![Katherine Ward BSc, MSc](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/5454?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Overview
I am a PhD candidate researching vision in infantile nystagmus - a condition which results in a continuous ‘to-and-fro’ movement of the eyes.
My research involves using eye tracking and psychophysical techniques to study how visual perception is affected inin order to evaluate novel methods for testing vision in individuals with nystagmus.
I also use neuroimaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural pathways involved in mediating eye movements in nystagmus, in the hope of better understanding the neural underpinnings of this condition.
I am a qualified optometrist and supervise student clinics in the School of Optometry.
Publication
2024
- Almagren, B. et al. 2024. Measurement of visual function in infantile nystagmus: a systematic review. British Journal of Ophthalmology 108(7), pp. 1038-1043. (10.1136/bjo-2023-324254)
2023
- Ward, K., Dunn, M., McIlreavy, L. and Erichsen, J. 2023. Measuring the spatiotemporal contrast sensitivity function in infantile nystagmus. Presented at: 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 23-27 April 2023, Vol. 64. pp. 5312.
- Arblaster, G. et al. 2023. Managing Nystagmus in childhood. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Available at: https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/resources-listing/managing-nystagmus-in-childhood/
2022
- Rennie, K. et al. 2022. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with nystagmus and an exploration of public assumptions about the condition: an electronic questionnaire study. BMC Ophthalmology 22, article number: 268. (10.1186/s12886-022-02484-x)
Articles
- Almagren, B. et al. 2024. Measurement of visual function in infantile nystagmus: a systematic review. British Journal of Ophthalmology 108(7), pp. 1038-1043. (10.1136/bjo-2023-324254)
- Rennie, K. et al. 2022. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with nystagmus and an exploration of public assumptions about the condition: an electronic questionnaire study. BMC Ophthalmology 22, article number: 268. (10.1186/s12886-022-02484-x)
Conferences
- Ward, K., Dunn, M., McIlreavy, L. and Erichsen, J. 2023. Measuring the spatiotemporal contrast sensitivity function in infantile nystagmus. Presented at: 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 23-27 April 2023, Vol. 64. pp. 5312.
Monographs
- Arblaster, G. et al. 2023. Managing Nystagmus in childhood. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Available at: https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/resources-listing/managing-nystagmus-in-childhood/
Research
Thesis
Infantile nystagmus: investigating the causes and establishing better measures of visual performance
My PhD research uses eye tracking and psychophysical techniques to study how visual perception is affected in nystagmus - a condition which results in a continuous ‘to-and-fro’ movement of the eyes - in order to evaluate novel methods for testing vision in individuals with nystagmus. I also use neuroimaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural pathways involved in mediating eye movements in nystagmus, in the hope of better understanding the neural underpinnings of this condition.
Funding sources
My PhD is funded by the College of Optometrists
Teaching
- Clinial demonstrator in first-year Optometry undergraduate module, teaching basic clinical techniques.
- Demonstrator in Psychology undergraduate module teaching analysis of fMRI data using SPM. Led a session on first order analysis.
Biography
Undergraduate education
- 2013-2016 BSc (Hons) Optometry, Cardiff University
Postgraduate education
- 2020-2021 MSc (Hons) Computing
Professional memberships
- GOC registered optometrist
- Member of the College of Optometrists (MCOptom)
- Member of the Association of Optometrists (AOP)
- Member of the Applied Vision Association (AVA)
Academic positions
- 2021-2023 Clinical supervisor, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff Univeristy
- 2021-2023 Undergraduate clinical demonstrator, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff Univeristy
Supervisors
Contact Details
Optometry and Vision Sciences, Room 2.11, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
Research themes
Specialisms
- Eye movements
- Psychophysics