Research team

Dr Denize Atan is a Professor in Ophthalmology and specialist in neuro-ophthalmology. Denize identified the need for this research to improve referral pathways and communication between primary and secondary eye care services by adopting new technology, imaging, and educational resources that will ultimately improve patient care and experiences of the NHS.

Dr Olivia Skrobot is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol with experience in conducting Delphi consensus studies with clinicians and researchers to formulate diagnostic guidelines. She has coordinated large international collaborative studies and has published systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Dr Grace Lewis trained as an Orthoptist and has worked in a large teaching hospital in Sheffield. Grace's research experience includes mixed methods, particularly qualitative methods (focus groups and interviews). She has worked with children in qualitative studies and adults in studies running alongside randomised controlled trials and feasibility trials of complex interventions. Grace's work has included patient and public involvement and input from other experts with a vested interest in the topic, to refine interventions and plan for implementation. Her experience across many health topics has also provided skills in co-ordinating multi-site studies with multidisciplinary teams.

Dr Angharad Hobby is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol and has experience in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. Angharad has a wealth of experience in optometry and health education. Clinically, she works as an optometrist in primary care and with hospital eye services. Additionally, she has a lectureship teaching and developing the curriculum for undergraduate and postgraduate students at Cardiff University's School of Optometry and Vision Sciences. She is also a member of the Board of Optometry Wales.

Dr Jennifer Ferrar is an Experimental Psychologist working as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol. Jennifer’s work focuses on advancing health and wellbeing, improving remote research methods, developing and evaluating real-world interventions, and promoting responsible research practices. She has experience applying mixed-methods research across academic, clinical, and industry settings.

Professor William Hollingworth is a Professor of Health Economics in the Bristol Medical School. His work focuses on healthcare economics, exploring how health systems such as the NHS choose to spend limited funds. This includes evaluating whether the costs of new healthcare interventions are justified by benefits to patients and society.

Professor Beth Stuart is a Professor of Medical Statistics and Clinical Trials Director of the Pragmatic Trials Unit at Queen Mary University London. With many years of experience designing and delivering clinical trials nationally and internationally, Beth works collaboratively with researchers to develop their research questions into fundable and deliverable trials for a range of fundings including NIHR, UKRI and charitable organisations.

Ms Helen Bolton is the Communications Officer for the Centre for Academic Primary Care at University of Bristol.

Dr Blanca Sanz Magallon is a Specialty Registrar in Ophthalmology and NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow at Bristol Medical School. She has experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Within the DIPP study, she contributes to research exploring diagnostic pathways, referral processes, and the experiences of eye care professionals managing patients with suspected papilloedema, alongside systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Mrs Marcia Lucraft – Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Contributor and PPIE Group Lead

Mrs Christina Stokes – PPIE Contributor and PPIE Group Lead

Dr Samuel Merriel is an NHS GP and Clinical Senior Lecturer. His main research interests are in the early detection and prevention of cancer in primary care and the evaluation and implementation of new diagnostic tests.

Mr Sajad Hussain – Ophthalmology trainee, West Yorkshire Deanery

Dr Jonathin Chin – Foundation doctor, Nottingham University Hospitals

Peter Turner – Optometrist

Neil Fraser – Optometrist

Ameena Qureshi – Optometrist

Mr Ibrahim Ali – Medical Student, University of Bristol

Mr Shubham Tripathi – Medical Student, University of Bristol

Collaborators and partners

Mr Michael Bowen – Director of Knowledge and Research, College of Optometrists, London

Mr John Hopcroft – Chair of the Avon Local Optical Committee

Mr Paul Roy – Contracts and Innovation Manager of Bristol North Somerset South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board

Former members

Dr Luke Benetto – Consultant Neurologist at Bristol Royal Infirmary and Bristol Eye Hospital

Professor Jonathan Benger – Professor of Emergency Care in the College of Health, Science and Society at UWE Bristol

Dr Muslim Bilal – Foundation doctor

Dr Riccardo Cheloni – Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bradford

Dr Alyson Huntley – Senior Research Fellow in Evidence Synthesis at the University of Bristol

Dr Sunil Mamtora – Ophthalmologist at Bristol Eye Hospital

Professor Matt Ridd – GP and Professor of Primary Health Care at the University of Bristol

Mr Frank Moore – Former National Operations Manager for Specsavers

Dr Maria Theresa Redaniel – Honorary Associate Professor in Health Services Research and Epidemiology at the University of Bristol

Dr Amar Shah – Former Chair of the Avon local optometry council

Dr Mary-Ann Sherrat – Optometrist

Dr Chanelle Smith – Foundation doctor

Dr Victoria Wilson – Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol (expertise in PPIE)