The Vision Science Research Group
The Vision Science Research Group at the University of Ulster was established in 1996 and has grown to a multidisciplinary unit that includes research in basic sciences: physical, biological and biomedical; clinical and psychophysical studies; ethics and medical law. Our members, most of whom have professional as well as academic qualifications, conduct studies on a diverse range of topics in sight and vision, including clinical studies on development ageing and disease, laboratory work investigating cell growth, protein structure and function, psychophysics of vision and the higher cortical processing, optical studies using ray tracing, mathematical modelling, biomechanics of the ocular tissues and development of ethics and medico-legal issues. Members of the group have and continue to be supported by grants from Research Councils, industrial sources and charities as well as providing professional services as consultants on a wide range of topics. We welcome approaches from individuals, industry, governmental bodies and fellow academics. Professor Barbara K Pierscionek Research Group Leader
Vision Science was a full participant in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise submission by the School (UoA 11, graded 5*).
Biochemistry of the anterior eye: studies in the proteins of the lens, ocular biomarkers, corneal physiology in normal and diseased states;
Optics of the anterior eye: optical properties of the lens and cornea and alterations with age and pathology and post-operatively;
Biomechanics of the eye: rheological properties of the ocular coats; elasticity of the lens and functional changes with age;
Functional characteristics of the short-wavelength system: psychophysical studies on the blue cone system and changes with glaucoma;
Electrophysiology of vision;
Mathematical modelling of ocular function: finite element analysis of the optics and biomechanics of vision;
Nutrition and the eye: ocular blood-flow associated with nutritional deficiencies;
Psychophysics: assessment of the cortical contribution to spatial vision;
Development of refractive errors: investigations of myopia, hyperopia in Northern Irish school children;
Development and low vision: studies of visual development in Downs Syndrome and cerebral palsy;
Healthcare ethics and medical law: development of ethical principles in primary care; evolving issues in medical law
Members of the group have established clinical research links with the University of Ulster Optometry Clinic and the Ophthalmology Departments at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Moorfields Eye Hospital and Liverpool University, basic science research links with Universities of Cambridge, Aston, Warwick, Queens Belfast, Loughborough and Bradford. International collaborations exist between groups in The Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria, Poland, Australia, Austria, Germany, France, India and the USA.
- The short wavelength sensitive system. This pathway of the visual system is served by the short-wavelength (blue) cones and its own particular ganglion cell type in the retina and displays functional characteristics which are very different from the other visual pathways. Our group seeks to psychophysically isolate this pathway to study its structure and function. This work is sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
- Ocular Ageing. Change with age to the lens and cornea of the eye is a major topic of interest to the group. This includes changes to the refractive index, curvature and underlying protein biochemistry of these structures. We also examine changes to the retinal ganglion cell mosaic with age, in particular the cells of the short-wavelength pathway.
- Imaging through cataracts The complicated relationship between forward and back-scattered light is poorly understood and the visual imagery seen by a cataract sufferer cannot be ascertained from slit-lamp assessment. This study is concerned with trying to understand how the cataract sufferer sees the word and involves image scanning and analysis, ray tracing and modelling. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with the University of Warwick (Professor Green) and has been funded by the EPSRC.
- Optics of the eye and accommodation The optical properties of the lens are being investigated using ray tracing and fibre optic sensing to understand the contribution of the shape and tissue properties to accommodation and to its changes with age. Accommodation and the factors that influence its loss are being analysed. The work has been funded by Essilor International.
- Modelling Dynamic changes in the optical elements of the eye: the lens and cornea are being studied using eye models and modelling analysis tools. The work involves collaboration with The Wroclaw University of Technology (Prof Kasprzak) and with the Department of Computing and Information Engineering at The University of Ulster (Prof Scotney). The work is funded by Essilor International.
- Visual Impairment . Several group members conduct research into the epidemiology, aetiology and amelioration of visual impairment including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and myopia. This work is funded by the NI R+D Office and the Primary Care Development Fund, Causeway LHSCG
- Paediatric problems. The Group’s activities are not only confined to the investigation of age-related eye problems. Children’s vision also has a special place in the research of the Group, particularly the assessment & amelioration of accommodative problems in children with cerebral palsy and the underlying causes of visual impairment in Down syndrome. This work is funded by the College of Optometrists.
- Cortical processing in spatial vision. Activities include the development and refinement of psychophysical techniques to measure the contribution of different stages of the visual system to the processing of spatial information, particularly in support of some of the Group’s other research areas, as well as computer modelling of neural interactions in the primary visual cortex.
- Peripheral Acuity. The group has long-term interests in understanding the factors which limit the early stages of visual processing in peripheral as well as foveal vision. This includes the interactions between neural and optical factors for both chromatic and achromatic pathways. The work has particular relevance to the detection and monitoring of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. In addition, the way the visual system combines the images from both eyes is of major interest to the Group. This work is funded by the BBSRC.