Have your say on eye research

Funders are calling for your input into a survey designed to refresh the key areas for eye health research in the UK. The National Institute for Health and care Research (NIHR) wants to know which questions about prevention, diagnosis and treatment are most important to health professionals, patients and families.

A review of existing research priorities by the NIHR Ophthalmology Specialty group and the UK Clinical Eye Research Strategy identified 98 potential questions. A survey has been launched to help fine tune which should be taken forward as part of the refresh of The James Lind Alliance Sight Loss and Vision research priorities.

Professor Rupert Bourne, NIHR national specialty lead for ophthalmology said: “It’s almost 10 years since the UK last published its eye research priorities and progress has been made in learning more about each of those 12 key areas that were set at the time. 

“This survey is designed to help us assess whether these are still the right priorities for us to be focusing our attention on, and to delve deeper into some of those, or whether there are new areas of eye research that we now need to make a priority.

“We are encouraging all those with an interest in eye health and research to take part in the survey to help shape the direction of future eye research.” 

The Eye Research Priority survey is open to all eye healthcare professionals and researchers as well as patients, carers and members of the public. The closing date is 9 August. The survey feedback will inform the final top 10 updated priorities across different sub-specialties.