OPO Centenary: Celebrating Research Excellence

Programme:

12.30pm-1pm: Lunch/refreshments
1pm-1:25pm: Registration
1:25pm-1:35pm: Welcome - ‘OPO: Past, Present and Future': Mark Rosenfield
1.35pm-2.05pm: 'Why it mattered then: The role of a professional clinical journal in the early development of the optometry profession': Neil Handley
2.05pm-2.35pm: ‘Spectral composition of light and myopia:’ Frank Schaeffel
2.35pm-3.05pm: ‘Challenges faced by individuals with visual impairment accessing healthcare in the UK’: Chris Dickinson
3.05pm-3.35pm: Break
3.35pm-4.05pm: ‘Genetic nurture, instrumental variables and myopia’: Jeremy Guggenheim
4.05pm-4.35pm: ‘Redefining Myopia: A Journey from Correction to Control’ Nicola Logan
4.35pm-5.05pm: ‘Clinical effectiveness of community optometrist follow-up of patients with quiescent neovascular age-related macular degeneration: the FENETRE study’: John Lawrenson
5.05pm-5.15pm: Future of the journal
5.30pm-6.30pm: Reception

Neil Handley

Dr Neil Handley has been Curator of the British Optical Association Museum at The College of Optometrists since 1998. He is the author of the book ‘Cult Eyewear’ (2011) and is recognised as the principal authority on the history of the optometry profession in the UK. He is currently the Chairman of the Scientific Instrument Society, a professional reviewer for the Museums Association, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers and a medallist and Past President of the Ocular Heritage Society of America.

Frank Schaeffel

Frank studied biology and physics in Freiburg, Germany, and has a PhD on Vision in Drosophila, and Postdoc with Howard Howland at Cornell University, USA. Frank was the Professor of Neurobiology of the Eye at the University of Tuebingen from 2000. Since 2020, Frank is the Senior Professor in Tuebingen and Guest Professor of Myopia Research at IOB Basel, Switzerland.

Frank has produced over 200 papers in PubMed, over 16,000 citations, h-index 68, 25 PhD students have completed in the lab, 10 Mio EURO grants since 1985, and has gained both the Max-Planck Award, and European Vision Award.

Jeremy A. Guggenheim

Professor Jeremy A. Guggenheim is based at the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, UK. His research addresses genetic and lifestyle risk factors for myopia. He is an Associate Editor of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science and an Editorial Board Member of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. He recently served on the ‘Focus on Myopia’ consensus study committee United States, National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.

Nicola Logan

Nicola Logan is a Professor of Optometry and Associate Dean for Research and Enterprise, School of Optometry, Aston University, Birmingham, UK. Nicola’s research interests are the epidemiology of refractive error, mechanisms underlying the development of myopia and myopia control. Her current research projects include clinical trials in myopia control and risk factors for progression of myopia in children. Nicola leads an active myopia clinic at Aston University, and she collaborates with other researchers as part of the Myopia Consortium UK and internationally as a taskforce chair for The International Myopia Institute.

Nicola has been the recipient of awards for excellence in research and paediatric optometry research and she has been awarded a Life Fellowship from The College of Optometrists, UK.

John Lawrenson

John Lawrenson studied optometry at Aston University, graduating with a first-class honour’s degree. After a pre-registration year at Moorfields Eye Hospital London, he completed a College of Optometrists-funded postgraduate scholarship at City, University of London, leading to a PhD in Visual Science. Following a post-doctoral research fellowship in neuroscience at University College London, he returned to join the academic staff at City, where he currently holds a chair in Clinical Visual Science.

Professor Lawrenson has edited the eye and orbit sections in the last three editions of Grays Anatomy. He is an advocate for evidence-based clinical practice, holds a master’s degree in Evidence-based Healthcare from the University of Oxford, and is a Senior Editor for the Cochrane Eyes and Vision group.

Professor Lawrenson’s main research interests are in the field of ophthalmic public health, including global causes of visual impairment e.g. myopia, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and authored 8 book chapters.

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