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Dr Matt J Dunn
PhD MCOptom FHEA
- Media commentator
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Matt J Dunn
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor)
Overview
Research in my lab is focused on exposing the mechanisms underlying disorders of visual perception – including Charles Bonnet Syndrome (hallucinations), visual stress, dyslexia and infantile nystagmus. In particular, I am interested in the role of involuntary eye movements in perceptual (in)stability. My interest in eyetracking extends to the clinical application of eyetrackers in routine eyecare and neurology practice. I am the author of the popular ophthalmology e-textbook Dunn Vision Reference and the founder and general coordinator of the International Society for Clinical Eye Tracking (ISCET).
We typically recruit patients with orthoptic or perceptual disorders in order to better understand visual physiology. If you have a neurological visual disorder and are interested in taking part in research, please click here for more information.
Publication
2025
- Thomas, N. et al. 2025. The human fovea is relatively horizontally elongated in infantile nystagmus. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 66 (14) 56. (10.1167/iovs.66.14.56)
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)
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2024. Minimal reporting guideline for research involving eye tracking (2023 edition). Behavior Research Methods 56 (5), pp.4351-4357. (10.3758/s13428-023-02187-1)
- Moustafa, R. S. et al., 2024. Introducing ISCET - The International Society for Clinical Eye Tracking. Presented at: The 2024 Communication by Gaze Interaction (COGAIN) Symposium Glasgow, UK 4 June 2024. Published in: Khamis, M. and Sugano, Y. eds. ETRA '24: Proceedings of the 2024 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications. Association of Computing Machinery. , pp.1-4. (10.1145/3649902.3656357)
- Moustafa, R. S. et al., 2024. A brief introduction to ISCET - The International Society for Clinical Eye Tracking. Presented at: ETRA 2024 Glasgow, Scotland 4 - 7 June 2024. ETRA '24: Proceedings of the 2024 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications. New York, NY, USA: ACM. (10.1145/3649902.3655659)
- Thomas, N. et al. 2024. Reliability of gaze-contingent perimetry. Behavior Research Methods 56 (5), pp.4883-4892. (10.3758/s13428-023-02225-y)
2023
- Arblaster, G. et al., 2023. Managing Nystagmus in childhood.
- Carter, P. et al., 2023. Eyetracking-enhanced VEP for nystagmus. Presented at: 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting New Orleans, LA, United States 23-27 April 2023. Vol. 64.Vol. 8. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
- Ceroni, F. et al., 2023. Analysis of fibroblast growth factor 14 (fgf14) structural variants reveals the genetic basis of the early onset nystagmus locus nyS4 and variable ataxia. European Journal of Human Genetics 31 , pp.353-359. (10.1038/s41431-022-01197-5)
- Chawner, S. J. et al. 2023. Neurodevelopmental dimensional assessment of young children at high genomic risk of neuropsychiatric conditions. JCPP Advances 3 (2) e12162. (10.1002/jcv2.12162)
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2023. Eyetracking-enhanced VEP for nystagmus. Scientific Reports 13 22812. (10.1038/s41598-023-50367-y)
- Ward, K. et al. 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.
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 22 268. (10.1186/s12886-022-02484-x)
- Shetty, S. et al., 2022. Acquired vertical pendular nystagmus in diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis: A diagnostic dilemma. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology - Case Reports 2 (2), pp.503-505. (10.4103/ijo.IJO_2360_21)
- Thomas, N. , Dunn, M. J. and Woodhouse, J. M. 2022. Voluntary flutter presenting during ophthalmoscopy: A case report. Case Reports in Ophthalmology 13 (1), pp.286-291. (10.1159/000524384)
2021
- Cutsuridis, V. et al., 2021. Neural modelling of antisaccade performance of healthy controls and early Huntington's disease patients. Chaos 31 013121. (10.1063/5.0021584)
- Weaterton, R. et al., 2021. Beyond visual acuity: development of a simple test of the slow-to-see phenomenon in children with infantile nystagmus syndrome. Current Eye Research 46 (2), pp.263-270. (10.1080/02713683.2020.1784438)
2020
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2020. Eyetracking-enhanced VEP for nystagmus. Presented at: 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting Baltimore, MD, United States 3-7 May 2020. Vol. 61.Vol. 7. , pp.5092.
- Self, J. E. et al., 2020. Management of nystagmus in children: A review of the literature and current practice in UK specialist services. Eye (10.1038/s41433-019-0741-3)
2019
- Bowden, J. , Whitaker, D. and Dunn, M. J. 2019. The role of peripheral vision in the flashed face distortion effect. Perception 48 (1), pp.93-101. (10.1177/0301006618817419)
- Clark, R. et al., 2019. The potential and value of objective eye tracking in the ophthalmology clinic. Eye 33 , pp.1200-1202. (10.1038/s41433-019-0417-z)
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2019. An automated segmentation approach to calibrating infantile nystagmus waveforms. Behavior Research Methods 51 (5), pp.2074-2084. (10.3758/s13428-018-1178-5)
- Huang, J. et al., 2019. An augmented reality sign-reading assistant for users with reduced vision. PLoS ONE 14 (1) e0210630. (10.1371/journal.pone.0210630)
- Thomas, N. et al. 2019. Validation of a novel gaze-contingent perimeter with high-speed eye tracking. Presented at: 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting Vancouver, B.C., Canada 28 April - 2 May 2019. Vol. 60.Vol. 9. , pp.522-522.
- Wells, M. et al. 2019. Residual visual function in cortical vision loss. Optometry Today 59 (3), pp.62-65.
2018
- Dunn, M. J. and Rushton, S. K. 2018. Lateral visual occlusion does not change walking trajectories. Journal of Vision 18 (9) 11. (10.1167/18.9.11)
- Kinateder, M. et al., 2018. Using an augmented reality device as a distance-based vision aid - promise and limitations. Optometry and Vision Science 95 (9), pp.727-737. (10.1097/OPX.0000000000001232)
- Robinson, D. G. et al. 2018. Low-level night-time light-therapy for age-related macular degeneration: a randomized clinical trial. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 59 (11), pp.4531-4541. (10.1167/iovs.18-24284)
2017
- Binti Ahmad Zahidi, A. et al. 2017. Infantile nystagmus: an optometrist's perspective. Clinical Optometry 9 , pp.123-131. (10.2147/OPTO.S126214)
- Dunn, M. , McIlreavy, L. and Erichsen, J. 2017. The Nystagmus null zone: evidence for contributions from each eye. Perception 46 (10), pp.1224-1225.
- Dunn, M. 2017. Disorders of perception. Optometry Today 57 (11), pp.64-69.
- Dunn, M. et al. 2017. The effect of gaze angle on visual acuity in infantile nystagmus. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 58 (1), pp.642-650. (10.1167/iovs.16-20370)
2016
- Dunn, M. 2016. Clinical assessment of nystagmus. Optometry Today 56 (7), pp.80-85.
- Dunn, M. 2016. Visual perception in infantile nystagmus. Optometry in Practice 17 (1), pp.19-26.
- Dunn, M. and Lee, H. 2016. Management of nystagmus. Optometry Today 56 (8), pp.64-68.
2015
- Dunn, M. et al. 2015. Visual processing in infantile nystagmus is not slow. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 56 (9), pp.5094-5101. (10.1167/iovs.15-16977)
- Harrison, J. J. et al. 2015. Quick phases of infantile nystagmus show the saccadic inhibition effect. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 56 (3), pp.1594-1600. (10.1167/iovs.14-15655)
2014
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2014. Grating visual acuity in infantile nystagmus in the absence of image motion. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 55 (4), pp.2682-2686. (10.1167/iovs.13-13455)
- Dunn, M. 2014. Quantifying perception and oculomotor instability in infantile nystagmus. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
- Dunn, M. et al. 2014. Author response: grating visual acuity in infantile nystagmus in the absence of image motion. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 55 (8), pp.4955-4957. (10.1167/iovs.14-15070)
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)
- Binti Ahmad Zahidi, A. et al. 2017. Infantile nystagmus: an optometrist's perspective. Clinical Optometry 9 , pp.123-131. (10.2147/OPTO.S126214)
- Bowden, J. , Whitaker, D. and Dunn, M. J. 2019. The role of peripheral vision in the flashed face distortion effect. Perception 48 (1), pp.93-101. (10.1177/0301006618817419)
- Ceroni, F. et al., 2023. Analysis of fibroblast growth factor 14 (fgf14) structural variants reveals the genetic basis of the early onset nystagmus locus nyS4 and variable ataxia. European Journal of Human Genetics 31 , pp.353-359. (10.1038/s41431-022-01197-5)
- Chawner, S. J. et al. 2023. Neurodevelopmental dimensional assessment of young children at high genomic risk of neuropsychiatric conditions. JCPP Advances 3 (2) e12162. (10.1002/jcv2.12162)
- Clark, R. et al., 2019. The potential and value of objective eye tracking in the ophthalmology clinic. Eye 33 , pp.1200-1202. (10.1038/s41433-019-0417-z)
- Cutsuridis, V. et al., 2021. Neural modelling of antisaccade performance of healthy controls and early Huntington's disease patients. Chaos 31 013121. (10.1063/5.0021584)
- Dunn, M. , McIlreavy, L. and Erichsen, J. 2017. The Nystagmus null zone: evidence for contributions from each eye. Perception 46 (10), pp.1224-1225.
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2024. Minimal reporting guideline for research involving eye tracking (2023 edition). Behavior Research Methods 56 (5), pp.4351-4357. (10.3758/s13428-023-02187-1)
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2023. Eyetracking-enhanced VEP for nystagmus. Scientific Reports 13 22812. (10.1038/s41598-023-50367-y)
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2019. An automated segmentation approach to calibrating infantile nystagmus waveforms. Behavior Research Methods 51 (5), pp.2074-2084. (10.3758/s13428-018-1178-5)
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2014. Grating visual acuity in infantile nystagmus in the absence of image motion. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 55 (4), pp.2682-2686. (10.1167/iovs.13-13455)
- Dunn, M. J. and Rushton, S. K. 2018. Lateral visual occlusion does not change walking trajectories. Journal of Vision 18 (9) 11. (10.1167/18.9.11)
- Dunn, M. 2016. Clinical assessment of nystagmus. Optometry Today 56 (7), pp.80-85.
- Dunn, M. 2017. Disorders of perception. Optometry Today 57 (11), pp.64-69.
- Dunn, M. 2016. Visual perception in infantile nystagmus. Optometry in Practice 17 (1), pp.19-26.
- Dunn, M. et al. 2017. The effect of gaze angle on visual acuity in infantile nystagmus. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 58 (1), pp.642-650. (10.1167/iovs.16-20370)
- Dunn, M. and Lee, H. 2016. Management of nystagmus. Optometry Today 56 (8), pp.64-68.
- Dunn, M. et al. 2014. Author response: grating visual acuity in infantile nystagmus in the absence of image motion. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 55 (8), pp.4955-4957. (10.1167/iovs.14-15070)
- Dunn, M. et al. 2015. Visual processing in infantile nystagmus is not slow. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 56 (9), pp.5094-5101. (10.1167/iovs.15-16977)
- Harrison, J. J. et al. 2015. Quick phases of infantile nystagmus show the saccadic inhibition effect. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 56 (3), pp.1594-1600. (10.1167/iovs.14-15655)
- Huang, J. et al., 2019. An augmented reality sign-reading assistant for users with reduced vision. PLoS ONE 14 (1) e0210630. (10.1371/journal.pone.0210630)
- Kinateder, M. et al., 2018. Using an augmented reality device as a distance-based vision aid - promise and limitations. Optometry and Vision Science 95 (9), pp.727-737. (10.1097/OPX.0000000000001232)
- 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 22 268. (10.1186/s12886-022-02484-x)
- Robinson, D. G. et al. 2018. Low-level night-time light-therapy for age-related macular degeneration: a randomized clinical trial. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 59 (11), pp.4531-4541. (10.1167/iovs.18-24284)
- Self, J. E. et al., 2020. Management of nystagmus in children: A review of the literature and current practice in UK specialist services. Eye (10.1038/s41433-019-0741-3)
- Shetty, S. et al., 2022. Acquired vertical pendular nystagmus in diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis: A diagnostic dilemma. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology - Case Reports 2 (2), pp.503-505. (10.4103/ijo.IJO_2360_21)
- Thomas, N. et al. 2024. Reliability of gaze-contingent perimetry. Behavior Research Methods 56 (5), pp.4883-4892. (10.3758/s13428-023-02225-y)
- Thomas, N. et al. 2025. The human fovea is relatively horizontally elongated in infantile nystagmus. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 66 (14) 56. (10.1167/iovs.66.14.56)
- Thomas, N. , Dunn, M. J. and Woodhouse, J. M. 2022. Voluntary flutter presenting during ophthalmoscopy: A case report. Case Reports in Ophthalmology 13 (1), pp.286-291. (10.1159/000524384)
- Weaterton, R. et al., 2021. Beyond visual acuity: development of a simple test of the slow-to-see phenomenon in children with infantile nystagmus syndrome. Current Eye Research 46 (2), pp.263-270. (10.1080/02713683.2020.1784438)
- Wells, M. et al. 2019. Residual visual function in cortical vision loss. Optometry Today 59 (3), pp.62-65.
Conferences
- Carter, P. et al., 2023. Eyetracking-enhanced VEP for nystagmus. Presented at: 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting New Orleans, LA, United States 23-27 April 2023. Vol. 64.Vol. 8. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
- Dunn, M. J. et al. 2020. Eyetracking-enhanced VEP for nystagmus. Presented at: 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting Baltimore, MD, United States 3-7 May 2020. Vol. 61.Vol. 7. , pp.5092.
- Moustafa, R. S. et al., 2024. Introducing ISCET - The International Society for Clinical Eye Tracking. Presented at: The 2024 Communication by Gaze Interaction (COGAIN) Symposium Glasgow, UK 4 June 2024. Published in: Khamis, M. and Sugano, Y. eds. ETRA '24: Proceedings of the 2024 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications. Association of Computing Machinery. , pp.1-4. (10.1145/3649902.3656357)
- Moustafa, R. S. et al., 2024. A brief introduction to ISCET - The International Society for Clinical Eye Tracking. Presented at: ETRA 2024 Glasgow, Scotland 4 - 7 June 2024. ETRA '24: Proceedings of the 2024 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications. New York, NY, USA: ACM. (10.1145/3649902.3655659)
- Thomas, N. et al. 2019. Validation of a novel gaze-contingent perimeter with high-speed eye tracking. Presented at: 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting Vancouver, B.C., Canada 28 April - 2 May 2019. Vol. 60.Vol. 9. , pp.522-522.
- Ward, K. et al. 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.
Thesis
- Dunn, M. 2014. Quantifying perception and oculomotor instability in infantile nystagmus. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
Research
Matt J Dunn is an optometrist and Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University (UK). His research in psychophysics and neurocybernetics focuses on perceptual disorders, compensation of eye movements, and utilising eyetrackers to improve diagnostic techniques such as perimetry and visual evoked potentials. Matt has 27 publications in peer-reviewed journals, mostly involving nystagmus. He has recently coordinated international projects including the development of eyetracking research publishing guidelines and establishing the International Society for Clinical Eye Tracking (ISCET).
Academic CV can be downloaded here.
Invited Talks
| 2025 | Nystagmus Network (UK): Towards clinical standards in eye tracking |
| 2025 | Gordon Research Conference on Eye Movements (Massachusetts, US) |
| 2024 | Johns Hopkins University: Dr Zee's Ocular Motor & Vestibular Lecture Series (Maryland, US): Visual perception in infantile nystagmus |
| 2023 | Sight Cymru (UK): Charles Bonnet syndrome |
| 2022 | Erasmus MC (Rotterdam, Netherlands): Hans van der Steen Valedictory Symposium |
| 2020 | Aravind Eye Hospital (Madurai, India): Nystagmus decoded: Eyetracking made simple (session moderator) |
| 2020 | Nystagmus Network (UK): A clinician's guide to nystagmus |
| 2018 | RNIB Wales (Cardiff, UK): Understanding infantile nystagmus |
| 2017 | Vision 2017 (The Hague, Netherlands): 'Time to see' in infantile nystagmus |
| 2016 | Rank Prize Funds (Grasmere, UK): Visual perception in the presence of nystagmus |
| 2016 | Oxford, Bristol, Cardiff & Southampton Alliance in Vision Research (Cardiff, UK): Seeing with nystagmus |
| 2016 | 100% Optical (London, UK): A clinician's guide to nystagmus |
| 2015 | Leicester Royal Infirmary (Leicester, UK): Visual perception in infantile nystagmus |
| 2015 | Midland Peripatetic Group for Teachers of the Visually Impaired (Birmingham, UK): Seeing with nystagmus |
| 2015 | LV Prasad Eye Institute (Hyderabad, India): Visual perception in infantile nystagmus |
| 2015 | UC Berkeley (California, US): Visual perception in infantile nystagmus |
| 2015 | University of Houston (Texas, US): Visual perception in infantile nystagmus |
Teaching
I deliver the Perception lecture series and run orthoptics teaching clinics. I am recognised as a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Modules currently taught
| OP2206 | Perception |
| OP3103 | Binocular Vision (clinic lead) |
| OP4001 | Introduction to Clinical Optometry Practice |
| OP3207 | Research in Optometry and Vision Science |
| OP2503 | Pathology and Management |
Modules previously taught
| OP0205 | Introductory Optometry |
| OP3205 | Occupational Optometry, Law and Business (module leader) |
| OP3104 | Abnormal Ocular Conditions |
| OP2206 | Colour Vision and Perception (module leader) |
| OP3106 | Visual Perception (module leader) |
| OP2207 | Visual Perception (module leader) |
| OP2201 | Clinical Studies and Dispensing |
| OPT006 | Paediatric Ophthalmology |
| OPT007 | Eye Care for People with Learning Disabilities |
| OP2104 | Binocular Vision |
| OP3103 | Primary Eye Care |
| OP2103 | Investigative Techniques |
| Doctoral Academy | MATLAB programming |
Biography
Professional memberships
- GOC registered optometrist
- Fellow, Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- Member of the College of Optometrists (MCOptom)
Academic positions
| 2024 – Present | Senior Lecturer, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University |
| 2016 – 2024 | Lecturer, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University |
| 2014 – 2016 | Research Associate, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University |
| 2013 – 2015 | Teacher, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University |
| 2014 – 2014 | Research Associate, Department of Neuroscience, Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board |
| 2013 – 2014 | Research Associate, School of Psychology, Cardiff University |
| 2010 – 2013 | Clinical supervisor, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University |
Committees and reviewing
Journal reviewer for:
- Behavior Research Methods
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science
- Scientific Reports
- PLOS One
- Cognition
- Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience
- Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics
- Journal of Ophthalmology
- Vision Research
- Eye
- Current Eye Research
- Clinical Ophthalmology
- Acta Psychologica
- Therapeutic Advances in Rare Disease
- Optometry and Vision Science
- Strabismus
- Journal of Eye Movement Research
- British and Irish Orthoptic Journal
- Optometry in Practice
Grant reviewer for:
- Medical Research Council
- Macular Society
- Nystagmus Network
Supervisions
If you are interested in pursuing a PhD with me, please get in touch or click here for more information.
Current supervision
Khawlah Alfaifi
Past projects
- Dr Katherine Ward—Infantile nystagmus: exploring the causes and establishing better measures of vision
- Dr Mason T Wells—Cinematic scanning: using movie watching fMRI to investigate the function and organisation of the visual brain
- Dr Nikita Thomas—Development of a novel gaze-contingent perimeter and assessment of retinal structure in infantile nystagmus
Contact Details
[email protected]
+44 29208 70576
Optometry and Vision Sciences, Room Room 2.12, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
+44 29208 70576
Optometry and Vision Sciences, Room Room 2.12, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
Research themes
Specialisms
- Perception
- Eye tracking
- Psychophysics
