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Research & Innovation

The Guy's and St. Thomas' Cataract and Corneal Research Group (GSTTCCR) is based at St. Thomas’ Hospital and led by Professor David O’Brart. Following on from the pioneering work by the Sir Harold Ridley, who implanted the world’ s first intraocular lens implant at St. Thomas’ Hospital in 1950, heralding the development of modern cataract surgery, and the development of the Excimer laser for Refractive and Corneal surgery in the 1990s by Professor John Marshall, we continue an extensive program of Cataract and Corneal research. Our research areas in recent years have focused on clinical research programs to improve the efficiency and outcomes of Cataract Surgery within the NHS and the investigation and optimization of corneal collagen cross linking to halt corneal ectatic disorders. We have conducted multiple randomized clinical trials and are considered a centre of excellence in the field of Cataract surgery and Keratoconus.

Group Members

  • Professor David O’Brart, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Professor of Corneal Medicine
  • Mani Bhogal, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
  • Scott Robbie, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
  • Vijay Wagh, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
  • Sancy Low, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
  • Seema Verma, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
  • Elodie Azan, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
  • Khayam Naderi, Clinical Research Fellow
  • Nicholas Stanojcic, Clinical Research Fellow
  • Harry Roberts, Past Clinical Research Fellow

Projects

Eye surgeons
Randomized, controlled clinical studies

We are currently conducting three randomized, controlled clinical studies, aimed at investigating strategies to improve the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within the National Health Service. These include: “A prospective randomized controlled clinical study to measure posterior capsular opacification, objective measurement of glistenings and intraocular lens tilt and decentration as well as visual outcomes following insertion of a monofocal, aspheric, hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens: the RayOne® Hydrophobic lens 800C and a monofocal aspheric, hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens: the RayOne® Hydrophilic lens 600C.” “Patient satisfaction and dry symptoms in patients undergoing routine uncomplicated cataract surgery in NHS patients treated with prophylactic phosphate-free, preservative-free lubricant eye drops (0.3% cross linked sodium hyaluronate, AEONTM Protect Plus and 0.15% Sodium Hyaluronate with vitamins A and E, AEONTM Repair): A randomized, prospective, controlled study.” “Toric intraocular lenses for cataract patients with high astigmatism in a public health care setting: A randomised, controlled study to compare visual performance, refractive outcome, and patient satisfaction with the use of “off the shelf” toric lenses, with a set cylindrical correction of either 2.0 or 4.0 diopters, and combined limbal relaxing incisions and/or off-axis IOL rotation, with fully targeted toric intraocular lens correction.” We awarded Rayner Ltd Research Grant of £240,000 to support these projects in 2019.

    laser surgery
    The development of surgical pathways utilizing Femto-second laser technology to increase the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within a public health sector setting

    Including a randomised, controlled study comparing Femto-second laser assisted Cataract Surgery to conventional techniques and Time and Motion studies to improve the efficiency of Surgical Theatre pathways for Cataract surgery within the NHS. Awarded Alcon Inc Research grant in 2015 of $190,000 to support this project. Further grant of £17,500 awarded in 2016.

      Intraocular lens
      Investigations of intraocular lens (IOL) glistening degradations, their effects on visual function and occurrence in new acrylic, hydrophobic “glistenings-free” IOLs, and of the adoption of premium technologies in cataract surgery delivery in the National Health Service

      Includes “a randomised, bilateral, controlled study to compare visual performance, refractive outcome and occurrence of glistenings following implantation of two monofocal, aspheric, hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses: the Alcon CLAREON® and the Abbot Medical Optics Pcb00”. Awarded Alcon Inc Research grant of £204,000 in 2017 to support this project.

        Publications

        2019-present

        • Roberts HW, Wagh VB, Sullivan DL, Hidzheva P, Detesan D, Heemraz S, O’Brart DPS. Controlled trial comparing femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery versus conventional phacoemulsification surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019 Jan;45(1):11-20
        • Wen D, Tu R, Flitcroft I, Wang Q, Huang Y, Song B, Yu A, Hu L, Zhao Y, Bao F, Yu Y, Lian H, Hoffart L, Kramm RL, Skiadaresi E, O'Brart D, Pallikaris I, Marshall J, McAlinden C, Huang J. Corneal Surface Ablation Laser Refractive Surgery for the Correction of Myopia: A Network Meta-analysis. J Refract Surg. 2018 Nov 1;34(11):726-735. doi: 10.3928/1081597X-20180905-01.
        • Roberts H, Wagh VK, Sung J, Ni MZ, O'Brart DP. Risk-adjusted CUSUM analysis of the learning curve of femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery Curr Eye Res. 2019 Mar 30:1-9.
        • Ho V, Stanojcic N, O’Brart NAL, O’Brart DPS. Refractive Surprise Following Routine Cataract Surgery with Premium Intraocular Lenses due to Corneal Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019 May;45(5):685-689.
        • Stanojcic N, O’Brart D, Maycock N, Hull CC. An investigation of the effects of intraocular lens glistenings on visual acuity, functional contrast sensitivity and forward light scatter: A prospective study and presentation of a new subjective glistenings grading methodology. BMJ Open Ophth 2019;4:e000266. doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2018-000266.
        • Sullivan-Mackenna D, Roberts H, O'Brart D. Reduction in surgical time and iris manipulation using continuous intracameral irrigation of phenylephrine and ketorolac to prevent miosis in FLACS. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019 Jul;45(7):1053-1054. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2019.04.036.
        • Stanojcic N, Hull C, O’Brart DPS. Clinical and material degradations of intraocular lenses: A review. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2019 Aug 6:1120672119867818. doi: 10.1177/1120672119867818. [Epub ahead of print]
        • Roberts HW, Day AC, O'Brart DP. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery: A review. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2020 May;30(3):417-429. doi: 10.1177/1120672119893291. Epub 2019 Dec 4. Review.
        • Philippaki E, Hull C, O’Brart DPS. Comparison of glistenings formation and their effect on forward light scatter between the Acrysof SN60WF and Eternity Natural Uni NW-60 Intraocular Lenses. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2020 Feb 12;5(1):e000399. doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2019-000399. eCollection 2020.
        • O’Brart D, Roberts H, Naderi K, Gormley J. Economic Modelling of Immediately Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (ISBCS) in the National Health Service based on possible improvements surgical efficiency. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2020 Jun 25;5(1):e000426. doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2019-000426. eCollection 2020.
        • Stanojcic N, O’Brart D, Hull C, Wagh V, Azan E, Bhogal M, Robbie S, Olivia JO. Visual and refractive outcomes and glistenings occurrence following implantation of two monofocal, aspheric, hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses: Clareon® (Alcon Laboratories Inc.) and Tecnis PCB00® (Johnson & Johnson Inc.). J Cataract Refract Surg. 2020 Apr 3. doi: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000201. [Epub ahead of print].
        • Stanojcic N, Roberts H, Wagh V, Zuberbuhler B, O'Brart D. A randomized, prospective study of “off-the-shelf” use of toric intraocular lenses for cataract patients with pre-existing corneal astigmatism in the NHS. Eye (Lond). 2020 Jul 30. doi: 10.1038/s41433-020-0919-8. Online ahead of print.
        • Stanojcic N, Roberts H, Wagh V, Li JO, Naderi K, O’Brart DPS. A randomized controlled trial comparing femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery versus conventional phacoemulsification surgery: 12-month results. Br J Ophthalmol. 2020 Jul 22:bjophthalmol-2020-316311. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-316311. Online ahead of print.
        • Naderi K, Gormley J, O’Brart DPS. Cataract Surgery and Dry Eye: A Review. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2020 Jun 9:1120672120929958. doi: 10.1177/1120672120929958. Online ahead of print.
        • Hardcastle AJ, Liskova1 P, Bykhovskaya Y, McComish BJ, Davidson AE, Inglehearn CF, Li X , Choquet H, Lucas SEM, Sahebjada S, Pontikos N, Lopez KER, Khawaja AP, Ali M, Tenen A, Simcoe MJ, Patasova K, Yarrand D, Yin J, Dudakova L, Skalicka P, Siddiqui S, Rice A, Farraj LA, Chen YI, Rahi JS, Krauss RM, Theusch E, Charlesworth JC, Szczotka-Flynn L, Toomes C, Richardson AJ, Mitchell PA, Taylor KD, MacGregor S, Melles RB, Aldave A, Mills RA, Cao K, Chan E, Daniell MD, Wang JJ, Rotter JI, Hewitt AW, Craig JE, Iyengar SK, O’Brart D, Jorgenson E, Baird PN, Rabinowitz YS, Burdon KP, Hammond CJ, Tuft SJ, Hysi PG. A multiethnic genome-wide association study for keratoconus identifies 36 loci and implicates collagen matrix integrity and cell differentiation pathways.Communications Biology 2021 (In press).
        • Hayes S, Aldahlawi NH, O’Brart D P, O’Brart N, Meek KM The effect of bacteriochlorophyll derivative WST-D and near infrared light on the molecular and fibrillar architecture of the corneal stroma. Sci Rep. 2020 Jun 17;10(1):9836. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-66869-y.
        • Naderi K, Maubon L, Jameel A, Patel DS, Gormley J, Shah V, Lai L, Low S, Verma S, Robbie S, Bhogal M, O’Brart D. Attitudes to Cataract Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Patient Survey. Eye (Lond). 2020 Jul 24:1-2. doi: 10.1038/s41433-020-1112-9. Online ahead of print.
        • Shah V, Naderi K, Maubon L, Jameel A, Patel DS, Gormley J, Heemraz S, Azan E, Verma S, Low S, O’Brart D. Acceptability of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) in a public health care setting before and after COVID-19: A prospective patient questionnaire survey. BMJ Open Ophthalmology 2020;5:e000554. doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000554
        • Maubon L, O’Brart D. Returning to cataract surgery after a hiatus: a UK survey report Eye 2021 (Accepted).
        • Low S,Tran J, McGurk C,Gupta A, Roberts HW, O'Brart D. Cat-12 Tool to reduce intraoperative complications for phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery. Curr Eye Res 2020 Dec 1. doi: 10.1080/02713683.2020.1857777. Online ahead of print.
        • O'Brart D, Zarei-Ghanavati M, Vasquez-Perez A, Liu C. Comment on: "What are the costs, capacity, and clinical implications of "waiting for documented progression" in young West of Scotland patients prior to collagen cross linking?". Eye (Lond). 2021 Aug 18. doi: 10.1038/s41433-021-01704-w. Online ahead of print.
        • Chandra S, Sivaprasad S, Ursell PG, Naderi K, O'Brart D, Alwitry A, Zahra Ashena, Nanavaty MA. Recurring themes during cataract assessment and surgery. Eye (Lond). 2021 Sep;35(9):2482-2498. doi: 10.1038/s41433-021-01548-4. Epub 2021 Apr 29. PMID: 33927353.
        • Hardcastle AJ, Liskova1 P, Bykhovskaya Y, McComish BJ, Davidson AE, Inglehearn CF, Li X , Choquet H, Lucas SEM, Sahebjada S, Pontikos N, Lopez KER, Khawaja AP, Ali M, Tenen A, Simcoe MJ, Patasova K, Yarrand D, Yin J, Dudakova L, Skalicka P, Siddiqui S, Rice A, Farraj LA, Chen YI, Rahi JS, Krauss RM, Theusch E, Charlesworth JC, Szczotka-Flynn L, Toomes C, Richardson AJ, Mitchell PA, Taylor KD, MacGregor S, Melles RB, Aldave A, Mills RA, Cao K, Chan E, Daniell MD, Wang JJ, Rotter JI, Hewitt AW, Craig JE, Iyengar SK, O’Brart D, Jorgenson E, Baird PN, Rabinowitz YS, Burdon KP, Hammond CJ, Tuft SJ, Hysi PG. A multiethnic genome-wide association study for keratoconus identifies 36 loci and implicates collagen matrix integrity and cell differentiation. pathways. Commun Biol. 2021 Mar 1;4(1):266. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-01784-0.
        • Maubon L, O’Brart D. Returning to cataract surgery after a hiatus: a UK survey report Eye (Lond). 2021 Aug 6:1-6. doi: 10.1038/s41433-021-01717-5. Online ahead of print.

        Awards

        Prizes

        2010-present

        • UKISCRS Best Refractive Surgery Paper, 2010: Shah A, O’Brart DPS, Patel P, Chan E, Samaras K. Riboflavin ultraviolet A UVA corneal collagen cross-linkage to halt the progression of keratoconus: A randomised prospective trial. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Brighton, November 2010.
        • UKISCRS Best Refractive Surgery Paper, 2012: Shalchi Z, O’Brart D, Patel P, McDonald R, Marshall J. Eighteen-year follow-up of Excimer Laser Photorefractive (PRK) Keratectomy with 6.0mm Optical Zones. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Brighton, September 2012.
        • UKISCRS Best Poster Prize 2012: Kwong T, O’Brart D, Patel P, McDonald R. Long-term follow up of Riboflavin/ultraviolet A (370nm) CXL to halt the progression of keratoconus The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Brighton, September 2012.
        • UKISCRS Best Poster Prize 2013: Lim, O’Brart D, Shalchi Z, Patel P, McDonald R, Marshall J. Twenty-year follow-up of Excimer Laser Photorefractive (PRK) Keratectomy. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Manchester, September 2013.
        • UKISCRS Best Poster Prize 2014: Aldahlawi NH, Hayes S, O’Brart DP, Meek KM. Enzymatic Resistance in Porcine corneas following Standard and Accelerated Riboflavin/UVA Collagen Cross-Linking at 10th Corneal Cross-Linking Congress, Zurich 5th December 2014.
        • John Cairn’s Prize 2016: Roberts HW, Ni MZ, O’Brart D. Cambridge Regional Study Day Can a £250,000 ‘capsulotomy machine’ ever be financially viable within the NHS? Trinity Hall, Cambridge 17th June 2016.
        • Sigmacon and UKISCRS Best Overall Paper Prize and Founder's medal 2016: Roberts HW, Ni MZ, O’Brart D. Financial modelling of Femto-second Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery within the National Health Service using a “Hub and Spoke” model for the delivery of high-volume Cataract Surgery. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, London, October 2016.
        • John Cairn’s Prize 2017: Roberts HW, Wagh VK, Borsci S, Ni MZ, O’Brart D. Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery: evaluation of a 'hub-and-spoke' model within the context of a randomised controlled trial. Cambridge Regional Study, Trinity Hall, Cambridge 16th June 2017.
        • UKISCRS Best Cataract Surgery Paper, 2018: Stanojcic N, Maycock N, Hull CC, O’Brart DPS. Effects of intraocular lens glistenings on visual function: A prospective study and presentation of a new glistenings grading methodology. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Hinckley Island -9th November 2018.
        • UKISCRS Best Refractive Surgery Paper, 2018: Roberts H, Wagh VK, Archer T, Sullivan D, O'Brart DPS. Refractive Outcomes of Limbal Relaxing Incisionsversus Femtosecond IntraStromal Arcuate Keratotomies. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Hinckley Island, 7th-9th November 2018.
        • Sigmacon and UKISCRS Best Overall Paper Prize and Founder's medal 2018: Roberts H, Wagh VK, Archer T, Sullivan D, O'Brart DPS. Refractive Outcomes of Limbal Relaxing Incisions versus Femtosecond Intra-stromal Arcuate Keratotomies. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Hinckley Island, 7th-9th November 2018
        • Sigmacon and UKISCRS Best Overall Paper Prize and Founder's medal 2019: Roberts H, O’Brart D, Naderi K, Gormley J. Economic Modelling of Immediately Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (ISBCS) in the National Health Service based on possible improvements surgical efficiency. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Hinckley Island, 16th-18th October 2019.

        Grants:

        • Fight for Sight, small grant award 2014 £15,000: “A Randomized, Bilateral, Controlled, Prospective Study to investigate the efficacy of Trans-epithelial Riboflavin/Ultraviolet A Corneal Collagen Cross-linking”.
        • Alcon Inc Research Award 2015 $190,000: “The development of surgical pathways utilizing Femto-second laser technology to increase the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within a public health sector setting.”.
        • Alcon Inc Research MEGS Award £17,500: “The development of surgical pathways using Femto-second laser technology to increase the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within a public health sector setting”.
        • Avedro Inc Research Award 2018 £20,000: “A Randomized, Bilateral, Controlled, Prospective Study to Investigate the efficacy of Tomography-orientated versus standard axial Riboflavin/Ultraviolet A Corneal Collagen Cross-linking”.
        • Rayner Ltd Research Award 2019 £240,000: An investigation of strategies to improve the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within the National Health Service”.

        Students’ Higher Degrees

        • Ph.D awarded to Mrs Nada H. Aldahlawi, co-supervised with Ms Sally Hayes and Professor Keith Meek. “Investigations into the potential effectiveness of new and existing corneal cross-linking therapies”, University of Cardiff 2018.
        • MD(Res) awarded to Mr Harry Roberts, senior supervisor and co-supervised with Professor Christopher Hammond “An investigation of surgical pathways utilising femtosecond laser technology to increase the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within a public health sector setting”, King’s College of London 2019.
        • MD(Res) awarded to Mr Nicola Stanojcic, senior supervisor and co-supervised with Professor Christopher Hull at City University. “Clinical investigations into contemporary cataract surgery", King’s College London 2021.

        Projects

        Eye surgeons
        Randomized, controlled clinical studies

        We are currently conducting three randomized, controlled clinical studies, aimed at investigating strategies to improve the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within the National Health Service. These include: “A prospective randomized controlled clinical study to measure posterior capsular opacification, objective measurement of glistenings and intraocular lens tilt and decentration as well as visual outcomes following insertion of a monofocal, aspheric, hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens: the RayOne® Hydrophobic lens 800C and a monofocal aspheric, hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens: the RayOne® Hydrophilic lens 600C.” “Patient satisfaction and dry symptoms in patients undergoing routine uncomplicated cataract surgery in NHS patients treated with prophylactic phosphate-free, preservative-free lubricant eye drops (0.3% cross linked sodium hyaluronate, AEONTM Protect Plus and 0.15% Sodium Hyaluronate with vitamins A and E, AEONTM Repair): A randomized, prospective, controlled study.” “Toric intraocular lenses for cataract patients with high astigmatism in a public health care setting: A randomised, controlled study to compare visual performance, refractive outcome, and patient satisfaction with the use of “off the shelf” toric lenses, with a set cylindrical correction of either 2.0 or 4.0 diopters, and combined limbal relaxing incisions and/or off-axis IOL rotation, with fully targeted toric intraocular lens correction.” We awarded Rayner Ltd Research Grant of £240,000 to support these projects in 2019.

          laser surgery
          The development of surgical pathways utilizing Femto-second laser technology to increase the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within a public health sector setting

          Including a randomised, controlled study comparing Femto-second laser assisted Cataract Surgery to conventional techniques and Time and Motion studies to improve the efficiency of Surgical Theatre pathways for Cataract surgery within the NHS. Awarded Alcon Inc Research grant in 2015 of $190,000 to support this project. Further grant of £17,500 awarded in 2016.

            Intraocular lens
            Investigations of intraocular lens (IOL) glistening degradations, their effects on visual function and occurrence in new acrylic, hydrophobic “glistenings-free” IOLs, and of the adoption of premium technologies in cataract surgery delivery in the National Health Service

            Includes “a randomised, bilateral, controlled study to compare visual performance, refractive outcome and occurrence of glistenings following implantation of two monofocal, aspheric, hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses: the Alcon CLAREON® and the Abbot Medical Optics Pcb00”. Awarded Alcon Inc Research grant of £204,000 in 2017 to support this project.

              Publications

              2019-present

              • Roberts HW, Wagh VB, Sullivan DL, Hidzheva P, Detesan D, Heemraz S, O’Brart DPS. Controlled trial comparing femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery versus conventional phacoemulsification surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019 Jan;45(1):11-20
              • Wen D, Tu R, Flitcroft I, Wang Q, Huang Y, Song B, Yu A, Hu L, Zhao Y, Bao F, Yu Y, Lian H, Hoffart L, Kramm RL, Skiadaresi E, O'Brart D, Pallikaris I, Marshall J, McAlinden C, Huang J. Corneal Surface Ablation Laser Refractive Surgery for the Correction of Myopia: A Network Meta-analysis. J Refract Surg. 2018 Nov 1;34(11):726-735. doi: 10.3928/1081597X-20180905-01.
              • Roberts H, Wagh VK, Sung J, Ni MZ, O'Brart DP. Risk-adjusted CUSUM analysis of the learning curve of femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery Curr Eye Res. 2019 Mar 30:1-9.
              • Ho V, Stanojcic N, O’Brart NAL, O’Brart DPS. Refractive Surprise Following Routine Cataract Surgery with Premium Intraocular Lenses due to Corneal Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019 May;45(5):685-689.
              • Stanojcic N, O’Brart D, Maycock N, Hull CC. An investigation of the effects of intraocular lens glistenings on visual acuity, functional contrast sensitivity and forward light scatter: A prospective study and presentation of a new subjective glistenings grading methodology. BMJ Open Ophth 2019;4:e000266. doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2018-000266.
              • Sullivan-Mackenna D, Roberts H, O'Brart D. Reduction in surgical time and iris manipulation using continuous intracameral irrigation of phenylephrine and ketorolac to prevent miosis in FLACS. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019 Jul;45(7):1053-1054. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2019.04.036.
              • Stanojcic N, Hull C, O’Brart DPS. Clinical and material degradations of intraocular lenses: A review. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2019 Aug 6:1120672119867818. doi: 10.1177/1120672119867818. [Epub ahead of print]
              • Roberts HW, Day AC, O'Brart DP. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery: A review. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2020 May;30(3):417-429. doi: 10.1177/1120672119893291. Epub 2019 Dec 4. Review.
              • Philippaki E, Hull C, O’Brart DPS. Comparison of glistenings formation and their effect on forward light scatter between the Acrysof SN60WF and Eternity Natural Uni NW-60 Intraocular Lenses. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2020 Feb 12;5(1):e000399. doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2019-000399. eCollection 2020.
              • O’Brart D, Roberts H, Naderi K, Gormley J. Economic Modelling of Immediately Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (ISBCS) in the National Health Service based on possible improvements surgical efficiency. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2020 Jun 25;5(1):e000426. doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2019-000426. eCollection 2020.
              • Stanojcic N, O’Brart D, Hull C, Wagh V, Azan E, Bhogal M, Robbie S, Olivia JO. Visual and refractive outcomes and glistenings occurrence following implantation of two monofocal, aspheric, hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses: Clareon® (Alcon Laboratories Inc.) and Tecnis PCB00® (Johnson & Johnson Inc.). J Cataract Refract Surg. 2020 Apr 3. doi: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000201. [Epub ahead of print].
              • Stanojcic N, Roberts H, Wagh V, Zuberbuhler B, O'Brart D. A randomized, prospective study of “off-the-shelf” use of toric intraocular lenses for cataract patients with pre-existing corneal astigmatism in the NHS. Eye (Lond). 2020 Jul 30. doi: 10.1038/s41433-020-0919-8. Online ahead of print.
              • Stanojcic N, Roberts H, Wagh V, Li JO, Naderi K, O’Brart DPS. A randomized controlled trial comparing femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery versus conventional phacoemulsification surgery: 12-month results. Br J Ophthalmol. 2020 Jul 22:bjophthalmol-2020-316311. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-316311. Online ahead of print.
              • Naderi K, Gormley J, O’Brart DPS. Cataract Surgery and Dry Eye: A Review. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2020 Jun 9:1120672120929958. doi: 10.1177/1120672120929958. Online ahead of print.
              • Hardcastle AJ, Liskova1 P, Bykhovskaya Y, McComish BJ, Davidson AE, Inglehearn CF, Li X , Choquet H, Lucas SEM, Sahebjada S, Pontikos N, Lopez KER, Khawaja AP, Ali M, Tenen A, Simcoe MJ, Patasova K, Yarrand D, Yin J, Dudakova L, Skalicka P, Siddiqui S, Rice A, Farraj LA, Chen YI, Rahi JS, Krauss RM, Theusch E, Charlesworth JC, Szczotka-Flynn L, Toomes C, Richardson AJ, Mitchell PA, Taylor KD, MacGregor S, Melles RB, Aldave A, Mills RA, Cao K, Chan E, Daniell MD, Wang JJ, Rotter JI, Hewitt AW, Craig JE, Iyengar SK, O’Brart D, Jorgenson E, Baird PN, Rabinowitz YS, Burdon KP, Hammond CJ, Tuft SJ, Hysi PG. A multiethnic genome-wide association study for keratoconus identifies 36 loci and implicates collagen matrix integrity and cell differentiation pathways.Communications Biology 2021 (In press).
              • Hayes S, Aldahlawi NH, O’Brart D P, O’Brart N, Meek KM The effect of bacteriochlorophyll derivative WST-D and near infrared light on the molecular and fibrillar architecture of the corneal stroma. Sci Rep. 2020 Jun 17;10(1):9836. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-66869-y.
              • Naderi K, Maubon L, Jameel A, Patel DS, Gormley J, Shah V, Lai L, Low S, Verma S, Robbie S, Bhogal M, O’Brart D. Attitudes to Cataract Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Patient Survey. Eye (Lond). 2020 Jul 24:1-2. doi: 10.1038/s41433-020-1112-9. Online ahead of print.
              • Shah V, Naderi K, Maubon L, Jameel A, Patel DS, Gormley J, Heemraz S, Azan E, Verma S, Low S, O’Brart D. Acceptability of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) in a public health care setting before and after COVID-19: A prospective patient questionnaire survey. BMJ Open Ophthalmology 2020;5:e000554. doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000554
              • Maubon L, O’Brart D. Returning to cataract surgery after a hiatus: a UK survey report Eye 2021 (Accepted).
              • Low S,Tran J, McGurk C,Gupta A, Roberts HW, O'Brart D. Cat-12 Tool to reduce intraoperative complications for phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery. Curr Eye Res 2020 Dec 1. doi: 10.1080/02713683.2020.1857777. Online ahead of print.
              • O'Brart D, Zarei-Ghanavati M, Vasquez-Perez A, Liu C. Comment on: "What are the costs, capacity, and clinical implications of "waiting for documented progression" in young West of Scotland patients prior to collagen cross linking?". Eye (Lond). 2021 Aug 18. doi: 10.1038/s41433-021-01704-w. Online ahead of print.
              • Chandra S, Sivaprasad S, Ursell PG, Naderi K, O'Brart D, Alwitry A, Zahra Ashena, Nanavaty MA. Recurring themes during cataract assessment and surgery. Eye (Lond). 2021 Sep;35(9):2482-2498. doi: 10.1038/s41433-021-01548-4. Epub 2021 Apr 29. PMID: 33927353.
              • Hardcastle AJ, Liskova1 P, Bykhovskaya Y, McComish BJ, Davidson AE, Inglehearn CF, Li X , Choquet H, Lucas SEM, Sahebjada S, Pontikos N, Lopez KER, Khawaja AP, Ali M, Tenen A, Simcoe MJ, Patasova K, Yarrand D, Yin J, Dudakova L, Skalicka P, Siddiqui S, Rice A, Farraj LA, Chen YI, Rahi JS, Krauss RM, Theusch E, Charlesworth JC, Szczotka-Flynn L, Toomes C, Richardson AJ, Mitchell PA, Taylor KD, MacGregor S, Melles RB, Aldave A, Mills RA, Cao K, Chan E, Daniell MD, Wang JJ, Rotter JI, Hewitt AW, Craig JE, Iyengar SK, O’Brart D, Jorgenson E, Baird PN, Rabinowitz YS, Burdon KP, Hammond CJ, Tuft SJ, Hysi PG. A multiethnic genome-wide association study for keratoconus identifies 36 loci and implicates collagen matrix integrity and cell differentiation. pathways. Commun Biol. 2021 Mar 1;4(1):266. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-01784-0.
              • Maubon L, O’Brart D. Returning to cataract surgery after a hiatus: a UK survey report Eye (Lond). 2021 Aug 6:1-6. doi: 10.1038/s41433-021-01717-5. Online ahead of print.

              Awards

              Prizes

              2010-present

              • UKISCRS Best Refractive Surgery Paper, 2010: Shah A, O’Brart DPS, Patel P, Chan E, Samaras K. Riboflavin ultraviolet A UVA corneal collagen cross-linkage to halt the progression of keratoconus: A randomised prospective trial. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Brighton, November 2010.
              • UKISCRS Best Refractive Surgery Paper, 2012: Shalchi Z, O’Brart D, Patel P, McDonald R, Marshall J. Eighteen-year follow-up of Excimer Laser Photorefractive (PRK) Keratectomy with 6.0mm Optical Zones. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Brighton, September 2012.
              • UKISCRS Best Poster Prize 2012: Kwong T, O’Brart D, Patel P, McDonald R. Long-term follow up of Riboflavin/ultraviolet A (370nm) CXL to halt the progression of keratoconus The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Brighton, September 2012.
              • UKISCRS Best Poster Prize 2013: Lim, O’Brart D, Shalchi Z, Patel P, McDonald R, Marshall J. Twenty-year follow-up of Excimer Laser Photorefractive (PRK) Keratectomy. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Manchester, September 2013.
              • UKISCRS Best Poster Prize 2014: Aldahlawi NH, Hayes S, O’Brart DP, Meek KM. Enzymatic Resistance in Porcine corneas following Standard and Accelerated Riboflavin/UVA Collagen Cross-Linking at 10th Corneal Cross-Linking Congress, Zurich 5th December 2014.
              • John Cairn’s Prize 2016: Roberts HW, Ni MZ, O’Brart D. Cambridge Regional Study Day Can a £250,000 ‘capsulotomy machine’ ever be financially viable within the NHS? Trinity Hall, Cambridge 17th June 2016.
              • Sigmacon and UKISCRS Best Overall Paper Prize and Founder's medal 2016: Roberts HW, Ni MZ, O’Brart D. Financial modelling of Femto-second Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery within the National Health Service using a “Hub and Spoke” model for the delivery of high-volume Cataract Surgery. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, London, October 2016.
              • John Cairn’s Prize 2017: Roberts HW, Wagh VK, Borsci S, Ni MZ, O’Brart D. Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery: evaluation of a 'hub-and-spoke' model within the context of a randomised controlled trial. Cambridge Regional Study, Trinity Hall, Cambridge 16th June 2017.
              • UKISCRS Best Cataract Surgery Paper, 2018: Stanojcic N, Maycock N, Hull CC, O’Brart DPS. Effects of intraocular lens glistenings on visual function: A prospective study and presentation of a new glistenings grading methodology. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Hinckley Island -9th November 2018.
              • UKISCRS Best Refractive Surgery Paper, 2018: Roberts H, Wagh VK, Archer T, Sullivan D, O'Brart DPS. Refractive Outcomes of Limbal Relaxing Incisionsversus Femtosecond IntraStromal Arcuate Keratotomies. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Hinckley Island, 7th-9th November 2018.
              • Sigmacon and UKISCRS Best Overall Paper Prize and Founder's medal 2018: Roberts H, Wagh VK, Archer T, Sullivan D, O'Brart DPS. Refractive Outcomes of Limbal Relaxing Incisions versus Femtosecond Intra-stromal Arcuate Keratotomies. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Hinckley Island, 7th-9th November 2018
              • Sigmacon and UKISCRS Best Overall Paper Prize and Founder's medal 2019: Roberts H, O’Brart D, Naderi K, Gormley J. Economic Modelling of Immediately Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (ISBCS) in the National Health Service based on possible improvements surgical efficiency. The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Annual Meeting, Hinckley Island, 16th-18th October 2019.

              Grants:

              • Fight for Sight, small grant award 2014 £15,000: “A Randomized, Bilateral, Controlled, Prospective Study to investigate the efficacy of Trans-epithelial Riboflavin/Ultraviolet A Corneal Collagen Cross-linking”.
              • Alcon Inc Research Award 2015 $190,000: “The development of surgical pathways utilizing Femto-second laser technology to increase the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within a public health sector setting.”.
              • Alcon Inc Research MEGS Award £17,500: “The development of surgical pathways using Femto-second laser technology to increase the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within a public health sector setting”.
              • Avedro Inc Research Award 2018 £20,000: “A Randomized, Bilateral, Controlled, Prospective Study to Investigate the efficacy of Tomography-orientated versus standard axial Riboflavin/Ultraviolet A Corneal Collagen Cross-linking”.
              • Rayner Ltd Research Award 2019 £240,000: An investigation of strategies to improve the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within the National Health Service”.

              Students’ Higher Degrees

              • Ph.D awarded to Mrs Nada H. Aldahlawi, co-supervised with Ms Sally Hayes and Professor Keith Meek. “Investigations into the potential effectiveness of new and existing corneal cross-linking therapies”, University of Cardiff 2018.
              • MD(Res) awarded to Mr Harry Roberts, senior supervisor and co-supervised with Professor Christopher Hammond “An investigation of surgical pathways utilising femtosecond laser technology to increase the efficiency and safety of cataract surgery within a public health sector setting”, King’s College of London 2019.
              • MD(Res) awarded to Mr Nicola Stanojcic, senior supervisor and co-supervised with Professor Christopher Hull at City University. “Clinical investigations into contemporary cataract surgery", King’s College London 2021.

              Group lead

              Contact us

              david.obrart@kcl.ac.uk
              David.obrart@gstt.nhs.uk
              02071884331

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