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Eye Diseases

Ophthalmology Research Team

Ekhuft.ophthalmologyresearchteam@nhs.net

Ophthalmology is the treatment of disease and disorders of the eyes and vision. The department comprises a number of research active staff currently investigating eye problems including Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusions, diabetes-related diseases, artificial eyes, trauma, cornea, cataracts and ‘lazy eye’ in children. Our team at EHKUFT have delivered over 20 clinical trials supported by our state-of-the-art imaging technology, with almost 600 patients taking part so far. We recognise the need to support developments in the search for new evidence-based treatment such as biosimilars, and are keen to offer research to patients as part of their clinical pathway.

The clinical staff have been involved at all levels in recruitment into clinical trials in all sub-specialities including cataract and oculoplastics /orbital work. Our diverse experience has allowed attraction of commercial and NIHR portfolio studies through validation and screening with a dedicated research team with principal investigators that publish regularly in high impact journals. Our collaboration with the Universities locally in the South East in Artificial intelligence has attracted 2 fully funded PhD positions and completed 2 Masters degrees recently