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Barbara Ryan

Professor Barbara Ryan

Director Postgraduate Taught Programmes and WOPEC Co-Director

School of Optometry and Vision Sciences

Overview

Professor Barbara Ryan joined the school in 2003. She is an optometrist and an academic and has a broad remit covering health services research, teaching and practice and has made significant contributions to the pedagogy / orthodoxy of optometric practice She is currently Director of Postgraduate Taught Courses and Co- Director of Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre (WOPEC).

Publication

2024

2022

2021

2020

2019

2017

2016

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2005

2002

1999

Articles

Books

Monographs

Thesis

Research

Research Topics

  • Low Vision Rehabilitation
  • The eye care requirements of children with special needs

Research Funding at Cardiff University

  • 2012/ 2014 Collaborator NIHR PI Prof Christine Dickinson
  • 2011/2014 Collaborator GDBA PI Margrain TH
  • 2011/2013 Co-applicant RNIB PI JM Woodhouse
  • 2007/2010 Co- Applicant Welsh Assembly Government PI JM Woodhouse
  • 2007/2009   Co-applicant Welsh Office of Research and Development PI TH Margrain
  • 2007/2008 PI Thomas Pocklington Trust

Biography

Educational and Professional Qualifications

* Bsc Hons Optometry and Vision Science, City University 1991
* Membership College of Optometrists 1992
* PhD Cardiff University 2009
* Professional Certificate in Glaucoma 2017

Academic positions

* 2012 - present  Director, Postgraduate Teaching
* 2009 - present Co-Director, Wales Optometry Postgraduate Optometry Centre
* 2003 - 2012 Training and Accreditation Manager, Welsh Eye Care Initiative Wales Government/ Cardiff University

* 2001 - 2003 Director of the Low Vision Clinic and Clinical Tutor, Bradford University
* 1994 - 1996 Clinical Tutor and Visiting Lecturer, Aston University


Welsh Government positions

* 2012 - 2016 Chief Optometric Advisor, Welsh Government (seconded from Cardiff University)
Previous teaching positions

Community practice

* 2003 - present Optometrist (0.2 FTE), Monnow Eye Care, Monmouth
* 2002 - 2003 Optometrist, Bradley and Smith Optometrists, Huddersfield
* 2001 - 2002 Optometrist, Specsavers, Halifax

Hospital practice

* 1995 - 2000 Senior Optometrist, Scleral Contact Lens Clinic, Birmingham Midland Eye Centre
* 1994 - 1996 Head of Optometry Department (Acting), Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
* 1993 - 1994 Maiduguri Eye Hospital, Nigeria
* 1992 - 1993 Optometrist, Oxford Eye Hospital
* 1991 - 1992  Pre- Registration Optometrist, Oxford Eye Hospital

Previous teaching positions

  • 2001 - 2003 Director of the Low Vision Clinic and Clinical Tutor, Bradford University
  • 1994 - 1996 Clinical Tutor and Visiting Lecturer, Aston University
Other positions

* 2003 - 2012 Clinical Lead,   Welsh Low Vision Service Hywel Dda Health Board/ Cardiff University
* 1999 - 2001 Head of Low Vision and Eye Health,Royal National Institute for the Blind, London
* 1998 - 1999  Head of Low Vision,The Royal National Institute for the Blind, London
* 1996 - 1998 Low Vision Officer, The Royal National Institute for the Blind, London
* 1995 - 2000 Senior Optometrist, Multi-Disciplinary Low Vision Service, Birmingham Focus

Committees and reviewing

University Committees

* Chair, Postgraduate Taught Board of Studies, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences
* WOPEC Board
* School Board, Optometry and Vision Sciences

External Committees

* 2017 Strategic Advisory Committee, Education Review, General Optical Council.
* 2017 Review Panel member, Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, Northern Ireland: Review of the implementation of the Developing Eyecare Partnerships Strategy.
* 2017 Steering Group, Scottish Government: A review of low vision service provision in Scotland.
* 2014 to 2016  Quality and Safety Group, Department of Health and Social Services, Welsh Government.
* 2012 to 2016 Chair, Wales Eye Care Steering Board (Welsh Government).
* 2012 to 2016 National Joint Professionals Advisory Committee (Welsh Government).
* 2012 to 2016 Wales Optometric Committee (Welsh Government statutory advisory committee on Optometric Services in Wales)
* 2011 to 2012 Deputy Chair, Low Vision Service Development Committee (Statutory Committee Advising Welsh Assembly Government on Low Vision Services)
* 2009 to2011 Deputy Chair MEGAFOCUS (Statutory Committee Advising Welsh Assembly Government on Eyecare for BME groups)
* 2007 to 2012 Trustee, Sight Support (NGO).
* 2011 - 2012 Chair, Low Vision Higher Qualifications Committee, College of Optometrists
* 2011 - 2016 External Examiner, Aston University
* 2008 - 2015 College of Optometry, OSCE Writing Group
* 2008 - 2009 College of Optometry, Final Assessment Review Group
* 2006 - 2012 External Examiner, MSc Visual Impairment, City University
* 2004 - 2013  Wales Low Vision Advisory Group
* 1998 - 2000 Professional Secretary, Low Vision Consensus Committee
* 1996 - 2000 Optical Vouchers Consultative Committee (Statutory Committee Advising DOH)
* 1996 - 2013 Examiner, The College of Optometrists