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Professor John Lawrenson

Professor of Clinical Visual Science

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

Contact details

About

Overview

John Lawrenson is Professor of Clinical Visual Science and Research Lead for the Centre for Applied Vision Research. He has an active research interest in ophthalmic public health, with particular emphasis on sight-threatening eye diseases e.g. diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He has authored several high profile Cochrane Systematic Reviews, including a 'living' network meta-analysis on interventions for myopia control. His work has received funding from a variety of sources including: the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the International Glaucoma Association and the College of Optometrists (UK).

Professor Lawrenson trained as an optometrist at Aston University and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. He completed a PhD in Visual Science at City, University of London, which was followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience at University College London. He also holds a Master’s degree in Evidence-based Health Care from the University of Oxford.

Professor Lawrenson’s contributions have been acknowledged through the award of a Life Fellowship by the College of Optometrists and a number of research prizes including the BCLA Dallos Award and the Arthur Bennett Prize. He edits the eye and orbit sections of Grays Anatomy, is a Senior Editor for the Cochrane Collaboration and also serves on the editorial board of several ophthalmic journals.

Qualifications

  • BSc Optometry (First Class), Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • PhD Visual Science, City University London, London, United Kingdom
  • MSc Evidence-based Healthcare (Distinction), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Distinction), University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

Fellowships

  • Life Fellow, College of Optometrists

Memberships of professional organisations

  • Fellow, College of Optometrists
  • Fellow, Royal Society of Public Health

Teaching

Modules taught

BSc Optometry

- OV1015 Neural Biology & General Pathology
- 0V2017 General Pathology and Eye Disease
- 0V3017 Eye Disease and Therapeutics
- 0V3020 Research Methods and Special Studies

BSc/PGDip Language and Communication Science

- SL1002/SLM002 Biomedical Sciences: Anatomy and Physiology (Language and Communication Science)

MSc Clinical Optometry

- 0VM050 Principles of Therapeutics
- 0VM051 Principles of Prescribing
- 0VM053 Independent Prescribing

Research

Research overview

The primary interests of John's research group include chronic eye diseases in the elderly, particularly glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic eye disease. The research covers disease prevention, improved methods for detection and evaluation of models of eye care service delivery. John is an experienced systematic reviewer and has completed several reviews for the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group

Research areas

- Diabetic eye screening
- Detection of age-related eye disease
- Nutrition and eye health
- Models of ophthalmic service delivery
- Systematic reviews in eyes and vision

Grants

2020-2023. Tele-opHthalmology-enablEd and ARtificial Intelligence-ready referral pathway for coMmunity optomEtry referralS of retinal disease (the HERMES study): a Cluster Randomised Superiority Trial with a linked Observational Diagnostic Accuracy Study Dr Konstantinos Balaskas, (Moorfields Eye Hospital, PI) et al (John Lawrenson (CI)). Funder: NIHR £1,062,827

2019-2021. Enabling diabetic RetinOpathy Screening: Mixed methods study of barriers and enablers to attendance (EROS study). John Lawrenson (PI) et al. Funder: NIHR £596,000

2019-2022. Quality Assured Follow up of quiEscent Neovascular agE relaTed maculaR dEgeneration by non-medical practitioners: a randomised controlled trial. The FENETRE study. Konstantinos Balaskas (Moorfields Eye Hospital, PI) et al (John Lawrenson (CI)). NIHR £1,165,670

Completed research

2016-2019. Diagnostic accuracy of structural imaging and visual function tests to detect age-related eye disease. John Lawrenson (PI). Funder: College of Optometrists.

2015-2017. What works to increase attendance for diabetic retinopathy screening? An evidence synthesis and economic analysis. John Lawrenson (PI) et al. Funder: NIHR.

2015-2016. Self-tonometry: is it practical, is it accurate and does it add more information to aid clinical management John Lawrenson (PI) et al. Funder: International Glaucoma Association.

2007-2011. A study of optometrist case-finding for primary open angle glaucoma. John Lawrenson (PI) et al. Funder: Pfizer Inc.

Publications

Publications by category

Book

  • Seal, D.V., Pleyer, U., Hennelly, M.L., Lawrenson, J.G. and Patel, B. (2026). Investigation & Management of Eye Disease in Primary Care. CRC Press.

Chapters (8)

  • Lawrenson, J.G. (2024). Anterior Eye. Contact Lens Practice (pp. 9-28.e2). Elsevier. ISBN 9780702084270.
  • Lawrenson, J.G. (2010). The anterior eye. In Efron, N. (Ed.), Contact Lens Practice London: Butterworth-Heinemann.
  • Lawrenson, J.G. (2008). Specialist contributor, Grays Anatomy - 'The Orbit and Accessory Visual Apparatus' and 'The Eye'. In Strandring, S. (Ed.), London: Elsevier.
  • Lawrenson, J.G., Constable, P.A. and Abbott, N.J. (2008). P-glycoprotein expression and function in the RPE. In Tombran-Tink, J. and Barnstable, C.J. (Eds.), Ocular Transporters in Opphthalmic Diseases and Drug Delivery Humana Press.
  • Lawrenson, J.G. (2007). Histopathology and pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. In Edgar, D.F. and Rudnicka, A.R. (Eds.), Glaucoma identification and co-management Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 9780750637824.
  • Lawrenson, J.G. (2007). Production and drainage of aqueous humour. In Edgar, D.F. and Rudnicka, A.R. (Eds.), Glaucoma identification and co-management Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 9780750637824.
  • Lawrenson, J.G. (2007). Histopathology and pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. In Edgar, D.F. and Rudnicka, A.R. (Eds.), Glaucoma identification and co-management Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 9780750637824.
  • Ruskell, G.L. and Lawrenson, J.G. (1994). The innervation of the anterior segment. In Ruben, M. and Guillon, M. (Eds.), Contact Lens Practice London: Chapman &​ Hall. ISBN 041235120X.

Conference papers and proceedings (19)

Internet publication

  • Lawrenson, J.G.College of Optometrists Clinical Management Guidelines.

Journal articles (187)

Reports (2)

  • Needle, J., Petchey, R.P., Benson, J., Scriven, A., Lawrenson, J.G. and Hilari, K. (2011). Role of allied health professionals in health promotion..
  • Needle, J.J., Petchey, R.P., Benson, J., Scriven, A., Lawrenson, J. and Hilari, K. The role of allied health professionals in health promotion. London: NIHR Service Delivery and Organisation programme.

Software

  • Lawrenson, J.G. Optometrists formulary and electronic medicines information..

Thesis/dissertation

Other

Professional activities

Clinical activity

  • John works one Saturday per month in a community optometry practice in Surrey

Editorial activity (4)

  • Nutrition and Eye Health, Editor, 2020 - present.
  • Grays Anatomy 42nd Edition (Chapters 44 and 45), Contributor, 2020 - present.
  • Basic Science and Clinical Translation. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, Guest Editor, 2015.
  • Glaucoma: virtual issue. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, Feature Editor, 2013 - present.