contracts by Research Councils and the Wellcome Trust, the European Community, industry and USA agencies, the selection and nomination of AVRC members to serve on international vision committees (ARVO, CIE, ICVS, etc) and the prestigious Royal Society Research Fellowship confirm the status of the AVRC as an important international centre in clinical and applied vision research.

Research Seminars

The Department organises a full programme of research seminars on a range of vision related topics.

Research Groups

The current research activities have been developed on the strength of the skills and interests of our staff and fall naturally into three closely linked groups. Staff motivation is high and many research centre members are part of and contribute to ongoing research projects in more than one stream:

Visual Neuroscience and Psychophysics Research Group

The group members have overlapping research interests in both the peripheral and central components of the visual pathways and there are strengths in a broad range of experimental approaches, extending from molecular biology to anatomical, physiological and behavioural analysis and the application of advanced visual psychophysical techniques and latest imaging to the early detection of retinal and systemic diseases that affect vision.

Research Labs

The group consists of the following labs

1. Retina and Neurophysiology
2. Psychophysics
3. Colour Vision Research
4. Brain imaging and active vision
5. Reaching & grasping

Measurement Techniques in Clinical Optics

This group unites a large number of researchers with interests in the optometric, wider clinical and applied environments. This diverse group has benefited from significant recruitment and has reached a critical mass of experienced researchers in the areas of amblyopia, glaucoma, measurement techniques in vision and primary care optometry. An overarching aim of this group is to carry out research that links basic visual mechanisms with clinical practice. The group employs a variety of research methods and techniques, ranging from standard clinical tools to mathematical models to enhance the detection of visual disorders and to improve the quality of life for those with visual problems. Our research impacts on the full spectrum of the population, from pre-term babies to the elderly patient with glaucoma.

Research Labs

The group consists of the following labs

1. Measurement Techniques in Vision
2. Visual optics and imaging
3. Advanced instrumentation and clinical tests
4. Visual Development and Amblyopia

Ophthalmic Public Health Research 

The Ophthalmic Public Health Research Group, led by Professor John Lawrenson, aims to develop strategies for the prevention and early detection of sight loss. The group work closely with ophthalmology colleagues at Moorfields Eye Hospital, with the College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists, and has strong links with other research groups across the University. The work focuses primarily on the current and potential future role of community optometry services and has made major contributions to national policy and strategy in this area. The group has also contributed to the development of clinical management guidelines and other decision support tools in primary eye care.

Current projects include: