City academic receives optometry research award

Dr Ahalya Subramanian FCOptom, an Associate Professor in the Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences in the School of Health and Psychological Sciences (SHPS), has been awarded the Neil Charman Medal by the College of Optometrists.

The prestigious prize was awarded at the College’s 2023 Diploma Ceremony, which took place in Central Hall, Westminster on Tuesday 7 November.

The Neil Charman Medal for Research recognises the exceptional work of talented and committed individuals working in the fields of optometry, optics and vision science. Dr Subramanian received the award for her research into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of eye health services, including the use of online (telerehabilitation) services.

In terms of research, Dr Subramanian has published three papers that explore different aspects of how COVID-19 affected eye health services and teaching, including one which explored the impact of COVID‐19 lockdown measures on the lives of visually impaired school‐age children and their families in India. Another discussed how SHPS and City adapted during the pandemic to deliver remote teaching clinics on visual impairments, with a subsequent paper reflecting on the two-year experience of delivering such remote teaching.

Dr Subramanian said:

I am delighted to receive the Neil Charman Medal, which is the College of Optometrists’ research excellence award. The 2023 Diploma Ceremony also provided an excellent opportunity to meet colleagues and celebrate the profession’s achievements.

Professor Debra Salmon, Dean of SHPS, said:

I would like to congratulate Ahalya on this very well-deserved award. As a leading provider of healthcare education and applied health research, our staff continue to investigate topics that have a real-world impact on our daily lives, and this recognition by the College of Optometrists shows the importance of this work.