James Wolffsohn has joined Visioncare Research Ltd as Research Director on a part-time basis and will advise on a wide variety intraocular lens (IOL) and contact lens projects. Managing Director, Dr Graeme Young commented that “Visioncare has already collaborated with James on some innovative projects and we are therefore delighted to be continuing this productive relationship. In particular, his contribution will allow Visioncare to expand its services in the area of IOL visual performance testing. Regulatory authorities as well as surgeons are demanding ever more detailed information on the performance of new IOLs and we believe that we will be uniquely placed to service this need.”
Prof. James Wolffsohn studied Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics at UMIST, Manchester, UK and qualified to practice Optometry following an internship at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. James completed a PhD at Cardiff University before undertaking post-doctoral research at the University of Melbourne, Australia. In 2000, he returned to the UK and a position at Aston University, where he was Head of Optometry from 2004-9 and was awarded a personal Chair in 2007. He is now Deputy Executive Dean for the School of Life and Health Sciences. James’ research and teaching interests mainly revolve around intraocular lenses (IOLs), contact lenses, low vision and the measurement of accommodation. He has published over 110 peer-reviewed scientific papers, given numerous presentations at international meetings and is a past President of the British Contact Lens Association. He has recently published the ‘Low Vision Manual’ with Prof. Jonathan Jackson and an Eye Essentials Series book ‘Imaging’. http://www.aston.ac.uk/lhs/staff/az-index/wolffjsw/
30th September 2011
Dr Ruth Craven has joined Visioncare Research as Clinical Research Manager overseeing external studies. Ruth has over 13 years’ experience in clinical research and clinical trial project management. Her PhD was in the field of Neuroimmune Physiology, studying the integrative roles of the immune and nervous systems in the control of tear secretion.
30th September 2011
A recent multi-centre clinical investigation sponsored by Alcon Research has thrown light on some of the underlying causes of dryness symptoms in soft contact lens wearers. The study, supervised by Visioncare Research Ltd, involved 226 soft lens wearers with significant symptoms of lens-related dryness. Each participant underwent a detailed examination comprising a battery of dry eye tests to assess the ocular surface and the tear film with and without contact lenses. The most common (30%) cause of dryness was found to be insufficient lacrimal secretions (i.e. the watery part of tears), followed by unstable lens wetting (25%). However, nearly a quarter (23%) of participants showed no actual signs of dry eye. The research team concluded that factors other than dry eye were responsible for symptoms in many contact lens wearers; they suggest that factors such as lens fit and disinfection solution might be more important than previously thought.
These findings were presented at the American Academy of Optometry meeting in November 2010 and are awaiting publication in a scientific journal.
28th June 2011
The BCLA annual conference, the world's premier conference for contact lens research and education, was held this year in Manchester on May 27-29 (http://www.bcla.org.uk/en/conference/index.cfm). Dr Graeme Young, Managing Director of Visioncare, presented the findings of a recent clinical study on fitting toric soft contact lenses to non-wearers: previous wearers (drop-outs), current spherical lens wearers, and neophytes. Dr Young also presented a review of the challenges facing researchers in the field of myopia control. Lee Hall (Clinical Research Manager) presented new data on contact lens solution induced corneal staining (SICS) as well as reviewing recent research in this area.
1st June 2011
Natasha Sahota joined Visioncare Research in February 2011 as a Clinical Research Associate. Natasha has a Masters degree in Pharmaceutical Science and will be assisting in the general running and day to day management of multi-centre clinical trials.
Michael Spyridon joined Visioncare Research this month as a Research Associate. Michael has recently completed a PhD at the University of Reading and will be working on data analysis projects as well as the preparation of papers for publication.
8th March 2011
In conjunction with Aston University, Visioncare Research has been awarded a UK government grant under the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme (KTP). The project, which will last three years, will aim to develop advanced clinical testing services, particularly in relation to the visual performance of intraocular-lenses (IOL).
Under the directorship of Professor James Wolffsohn, the Ophthalmic Research Group at Aston University has an international reputation for innovative research in visual science.
20th January 2011
Visioncare Research representatives presented a total of nine papers and posters at the American Academy of Optometry meeting in San Francisco. These comprised a range of topical contact lens related subjects including:
4th December 2010
Following a systems audit Visioncare Research Ltd (VCR) has been certified as conforming to the new quality
management systems, ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13485:2003. The certification was issued on 6 April by the notified
body, Intertek following an on-site audit. VCR has been certified to ISO quality standards continuously since 2002.
6th April 2010
