The logo of the University of Plymouth.

Research participation opportunity in Plymouth

Perceptual Learning for Nystagmus

We are delighted to offer people who have nystagmus the opportunity to take part in an exciting new research study at the University of Plymouth, in collaboration with Cardiff University and jointly funded by the Nystagmus Network and Fight for Sight.

Who are we looking for?

Anyone aged between 18 and 35, diagnosed with Infantile (Congenital) Nystagmus

What will you be doing?

  • Complete vision tests on computer at the University of Plymouth to assess how well you can see static and moving letters and static dots
  • Complete vision training at home for 1 hour per day, 3 days a week over a period of 4 weeks

Who are we?

Dr Mahesh Joshi

Dr Mahesh Joshi

Dr Asma Zahidi

Dr Asma Zahidi

For more information, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Travel Expenses

We will be paying your travel expenses to Plymouth up to £50.

A person wearing a doctor's white coat is testing a patient's eyes using clinical equipment.

The Fight for Sight/Nystagmus Network Small Grant Award

We are delighted to announce that the Nystagmus Network has jointly awarded two new nystagmus research grant awards with our funding partners Fight for Sight.

The two successful applicants are

  • Dr Mahesh Joshi at the University of Plymouth is carrying out a pilot study to investigate whether a new computer-based treatment approach can help improve vision for people with nystagmus.
  • Dr Mervyn Thomas at the University of Leicester is developing a new experimental model that could pave the way for the development of new treatments that can help improve vision for children with nystagmus.

Vivien Jones, Hon President of the Nystagmus Network and Chair of the Research Committee, said: “We are delighted to announce with our partners Fight for Sight our support for these exciting research projects. The work by Dr Mahesh Joshi and Asma Zahidi at Plymouth will hopefully significantly enhance knowledge about eye movements and, in the case of Dr Mervyn Thomas at Leicester, lead to an enhanced ability to test treatments for infantile nystagmus.”

To help ensure that the Nystagmus Network can continue to invest in nystagmus research, please consider making a donation to our research fund. Thank you.

Donate to our nystagmus research fund here

A screenshot of the Nystagmus Network UK research workshop on zoom, showing thumbnail images of 20 delegates.

Nystagmus Network hosts UK research workshop

On Friday 2 October, the Nystagmus Network once again hosted the annual UK nystagmus research workshop.

This is an opportunity for researchers, clinicians and academics to get together to share their work and plan greater collaboration. They are, after all, all working towards the same goal. The workshop took place via zoom.

Nystagmus Network trustees and staff were delighted to be joined by nystagmus experts from

  • The School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University
  • The Ulverscroft Eye Unit, University of Leicester
  • Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
  • Royal Eye Infirmary, Plymouth
  • Academic Unit of Ophthalmology and Orthoptics, University of Sheffield
  • University of Southampton and Southampton General Hospital

Nystagmus Network research conference 2019.

Nystagmus research conference 2019

The Nystagmus Network will once again be hosting a UK nystagmus research conference in 2019.

Following the success of last year’s event, attended by research and clinical teams from the Universities of Cardiff, Sheffield, Plymouth and Southampton and from Moorfields Eye Hospital and Fight for Sight, the charity will be funding a further event with a view to bringing about ever closer collaboration between teams and seeking out new and collaborative ways to make rare resources stretch even further.

As testing and detection become ever more sophisticated, it is hoped that outcomes for babies born with nystagmus will continue to improve, with effective treatments, prevention and even cure moving closer. In addition, therapies and interventions for young people and adults with congenital and acquired nystagmus continue to be explored.

This year’s conference takes place at the University of Cardiff in September. Delegates from across the UK have been invited and the charity is delighted to announce that representation from Leicester, London, Plymouth, Southampton and, of course, Cardiff is already confirmed. Clinicians, researchers and academics will be joined by Research Manager at Fight for Sight, Neil Meemaduma and those Nystagmus Network trustees who sit on the charity’s research committee.

Research teams will also attend the Nystagmus Network Open Day in Cardiff on Saturday 28 September, where they will be available to speak with delegates about their work.