Dr Nana Theodorou is the Research Lead Orthoptist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STHNHSFT). She is a reviewer for Nursing Standard, STHNHSFT Research department, Eyenews and a member of the STHNHSFT Evidence Based Council. She is an expert REC member. Her particular research interests include visual competition, eye movement control, visual impairment and visual rehabilitation in stroke. Most research projects include a demographic paediatric study in visual impairment, a service development in breaking bad news and the evaluation of surgical and functional outcomes in the management of bilateral exotropic Duane’s. Other projects include collaborative work with the University of Sheffield using the Octopus perimeter in a normative paediatric population and participating in the VISION study led by the University of Liverpool. Dr Theodorou has published and presented her research work at national and international level.
Abstract: A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the paediatric visual impaired population
attending the Low Vision Clinic at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, over
a period of 14 years. Data were collected and analysed for children less than 17 years for
prevalence, demographics, registration status, aetiologies, and types of low vision aids issued. The total number of children identified was 204. Of these, 19 percent of the children were registered blind, 45 percent were registered partially sighted, and 36 percent were not registered. The four diagnostic groups were genetic (29%), prenatal (36%), perinatal (23%), and childhood (12%). Describing local characteristics of paediatric visual impairment is a useful measure of current low vision service provision. This information can further inform educational, social, and health needs for the visually impaired children to ensure adequate service provision.
Abstract: Aims: This was a service development study to explore the role of Orthoptists in the process of breaking bad news in an out-patient setting and develop provision of education and support for Orthoptists carrying out this role.
Methods: A questionnaire was adopted following a similar study conducted in 2007 in an in-patient setting. The original questionnaire was developed using Likert scales and open text questions. Data collection took place in 2010. Nine out of fourteen (64.3%) distributed questionnaires were returned.
Results: Orthoptists engage in diverse breaking bad news activities at many points in the patient care pathway. Little formal education or support for this work had been received.
Conclusions: Guidance for breaking bad news should encompass the whole process (before and after the immediate news breaking) and acknowledge the challenges Orthoptists face. Developments in education and support are required that reflect the challenges that clinical staff encounter in the out-patient care setting.
Abstract: Latent nystagmus (LN) and manifest latent nystagmus (MLN) are closely associated with early visual deprivation and strabismus. In both cases, the eyes oscillate horizontally in an involuntary manner and the fast phases always beat towards the attending or fixing eye. By simultaneously recording eye movements during the dichoptic viewing of dissimilar visual stimuli we present evidence that MLN offers a unique opportunity to examine the nature of sensori-motor switching. In particular, we show how the nystagmus beat direction is strongly influenced by endogenous and exogenous attention. A model describing the possible mechanisms underpinning the sensori-motor switching is proposed.
