The College of Optometrists

Four members of Fight for Sight’s Wiltshire Committee recently visited the Institute of Ophthalmogy in London to hear about the work of Simon Brooks, a PhD student sponsored by the money they raise.

 

Wiltshire Chair Caroline Dunseath and her colleagues Guy Lawrence, Pat Caro and Frances Rigby heard a presentation by Simon and his supervisor Alison Hardcastle before having lunch with Fight for Sight staff and having a tour of the labs.

 

Simon studies the genes of families affected by eye disease and as a result has found a new gene which causes congenital cataracts in some people. This type of discovery will have a big impact on the treatment of patients.

 

Simon says: "As a result of my work we will now be able to help patients and clinicians with the diagnosis for this disease and my future work on this new disease gene may help us to understand eye conditions such as congenital cataract and microphthalmia (where the eye fails to fully develop in the foetus).” 

 Members of Fight for Sight’s Wiltshire Committee