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Professor Ahalya Subramanian

Professor

School of Health & Medical Sciences Department of Optometry and Visual Science

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About

Overview

Professor Ahalya Subramanian is a registered optometrist who graduated from the Elite School of Optometry in Chennai, India. During her undergraduate degree she was awarded several subject medals including the best optometry student three years in a row. Following graduation Ahalya worked at Sankara Nethralaya, a well-known ophthalmic institution in India and the Elite School of Optometry before coming to the United Kingdom to commence a PhD in visual impairment at UMIST (now the University of Manchester) funded by the Guide Dogs for Blind Association. Following completion of her doctoral studies Ahalya took up a post-doctoral position at Anglia Ruskin University before starting her career as an optometry lecturer at the Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences at City St Georges, University of London. She is now a Professor of Optometry. Since joining City St Georges Ahalya has held a number of senior management positions including programme director for the foundation degree in ophthalmic dispensing and undergraduate optometry programme and more recently (2016-2019) head of department. Ahalya also holds a number of external positions and is an external examiner at Aston University and serves on the Education Advisory Panel of the General Optical Council (GOC). She is also a trustee for Vision Action and is a board member of the international society for low vision research and rehabilitation. 

Ahalya’s main research interests lie in the field of visual impairment. Her early research was mainly quantitative investigating spatial localisation, reaching and grasping and reading. More recently she has become interested in qualitative research and the use of technology. For example, the use of mobile electronic devices such as smart phones for visually impaired people and the development of a virtual assistant to provide timely support to individuals with visual impairment. She is also interested in the impact that COVID-19 has had on visually impaired people and how low vision services have been altered as a result including remote low vision services. In 2023, Ahalya was awarded the prestigious Neil Charman Medal for research into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of eye health services, particularly the use of online (telerehabilitation) services for patients and virtual clinical education.

Ahalya is currently supervising a number of doctoral and MSc students.

Ahalya has presented her work at national and international conferences and regularly publishes her work peer reviewed journals. Details are available on her ORCID page. Her research has been funded by the College of Optometrists, Macular Society, RNIB, Royal Society, Eleanor Peel Trust, Fight for Sight and the institutional Global Challenges Research Fund. Apart from researching in the area, Ahalya also lectures on visual impairment to foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate optometry students.

Qualifications

  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Higher Education Academy, United Kingdom, October 2018
  • PhD, University of Manchester, United Kingdom, November 2000 - February 2004
  • BS, Elite School of Optometry, India, September 1994 - August 1998
  • Fellow of the College of Optometrists, College of Optometrists, United Kingdom

Employment

  • Academic Director of Global Engagement, School of Health and Medical Sciences, United Kingdom, August 2025 - present
  • Education Advisory Committee, General Optical Council, United Kingdom, January 2025 - present
  • Professor, City, University of London, United Kingdom, August 2024 - present
  • Board Member, International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation, Netherlands, July 2023 - present
  • Board of Trustees, Vision Action (formerly Vision Aid Overseas), United Kingdom, September 2022 - present
  • Associate Professor, City, University of London, United Kingdom, September 2021 - July 2024
  • External Examiner, University of Manchester, United Kingdom, September 2020 - present
  • External Examiner, Aston University, United Kingdom, September 2019 - present
  • Board of Trustees, Vision for a Nation, United Kingdom, September 2018 - September 2022
  • External Examiner, College of Optometrists, United Kingdom, September 2016 - September 2021
  • Divisional Lead, City, University of London, United Kingdom, September 2016 - December 2019
  • Academic Partner Co-ordinator: RNIB/City Eye Clinic course, City, University of London, United Kingdom, September 2016 - present
  • Programme Director Foundation Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing, City, University of London, United Kingdom, September 2014 - August 2016
  • External Examiner, University of Ulster, United Kingdom, September 2013 - September 2017
  • Senior Lecturer, City, University of London, United Kingdom, August 2010 - August 2021
  • Programme Director UG Optometry, City, University of London, United Kingdom, September 2008 - August 2011
  • Lecturer, City, University of London, United Kingdom, May 2006 - July 2010

Memberships of professional organisations

  • 2006: General Optical Council
  • Fellow of the College of Optometrists, College of Optometrists
  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority, Higher Education Authority

Languages

Hindi (can read, write, speak, understand spoken)

Research

Research Summary

My research centres around improving the quality of life and reading ability of visually impaired adults and children through the use of technology. For example, recently alongside collaborators at the University of Manchester (funded by the Macular Society, Co-Investigator) we developed a prototype Artificial Intelligence based device which provides timely information and support to visually impaired people. I am also involved in research investigating the use of technology to improve medication adherence in people with glaucoma and sight loss. In recent years I have expanded the emphasis of my research to include caregivers of people with visual impairment to investigate strategies to help them in their caregiving role, research into children with special needs particularly those with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) and barriers and enablers to uptake of eye care and low vision services globally. I have also been involved in research investigating the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on visually impaired children and adults.
I am currently involved in several projects which include:
• Exploring enablers and barriers to low vision service provision globally
• Exploring enablers and barriers to eye care services in India using the theoretical domains framework
• Investigating the effectiveness of Oliver McGowan lived experience training (autism and learning difficulties) on eye care professionals
• Investigating the effectiveness of the LVPEI eye care model in providing equitable and accessible eye care
• Impact of COVID-19 on visually impaired adults and their caregivers in the UK including their care and support services
• Investigating the feasibility and acceptability of using technology to improve adherence to glaucoma medication
• Exploring appropriate tests to measure visual function in children with multiple disabilities
• Investigating how individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) talk about their experiences

Research students

Lisa Donaldson

Attendance: 2025 - 2026, part-time

Thesis title: Evidencing and addressing inequalities in access to eye care for two high risk groups: very young children and people with learning disabilities

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Preeti Singla

Attendance: 2025 - present, part-time

Thesis title: Advancing low vision care through behavioural and implementation science: A mixed methods study of quality improvement and practitioner behaviour

Role: 1st Supervisor

Ghaidaa Shaqour

Attendance: 2025 - present, full-time

Thesis title: Coping strategies and health-related quality of life for those living with the eye condition nystagmus

Sara Kousha

Attendance: October 2024 - present, full-time

Thesis title: Understanding visual function in infantile nystagmus syndrome

Monika Thakur

Attendance: 2023 - present, part-time

Thesis title: Investigation of Gaze Reaction Time in Infants with Bilateral Congenital Cataracts Pre- and Post-surgery

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Deborah Bott

Attendance: 2021 - 2025, full-time

Thesis title: Investigating the feasibility and acceptability of using a chatbot to improve adherence to glaucoma medication

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Liz Frost

Attendance: 2021 - present, part-time

Thesis title: The impact of COVID-19 on individuals with visual impairment (IVI) and their care and support services: evidence to support future planning

Role: 1st Supervisor

Vijay Kumar Yelagondula

Attendance: 2021 - present, full-time

Thesis title: Barriers and enablers to seeking eye care among Indian adults with vision impairment: using a behavioural theory guided framework

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Rajashekar Varada

Attendance: 2021 - present, part-time

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Rebecca Sumalini

Attendance: 2019 - 2024, full-time

Thesis title: Validating clinical tools to measure visual functions in children with special needs

Role: 1st Supervisor

Jamie Enoch

Attendance: 2019 - 2024, part-time

Thesis title: Exploring the experiences of people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) within their personal, social and relational contexts

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Ahmed Abdel-Hay

Thesis title: Early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy in Diabetic patients

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Further information: Ahmed is investigating the role of colour vision in early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy in patients with Diabetes

Arjan Keuken

Thesis title: Age-related normal limits for spatial vision: Separating the effects of normal ageing from changes caused by disease’

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Publications

Publications by category

Conference papers and proceedings (54)

  • Enoch, J., Subramanian, A. and Willig, C. (2024). Combining Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Template Analysis: Reflecting on affordances and challenges. Association of European Qualitative Researchers in Psychology 2024 (EQuiP) 26-28 June.
  • Keuken, A., Subramanian, A., Mueller-Schotte, S. and Barbur, J. (2024). Age-related normal limits for visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in photopic and mesopic lighting. European Academy of Optometry and Optics 10-12 May.
  • Bott, D., Campbell, P., Subramanian, A., Edgar, D., Alaghband, P. and Lawrenson, J. (2024). Determinants of medication adherence in UK glaucoma patients: An interview study. ARVO 2024 5-9 May, Seattle, USA.
  • Enoch, J., Subramanian, A. and Willig, C. (2024). If I don’t like it, I’ll just pop the phone down!”: Reflecting on participant and researcher experiences of telephone interviews conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2024 Qualitative Health Research Network Conference 28-29 February.
  • Enoch, J., Subramanian, A. and Willig, C. (2023). Living on the edge of distress: experiences of people with age-related macular degeneration navigating the hope-despair continuum. 9th Qualitative Research in Mental Health Conference (QRMH9) 31 August-2 September.
  • Subramanian, A. and Bharadwaj, S.K. (2023). Indo-UK partnerships in research. RESMEET 2023 22-23 July.
  • Bott, D., Campbell, P., Subramanian, A., Edgar, D., Alaghband, P. and Lawrenson, J. (2023). Practitioner experiences managing glaucoma medication adherence and recommending technology: A qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework. European Academy of Optometry and Optics Newsroom About us Membership Education Events 12-14 May, Poznan, Poland.
  • Bott, D., Campbell, P., Subramanian, A., Edgar, D., Alaghband, P. and Lawrenson, J. (2022). Investigating the feasibility and acceptability of using technology to improve adherence to glaucoma medication. BCOVS, 2022 12-13 September, Aston, UK.
  • Enoch, J., Dickinson, C. and Subramanian, A. BCOVS 2020. Ahalya Subramanian.
  • Bott, D., Campbell, P., Subramanian, A., Edgar, D., Alaghband, P. and Lawrenson, J. (2022). Investigating the feasibility and acceptability of using a chatbot to improve adherence to glaucoma medication. WVUK Annual Meeting 2022 10 June-, Online.
  • Satgunam, P., Sumalini, R., Subramanian, A., Conway, M.A. and Lingappa, L. (2022). Repeatability of grating acuity and contrast sensitivity in children with cerebral visual impairment. 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting 1-4 May, Denver, USA.
  • Chakram, R.S., Satgunam, P., Subramanian, A., Conway, M., Lingappa, L., Errolla, P.... Hyndavi, U. (2022). Does vision correlate with overall development in children with cerebral visual impairment? ARVO Annual Meeting 2022 1-4 May, Denver, USA.
  • Taylor, J., Subramanian, A., Freitas, A., Ferreira, D.M. and Dickinson, C. (2022). Qualitative investigation of information behaviour in individuals with visual impairment to inform virtual digital-assistant design. 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting 1-4 May, Denver, USA.
  • Frost, E., Edgar, D. and Subramanian, A. (2022). The Impact of COVID-19 on individuals with visual impairment, their care and support service: evidence to support future planning. Research Symposium - Facilitating Practice Level Research in Primary Care Optometry 2022 1 March.
  • Yadav, A.R., Hathibelagal, A., Bharadwaj, S., Subramanian, A., Sadler, J. and Barbur, J. Flicker sensitivity in normal aging eyes using rod-cone flicker test. IERG.
  • Hathibelagal, A., Bharadwaj, S., Subramanian, A. and Barbur, J. Rapid assessment of rod and cone-mediated vision in patients with known diseases of the retina. IERG.
  • Hathibelagal, A.R., Bharadwaj, S.R., Subramanian, A., Sadler, J. and Barbur, J. Age-related changes in flicker sensitivity with rod- and cone-enhanced stimuli. .
  • Ctori, I., Subramanian, A. and Jones, P. Teaching empathy by Simulated Practice in Optometry. European Academy of Optometry and Optics Rome.
  • Subramanian, A., Caute, A., Binns, A., Woolf, C., Naidoo, M. and Marshall, J. Roving reading: Exploring the use of portable smart camera technologies for adults with aphasia and/or visual impairments ESLRR. ESLRR Manchester.
  • Akthar, F., Subramanian, A. and Walker, R. Reading with central vision loss: a comparison of horizontal-scrolling, single-word sequential (RSVP) and static text formats. ESLRR Manchester.
  • Caute, A., Subramanian, A., Binns, A., Naidoo, M., Woolf, C. and Marshall, J. Roving reading: Exploring the use of portable smart camera technologies for adults with aphasia and/or visual impairments British Aphasiology conference. ESLRR Manchester.
  • Ctori, I., Subramanian, A. and Jones, P. Teaching empathy by simulated practice in optometry. The TESPO project. Virtual and Augmented Reality to Enhance Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. Swansea.
  • Dickinson, C. and Subramanian, A. Mobile Electronic Devices for Visual Impairment (MED4VI): A survey of users and professionals. ESLRR Manchester.
  • Ctori, I., Ahmad, S., Subramanian, A. and Oskis, A. Associations between adult attachment style and vision-related quality of life in visually impaired individuals. ARVO.
  • Keuken, A., Subramanian, A. and Barbur, J. Effects of ‘normal’ ageing on photopic and mesopic visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. ARVO.
  • Keuken, A., Subramanian, A. and Barbur, J.L. Monocular and binocular limits for spatial vision: Effects of 'normal' aging on photopic and mesopic visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. .
  • Keuken, A., Subramanian, A. and Barbur, J.L. Normal upper age‐limits for photopic and mesopic visual acuity and functional contrast sensitivity. .doi:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2017.03332
  • Conway, M., Subramanian, A., O Donoghue, E. and Donaldson, L. Attitudes of parents toward eye care in children under 7 years old in the Republic of Ireland. .doi:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2017.02675
  • Subramanian, A. Involving visually impaired service users in a review of the visual impairment curriculum. Vision 2017 Hague.
  • Dickinson, C. and Subramanian, A. Evaluating the effectiveness of the Macular Society Eccentric Viewing Rehabilitation Training - the evaluation study. ESLRR 2015.
  • Dickinson, C., Subramanian, A. and Harper, R.A. (2015). Evaluating the effectiveness of the Macular Society Eccentric Viewing Rehabilitation Training - the evaluation study. ESLRR 2015 25-27 September, Oxford, UK.
  • Abdel-Hay, A., Sivaprasad, S., Subramanian, A., Konstantakopoulou, E., Edgar, D. and Barbur, J. Chromatic sensitivity changes in Type I and Type II diabetics. ARVO.
  • Abdel-Hay, A., Sivaprasad, S., Subramanian, A., Konstantakopoulou, E., Edgar, D. and Barbur, J. Chromatic sensitivity in diabetic patients treated with Ozurdex. ARVO.
  • Subramanian, A., Gillespie-Gallery, H. and Conway, M. The emotional costs associated with providing emotional and other relevant support in eye clinics-findings from the United Kingdom. EAOO Malaga.
  • Conway, M.L., Gillespie-Gallery, H., Yang, Y.C., Reddy, G., Mathews, J. and Subramanian, A. Investigating Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) using quality of life questionnaires? ARVO Meeting.
  • Gillespie-Gallery, H., Subramanian, A. and Conway, M.L. A Comparative Analysis Of Rehabilitation Services For Visually Impaired People Worldwide. ARVO Meeting.
  • Subramanian, A., Gillespie-Gallery, H. and Conway, M.L. The role of the Eye Cinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) - A diary study. ARVO Meeting.
  • Gillespie-Gallery, H., Subramanian, A. and Conway, M. Evaluating the Impact of Eye Care Liaison Officers. Vision UK 2010 Conference Birmingham, UK.
  • Gillespie-Gallery, H., Conway, M. and Subramanian, A. The opinions of eye care professionals on patient related, low vision services in the UK. Optometry Tomorrow York,UK.
  • Gillespie-Gallery, H., Conway, M.L. and Subramanian, A. Services for Visually Impaired People in the UK: Is There Room for Improvement? ARVO Meeting.
  • Chadha, R.K., Steen, J. and Subramanian, A. Evaluation of the Effect of Visual Impairment on Quality of Life of Children Aged 3-16. .
  • Subramanian, A. and Pardhan, S. The repeatability of the MNREAD acuity charts in subjects with low vision. Vision 2008, 9th International Conference on Low Vision Montreal.
  • McNally, K.J., Latham, K., Gonzalez-Alvarez, C., Subramanian, A. and Pardhan, S. A Comparative evaluation of Nidek MP1 microperimetery to the Humphrey VFA24-2 program in normals and macular disease. Vision 2008, 9th International Conference on Low Vision Montreal.
  • Gonzalez-Alvarez, C., Subramanian, A. and Pardhan, S. How does stimulated visual impairment affect reaching and grasping movements? Vision 2005 London.
  • Subramanian, A. How does visual acuity correlate to recognising a tin of beans in the central and peripheral visual field? Vision 2005 London.
  • Subramanian, A. and Dickinosn, C. Is there a relationship between Visual Acuity and Vernier Acuity? Vision 2005 London.
  • Subramanian, A. Spatial localisation in visual impairment. Vision 2005 London.
  • Subramanian, A. and Pardhan, S. How repeatable are indices of reading ability in subjects with impaired vision? ESO International Vision and Optometry Conference Chennai, India.
  • Subramanian, A. and Pardhan, S. How repeatable are indices of reading ability in subjects with impaired vision? ESO International Vision and Optometry Conference.
  • Subramanian, A. Size Constancy in visual impairment: A comparison with normals. UK multi disciplinary Low-vision Rehabilitation and Research Conference Birmingham, UK.
  • Subramanian, A. and Dickinson, C. Size Constancy in visual impairment: A comparison with normals. UK multi disciplinary Low-vision Rehabilitation and Research Conference Birmingham, UK.
  • Subramanian, A. and Dickinson, C. (2002). Vernier Acuity with a central scotoma. Vision 2002 21-25 July, Gothenburg.
  • Gopal, L., Varma, M., Kumar, K.K., Lingam, V. and Subramanian, A. Inter and intra-operator reproducibility of the retinal nerve fibre layer using the GDx. Annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
  • Gopal, L., Varma, M., Kumar, K.K., Lingam, V. and Subramanian, A. Inter and intra-operator reproducibility of the retinal nerve fibre layer using the GDx. Annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Journal articles (54)

Media

  • Subramanian, A.(2008). A taste of Vision 2008.

Posters (2)

  • Subramanian, A. Chromatic sensitivity in diabetic patients treated with Ozurdex. ARVO, 2013.
  • Subramanian, A. The emotional costs associated with providing emotional and other relevant support in eye clinics-findings from the United Kingdom. EAOO, 2013.

Report

  • Subramanian, A., Conway, M. and Gillespie Gallery, H. (2011). The role of Eye Care Liaison Officers on improving the quality of life of people with visual impairment..

Other (4)

  • Dickinson, C.M., Subramanian, A. and Harper, R.A.(2016). Evaluating the effectiveness of the macular society eccentric viewing rehabilitation training.

    [Macular Society]

  • Subramanian, A., Conway, M., Gillespie-Gallery, H. and Yang, Y.C.(2012). Investigating Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) using quality of life questionnaires?
  • Gillespie-Gallery, H., Subramanian, A. and Conway, M.(2012). A Comparative Analysis Of Rehabilitation Services For Visually Impaired People Worldwide.
  • Subramanian, A., Gillespie-Gallery, H. and Conway, M. The role of the Eye Cinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) - A diary study.

Professional activities

Clinical activity

  • Clinical Lead Visual Impairment Clinic, City, University of London

Editorial activity

  • Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, Optometry in Practice, Vision Research, Clinical and Experimental Optometry, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Journal of Modern Optics, British Journal of Ophthalmology, BMC Ophthalmology, Current Science, PLOS One, Frontiers in Neuroscience, Reviewer for:.