Dr Kirsten Hamilton-Maxwell

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

Scholarship of education

High-quality education is critical to the development of future optometrists. Through original research and educational scholarship, I strive to develop and test improvements to support our students, primary in the following two areas:

Assessment & feedback

Assessment & feedback is at the heart of education programme, allowing staff and students to monitor and improve performance. My interests in this area are broad and recent examples include:

• Student perceptions of clinical assessment and feedback
• Student-led assessment design
• Electronic assessment & feedback

Technology-enhanced education

Technology is a rich and flexible medium that can be used in many ways to support learning. Again, I have many interests, and recent examples of my work include:

• Lecture capture (using Panopto) and podcasting
• "Gamification" of learning

Understanding intraocular pressure (eye pressure)

According to the World Health Organisation, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide. The pressure within the eye is the most important risk factor development and progression of glaucoma; reducing eye pressure, either by eye drops or by surgery, is the only recommended treatment at the current time. Even if your eyes are completely healthy, your eye pressure will not be a fixed number. It can fluctuate for many reasons including the time of day, if you hold your breath, exercise, or even what you had to eat and drink. It is therefore very important that researchers, such as myself, are fully able to understand how and why eye pressure varies so that your optometrist or ophthalmologist can measure and interpret it confidently. Examples of my research projects in this area include:

• Eye pressure is usually highest when you first wake up in the morning.
• Eye pressure can fall if you have been for a short walk, such as if you walked from the nearest bus stop, on your way to your sight test.

Improving tonometry, the measurement of intraocular pressure

Once we have sorted out what the normal eye pressure should be, we need an accurate way of measuring it. Eye pressure is usually measured by an instrument called a tonometer and the process is called tonometry. The problem with trying to measure the eye pressure is that we cannot measure it directly because it exists inside the eye, but instead need to rely on tonometers that assess it indirectly by measuring the force needed to flatten a small area of the cornea (the clear dome at the front of our eye). This means that the accuracy of tonometry depends on the properties of the cornea through which it is measured. Work is underway to identify the relevant factors and to determine what this means for eye pressure measurement, including:

• A small amount of clinically invisible corneal swelling, such as the kind that occurs while we are asleep, causes tonometers to overestimate the eye pressure.
• Tonometers are not only sensitive to the thickness of the cornea in its centre, but also in the surrounding areas.
• Many types of tonometer are sensitive to corneal properties including Goldmann applanation tonometry (the blue light test) and non-contact tonometry (the air puff test). In fact, even a new type of tonometer known as the Pascal Dynamic Contour Tonometer is not immune to this problem.
• Corneal biomechanical properties, although completely invisible to most clinical instruments, can cause tonometers to read incorrectly.

Corneal size, shape and its other properties

Given that the cornea has such a large influence on eye pressure measurement (tonometry), another area of my work includes defining and quantifying corneal characteristics, including biomechanics and thickness, in health and disease. Most recently, we reported that a single drop of anaesthetic (commonly used to help your optometrist or ophthalmologist measure the thickness of your cornea) was enough to cause a temporary increase in corneal thickness.

Funding

• Cardiff Centre for Education Innovation Seed-corn grant (2016)
• Cardiff University Research Opportunities Programme (2013)
• Nuffield Foundation Vacation Studentship (2007)
• OVRF-Maki Shiobara Scholarship (2006)
• Australian Postgraduate Award (2003)

Teaching

Teaching roles and responsibilities

My current teaching roles and responsibilities at Cardiff University are as follows:

Year 0 Programme Lead

I am responsible for the management and oversight of students and modules in Year 0, otherwise known as the preliminary year, of the optometry undergraduate programmes.

Module and Prac Leader

As Module Leader for OP0205 Investigative Optometry, OP1201 Basic Clinical Techniques and OP4001 Introduction to Clinical Optometric Practice, my role is to oversee many aspects of these modules including innovation and development, timetabling, teaching, assessment and feedback, as well as module administration.

Lecturer

As a Lecturer for OP0205 Investigative Optometry, OP4001 Introduction to Clinical Optometric Practice, OP1201 Basic Clinical Techniques, OP4101 Clinical Optometric Practice 1 and OP2203 Investigative Techniques (Diagnostic Techniques), my role is to prepare, organise and deliver lectures and lead practical sessions that equip students with core clinical skills and knowledge that they will need as an optometrist. It is also my responsibility to design, conduct, mark and provide feedback for all coursework for these modules.

Research Project Supervisor

I supervise several student research projects each year for undergraduate and postgraduate taught modules, in which students are required to conduct a practical project or a detailed literature review over 6-9 months. The topics that I offer are quite varied but tend to revolve around my main research areas (eye pressure, ocular biometrics and education) and the core themes that arise in the modules that I teach. MSc project students that are enrolled on a Cardiff University programme are also welcome to suggest their own topics within these areas.

External appointments

I am an External Examiner for the BSc Optometry programme at the University of Manchester.

Biography

Educational and qualifications

• 2021: Senior Fellow of Advance HE
• 2009. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
• 2007: PhD in Optometry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
• 2007: Registration as an optometrist in the UK (General Optical Council)
• 1998: Bachelor of Optometry, First Class Honours and the University Medal, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
• 1998: Registration as an optometrist in Australia (now known as the Optometry Board of Australia)

Career overview

• 2017-present: Senior Lecturer, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, UK
• 2018-2021: Director of Learning & Teaching, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, UK.
• 2015-2018: Deputy Director of Learning & Teaching, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, UK.
• 2014-2018: Assessment & Feedback Lead, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, UK.
• 2007-2017: Lecturer, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, UK
• 2003-6: Postgraduate student and demonstrator, School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
• 1998-2002: Optometrist, Australia.

Honours and awards

Scholarships

• OVRF-Maki Shiobara Scholarship (2006)
• Australian Postgraduate Award (2003-2006)
• Bankstown City Council Scholarship (1994-1997)
• Revesby Workers Club Scholarship (1994-1997)

Prizes

• The University of New South Wales (UNSW) University Medal for Optometry. (1998)
• The SOLA Optical Australia Pty. Ltd. Prize for the best overall performance in OPTM4301 Visual Science IV (1997)
• The Theo Kannis Prize for Clinical Optometry for the best overall performance in Clinical Optometry throughout the Bachelor of Optometry course (1997)
• The Hoya Lens Australia Pty Limited Prize for the best overall performance in Ocular and Visual Science throughout the Bachelor of Optometry degree course (1997)
• The Australian Optometric Association Prize for outstanding academic performance in the Bachelor of Optometry course (1997)
• The Head of School's prize for outstanding overall performance in the Bachelor of Optometry course (1997)
• The Bausch and Lomb Prize for the best performance in Year 3 of the Bachelor of Optometry course (1996)
• The Martin Wells Pty Limited Prize for the best performance in OPTM2208 Diagnosis of Ocular Disease (Year 2) and OPTM3208 Diagnosis and Management of Ocular Disease (Year 3) (1996)
• The Essilor Australia Pty Limited Prize for the best performance in OPTM3301 Visual Science III and OPTM3309 Ocular Science III (1996)
• The Safilo Australia Prize for the best performance in OPTM2302 Clinical Optometry II (1995)
• The Martin Wells Pty Limited Prize for the best performance in OPTM2301 Ocular and Visual Science II (1995)
• The Optical Products Ltd Prize for the best performance in OPTM2303 Spectacle Lens and Optical Systems (1995)
• The School of Physiology and Pharmacology Staff Prize for Physiology 1 or Principles of Physiology for the best performance in PHPH2112 Physiology 1 or PHPH2122 Principles of Physiology (1995)
• The Optometrists Association of NSW Prize for the best performance in OPTM1202 Clinical Optometry I (1994)

Professional memberships

• 2021-present: Senior Fellow of Advance HE
• 2009-2021: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• 2007-present: Registered with the General Optical Council
• 1998-present: Registered with the Optometry Board of Australia (currently non-practising)

Academic positions

• 2006: Part-time Research Assistant (0.2FTE), University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia,
• 2003-2006: Part-time Clinical Supervisor, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Committees and reviewing

Leadership

• 2018-2021, Director of Learning & Teaching, OPTOM
• 2018-2020, Chair of the Undergraduate Examining Board, OPTOM
• 2015-2018, Deputy Director of Learning & Teaching, OPTOM
• 2014-2018, Assessment & Feedback Lead, OPTOM
• 2015-2016, Equality & Diversity/Athena Swan Committee, Deputy Chair, OPTOM
• 2013-2014, School Research Audit Ethics Committee, Deputy Chair, OPTOM

External commitments

• 2020-present, External Examiner, University of Manchester
• 2020, Critical Friend, Aston University
• 2019-2020, OSC representative on the College of Optometrists Education and Standards Committee
• 2019-2020, Optometry Schools Council, Member
• 2019-2020, External Examiner, Association of Optometrists, Ireland
• 2015-2018, Academic contact for the Westbourne School “Research in Action” project
• 2013-2018, STEMnet ambassador

School, College and University committees, panels and working groups

Education

• 2021- present
  • Co-Lead Student Voice and Student Experience Academic Lead Project, Cardiff University
  • SFHEA mentor
• 2018-2021
  • Undergraduate Board of Studies, Chair, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
  • Undergraduate Learning & Teaching Committee, Chair, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
  • WOPEC Board, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
  • Student/Staff Panel, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
• 2017, General Optical Council reaccreditation group, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
• 2015-2018
  • Examinations Committee, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
  • Clinical Placements Working Group, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
  • Learning & Teaching Committee, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
• 2016, “Cardiff Essentials” Online Assessment Information Task & Finish Group, Cardiff University
• 2015-2016, OSCE group, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences
• 2014-2016, AHFEA mentor
• 2013-2016, Student Survey Coordinator, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
• 2012-2013 and 2015-2016, Student/Staff Panel, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University

Policy and strategy

• 2018-2021
  • School Board, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
  • School Operations Board, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
• 2016, Workload Model Implementation Group, Cardiff University
• 2010-2011
  • Athena Swan Steering Group, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
  • Staff Development and Equality & Diversity Committee, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
• 2007-2009, Strategy and Resources Committee, Member, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
• 2007
  • PCUTL HEA Accreditation Panel, Member, Cardiff University
  • PCUTL General Panel, Cardiff University

Administration

• 2008-2010, Student equipment kit coordinator, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University

Supervisions

I am interested in supervising MSc students in fields similar to:

• Corneal Biomechanics
• Ocular Biometry
• Intraocular Pressure
• Glaucoma
• Assessment and feedback
• Learning and teaching technology