Ewch i’r prif gynnwys
Katie Mortlock

Dr Katie Mortlock

Darlithydd

Yr Ysgol Optometreg a Gwyddorau'r Golwg

Email
MortlockKE@caerdydd.ac.uk
Campuses
Optometreg a Gwyddorau'r Golwg , Ystafell 2.19, Heol Maendy, Cathays, Caerdydd, CF24 4HQ

Trosolwyg

Research Overview

My research interests have focused on clinical investigation of common ocular pathologies, such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.  Doctoral and early post-doctoral research centred on the objective and subjective assessment of visual function, with emphasis on clinical visual electrophysiology.    These included the photopic negative response (PhNR) and S-cone ERG, amongst other more standard photopic and scotopic ERG and visual evoked potential techniques.  More recently, I have been investigating clinically detectable structural changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) in glaucoma using novel laboratory long wavelength optical coherence tomography.      

Teaching Overview

I am joint Course Co-ordinator for the Preliminary Year at the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences.  My teaching responsibilities therefore concentrate on this part of the course, where I am module leader for OP0202, Systemic Pathology for Optometry and OP0205, Introductory Optometry.  I also contribute to OP0206, Written and Communication Skills.  

Cyhoeddiad

2022

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2008

2005

2003

2002

2001

Articles

Conferences

Thesis

Ymchwil

Research Topics and Related Projects:

Recent research has investigated structural changes within the optic nerve head (ONH), more specifically the lamina cribrosa and inner retina in open angle glaucoma using novel laboratory 1050nm optical coherence tomography (OCT).  OCT is an imaging technique which can provide high resolution, three dimensional images of ocular structures in vivo.  The use of longer wavelength light sources, such as 1050nm, increases tissue penetration and this enables the examination of deeper ocular structures such as the lamina cribrosa and choroid, which until recently have been virtually impossible to image in vivo.  The lamina cribrosa is a key structure in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, as it is thought to be the initial site of ganglion cell axonal damage.  Using 1050nm OCT, we have been able to examine and identify changes in the lamina cribrosa in subjects with early and advanced glaucoma.  

20 ° x 20 ° 3D rendered view of ONH of healthy control subject, showing surrounding retinal layers, choroid and inner sclera.  Deeper structures within the ONH are revealed, showing the prelaminar and laminar regions.  The extracted rendered section shows detail within the lamina cribrosa, including pore pathways and laminar beams.

Figure 1. 20 ° x 20 ° 3D rendered view of ONH of healthy control subject, showing surrounding retinal layers, choroid and inner sclera.  Deeper structures within the ONH are revealed, showing the prelaminar and laminar regions.  The extracted rendered section shows detail within the lamina cribrosa, including pore pathways and laminar beams.  

 

The images shown below are en face OCT images of the right eye of two subjects, a healthy control subject (left) and a subject with advanced glaucoma (right), at the level of the anterior lamina cribrosa.  Structural changes are clearly evident in the advanced glaucoma subject, with significant pore enlargement in the central and superior regions and marked deformation of the inferior lamina cribrosa.  

Healthy control subject

 

The three dimensional capabilities of the OCT system have also permitted visualisation of the pores of the lamina cribrosa, presenting further opportunities to understand how this structure is altered during the development of glaucoma.  The image below represents a 500 x 500 x 300 µm section of lamina cribrosa in a subject with early glaucoma, showing connections between pores as bundles of nerve fibres travel through the optic nerve head.  

The three dimensional capabilities of the OCT system have also permitted visualisation of the pores of the lamina cribrosa, presenting further opportunities to understand how this structure is altered during the development of glaucoma.  The image below represents a 500 x 500 x 300  µm section of lamina cribrosa in a subject with early glaucoma, showing connections between pores as bundles of nerve fibres travel through the optic nerve head.

 

Analysis of the ganglion cell complex $acirc; the three innermost layers of the retina $acirc; using OCT scans, has allowed assessment of retinal ganglion cell and nerve fibre layer loss in glaucoma.  The image below shows segmentation of the three individual inner retinal layers, with resulting retinal thickness maps in a control and glaucoma subject from these layers shown below.  

Healthy control subject

 

This research has been undertaken as part of the work of the Optic Nerve Head Group led by Dr Julie Albon, with Prof Rachel North and Prof James Morgan and imaging support from Nick White and Dr James Fergusson from VSBL

Addysgu

Roeddwn yn rhan o'r tîm a gyflogwyd i ddatblygu'r Flwyddyn Ragarweiniol fewnol yn yr Ysgol Optometreg a Gwyddorau Golwg, gan ddatblygu ac arwain dau fodiwl yn y lle cyntaf. Rwy'n parhau i arwain un modiwl Blwyddyn Ragarweiniol yn ogystal ag arwain modiwl ym Mlwyddyn 1 a Blwyddyn 2.   Rwy'n goruchwylio prosiectau ar lefel UG a TT ac rwyf wedi cyfrannu o'r blaen at fodiwlau eraill, ac yn traddodi darlithoedd electroffisioleg ym Mlwyddyn 3.

Roeddwn yn Arweinydd Blwyddyn ar y cyd ac yn Gydlynydd Cwrs ar gyfer y Flwyddyn Ragarweiniol rhwng 2013 a 2017 a deuthum yn Arweinydd Blwyddyn 2 yn 2022.  

Rwy'n ymgymryd â nifer o rolau eraill sy'n gysylltiedig ag addysgu, gan gynnwys Tiwtor Personol, Gweinyddwr Parth Dysgu Canolog, Arweinydd Academaidd Llais Myfyrwyr a Chydlynydd Arolwg Myfyrwyr.  

Rwyf wedi bod yn Gymrawd yr Academi Addysg Uwch ers mis Rhagfyr 2016. 

Bywgraffiad

Educational and Professional Qualifications:

1996 $acirc; 2001: PhD, Neurophysiological investigation of retinal function in Type I diabetes mellitus, Cardiff University
1996: Membership, College of Optometrists
1992 $acirc; 1995: BSc (Hons), Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University

Academic Positions:

2013 onwards: Teaching Fellow, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
2002 $acirc; 2013: Research Associate (part-time since 2004), School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
1996 $acirc; 1999: Clinical Demonstrator, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University

School Roles and Committees:

2013: Learning Central Domain Administrator

Innovation and Engagement:

Contributed text to an exhibit about the visual system in $acirc; All About Me$acirc; in @Bristol, an exhibition funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Aelodaethau proffesiynol

  • Cofrestrwyd gyda'r Cyngor Optegol Cyffredinol
  • Aelod o'r Coleg Optometryddion

Safleoedd academaidd blaenorol

    • 2013 onwards- Teaching Fellow, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University 
    • 2002 - 2013- Research Associate (part-time since 2004), School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University 
    • 1996 - 1999- Clinical Demonstrator, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University

Pwyllgorau ac adolygu

  • 2013- Learning Central Domain Administrator