Ewch i’r prif gynnwys

Trosolwyg

I completed a PhD that investigated visual function, ocular surface and tear film characteristics in children and adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). My primary research interest involves analysis of the tear film and ocular surface, particularly during contact lens wear or in conditions such as dry eye. I am particularly interested in understanding how dry eye is currently managed with a view to implementing more effective strategies and management plans for optometrists and GPs. I have successfully supervised two PhD students who have investigated the retina in CF and the effect of cosmetics on the ocular surface. My current PhD student is investigating dry eye in the Netherlands.

Cyhoeddiad

2023

2017

2016

2015

2012

2009

Articles

Conferences

Ymchwil

My primary research interest involves analysis of the tear film and ocular surface, particularly during contact lens wear or in conditions such as dry eye. Dry eye is a very common and thought to affect up to 30% of adults over the age of 65 years. Characterised by symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance and ocular surface inflammation dry eye has a significant impact on quality of life. I am particularly interested in contact lens induced dry eye (CLIDE). It is thought that the major cause of contact lens drop out is due to discomfort leading to limited consumer growth in this area. My research aims to refine diagnostic methods to detect dry and CLIDE and assess various therapies or strategies used to treat or manage such conditions.

In 2009 I completed a PhD that investigated visual function, ocular surface and tear film characteristics in children and adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). CF is the most common, lethal inherited disease in the caucasian population and is caused by a defective epithelial membrane channel known as CFTR. It is characterised by progressive pulmonary failure and premature death and further complicated by vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes (CFRD). More recently, CFTR has been discovered in a number of ocular epithelia. My research investigated if common ocular characteristics of the disease were caused by CFTR or secondary disease characteristics such as VAD or CFRD. Due to modern disease management and therapeutic treatment CF survival rates are steadily increasing. As eye care practitioners are more likely to encounter CF patients a detailed understanding of how the disease affects the eye is imperative. As an early career researcher I have been supported by grants from Laboratoires Thea and various contact lens companies including Alcon, Ciba Vision and CooperVision. A further area of research includes investigating the behaviour of contact lens wearers Poor patient compliance is a major risk factor for microbial keratitis, a potentially devastating condition caused by pathogenic infection of the cornea. It is hoped that a clearer understanding of wearer behaviour and the consequences of non-compliance will reduce the risk of such infections.

Funding

Project Partners (PI Highlighted), Amount, Grant Name, Funding Body, Active Years of the Funding e.g. J Smith (PI) & M Jones, £1,000, Travel Grant, The College of Optometrists, 2013

  • K Evans (PI) & C Purslow, £2000, Summer Scholarship, CooperVision Ltd, 2012
  • C Purslow (PI) & K Evans, £2000, Summer Scholarship, Alcon Ltd, 2012
  • C Purslow (PI) & K Evans, £2000, Contract Research, Laboratoies Thea S. A. S., 2011
  • K Evans (PI) & C Purslow, £2000, Summer Scholarship, Cardiff Undergratuate Research Opportunities Programme, 2011
  • K Evans (PI) & C Purslow, £1500, Summer Scholarship, Laboratoies Thea S. A. S., 2011
  • K Evans (PI) & C Purslow, £2000, Summer Scholarship, CooperVision Ltd, 2011
  • C Purslow (PI) & K Evans, £1500, Summer Scholarship, Ciba Vision (UK) Ltd, 2011
  • K Evans (PI), £1550, Summer Project, The College of Optometrists, 2010
  • K Evans (PI), £750, Travel Award, The College of Optometrists, 2008
  • K Evans (PI), £500, Travel Award, Graduate School in Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, 2007

Addysgu

I am a Deputy Admissions Tutor and module leader of OP2202 and OP2302, the second and third year contact lens modules. I supervise a number of students undertaking their third year research projects (OP3102) and also deliver lectures for the year zero module OP0205. Furthermore, in 2013 I was appointed the second year lead for undergraduate teaching. I also undertake MSc teaching with WOPEC and am currently the support module leader for the Tear Film MSc module (OPT014) and provide support for the Research Skills module (OPT008). I have written a number of Continuing Education and Training (CET) articles and delivered a variety of CET lectures at conferences and meetings and for local optical committees. Furthermore, I am a Faculty Member for Johnson and Johnson’s the Vision Care Institute where I have presented at a number of workshops.

Bywgraffiad

I graduated with a First Class Honours from Cardiff University in 2001 and worked in a high street practice for a number of years before returning to the university in 2005 to undertake a PhD.  Supervised by Professor Christine Purslow and Professor Rachel North I investigated the visual function, ocular surface and tear film characteristics in children and adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).  I joined the School as a Lecturer in 2009 and was appointed the module leader of the second year contact lens module.

In order to develop my teaching and develop networks I became a member of the British and Irish Universities Committee of Contact Lens Educators (BUCCLE) and International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) and gained a Fellowship of the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) in 2012.  Furthermore, after completing a Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning (PCUTL) I became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2012. 

I was appointed Director of Clinics in 2014 and was responsible for introducing and developing an electronic portfolio to record undergraduate patient episodes and clinical competencies as well as feedback and reflection.  My first PhD students, Rachel Hiscox and Alison Ng, who I co-supervised with Professor Christine Purslow and Professor Rachel North, also completed their projects and graduated in 2014.  I was delighted to have my contributions to teaching recognised when I recieved the Lecturer of the Year Award in the 2015 Association of Optometrists Awards.

In 2017 I was promoted to the role of Senior Lecturer and Mirjam van Tilborg, who I co-supervised with Professor Paul Murphy, completed a PhD on the Development of Management Pathways for Mild and Moderate Dry Eye in Primary Healthcare in the Netherlands.  Around this period I also became more invovled with supervising postgraduate students undertaking their MSc research projects.  2020 saw unprecendented changes as much of the teaching moved online and I also presented online at the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) UK Virtual Conference and Exhibition.  

In recent years I have become progressivley more involved with postgraduate education and contribute to the teaching of several postgraduate modules Contact Lenses, Primary Care Update: Practical and Management of Tear Film Disorders.  I am currently the Year 3 Lead of the undergraduate BSc programme and a Clinic Coordinator for the NHS Wales University Eye Care Clinic.  I have been delighted to be the recipeint of the Lecturer of the Year award by the Cardiff University Optometry Society (OpSoc) on five occasions, most recently in 2023.  

Anrhydeddau a dyfarniadau

  • Lecturer of the Year, Cardiff University Optometry Society (OpSoc) (2023, 2022, 2017, 2016 & 2014)
  • Nominee Enriching Student Life Awards, Cardiff University (2016)
  • Lecturer of the Year, Association of Optometrists (AOP) Awards (2015)
  • Shortlisted for Contribution to Continuing Education and Training (CET) Award, Optician Awards (2008)
  • Travel Award, The College of Optometrists (2008)
  • Travel Award, Graduate School in Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University (2007)

Aelodaethau proffesiynol

  • Fellow Higher Education Academy (FHEA) (2012-present)
  • Fellow British Contact Lens Association (FBCLA) (2012-present)
  • Member International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE), 2010-present)
  • Member Association of Optometrists (2005-present)
  • Member The College of Optometrists (MCOptom) (2002-present)
  • Registered Optometrist of General Optical Council (2002-present)

Safleoedd academaidd blaenorol

  • 2023- present: External Examiner, Anglia Ruskin Univerity, Cambridge, UK
  • 2017 - present: Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
  • 2009 - 2017: Lecturer, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
  • 2005-2009: Postgraduate Supervisor & PhD student, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK

Pwyllgorau ac adolygu

External Committees 

  • Member & Chair of Education Panel British and Irish Universities Committee of Contact Lens Educators (BUCCLE), 2010-present

University Committees

  • Fitness to Practice Committee, School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, 2023

School Committees

  • Year 3 Undergraduate Lead, 2022- present
  • Director of Clinics, 2014-2020
  • Member of Senior Management Team, 2014-2020
  • Deputy Admissions Tutor, 2014-2018
  • Member of the Board of PG Studies, 2014-present
  • Member of Teaching and Learning Committee, 2009-present
  • Member of the Board of UG Studies, 2009-present
  • Personal Tutor, 2009-present

Other

  • Grant Reviewer, The College of Optometrists
  • Journal Reviewer, Contact Lens Anterior Eye, Optometry in Practice, Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics, Cornea
  • External PhD Examiner, Aston University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Technical University Dublin, The University of Manchester, Dublin Institute of Technology
  • External DOptom Examiner,  Aston University

Meysydd goruchwyliaeth

I am interested in supervising MSc and PhD students in the areas of:

  • Contact Lenses
  • Ocular surface & Tear Film
  • Dry Eye

Current MSc Supervision

  • Sarah Hardy - The Incidence of Patients Reporting Dry Eye Symptoms Following Routine Cataract Surgery, due to complete 2023
  • Moneeba Mehrban - Management of Dry Eye Disease with Topical Vitamin A; a Systematic Review, due to complete 2023