Anglia Ruskin University

Our Research

VERU offers a collaborative environment for all vision and eye research within Anglia Ruskin by building on existing and new collaborative research links amongst the different departments and faculties within the University.

Acting as a focus for research and development in this area, VERU unites leading authorities in the field together with public and private sector stakeholders to create an environment where expertise and resource can be focussed directly on some of the most pressing challenges facing the sector. With the continued support of key partners, it's a challenge that VERU is well equipped to meet, please see our research activities.

Have a wider perspective
Looking further afield, a major cause of blindness in many parts of the world is uncorrected refractive errors. Even in regions where eye care is available, refractive errors such as myopia are a real cause for concern. In Asian countries, for example, rising levels of myopia are creating a variety of social and economic challenges. In response, VERU has investigated factors leading to the development of myopia and seeks to establish how different parameters affect the prevalence and progression of the condition. By working alongside optometrists, computing engineers and international partners including Vision CRC (funded by Government of Australia) VERU aims to become the world's leading centre for research into myopia.

Understand the relationship between visual and cognitive dysfunction
VERU is also carrying out research into diseases which, although not ocular in nature, can severely affect people's vision. Patients suffering strokes or dementia frequently experience significant visual impairment, and by investigating how vision and cognitive factors are interrelated, VERU aims to achieve a better understanding of visual influence on these cognitive dysfunctions.

Create a brighter future for our children
Children's welfare is always a major priority area in the health service, and the visual wellbeing of young people demands early and effective diagnosis of potential problems. VERU wants to achieve a better understanding of how vision feeds into learning difficulties and how it affects children with lazy eye (amblyopia), autism and hearing difficulties.

Make new technology better
The contact lens industry is continually developing new technologies to reduce visual aberrations. VERU is able to support these advances using our state-of-the-art equipment for measuring aberrations both on the lenses and on the patient. Our expertise in fitting contact lenses and conducting trials means we are well placed to enhance their clinical testing.

Work in partnership
By working closely with the optical and pharmaceutical industries as well as key NHS partners, VERU is in a unique position to understand the needs of patients, service providers and private sector companies.

Support optometric independent prescribing
Optometrists are now able to undertake additional training to become independent prescribers of therapeutic drugs. VERU's expertise in preparing optometrists to take on these new responsibilities is key to maximising the benefits of this initiative.

Optometric independent prescribing is supported by the College of Optometrists' Clinical Management Guidelines, and the process of developing these Guidelines successfully highlighted deficiencies in the evidence base for the management of many conditions. Clinical research needs to be directed to improving this evidence base, and VERU is well placed to define the key areas to be addressed and to set up the necessary controlled clinical trials.