I ‘made a difference’
I'm really touched to have been nominated for a Students' Union 'Made a Difference' award. Students and alumni were able to nominate staff who had 'made a difference' to their time at University. Not only am I very proud to have been nominated in this way, but I also have a lovely new coffee mug to say so. Of course, as my dear colleagues are quick to point out, it doesn't specify in which direction I may have made a difference....
Community based monitoring of ocular hypertensive patients
I'm involved with a community based glaucoma service (CHANGES - Community and Hospital Allied Network Glaucoma Evaluation Scheme) as an OSI (Optometrist with Special Interest) in glaucoma. There are 2 strands to the service as I am involved with it: firstly refinement of glaucoma referrals (CHANGES: Bourne et al., Eye, 2010; 24:881-887), and secondly review of diagnosed ocular hypertensive patients (CHANGES 2). Evaluation of the CHANGES 2 programme has just been published (Mandalos et al., Eye, 2012; 26: 564-567), and shows that ocular hypertensive patients can be monitored effectively within the community, with a defined protocol and hospital-led virtual supervision. My anecdotal experience is also that patients like being able to be seen in community practice rather than having to visit the hospital, and as an optometrist the work is enjoyable. Everyone appears to win!
EAOO, Dublin
The European Academy of Optometry and Optics meeting in Dublin at the weekend was a diverse gathering, with presentations on many different aspects of optometry. I especially enjoyed the first meeting of the Special Interest Group in low vision, with presentations on the wide range of service levels available across Europe.
Anglia Ruskin University was well represented with presentations from (left-right as pictured below):
myself on ‘Factors associated with adjustment to visual loss.’
Robert Conway: poster on ‘Variation in visual acuity measurement at different viewing distances: a comparison of results with 2 different chart designs’.
Dr Sheila Rae: talk on ‘Accommodative accuracy with printed text vs. hand-held computer gaming’, and poster on ‘Assessing visual acuities at near with letter and symbol charts: effect of chart type and defocus’.
Sarah Lalor: poster on ‘Where should bars be to produce optimal crowding effects using children’s acuity letters, pictures and symbols?’
Details if interested can be found in the conference abstract book.
We were rather less grumpy than this photo suggests!
Postgraduate opportunity
We will shortly be recruiting a postgraduate student for a PhD project evaluating the effect of visual impairment on activities of daily living, to be supervised by Dr Mat Timmis, Prof Shahina Pardhan and myself. The post will be ideal for an optometrist, and we'll be looking for someone with bags of enthusiasm, and obviously an interest in visual impairment. A job spec will follow soon, but if you are interested in the position, please get in touch.
Stylish jackets
The Cambridge News have also picked up on our research on drivers' acuity. And yes, I know that isn't a 3m working distance, it's just how the photographer wanted it. And unfortunately no, we didn't get to keep the jackets!
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire breakfast!
Something a bit different to start the day today today - I was interviewed on the BBC Radio Cambridegshire Breakfast Show by Jeremy Sallis, about testing taxi drivers' vision (scroll through to about 2.54 for my bit!). Also managed to get in a plug for CamSight!
EAOO, Dublin
The programme for the European Academy of Optometry and Optics conference has just been released: its being held in Dublin 20-22nd April. I have a paper on Sunday morning, last on in the 9-10am session, on 'Factors associated with adjustment to visual loss'. It'll be a bit different from the other papers in the session, which are all corneal - do come along!
Very much looking forward to it as I've never been to Dublin - any top tips on the city?
OPO paper available
That was quick! The OPO paper on binocular visual fields is now available here:
DR Tabrett, K Latham. Important areas of the central binocular visual field for daily functioning in the visually impaired. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 32:156-163,2012. DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2012.00892.x
ARVO abstract #2
And secondly on the ARVO front is a poster by Daryl. He's presenting in session 481, Visual Function and Quality of Life, Weds 9th May, 3.45-5.30pm, on poster board A660.
His poster (#5464) is 'Self-Reported Difficulties in the Visually Impaired Do Not Reflect the Use of Compensatory Strategies' by Tabrett DR, Timmis M, Latham K, and Pardhan S.
Note the very convenient time to follow this up with a trip to the pub. Please have one for me!
Farewell Florida – ARVO abstract #1
In May, the ARVO meeting will be taking place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the last time, before spreading its wings to new parts of the US. I'm not going to be attending this year, but that doesn't prevent me having an interest in a couple of abstracts, to be presented by my lovely minions (just calling them that to see if they read this!).
First is Mat, who has a paper presentation on Tues May 8th at 2.15pm in Rm 305, session 339: 'Low Vision: Sensory and Motor Limitations and Rehabilitation Potential'. His talk (#3149) is: 'Adaptations In Obstacle Negotiation Among Patients With Central Visual Impairment: Indications Of A Cautious Stepping Strategy' by Timmis MA, Tabrett DR, Parker M, Latham K, and Pardhan S.