Centre for Vision Services Research

The Centre for Vision Services Research is dedicated to improving health and care services for individuals that access eye care services or have sight problems.

Our work will drive service transformation and global innovation in eye care, supported by government, industry, the voluntary sector, and professional bodies.

We launched in April 2025 after receiving £1.8 million in funding from Health and Care Research Wales.

Aim

We aim to:

1. transform lives for all those affected by sight problems by developing and delivering research-driven improvements in access, quality, and outcomes of vision care and support.

2. provide essential support to researchers, healthcare, social care and other professionals to enable evidence-based practice.

3. foster collaboration across disciplines to address complex challenges.

Research

We support development of patient-reported outcome measures and use a range of methodologies, including health economic modelling, mixed methods research, realist reviews, narrative work, and evaluations in our research. Patient and public involvement is central to our approach.

Through our strategies, the Centre for Vision Services Research will advance innovation, equity, and sustainability in eye care and support.

Strategic research themes

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

Our research is underpinned by two essential themes:

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Addressing disparities in access and outcomes across diverse populations.

Information and Education: Empowering patients and people with sight loss and their families, professionals, and stakeholders.

People

The Centre brings together 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.