City St George’s hosts optometry and vision science congress • City, University of London

The British Congress of Optometry and Vision Science (BCOVS) brought together optometry professionals, researchers, and students for two days of networking, discussion, and knowledge sharing

By Mr George Wigmore (Senior Communications Officer), Published Monday, 23^rd September 2024

The British Congress of Optometry and Vision Science (BCOVS) was recently held at City St George’s, University of London, bringing together a diverse group of optometry professionals, researchers, and students for two days of networking, discussion, and knowledge sharing. This year’s event featured keynote presentations from some of the leading figures in the field, highlighting the latest advancements in optometry and vision science.

Dr Deanna Taylor, a Lecturer in Optometry & Visual Sciences at City St George’s and one of the organisers of the event, opened the congress by emphasising the importance of collaboration and exchange of research. “We’ve factored in lots of time for networking and posters over the next couple of days. I would love for us to spend as much time discussing each other’s research as possible,” she said.

Keynote talks

A standout moment of the congress was the series of keynote addresses from eminent researchers with deep ties to City St George’s, starting with Professor Christopher Owen. Professor Owen, Professor of Epidemiology in the Population Health Research Institute at City St George’s, delivered a talk on retinal imaging as a window into cardiovascular health. He discussed the significant role the eye plays in revealing the health of the circulatory system, particularly in identifying early signs of heart disease.

Professor Christopher Owen speaks at BCOVS

“By examining the vessels at the back of the eye, we can predict disease outcomes in later life,” he explained. Professor Owen’s research, which utilises AI-driven retinal vasculometry, provides critical insights into how changes in retinal blood vessels are linked to cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks and strokes. His work demonstrates how advancements in vision science can be pivotal in preventing broader health issues.

Following Professor Owen’s keynote, Professor Alicja Rudnicka, Professor of Statistical Epidemiology at City St George’s, discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in retinal imaging and its potential applications for diagnosing and managing diseases such as diabetes. She explained how AI systems can enhance the precision of detecting diabetic retinopathy and the importance of equity in developing these systems. Professor Rudnicka highlighted ongoing research, noting, “With diabetes on the rise globally, there is a pressing need for efficient, AI-driven tools that can be equitably applied across diverse populations to manage and mitigate complications.”

Remarkable visual systems

The final keynote of the event was given by Professor Emeritus Ron Douglas, a respected figure in the field of animal vision who worked at the then City, University of London for 40 years. Professor Douglas’s engaging talk, entitled “See food salad”, focused on his decades of research into the visual systems of animals and deep-sea creatures. Known for his lively presentation style, Professor Douglas shared fascinating insights into how deep-sea animals, such as giant squid and dragon fish (Malacosteus niger), have evolved unique visual systems to survive in the dark, high-pressure environments of the ocean. Reflecting on his research, Professor Douglas said, “I’ve never been interested in how humans see the world. The animals that lurk at the bottom of the ocean – they’re the ones that truly fascinate me.”

Professor Douglas’s keynote provided an interesting contrast to the earlier presentations, demonstrating the diversity of research within the field of vision science. His work on the adaptive visual mechanisms of marine animals has implications not only for understanding life in extreme environments but also for the development of new optical technologies.

Interdisciplinary research

The BCOVS conference also included early career research talks and numerous poster sessions, showcasing a wide range of topics from visual perception to clinical optometry. The diversity of research presented underscored the interdisciplinary nature of modern optometry and vision science, reflecting contributions from health sciences, psychology, and biomedical research.

Dr Taylor closed the congress with a note of optimism, praising the quality of research presented and the opportunities for future collaboration. “We’ve had a fantastic couple of days filled with inspiring research, new ideas, and, most importantly, the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the UK. I hope that the conversations we’ve started here will continue and lead to many new and exciting projects in the future,” she said.

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