Ewch i’r prif gynnwys
James Morgan

Yr Athro James Morgan

Athro mewn Offthalmoleg, Offthalmolegydd Ymgynghorol

Yr Ysgol Optometreg a Gwyddorau'r Golwg

Trosolwyg

Research Interests

My research is aimed at understanding the structural and cellular changes occurring at the level of the optic nerve in glaucoma using clinical and laboratory based techniques. Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of vision loss in the UK population, affecting up to 2% of the population as a whole. Classically, it is associated with increased intraocular pressure, which causes the death of retinal ganglion cells and results in a slow and, if untreated, progressive loss of vision. In most cases, peripheral vision is lost first and is usually asymptomatic. By the time a patient notices restriction of visual field, advanced damage may have occurred to the optic nerve that is usually irreversible. Treatment is aimed at the reduction of eye pressure (intraocular pressure) to prevent this vision loss. Usually, this is achieved using eye drops although, in some cases, surgery or even laser treatment may be required. One of the key problems is in identifying the disease in its earliest stages and in detecting the first signs of retinal (optic nerve) damage.

As a consultant ophthalmologist, I run a glaucoma service at the University Hospital of Wales. I currently chair the Expert Working Group for the development of shared care glaucoma in Wales where we are working to develop the role of virtual clinics for the community care of patients with diagnosed glaucoma.

Clinical studies

These are based at the Retinal Imaging Laboratory and are directed at the quantification of structural optic nerve changes in the early stages of glaucoma. Since these precede the development of visual field changes as detected using clinical perimetric techniques, their detection should enable early disease diagnosis and improve the long-term prognosis for the patient. We are currently assessing the value of digital stereoviewing in the quantification of these nerve head changes. In addition, we are assessing the value of other imaging modalities such as OCT in the determination of optic nerve head changes that occur in early glaucoma.

Retinal ganglion cell transfected with plasmid coding for GFP. Retinal Explant preparation after 24 hours in culture.

Retinal ganglion cell transfected with plasmid coding for GFP. Retinal Explant preparation after 24 hours in culture.

Using a variety of in vivo and in vitro models of glaucoma, my group is investigating the mechanisms of retinal ganglion cell death in glaucoma. There is good evidence that these cells undergo a prolonged period of atrophy and remodelling prior to cell death, which is manifest as shrinkage and pruning in the cell body and dendritic processes. These changes will reduce the efficiency with which these cells can detect visual signals but also suggests that this damage could be reversed. We use techniques such as biolistics transfection to see if the overexpression of genes that might be beneficial for retinal neurons can result in cell rescue (Insert figure here).

We are collaborating with Bruce Caterson in the School of Biosciences to determine the role of extracellular matrix and the perineuronal net in limiting the extent to which retinal ganglion cells can recover from injury.

We are developing techniques for the early detection of these changes using imaging techniques such as OCT. We are currently investigating the possibility that OCT can detect optical signal associated with sub-cellular changes that are the earliest changes that occur prior to cell death. These studies are being undertaken with Wolfgang Drexler and Boris Povazay in the Biomedical Imaging Group.

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Articles

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Ymchwil

 

Addysgu

School of Medicine, Cardiff University
MOSS (medical specialties) Ophthalmology, Cardiff University

School of Optometry
Year 3 Abnormal Ocular Conditions
Medical Student and postgraduate teaching at University Hospital of Wales

Fellowship in Glaucoma
I run a fellowship in Glaucoma which is usually advertised September October in the year before it is taken up. The post is for one year; details can be obtained from my NHS secretary (029 20743222)

Bywgraffiad

Anrhydeddau a dyfarniadau

  • Senior Whitby Scholarship (Downing College, Cambridge 1982)
  • College Prize in Medicine (Downing College, Cambridge 1982)
  • Medical Research Council Scholarship 1982-1985
  • Medical Research Council Travelling Fellow 1994-1995
  • IGA Research Award 1995

Aelodaethau proffesiynol

  • Chair Expert Working Group Shared Care in Glaucoma (Welsh Assembly) 2006-2008
  • Chair UK and Eire Glaucoma Society 2007
  • RCO Informatics Committee
  • CCIO Open Eyes Moorfields Eye Hospital 
  • National Eye Research Centre (Bristol) Grants Committee
  • Fight for Sight Grants Committee
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
  • European Glaucoma Society