Ophthalmology Research
Prof Ben Burton
Clinical Director Of Research And Development
Visiting Professor at University of East Anglia
Medical Students
There is a six week elective attachment offered each year in ophthalmology research. Students are embedded into the ophthalmology research office and will be expected to help with the research clinic and data entry as required. They will be supported to perform an audit for presentation at a national meeting and where possible will contribute to writing a case report. Previous students have presented posters in Hawaii and Copenhagen. This attachment is ideal for those wishing to pursue a career in ophthalmology.
FY1/2 - We offer a 1 week clinical attachment as a taster for local FY1/2 doctors who are considering a career in ophthalmology.
Ophthalmology Trainees.
All Ophthalmology trainees are encouraged to get GCP training and can become co-investigators on the multicentre trials run at JPUH. Trainees are encouraged to develop their own projects and publish case reports and audits.
Opportunity for a PhD in AMD/Gut microbiome
Prof Burton is working with Prof Carding at the Quadram Institute in Norwich. Prof Cardings group has a large grant to look at the correlation between the gut microbiome and development of dementia (The Motion Study). OCT scanning can provide a proxy measure of dementia progression so we will be scanning a large cohort of patients. At the same time as monitoring their RNFL we can assess them for AMD and see if this is correlated to differences in their gut microbiome.
Clinical research
Prof Burton runs a large Retinal trials unit which has contributed over 700 patients to over 20 clinical studies over the last 10 years. We have a full time ophthalmic research nurse and ophthalmic research coordinator as well as a research ophthalmic photographer and research optometrist on a sessional basis.
Prof Burton is Chief investigator UK for the multinational Panda II Study looking at conbercept v aflibercept for wet AMD.
Prof Burton is Chief investigator UK for Lightsight II (Lumithera) looking at light therapy to reduce progression of dry AMD by enhancing mitochondrial function.
Prof Burton is a principle investigator for the following studies
- Azure study- comparing different retreatment regimes with Aflibercept for wet AMD (Bayer)
- Rhine study- comparing Faricimab with Aflibercept for DMO
- Edna Study- looking at early detection of wet AMD in second eyes by different patient reported outcomes and OCT scanning.
- Fasbat Study- looking at longitudinal descriptive data on wet AMD patients.
- Monarch Study - looking at early detection of disease activity by electronic home testing devices.
6) Star study- looking at Radiation treatment in wet AMD to reduce the number of injections
needed
Dr Babovic, a clinical fellow, has recently been PI for the Poem Study,
Mr Prabhu is PI for TAGS and Artemis glaucoma studies and recruited the first patient in the UK to Artemis.
Mr Goldsmith has recently published on Iluvien outcome data and is joining the Video study on vitrectomy for macular oedema.
Mr Raja and Mr Pharoah provide indispensable support for the Retinal trials unit.
Mrs Hemmant and Mr Butler have both support trainees to publish case series, case reports and personal projects and continue to encourage enthusiastic trainees.
The entire department is very supportive of research.