City St George’s secures £400,000 Wolfson Foundation grant to advance vision research

City St George’s, University of London has been awarded £400,000 by the Wolfson Foundation to purchase cutting-edge equipment that will strengthen leading research into eye disease, vision assessment and myopia.

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent grant-making charity with a focus on research and education, supporting institutions to develop world-class facilities that enable outstanding research and innovation.

At City St George’s, the funding will specifically support the Advanced Vision Assessment and Myopia clinics within the University’s Centre for Applied Vision Research (CAVR) in the School of Health & Medical Sciences, as part of the iCare Project. In addition, it will lead to greater integration of research activities across the University’s two campuses, while boosting both public involvement and the broader impact of eye research.

The Centre for Applied Vision Research is well known within the field for its work in occupational vision, the development of new advanced vision tests and improved methods for the early detection of eye disease, patient outcome assessment, and systematic reviews in eye care and visual psychophysics.

Within the Centre, the funding will help researchers address the major challenges of the early detection of eye disease and myopia while enabling them to learn more about visual mechanisms and normal ageing. It will also strengthen research-led education, helping to inspire the next generation of optometrists.

In addition, the grant will support research into new colour vision assessments and the effects of ageing and light levels on vision, with applications for both clinical care and visually demanding professions.

As well as supporting research, the iCare Project includes the refurbishment of existing research space within the Centre for Applied Vision Research. The project will provide state-of-the-art eye examination facilities and unique vision assessment tests to advance existing research into the early detection of retinal disease.

Dr Michelle Hennelly, Head of Optometry and Visual Science at City St George’s, said:

“Securing this support from the Wolfson Foundation is a significant milestone for City St George’s and for our vision research community. This investment will enable us to enhance our Advanced Vision Assessment and Myopia clinics with state-of-the-art technology, strengthening our ability to detect eye disease earlier and understand the mechanisms underpinning visual change across the lifespan. Crucially, it also supports our commitment to research-led education and public engagement, ensuring that our work delivers meaningful impact for patients, practitioners and the next generation of optometrists.”

Professor John Barbur, Head of the Colour Research Laboratory and the Occupational Vision Group at City St George’s, said:

“We thank the Wolfson Foundation and the School of Health and Medical Sciences for supporting our efforts to pursue new studies in basic science and clinical eye research designed to fulfil real and challenging eye-care needs.”

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said:

“The Centre for Applied Vision Research has built an impressive international reputation in occupational vision science over many years. We are delighted to be supporting City St George’s with funding to equip the new iCare facility, which will play a vital role in designing and testing improvements to the detection and treatment of eye disease.”