Professor John Barbur

Professor of Optics and Visual Science: Director of Research

Academic and professional qualifications / memberships

Brief outline of career history

Administrative responsibilities

• BSc Optometry: Contribution to first year lecture / laboratory programme and third year special studies
• Director of Applied Vision Research Centre
• Senior Postgraduate Tutor
• Member of Research & Ethical Committee in Optometry & Visual Science
• Member of CU Senate Research Committee
• Member of SHS Research Committee

Professional activities outside the University

• MRC College of Experts
• EPSRC College of Experts
• OPO Editorial Board Member
• ICVS Board Member
• CIE TC1-79 committee (Chairman)

Research interests

Prof Barbur's research interests cover both fundamental studies of visual mechanisms as well as applied and clinical research. The development of research instrumentation and new measurement techniques has been an area of great interest and resulted in new methods and instrumentation for analysis of pupil response components, spatial vision and chromatic sensitivity and the measurement of scattered light in the eye. The various techniques are based on both visual psychophysics and the measurement of involuntary responses such as eye movements and pupil signals and have been employed to study both applied and clinical aspects of visual processing. As a Fulbright Scholar, Prof Barbur spent time as Visiting Professor at the Center for Visual Science at the University of Rochester (NY) where he worked on colour vision and visual performance in the mesopic range. The following is a summary of selected developments:

• The £1.55m awarded to Prof. Barbur in 2005 for laboratory refurbishment from the Wellcome Trust triggered the formation of The Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Vision Sciences at City University. Recent work with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) led to development of a new colour vision test and the establishment of new pass/fail limits for aviation (http://www.caa.co.uk/caapaper200904). The findings from this project paved the way for the introduction of new certification procedures within visually demanding occupational environments and the formation of a City University spin-out company to supply Advanced Vision and Optometric Tests (http://www.city-occupational.co.uk/).

• Prof Barbur was awarded the first City University research prize in 2008 for a project to research early changes in normal vision in subjects with high risk of age-related macular degeneration. This work has now evolved through joint projects with the Department of Ophthalmology, Kings College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital. The first clinical trial of the CAD test has now started in collaboration with Moorfields Abu Dhabi hospital and the Imperial College diabetes unit. The trial aims to establish the usefulness of the CAD test in early diagnosis of retinal disease.

• In addition to studies into fundamental mechanisms of vision supported by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, a number of clinical and applied projects on behalf of both industry and government have also been carried out. The MERLIN project (Mesopically Enhanced Road Lighting: Improving Night-vision) was recently awarded £1.2 million funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to investigate mesopic vision and to optimize road lighting for pedestrians. The project will last for four years and involves collaboration with researchers at Sheffield University and UCL. The aim is to provide a better understanding of mesopic vision and to optimize the use of new technologies for lighting of residential streets so as to improve vision while reducing the electricity consumed.

Selected publications

• Barbur JL, Rodriguez-Carmona,M. Variability in normal and defective colour vision: consequences for occupational environments. In Colour design: Theories and application, Chapter 2, Ed. J.Best, ISBN 1 84569 972 6, Woodheap Publishing Ltd., Cambridge (2011).
• Barbur JL , Connolly DM. Effects of hypoxia on colour vision with emphasis on the mesopic range. Expert Review of Ophthalmology, 6 (4), 409-420 (2011).
• Bridge,H, Jindahra, P, Barbur, JL and Plant, G. Imaging reveals optic tract degeneration in hemianopia. Invest Ophthalmol.Vis.Sci. 52:382-388, 2011.
• Barbur JL, Stockman A. Photopic, Mesopic and Scotopic Vision and Changes in Visual Performance. In: Dartt D, Besharse JC, Dana R (Eds.). Elsevier, 323-331 (2010)
• Barbur JL, Konstantakopoulou E, Rodriguez-Carmona M, Harlow JA, Robson AG, Moreland JD. The Macular Assessment Profile test - a new VDU-based technique for measuring the spatial distribution of the macular pigment, lens density and rapid flicker sensitivity. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 30(5), 470-483 (2010).
• Barbur JL, Rodriguez-Carmona ML, Evans S, and Milburn N. Minimum Colour Vision Requirements for Professional Flight Crew. Recommendations for new colour vision standards. CAA publication 200904. http://www.caa.co.uk/caapaper200904 (2009)
• Connolly DM , Barbur JL. Low contrast acuity at photopic and mesopic luminance under mild hypoxia, normoxia, and hyperoxia. Aviat.Space Environ.Med. 80(11), 933-940 (2009).
• Barbur JL, Rodriguez-Carmona M, Harlow JA, Mancuso K, Neitz J, Neitz M. A study of unusual Rayleigh matches in deutan deficiency. Vis.Neurosci. 25(3), 507-516 (2008).
• Barbur JL , Spang K. Colour constancy and conscious perception of changes of illuminant. Neuropsychologia. 46(3), 853-863 (2008).
• Rodriguez-Carmona M, Sharpe LT, Harlow JA, Barbur JL. Sex-related differences in chromatic sensitivity. Vis.Neurosci. 25(3), 433-440 (2008).

Awards and Prizes

• The Albrecht-Ludwig-Berblinger Prize (2011). The Science Award of the German Academy of Aviation and Travel Medicine for work on minimum colour vision requirements for professional flight crew (shared prize).
• Arnold D Turtle Award (2009). Awarded by the International Association of Space & Environmental Medicine.
• The Walsh-Weston Award (2008). From the Society for Lighting Research & Technology.
• City University London Research Prize (2008)
• Fulbright Scholarship Award (1997). Fulbright Commission, London UK.
• The Harold H. Lewis Award (1980). For contribution made to the scientific documentary film "The pupil function"