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Dr Simon Grant

Reader

School of Health & Psychological Sciences Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences

Contact details

Address

Dr Simon Grant M107, Myddelton Street Building [M]
City, University of London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom

About

Overview

Simon Grant is a visual neuroscientist specializing in binocular functions and their contributions to human action control. He joined City University London in 2000 having previously worked as a lecturer at Imperial College and Charing Cross & Westminster Medical Schools in London.

He has a BSc in Human Biology and a PhD obtained at the National Institute for Medical Research, London. This was for anatomical and physiological work on animal models of human amblyopia, squint and binocular (3D, depth, stereo) vision loss, an interest that he pursued in post-doctoral research at University College London and the Medical College of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, USA) and in his subsequent lectureships in London Medical Schools.

His research focus shifted on joining Optometry at City University, where his main area of work has been on the contributions of normal binocular 3D vision to the control of reaching and grasping movements, and on evaluating deficits in these eye-hand coordination skills in children and adults with amblyopia and/or selectively reduced binocular functions.

Qualifications

  • PhD, University of London, United Kingdom, Oct 1979 – May 1982
  • BSc Hons, University of Surrey, United Kingdom, Sep 1973 – Jun 1977

Postgraduate training

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom, Jul 1987 – Dec 1990
  • Postdoctoral Research Instructor, Medical College of Pennsylvania, United States, May 1985 – Jun 1987
  • MRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University College London, London, United Kingdom, May 1982 – May 1985

Employment

  • Associate Professor/Reader, City, University London, 2013 – present
  • Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, City, University London, Oct 2000 – Jul 2013
  • Lecturer, Imperial College London, Aug 1998 – Sep 2000
  • Lecturer, Charing Cross & Westminster Medical School, Jan 1991 – Jul 1998

Memberships of professional organisations

  • Member, Federal European Neuroscience Society
  • Member, Applied Vision Association (UK)
  • Member, Society for Neuroscience (USA)

Teaching

Educational Leadership

Undergraduate: 2nd Year Staff-Student Lead
Undergraduate: 02 Module Co-Leader, Visual Science
Postgraduate MSc: Module Co-Leader, Binocular Vision
Postgraduate PhD: Senior Research Tutor

Teaching

BSc Optometry modules
OV1011 Biological Sciences
OV2018 Binocular Vision
OV2020 Visual Science
OV3021 Research Studies

MSc Clinical Optometry modules
OVM033 Binocular Vision
OVM034 Paediatric Optometry

BSc & Postgraduate Diploma, Language & Communication Skills modules

Other Professional Teaching

FRC Opthalmology, Basic Sciences Revision Course, Institute of Ophthalmology, London

Research

Research overview

Amblyopia is a common developmental disorder of spatial vision associated with well-documented perceptual deficits in acuity, contrast sensitivity and binocular 3D vision. Simon's principal research examines the consequences of these dysfunctions on the ability of affected children and adults to perform everyday real-world visually-guided tasks, with a specific focus on their eye-hand coordination skills. His recent work has characterized the disabilities in reaching and, particularly, precision grasping present in all age-groups of people with amblyopia, and has established that these deficits are more related to their loss of binocular stereo vision than to reduced visual acuity.

A conclusion drawn is that the conventional focus of amblyopia therapy in improving monocular acuity needs to be shifted to rectifying the primary underlying problem in binocular vision. To these ends, he is currently exploring, with clinical colleagues, whether novel treatments, involving perceptual learning paradigms and video-game training, are more effective approaches for recovering the deficits in both binocular depth perception and hand action control in amblyopic subjects.

Research areas

Binocular Vision: abnormal Development & Plasticity; Amblyopia & Eye-Hand Coordination; Cortical Mechanisms of Visual Perception & Action

Current and recently completed grants / Activities

2011-14: 'Mapping & remapping of visual space' The Wellcome Trust, co-applicant, with Prof Michael Morgan (PI)

Completed research

2010-11: 'Effects of abnormal binocular vision on eye-hand coordination in children' The Special Trustees of Moorfields Eye Hospital

Principal collaborators

Dr Miriam Conway, Prof Michael Morgan, Dr Catherine Suttle & Prof Christopher Tyler (Optometry, City University London); Prof Marty Sereno (Birkbeck College, London); Prof John J Sloper (Moorfields Eye Hospital, London); Dr Claus Hilgetag (University of Hamburg, Germany)

Publications

Featured publications

  1. Grant, S. (2015). Gaze–grasp coordination in obstacle avoidance: differences between binocular and monocular viewing. Experimental Brain Research, 233(12), pp. 3489–3505. doi:10.1007/s00221-015-4421-7.

    [publisher’s website]

  2. Beul, S.F., Grant, S. and Hilgetag, C.C. (2015). A predictive model of the cat cortical connectome based on cytoarchitecture and distance. Brain Structure and Function, 220(6), pp. 3167–3184. doi:10.1007/s00429-014-0849-y.

    [publisher’s website]

  3. Grant, S., Suttle, C., Melmoth, D.R., Conway, M.L. and Sloper, J.J. (2014). Age- and Stereovision-Dependent Eye–Hand Coordination Deficits in Children With Amblyopia and Abnormal Binocularity. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science, 55(9), pp. 5687–5687. doi:10.1167/iovs.14-14745.

    [publisher’s website]

  4. Suttle, C.M., Melmoth, D.R., Finlay, A.L., Sloper, J.J. and Grant, S. (2011). Eye-hand coordination skills in children with and without amblyopia. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 52(3), pp. 1851–1864. doi:10.1167/iovs.10-6341.
  5. Hilgetag, C.C. and Grant, S. (2010). Cytoarchitectural differences are a key determinant of laminar projection origins in the visual cortex. NEUROIMAGE, 51(3), pp. 1006–1017. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.03.006.
  6. Melmoth, D.R., Finlay, A.L., Morgan, M.J. and Grant, S. (2009). Grasping deficits and adaptations in adults with stereo vision losses. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 50(8), pp. 3711–3720. doi:10.1167/iovs.08-3229.
  7. Melmoth, D.R., Storoni, M., Todd, G., Finlay, A.L. and Grant, S. (2007). Dissociation between vergence and binocular disparity cues in the control of prehension. Exp Brain Res, 183(3), pp. 283–298. doi:10.1007/s00221-007-1041-x.
  8. Grant, S., Melmoth, D.R., Morgan, M.J. and Finlay, A.L. (2007). Prehension deficits in amblyopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 48(3), pp. 1139–1148. doi:10.1167/iovs.06-0976.
  9. Melmoth, D.R. and Grant, S. (2006). Advantages of binocular vision for the control of reaching and grasping. Exp Brain Res, 171(3), pp. 371–388. doi:10.1007/s00221-005-0273-x.
  10. Udin, S.B. and Grant, S. (1999). Plasticity in the tectum of Xenopus laevis: binocular maps. Progress in Neurobiology, 59(2), pp. 81–106. doi:10.1016/s0301-0082(98)00096-3.

    [publisher’s website]

  11. Brickley, S., Dawes, E.A., Keating, M.J. and Grant, S. (1998). Synchronizing retinal activity in both eyes disrupts binocular map development in the optic tectum. Journal of Neuroscience, 18(4), pp. 1491–1504.
  12. Grant, S. and Berman, N.E.J. (1991). Mechanism of anomalous retinal correspondence: Maintenance of binocularity with alteration of receptive-field position in the lateral suprasylvian (LS) visual area of strabismic cats. Visual Neuroscience, 7(3), pp. 259–281. doi:10.1017/s0952523800004077.

    [publisher’s website]

  13. Grant, S. and Shipp, S. (1991). Visuotopic organization of the lateral suprasylvian area and of an adjacent area of the ectosylvian gyrus of cat cortex: A physioligical and connectional study. Visual Neuroscience, 6(4), pp. 315–338. doi:10.1017/s0952523800006568.

    [publisher’s website]

Publications by category

Conference papers and proceedings (2)

Journal articles (39)

  • Grant, S. and Conway, M.L. (2019). Some binocular advantages for planning reach, but not grasp, components of prehension. Experimental Brain Research, 237(5), pp. 1239–1255. doi:10.1007/s00221-019-05503-4.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Grant, S. and Conway, M.L. (2015). Reach-to-precision grasp deficits in amblyopia: Effects of object contrast and low visibility. Vision Research, 114, pp. 100–110. doi:10.1016/j.visres.2014.11.009.
  • Melmoth, D., Grant, S., Solomon, J.A. and Morgan, M.J. (2015). Rapid eye movements to a virtual target are biased by illusory context in the Poggendorff figure. Experimental Brain Research, 233(7), pp. 1993–2000. doi:10.1007/s00221-015-4263-3.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Morgan, M., Grant, S., Melmoth, D. and Solomon, J.A. (2015). Tilted frames of reference have similar effects on the perception of gravitational vertical and the planning of vertical saccadic eye movements. Experimental Brain Research, 233(7), pp. 2115–2125. doi:10.1007/s00221-015-4282-0.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Makris, S., Grant, S., Hadar, A.A. and Yarrow, K. (2013). Binocular vision enhances a rapidly evolving affordance priming effect: Behavioural and TMS evidence. Brain and Cognition, 83(3), pp. 279–287. doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2013.09.004.
  • Melmoth, D.R. and Grant, S. (2012). Getting a grip: Different actions and visual guidance of the thumb and finger in precision grasping. Experimental Brain Research, 222(3), pp. 265–276. doi:10.1007/s00221-012-3214-5.
  • Grant, S. and Moseley, M.J. (2011). Amblyopia and real-world visuomotor tasks. Strabismus, 19(3), pp. 119–128. doi:10.3109/09273972.2011.600423.
  • Tibber, M., Saygin, A.P., Grant, S., Melmoth, D., Rees, G. and Morgan, M. (2010). The neural correlates of visuospatial perceptual and oculomotor extrapolation. PLoS ONE, 5(3). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009664.
  • Tibber, M., Saygin, A., Grant, S., Melmoth, D., Rees, G. and Morgan, M. (2010). The neural correlates of visuospatial oculomotor and perceptual extrapolation. PERCEPTION, 39(2), pp. 277–277.
  • Grant, S. (2010). Cranial nerves supplying the extraocular muscles. Optometry Today, 50, pp. 18–18.
  • Melmoth, D.R., Tibber, M.S., Grant, S. and Morgan, M.J. (2009). The Poggendorff illusion affects manual pointing as well as perceptual judgements. Neuropsychologia, 47(14), pp. 3217–3224. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.07.024.
  • Kotecha, A., O'Leary, N., Melmoth, D., Grant, S. and Crabb, D.P. (2009). The functional consequences of glaucoma for eye-hand coordination. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 50(1), pp. 203–213. doi:10.1167/iovs.08-2496.
  • Tibber, M.S., Grant, S. and Morgan, M.J. (2009). Oculomotor responses and visuospatial perceptual judgments compete for common limited resources. JOURNAL OF VISION, 9(12). doi:10.1167/9.12.21.
  • Grant, S. and Hilgetag, C.C. (2005). Graded classes of cortical connections: quantitative analyses of laminar projections to motion areas of cat extrastriate cortex. Eur J Neurosci, 22(3), pp. 681–696. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2005.04232.x.
  • Melmoth, D.R. and Grant, S. (2005). Vision of the thumb as the guide to prehension. PERCEPTION, 34, pp. 243–243.
  • Grant, S., Storoni, M. and Melmoth, D.R. (2005). Dissociation between the use of vergence and binocular disparity information in the control of reaching and grasping movements. PERCEPTION, 34, pp. 247–247.
  • Melmoth, D.R., Finlay, A.L., Morgan, M.J. and Grant, S. (2005). Deficits in the 'on-line' control of reaching and grasping movements in stereodeficient adults. SPATIAL VISION, 18(4), pp. 500–501.
  • Finlay, A., Melmoth, D., Morgan, M. and Grant, S. (2005). Rapid learning enhances prehension performance in normal and stereodeficient subjects. SPATIAL VISION, 18(4), pp. 505–505.
  • Grant, S., Waller, W., Bhalla, A. and Kennard, C. (2003). Normal chiasmatic routing of uncrossed projections from the ventrotemporal retina in albino Xenopus frogs. J Comp Neurol, 458(4), pp. 425–439. doi:10.1002/cne.10598.
  • Grant, S. and Binns, K.E. (2003). Reduced influence of the ipsilateral ear on spatial tuning of auditory neurons in the albino superior colliculus: a knock-on effect of anomalies of the acoustic chiasm? EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH, 151(4), pp. 478–488. doi:10.1007/s00221-003-1495-4.
  • Grant, S., Patel, N.N., Philp, A.R., Grey, C.N.B., Lucas, R.D., Foster, R.G. … Jeffery, G. (2001). Rod photopigment deficits in albinos are specific to mammals and arise during retinal development. VISUAL NEUROSCIENCE, 18(2), pp. 245–251. doi:10.1017/S095252380118209X.
  • Scannell, J.W., Grant, S., Payne, B.R. and Baddeley, R. (2000). On variability in the density of corticocortical and thalamocortical connections. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 355(1393), pp. 21–35. doi:10.1098/rstb.2000.0547.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Hilgetag, C. and Grant, S. (2000). Uniformity, specificity and variability of corticocortical connectivity. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 355(1393), pp. 7–20. doi:10.1098/rstb.2000.0546.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Grant, S. and Berman, N.E.J. (1995). Late loss of connections during callosal development in Siamese cats. Developmental Brain Research, 88, pp. 132–147.
  • Grant, S., Brickley, S.G. and Keating, M.J. (1994). Experience-dependent mechanisms of binocular map plasticity in Xenopus: incongruent connections are masked by retinal input. Neuroscience Letters, 182, pp. 13–16.
  • Jeffery, G., Whitmore, A. and Grant, S. (1992). The mosaic of alpha cells in the cat retina is not dependent on axon terminal interactions during development. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 317(3), pp. 298–308. doi:10.1002/cne.903170307.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Grant, S., Binns, K.E., Withington, D.J. and Keating, M.J. (1992). A topographic representation of auditory space in the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus of the guinea-pig. Brain Research, 589, pp. 231–242.
  • Grant, S. and Berman, N.E.J. (1992). Topographic organization, number, and laminar distribution of callosal cells connecting visual cortical areas 17 and 18 of normally pigmented and Siamaese cats. Visual Neuroscience, 9, pp. 1–19.
  • Grant, S., Keating, M.J. and Dawes, E.A. (1992). Plasticity of binocular visual connections in the frog, Xenopus laevis: reversibility of effects of early visual deprivation. Experimental Brain Research, 90, pp. 121–128.
  • Grant, S., Dawes, E.A. and Keating, M.J. (1992). The Critical Period for Experience-dependent Plasticity in a System of Binocular Visual Connections in Xenopus laevis: Its Extension by Dark-rearing. European Journal of Neuroscience, 4(1), pp. 37–45. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.1992.tb00107.x.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Keating, M.J. and Grant, S. (1992). The Critical Period for Experience-dependent Plasticity in a System of Binocular Visual Connections in Xenopus laevis: Its Temporal Profile and Relation to Normal Developmental Requirements. European Journal of Neuroscience, 4(1), pp. 27–36. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.1992.tb00106.x.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Grant, S. and Keating, M.J. (1992). Changing patterns of binocular visual connections in the intertectal system during development of the frog, Xenopus laevis: III Modifications following early eye rotation. Experimental Brain Research, 89, pp. 383–396.
  • Shipp, S. and Grant, S. (1991). Organization of reciprocal connections between area 17 and the lateral suprasylvian area of cat visual cortex. Visual Neuroscience, 6(4), pp. 339–355. doi:10.1017/s095252380000657x.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Grant, S. and Keating, M.J. (1989). Changing patterns of binocular visual connections in the intertectal system during development of the frog, Xenopus laevis. Experimental Brain Research, 75(1), pp. 117–132. doi:10.1007/bf00248535.

    [publisher’s website]

  • Grant, S. and Keating, M.J. (1989). Changing patterns of binocular visual connections in the intertectal system during development of the frog, Xenopus laevis: I Normal maturational changes in response to changing binocular geometry. Experimental Brain Research, 75, pp. 99–116.
  • Grant, S. and Keating, M.J. (1986). Normal maturation involves systematic changes in binocular visual connections in Xenopus laevis. Nature, 322, pp. 258–261.
  • Grant, S., Keating, M.J., Dawes, E.A. and Nanchahal, K. (1986). Visual deprivation and the maturation of the retinotectal projection in Xenopus laevis. Journal of Embryology and Experimental Morphology, 91, pp. 101–115.
  • Grant, S. and Keating, M.J. (1986). Ocular migration and the metamorphic and postmetamorphic maturation of the retinotectal system in Xenopus laevis: an autoradiographic and morphometric study. Journal of Embryology and Experimental Morphology, 92, pp. 43–69.
  • Grant, S., Udin, S.B., Keating, M.J., Dawes, E.A. and Deakin, J.F.W. (1985). Intertectal neuronal plasticity in Xenopus laevis: persistence despite catecholamine depletion. Developmental Brain Research, 19, pp. 81–88.

Professional activities

Events/conferences (3)

  • XIX Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Eye Research. Montreal, Canada (2010).
    Description: (Invited Symposium Speaker) Prehension deficits in persistent and 'cured' amblyopia
  • International Amblyopia Symposium. London, UK (2010).
    Description: (Invited Speaker) Amblyopia and performance on real-world visuomotor tasks

Media appearance

  • Katie: The Science of Seeing Again. Channel 4 TV documentary about Katie Piper, a young woman partially blinded in one eye in an acid attack. She was about to have corneal stem cell and transplant surgery. I appeared on the programme to explain to her the general structure and function of the eye and to discuss the importance of the cornea for normal vision.