Richard Connors |
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Eye movement-based evaluation of visual function in advanced Glaucoma
I have joined Bulbitech, a clinical-based company located in Trondheim, Norway. Bulbitech is working on an innovative VR-style solution (the BulbiCAM) for functional visual testing of multiple optic disorders. My supervisor is Bård Dalhoi, the CEO of BulbiTech. Bård, and others in the expansive Bulbitech team, will aid me in formulating a novel test within the BulbiCAM. Additionally, as EGRET-AAA is a joint venture, I have further joined the team located within the University Medical Center Groningen, specifically the Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology. Here my supervisor will be Frans Cornelissen, and my junior supervisor will be Minke de Boer. There will be communication between all parties in the hope of successfully developing a new screening test, which can hopefully prove useful in furthering future glaucoma.
Personal Background and Interest
I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Birmingham. I then went on to complete a Master of Research in Brain Sciences at University College London (UCL). After completing these degrees, I volunteered at the Colour and Vision Research Laboratory at UCL for close to a year. My research interests are broad ranging from various topics of neuroscience, but my focal interests lie within visual research. Particularly, I am fascinated by the ‘shortcomings’ of the visual system in which we can induce optical illusions. My favourite illusion is the ‘Waterfall illusion’.
Aim of the project
The aim of Project 10 is to create a novel, simple, and effective method of screening for visual field defects in advanced glaucoma stages. Currently, standard procedures become increasingly difficult for patients in advanced disease stages due to the high number of misses, as well as task difficulty in general. Thus, there is a need to find solutions or alternatives to the standard approach. Eye tracking specifically is interesting as it can perhaps allow for a more automatic and natural perimetry test, in which patients may need no ‘physical response’.
Current activities/Accomplishments
My current activities involve formulating a research idea and plan, together with my supervisors. Formulation of this plan will involve a literature review of the current perimetry techniques, as well as more novel approaches which have been trialled over the years. From this review, a plan will be developed based on what is best believed to be the most effective pathway in developing an efficient screening test for visual field defects in all stages of glaucoma.