Chief Medical Officer for Wales hails ‘great ambition’ of new Centre for Vision Services Research
10 March 2026
A new research centre dedicated to improving health and care services for people experiencing sight problems or accessing eye care has been launched.
The new Centre for Vision Services Research (CVSR), funded by Health and Care Research Wales, was officially launched on Monday 26 January at Cardiff University’s sbarc|spark building, bringing together leading researchers, clinicians and partners from across the UK to shape the future of eyecare research and services.
The CVSR Centre unites ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, social workers, health economists, lay members, and researchers from Cardiff University, NHS Wales, Sight Cymru, Bangor University, the University of South Wales, and Swansea University. The aim is to focus on research themes including:
- Reducing hospital eye-service waiting lists and optimising care pathways
- Transforming sight impairment and rehabilitation pathways
- Advancing person-centred outcome measures
- Optimising care intervals, risk profiling, and new technologies
- Improving vision care for vulnerable populations
Centre Director Professor Barbara Ryan, who welcomed delegates to the launch event emphasised the importance of collective action in improving vision services, telling the audience: “We need everyone on this journey to work with us and collaborate with us.”
Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, also delivered a keynote address at the launch event.
The Centre for Vision Services Research has a critical role to play – what excites me the most is not just its great ambition, but a clear focus on equity, transformation and implementation.
The event included a research showcase, illustrating the breadth and impact of ongoing work across Wales. Speakers included Dr Jennifer Acton, Deputy Director of the CVSR; Dr Mark Davies, an Associate Professor at the University of South Wales and CVSR member, and Rhiannon Reynolds, an Ophthalmology Consultant at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
The launch marks an important milestone for vision services research in Wales, establishing a collaborative hub dedicated to generating the evidence needed to transform care and improve outcomes for people with sight problems.
