Our Vision and Eye Research Unit (VERU) held its second research meeting on Wednesday 9 November at our Cambridge Campus. The meeting was organised by VERU Director Professor Shahina Pardhan and Associate Director Professor Roger Buckley and provided an opportunity for VERU members to showcase their vision-based research and network with other members of the group and invited guests.

Michael Bowen, Director of research for the College of Optometrists, kicked off proceedings with an enlightening 25 minute guest lecture where he outlined the College's research strategy over the next 3 years.

A series of short talks from VERU members included: Dr Peter Bright (Senior Lecturer, Psychology) on the "The anatomy of visual object processing and conceptual knowledge", Richard Hollingsworth (PhD Student, Vision and Hearing Sciences) on "Visual function and reading in deaf children". Dr Silvia Cirstea (Senior Lecturer, Computing & Technology) on the "Ability of the visually impaired to perceive distance from auditory cues", Dr Peter Hills (Lecturer, Psychology) on "What can eye-movements tell us about face processing?" Dr Sheila Rae (Senior Lecturer, Vision and Hearing Sciences) on "Visual experience and myopia". John Somner (KTP associate, VERU) on "Electronic records: user requirements, usability and workflow impact", Dr Amy Scarfe (Postdoctural Research Fellow, VERU) on "The effects of central visual impairment on obstacle crossing", Dr Tabrett (Postdoctural Research Fellow, VERU) on "Investigating the visual and psychosocial factors that influence self-reported visual function in the visually impaired" and Dr Matthew Timmis (Postdoctural Research Fellow, VERU) on "The effect of central visual impairment on manual prehension when tasked with transporting-to-place an object accurately to a new location".

In addition, Dr Gokulan Ratnarajan (Health Innovation and Education Cluster and VERU) discussed "Optimizing the referral process and care pathway for suspected glaucoma patients" and Professor Madhavan Rajan (VERU) reported on the "Progress of corneal endothelial research" and Professor Rupert Bourne (VERU) presented on "The progress of the second Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study".

The meeting also provided an invaluable opportunity for informal networking between VERU members. Speaking of the success of the meeting Professor Pardhan commented "The programme provides evidence of how well VERU has progressed in the two years since it was formed. Our researchers carry out world class research in various areas including visual memory, face perception, glaucoma, low vision, myopia, anterior eye diseases, visual function in deaf children and community based ophthalmology. VERU has a rich mix of research expertise in optometry, ophthalmology, computing sciences, psychology, human movement and other life sciences, which facilitates real interdisciplinary research" .