Dr Nikita Thomas

Nikita is a lecturer and registered optometrist. Her research and teaching interests involve eye tracking, retinal imaging, psychophysics, and the optics of the eye.

In 2020, Nikita was awarded the ‘Eye Health Hero’ award by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness for her novel research work in nystagmus.

[email protected]

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Background

Nikita joined ARU in 2022 and is a member of the Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Group. Prior to that, she graduated with a degree in optometry from Cardiff University in 2015, qualified as a registered optometrist in 2016, and completed her PhD in 2021. Nikita was also previously employed as a postdoctoral research associate at Cardiff University.

Over the years, her research interests have evolved to encompass a variety of areas in vision science. During this time, she has developed a passion for research and has presented her work across the UK and overseas. Nikita also greatly enjoys teaching and has taught at university level for both undergraduates and postgraduates.

Research interests

• Eye tracking
• Eye movement disorders
• Retinal imaging
• Psychophysics
• Eye movements in sports

Areas of research supervision

• Coloured overlays
• Eye tracking
• Clinical trials

Teaching

• BOptom (Hons) Optometry
• Geometrical and Visual Optics – Module Leader
• Clinical Optometry 1 – Lab supervisor
• 3^rd year Clinic Supervisor

Qualifications

• BSc Optometry (First-Class Honours) – Cardiff University
• PhD in Vision Science – Cardiff University

Memberships, editorial boards

• General Optical Council (UK-registered optometrist)
• The College of Optometrists (MCOptom)
• Association of Optometrists
• Applied Vision Association

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

Additional clinical testing for retinal predictors of visual performance in nystagmus. Principle investigator - Nystagmus Network (UK), Small Grant Scheme (£1387), 2017

American Nystagmus Network (ANN) International research workshop travel bursary - Graduate Student Funding Awards ($1500), 2019

Selected recent publications

Thomas N, Dunn M.J., Woodhouse J.M. (2022) ‘Voluntary flutter presenting during ophthalmoscopy: a case report’, Case Reports in Ophthalmology, 13(1): 286–291. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1159/000524384

Recent presentations and conferences

‘The fovea is horizontally elongated in infantile nystagmus’, European Conference on Eye Movements, UK, August 2022

‘Gaze-contingent visual field examination in infantile nystagmus’, Nystagmus Network Open Day - Research Workshop, UK, October 2020

‘A Clinician’s Guide to Nystagmus’, Nystagmus Network Webinar Series, UK, May 2020

‘Gaze-contingent perimetry in infantile nystagmus’, Bradford University, Bradford, UK, March 2020

‘Validation of a novel gaze-contingent perimeter to evaluate visual function in infantile nystagmus’, American Nystagmus Network International Research Workshop, Washington D.C., USA, July 2019

‘Interpretation of nystagmus waveforms using custom-made software’, Aravind Hospital, Madurai, India, September 2017

‘Visual field assessment in nystagmus’, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India, September 2017

Media experience

‘Five ways your eye movements affect everyday actions’ – Doctoral Academy Research Blog, Cardiff University, August 2018