Dr Bethany Higgins
Contact details
About
Overview
Dr. Bethany Higgins is a dedicated researcher with a PhD in Optometry and Visual Sciences from City St George's, University of London. Her doctoral research focused on optimising methodologies for analysing dark adaptation data, with a keen interest in advancing our understanding of visual function. As a post-doctoral researcher, Dr. Higgins has built a diverse research portfolio spanning vision science, neuroimaging, and digital health technologies, contributing to key innovations in the field.
Dr. Higgins has a strong international track record, having collaborated with institutions such as Dever’s Eye Institute in Portland, USA, and Seirei General Hospital in Hamamatsu, Japan. Her expertise extends to managing cutting-edge research projects, including studies on genotype-phenotype relationships in retinal diseases, the impacts of Charles Bonnet Syndrome, and the potential of digital phenotyping to transform patient care.
She is passionate about applying her scientific expertise to improve patient-centred care, and she actively engages in research that promotes gender equity and inclusivity in healthcare.
Publications
Publications by category
Chapter
- (2025). An overview of quality of life and visual outcomes in AMD. In Progress in Brain Research (pp. 203-229). Elsevier. ISBN 9780443235894.
Conference papers and proceedings (10)
- Tailor, V., Rodriguez-Martinez, A.C., Higgins, B.E., Jones, P., Henderson, R., Dekker, T.... Greenwood, J. Visual crowding is elevated in the fovea in CRB1-associated retinopathies. .
- Jones, L., Higgins, B., Farooqui, S.Z., Taylor, D., Toms, M. and Moosajee, M. Self-reported sleep behaviour in male patients with choroideremia and female carriers of CHM variants. .
- Higgins, B.E., Taylor, D.J., Callaghan, T. and Crabb, D. Exploring the relationship between the self-reported impact of Charles Bonnet Syndrome on quality of life and parameters of overall wellbeing. .
- Behning, C., Dunbar, H., Sassmannshausen, M., Thiele, S., Binns, A., Higgins, B.... Luhmann, U. Evidence for association between impaired visual function and structurally defined sub-phenotypes in intermediate AMD - A MACUSTAR study report. .
- Higgins, B.E., Montesano, G., Naskas, T., Graham, K., Chakravarthy, U., Kee, F.... Crabb, D.P. Evaluating an OCT-based grading of age-related macular degeneration severity from The Northern Ireland Sensory Aging studies using measurement of dark adaptation. .
- Dunbar, H.M.P., Sassmannshausen, M., Behning, C., Thiele, S., Binns, A.M., Higgins, B.E.... Luhmann, U.F.O. (2022). Comparison of visual function in structurally defined sub-phenotypes of intermediate AMD: A MACUSTAR study report. ARVO Annual Meeting 2022 1-4 May, Denver, USA.
- Dunbar, H., Behning, C., Taylor, D.J., Higgins, B.E., Montesano, G., Binns, A.M.... Luhmann, U.F.O. (2021). MACUSTAR cross-sectional data: Repeatability and discriminatory power of visual function tests. 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting 1-7 May, Online.
- Hogg, R.E., Montesano, G., Ometto, G., Higgins, B., Das, R., Chakravarthy, U.... Crabb, D. Early functional and imaging markers of retinal dysfunction prior to onset of clinically detectable diabetic retinopathy (DR). .
- Higgins, B.E., Montesano, G., Balaskas, K., Naskas, T., Kee, F., Chakravarthy, U.... Crabb, D.P. (2020). Structure-Function Model for Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration Microperimetry Data. ARVO Annual Meeting 2020 3-7 May, Baltimore, USA.
- Higgins, B.E., Taylor, D.J., Bi, W., Binns, A.M. and Crabb, D.P. Novel computer-based tests for assessing performance in visually guided tasks in people with age-related macular degeneration: searching for everyday objects and detecting road signs. .
Journal articles (38)
- Higgins, B.E., Taylor, D.J., Dave, S., Sowerby, S., Crabb, D.P. and Callaghan, T. (2026). The impact of an educational podcast on emotional wellbeing and attitudes towards Charles Bonnet syndrome hallucinations. Therapeutic Advances in Ophthalmology, 18. doi:10.1177/25158414261446576
- Terry, L., Higgins, B.E., Amega, D.A.D., Morny, E.K.A. and Rountree, L. (2026). Women in vision networks: narrowing the global gender gap in academia. Therapeutic Advances in Ophthalmology, 18. doi:10.1177/25158414261451672
- Higgins, B.E., Montesano, G., Tanito, M., Mizoue, S., Mori, K., Suzuki, K.... Asakoa, R. (2026). Advancing glaucoma progression detection: Simulated evaluation of 24-2 and 10-2 visual field testing strategies using real-world data. AJO International, 3(1), pp. 100231-100231. doi:10.1016/j.ajoint.2026.100231
- Higgins, B.E., Crabb, D.P., Jones, P.R. and Gardiner, S.K. (2026). Location of visual field defects and their impact on vision‐related quality of life in glaucoma: A systematic review. Optometry and Vision Science, 103(4). doi:10.1002/ovs2.70055
- Montesano, G., Ometto, G., Cheloni, R., Garway-Heath, D.F., Higgins, B.E., Crabb, D.P.... Freeman, M. (2026). Longitudinal Visual Field and Quality-of-Life Change in the Treatment for Advanced Glaucoma Study. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2026.04.020
- Wright, D., Wu, H., King, A., Montesano, G., Higgins, B., Gazzard, G.... Azuara-Blanco, A. (2026). Validating and updating the OHTS-EGPS model predicting 5-year glaucoma risk among patients with ocular hypertension using electronic medical records: a cohort study. Health Technology Assessment pp. 1-35. doi:10.3310/gjaa0514
- Rodriguez-Martinez, A.C., Méjécase, C., Tailor-Hamblin, V.K., Higgins, B.E., Henderson, R.H. and Moosajee, M. (2026). Novel Genotype–Phenotype Correlations in CRB1-Retinopathies. Ophthalmology Science, 6(2), pp. 101010-101010. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2025.101010
- Jolly, J.K., Assaf, N., Higgins, B.E., Aspell, J.E. and Michael, E. (2026). EEG changes associated with hallucinations caused by Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Frontiers in Neurology, 16. doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1697094
- Terheyden, J.H., Behning, C., Dunbar, H.M.P., Poor, S., Zakaria, N., Binns, A.M.... Zakaria, N. (2025). Patient-reported vision impairment in low luminance relates to visual function in age-related macular degeneration: A MACUSTAR study report. Scientific Reports, 15(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-025-14553-4
- Tang, F., Hogg, R.E., Higgins, B.E., Wright, D.M., Smyth, L. and Sivaprasad, S. (2025). Impact of Polygenic Risk Scores on Retinal Microstructures in Early and Intermediate Age-related Macular Degeneration: the Northern Ireland Sensory Aging Study. Eye, 39(12), pp. 2389-2397. doi:10.1038/s41433-025-03844-9
- Rowen, D., Carlton, J., McDool, E., Holz, F.G., Zakaria, N., Terheyden, J.H.... Zakaria, N. (2025). Psychometric Performance of a New Condition-Specific Preference-Weighted Measure, Vision Impairment in Low Luminance-Utility Index, and EQ-5D-5L in Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A MACUSTAR Study Report. Value in Health, 28(7), pp. 1082-1090. doi:10.1016/j.jval.2025.04.2155
- Tang, F., Hogg, R.E., Higgins, B.E., Wright, D.M., Smyth, L. and Sivaprasad, S. (2025). Polygenic Risk Score Impact on Visual Function in Older Individuals with Healthy Macula: The Northern Ireland Sensory Ageing Study. Eye, 39(8), pp. 1508-1516. doi:10.1038/s41433-025-03642-3
- Tang, F., Hogg, R.E., Higgins, B.E., Wright, D.M., Smyth, L. and Sivaprasad, S. (2025). Correction: Polygenic Risk Score Impact on Visual Function in Older Individuals with Healthy Macula: The Northern Ireland Sensory Ageing Study. Eye, 39(8), pp. 1653-1653. doi:10.1038/s41433-025-03773-7
- Rodriguez-Martinez, A.C., Tailor-Hamblin, V.K., Higgins, B.E., Jones, P.R., Dekker, T.M., Henderson, R.H.... Moosajee, M. (2025). Elevated Visual Crowding in CRB1-Associated Retinopathies: Understanding Functional Visual Deficits Using Child-Friendly Computerized Testing. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 66(5), pp. 32-32. doi:10.1167/iovs.66.5.32
- Higgins, B.E., Taylor, D.J., Dave, S., Sowerby, S., Crabb, D.P. and Callaghan, T. (2025). Podcast-driven insights into Charles Bonnet Syndrome: Impact on self-management strategies and communication. DIGITAL HEALTH, 11. doi:10.1177/20552076251382830
- Leonard-Hawkhead, B., Higgins, B.E., Wright, D. and Azuara-Blanco, A. (2025). AI for glaucoma, Are we reporting well? a systematic literature review of DECIDE-AI checklist adherence. Eye, 39(6), pp. 1070-1080. doi:10.1038/s41433-025-03678-5
- Terheyden, J.H., Dunbar, H.M.P., Schmitz-Valckenberg, S., Behning, C., Martinho, C., Luhmann, U.F.O.... Zakaria, N. (2025). Validating candidate endpoints for intermediate age-related macular degeneration trials in a multi-centre setting—lessons from the MACUSTAR study. Eye, 39(6), pp. 1031-1039. doi:10.1038/s41433-024-03568-2
- Wright, D.M., Azuara-Blanco, A., Cardwell, C., Montesano, G., Crabb, D.P., Gazzard, G.... Takwoingi, Y. (2025). Validating and Updating the OHTS-EGPS Model Predicting 5-year Glaucoma Risk among Ocular Hypertension Patients Using Electronic Records. Ophthalmology Glaucoma, 8(2), pp. 143-151. doi:10.1016/j.ogla.2024.10.009
- Higgins, B.E., Rodriguez-Martinez, A.C., Montesano, G., Tailor-Hamblin, V.K., Malka, S., Henderson, R.H.... Moosajee, M. (2025). Assessment of CRB1-Associated Retinopathies Using the S-MAIA Fast Protocol and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography. Biomedicines, 13(3), pp. 555-555. doi:10.3390/biomedicines13030555
- Higgins, B., Jones, L., Devraj, K., Kilduff, C. and Moosajee, M. (2024). ‘It would help people to help me’: Acceptability of digital phenotyping among young people with visual impairment and their families. Digital Health, 10. doi:10.1177/20552076231220804
- Rodriguez-Martinez, A.C., Tailor-Hamblin, V.K., Crossland, M.D., Higgins, B.E., Blindow, E., Dekker, T.M.... Moosajee, M. (2024). Assessing Contrast Sensitivity Function in CRB1-Retinopathies: Exploring Child-Friendly Measures of Visual Function. Translational Vision Science & Technology, 13(12), pp. 33-33. doi:10.1167/tvst.13.12.33
- Devraj, K., Jones, L., Higgins, B., Thomas, P.B.M. and Moosajee, M. (2024). User-Centred Design and Development of a Smartphone Application (OverSight) for Digital Phenotyping in Ophthalmology. Healthcare, 12(24), pp. 2550-2550. doi:10.3390/healthcare12242550
- Higgins, B.E., Leonard-Hawkhead, B. and Azuara-Blanco, A. (2024). Quality of Reporting Electronic Health Record Data in Glaucoma. Ophthalmology Glaucoma, 7(5), pp. 422-430. doi:10.1016/j.ogla.2024.04.002
- Higgins, B.E., Yang, H. and Gardiner, S.K. (2024). The Temporal Relation Between Rates of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Minimum Rim Width Changes in Glaucoma. Translational Vision Science & Technology, 13(4), pp. 10-10. doi:10.1167/tvst.13.4.10
- Higgins, B.E., Cull, G. and Gardiner, S.K. (2024). Assessment of Time Lag Between Blood Flow, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Visual Field Sensitivity Changes in Glaucoma. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science, 65(4), pp. 7-7. doi:10.1167/iovs.65.4.7
- Higgins, B., Taylor, D., Crabb, D. and Callaghan, T. (2024). Emotional well-being in Charles Bonnet syndrome: exploring associations with negative affect, loneliness and quality of life. Therapeutic Advances in Ophthalmology, 16. doi:10.1177/25158414241275444
- Higgins, B.E., Montesano, G., Wright, D.M., Hogg, R.E. and Crabb, D.P. (2023). Re: Higgins et al.: Assessment of the classification of age-related macular degeneration severity from the Northern Ireland Sensory Ageing Study using a measure of dark adaptation REPLY. Ophthalmology Science, 3(3). doi:10.1016/j.xops.2023.100377
- Rodriguez-Martinez, A.C., Higgins, B.E., Tailor-Hamblin, V., Malka, S., Cheloni, R., Collins, A.M.... Moosajee, M. (2023). Foveal Hypoplasia in CRB1-Related Retinopathies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(18), pp. 13932-13932. doi:10.3390/ijms241813932
- Higgins, B.E., Montesano, G., Wright, D.M., Hogg, R.E. and Crabb, D.P. (2023). Reply. Ophthalmology Science, 3(3), pp. 100377-100377. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2023.100377
- Higgins, B.E., Montesano, G., Dunbar, H.M.P., Binns, A.M., Taylor, D.J., Behning, C.... Crabb, D.P. (2023). Test-Retest Variability and Discriminatory Power of Measurements From Microperimetry and Dark Adaptation Assessment in People With Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration – A MACUSTAR Study Report. Translational Vision Science & Technology, 12(7), pp. 19-19. doi:10.1167/tvst.12.7.19
- Higgins, B.E., Montesano, G., Crabb, D.P., Naskas, T.T., Graham, K.W., Chakravarthy, U.... Hogg, R.E. (2022). Assessment of the Classification of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Severity from the Northern Ireland Sensory Ageing Study Using a Measure of Dark Adaptation. Ophthalmology Science, 2(4), pp. 100204-100204. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2022.100204
- Dunbar, H.M.P., Behning, C., Abdirahman, A., Higgins, B.E., Binns, A.M., Terheyden, J.H.... Wojek, C. (2022). Repeatability and Discriminatory Power of Chart-Based Visual Function Tests in Individuals With Age-Related Macular Degeneration. JAMA Ophthalmology, 140(8), pp. 780-780. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.2113
- Higgins, B.E., Montesano, G., Binns, A.M. and Crabb, D.P. (2021). Optimising assessment of dark adaptation data using time to event analysis. Scientific Reports, 11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-86193-3
- Montesano, G., Ometto, G., Higgins, B.E., Das, R., Graham, K.W., Chakravarthy, U.... Hogg, R.E. (2021). Evidence for Structural and Functional Damage of the Inner Retina in Diabetes With No Diabetic Retinopathy. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science, 62(3), pp. 35-35. doi:10.1167/iovs.62.3.35
- Higgins, B.E., Taylor, D.J., Binns, A.M. and Crabb, D.P. (2021). Are Current Methods of Measuring Dark Adaptation Effective in Detecting the Onset and Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration? A Systematic Literature Review. Ophthalmology and Therapy, 10(1), pp. 21-38. doi:10.1007/s40123-020-00323-0
- Montesano, G., Naska, T.K., Higgins, B.E., Wright, D.M., Hogg, R.E. and Crabb, D.P. (2021). Determinants of Test Variability in Scotopic Microperimetry: Effects of Dark Adaptation and Test Indices. Translational Vision Science & Technology, 10(1), pp. 26-26. doi:10.1167/tvst.10.1.26
- Montesano, G., Ometto, G., Higgins, B.E., Iester, C., Balaskas, K., Tufail, A.... Crabb, D.P. (2020). Structure–Function Analysis in Macular Drusen With Mesopic and Scotopic Microperimetry. Translational Vision Science & Technology, 9(13), pp. 43-43. doi:10.1167/tvst.9.13.43
- Higgins, B.E., Taylor, D.J., Bi, W., Binns, A.M. and Crabb, D.P. (2020). Novel computer-based assessments of everyday visual function in people with age-related macular degeneration. PLOS ONE, 15(12), pp. e0243578-e0243578. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243578