Eye Movement Laboratory

Projects

Students and Service Users developing curriculum and research themes: This project was funded by the University of Sheffield Faculty of Health, Learning and Teaching Development fund and involved a group of students participating in the Nystagmus Network Open Day in Newcastle in May 2015 http://www.nystagmusnet.org/cms/.  The aim was to produce a guide for other students on the impact on nystagmus on the lives of those with the condition.  Students held discussions with people, and carers of people, with nystagmus.  The experience provided an educational experience that inspired and challenged students to achieve aspirations of the Sheffield Graduate and those of a graduate of the Faculty of Health.  Information collected from the open day has been developed into an on-line teaching resource for year 1 and 2 students.  Two posters have been presented at the British and Irish Orthoptic Society Annual Conference to increase awareness of the effects of nystagmus on daily living and information needed by patients.  The posters can be downloaded below. This project has led to the development of research themes and funding for these further projects.
Project Learning Resource Developer:  David Robertson, BMedSci (Hons) Orthoptics

Download posters:

• Poster 1: Improving the nystagmus patient experience
• Poster 2: Living with nystagmus - the patient's perspective

Nystagmus Information Pack:  Improving the information given to patients and parents with nystagmus by Eye Health Care professionals at the point of diagnosis.  This project is funded by a University of Sheffield OnCampUS student placement and Nystagmus Network.  The project aims to survey all 260 Orthoptic departments in the UK and Ireland to establish the information currently used by eye departments to inform patients and parents of the condition and support available.  Best practice examples will be incorporated into a comprehensive pack, including suggestions from Nystagmus Network members already collected by students at the 2015 Nystagmus Network open day.

The project will produce a best practice Nystagmus Information Pack (NIP) for use within Eye departments.  This will be available to all services within the UK & Ireland and the Nystagmus Network in PDF format.  The benefit to people and families affected by nystagmus is that they will receive high-quality standardised information across the UK at the point of diagnosis.  You can download the Nystagmus Information Pack below.
Project Research Assistant:  Arthur Nye and Anwen Coughlan

Download the Nystagmus Information Pack:

• Part 1: Introduction - what is nystagmus?
• Part 2: Infantile nystagmus
• Part 3: Acquired nystagmus
• Part 4: What to expect at eye clinic appointments
• Part 5: Treatment options and long-term outcomes
• Part 6: Useful contacts and information
• Part 7: Information about nystagmus for families

Nystagmus Assessment: Curriculum enhancement. This project is funded by Nystagmus Network and Yorkshire and Humber Health Education.  The purposes of this project is to set up and run an eye movement recording laboratory within the Academic Unit of Ophthalmology and Orthoptics, University of Sheffield.  This facility will equip orthoptic graduates, postgraduates and other eye care professionals with skills to record, analyse and interpret nystagmus using detailed eye movement recordings.  The project will benefit people with nystagmus through improved knowledge and sills in the detailed assessment of the condition.  Students will acquire additional specialist eye movement recording and analytical skills leading to improved management and care of nystagmus patients.  The experience, knowledge and skills obtained from this training will allow graduate Orthoptists to work within or set up eye movement recording facilities in the clinical environment in which they work.