Dr Tamsin Callaghan

Overview

Tamsin has over 15 years of experience in Optometry and is a qualified Dispensing Optician and Optometrist.

For her PhD Tamsin looked at into the role of a lack of oxygen in the development of Age-related Macular Degeneration, and if a lack of oxygen was responsible for the changes seen in dark adapted visual function in this condition.

Tamsin has experience of teaching and lecturing at an undergraduate and postgraduate level and in 2015 joined City University as a lecturer in the Division of Optometry and Visual Science, where she carries out both research and teaching roles.

Currently, Tamsin is the Primary Investigator on a project investigating home monitoring in glaucoma.

Qualifications

Postgraduate Diploma in Academic Practice, BSc Optometry and Vision Science, Fellowship Dispensing Diploma and PhD in Optometry and Vision Science.

Administrative roles

• Lead for Teaching Excellence (Dept of Optometry), City, University of London, Jan 2019 – present
• Member of the School of Health Sciences International Committee, Nov 2018 – present

Employment

• Lecturer, City, University London, Sep 2015 – present
• Teacher, Cardiff University, Aug 2014 – Aug 2015

Memberships of professional organisations

• College of Optometrists
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• General Optical Council

Award

• Naylor Prize national competition (2010) Best project report
  "Winners in the 2009 Naylor prize competition". Ophthalmic & physiological optics (0275-5408), 30 (6), p. 870.

Teaching

Undergraduate modules

Module lead for OV1004 Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing
Module lead for OV2021 Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing
Academic lead for the dispensing clinic in OV3025 Clinical Skills and Professional Practice.OV3021 Research Studies

Postgraduate modules

MSc Co-module lead for OVM006 Professional Certificate in Glaucoma APM002 SHS MSc Dissertation Module

Research overview

Tamsin's primary research interest is Age-related macular Degeneration (AMD) and in particular in the aetiology and pathogenesis of the condition. Tamsin is also interested in investigating functional biomarkers for the early stages of the condition and the effect AMD has on retinal structure and visual function.

Title of thesis: Investigating the delivery and impact of patient-practitioner communication in modifying lifestyle of people with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Sep 2020

Summary of research

Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of visual impairment and severe visual loss. There is currently no treatment for non-neovascular AMD, however lifestyle modification (such as stopping smoking and changing diet) may reduce the risk of progression. Eye care professionals (ECP) are therefore recommended to provide lifestyle advice to patients with AMD. Studies suggest that these guidelines are not consistently followed, however, little research has been conducted to see what the barriers are to advice provision, and what approaches may increase communication effectiveness.
The aim of my thesis is to investigate the extent, nature and effectiveness of lifestyle modification advice currently given to patients with AMD to provide a framework to increase the provision of delivery and optimise communication effectiveness.

External supervisor

• Vinuela-Navarro, V. Aston University.

Research students

1^st supervisor

• Sonali Dave, Research Student

Publications by category