Prof Peter Allen

Peter is the Head of our Visual Function and Physiology Research group. His areas of expertise include refractive error development, vision and reading, vision in sports, physical activity and its effect on physical and mental wellbeing and visual function in specialist populations.

peter.allen@anglia.ac.uk

Background

Peter is the Professor of Optometry and Visual Science. In his research Peter collaborates with colleagues in the UK and in Australia, The Netherlands, US and Germany. He is an assessor and examiner for the College of Optometrists.

In 2013 Peter was awarded the Neil Charman Medal, one of the most prestigious awards in optical research, in recognition of his work on visual stress and the link between reading difficulties and perceptual distortion.

Research interests

• Myopia
• Reading difficulties
• Visual function in specialist groups
• Tinnitus
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Sports Vision
• Physical activity and its effect on physical and mental wellbeing

Areas of research supervision

Previous postgraduate research supervision

• Investigation of risk factors that precede primary open angle glaucoma
• Audiology-guided internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adult patients with tinnitus in the UK
• The effects of colour on reading and visual correlates in children and adolescents who are profoundly or severely deaf
• Investigation of a new clinical method of measuring amplitude of accommodation
• Nearwork-induced transient myopia in myopic and non-myopic Indian subjects
• Reading, contrast adaptation and accommodation in young adult myopes and emmetropes
• The objective correlates of visual stress
• The effect of age on myopia progression in 14–21-year olds
• The effect of vision training on accommodation and myopia progression

Current postgraduate research supervision

• Development of an evidence-based, sport-specific classification system for short distance VI track athletics (1st supervisor)
• The visibility of the pink ball: Is it the optimal colour for performance in day/night cricket? (1st supervisor)
• Addressing depression in people with a vision impairment and their carers (1st supervisor)
• Clinical evaluation of lid wiper epitheliopathy (3rd supervisor)
• ***Physical activity prescription to improve mental and physical health in people with vision loss (1st supervisor) – currently recruiting***

Teaching

BOptom (Hons) Optometry

External Examiner

2015-2019 University of Ulster external examiner for the BSc (Hons) Optometry programme

2015-2019 Cardiff University external examiner for postgraduate taught programmes

2020 – Teeside University external examiner for the BSc (Hons) Clinical Optometry programme

Qualifications

• PhD, Anglia Ruskin University
• BSc (Hons) Ophthalmic Optics, City University

Memberships, editorial boards

• Fellow, the European Academy of Optometry and Optics
• Fellow, the American Academy of Optometry
• Fellow, the College of Optometrists
• Fellow, the Higher Education Academy
• Council Member and on the Board of Trustees, the College of Optometrists

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

Since 2016

• 2018 - Low-dose atropine eye drops to reduce progression of myopia. A. Azuara-Blanco, N. Logan, N. Strang, K. Saunders, P.M. Allen, R. Hogg, N. Congdon, C Hammond. NIHR-EME £1,257,235
• 2017 - The impact of vision impairment on performance in athletics: development of sport-specific classification. P.M. Allen, D. Mann, K. Latham and H.J.C. Ravensbergen, IPC EU 23,995
• 2016 - An accurate and reliable procedure for testing the visual field during the sport-specific classification of athletes with vision impairment. D. Mann, H.J.C. Ravenbergen, P.M. Allen, K. Latham Agitos Foundation GSP EU 19,000
• 2016 - VI shooting classification research project. P.M. Allen, S. Bond, D. Mann, D. Ryu, H.J.C. Ravenbergen, K. Latham, J. Myint Agitos Foundation GSP EU 19,000
• 2016 - Classification of vision impairment for Paralympic sport. P.M. Allen, D. Mann, H.J.C. Ravensbergen, J. Myint, K. Latham, D. Ryu and K. Dalton. College of Optometrists Collaborative Research Award £11,420
• 2016 - VI classification research project P.M. Allen. British Paralympic Association £1,500
• 2016 - Internet-delivered versus face-to-face clinical care for tinnitus: a randomised control trial. E. Beukes, D. Bagley, G. Andersson, V. Manchaiah, P.M. Allen. British Society of Audiology £4,992

Selected recent publications

Since 2016

Smith, L., Allen, P.M., Gorely, T., Grabovac, I., Pardhan, S., Yang, L. Jackson, S.E. (2019). Visual impairment and handgrip strength in older adults. Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift (in press)

Azuara-Bianco, A., Logan, N., Strang, N., Saunders, K., Allen, P.M., Hogg, R., Weir, R., Doherty, P., Adamjs, C., McFarland, M., Gardner, E., Verghis, R., Preston, J., Loughman, J., Flitcroft, I., Mackey,

D., Lee, S., Hammond, C., Congdon, N., Clarke, M. (2019). Low-dose (0.01%) atropine eye drops to reduce progression of myopia in children: a multi-centre placebo controlled randomised trial in the United Kingdom (CHAMP-UK) – study protocol. British Journal of Ophthalmology (in press)

Beukes, E.W., Wilkins, L., Zaborski, Z., Allen, P.M. (2019). Comparing awareness of mental health issues and CBT in male and female UK Premier League academy soccer players and university students. Journal of Sport and Human Performance (in press)

Srinivasan, K., Gilchrist, J., Krishnan, G., Wilkins, A.J., Allen, PM. (2019).  Clinical use of the Kannada and English Rate of Reading Tests. Frontiers in Psychology: Language Sciences. 10:2116. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02116 

Allen, P.M., Latham K., Mann, D.L., Ravensbergen, H.J.C., Myint, J. (2019) Rifle shooting for athletes with vision impairment: does one class fit all? Frontiers in Psychology: Movement Science and Sport Psychology10:1727. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01727 

Burns, D.H., Allen, P.M., Edgar, D.F. and Evans, B.J.W. (2019). Sources of error in clinical measurement of the amplitude of accommodation. Journal of Optometry, 13, 3-14.

Beukes, E.W., Manchaiah, V., Allen, P.M., Baguley, D.M. and Andersson, G. (2019). Internet-based interventions for adults with hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Trends in Hearing, 23, 1-22.

Beukes, E.W., Manchaiah, Baguley, D.M., Allen, P.M. and Andersson, G. (2018). Internet-based interventions for adults with hearing loss, vestibular disorders and tinnitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. Systematic Reviews, 7, 205.

Beukes, E.W., Manchaiah, V., Davies, A.S.A, Allen, P.M., Baguley, D.M. and Andersson, G. (2018). Participants’ experiences of an Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus. International Journal of Audiology

Beukes, E.W., Andersson, G., Allen, P.M. Manchaiah, V. and Baguley, D.M. (2018). Effectiveness of guided Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy versus face-to-face clinical care for the treatment of tinnitus: A randomised clinical trial. JAMA Otolaryngology.

Wilkins, L., Sweeney, J., Zaborski, Z., Nelson, C., Tweddle, S., Beukes, E.W., Allen, P.M. (2018). Elite academy soccer players’ perceptions towards Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology.

Beukes, E.B., Allen, P.M., Baguley, D.M., Manchaiah, V., Andersson, G. (2018). Long-term efficacy of audiologist-guided Internet-Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Tinnitus. American Journal of Audiology.

Burns, D.H., Allen, P.M., Edgar, D.F., Evans, B.J.W. (2018). A review of depth of focus in measurement of the amplitude of accommodation. Vision, 2, 37; doi:10.3390/vision2030037.

Allen, P.M. Ravensbergen, R., Latham, K., Rose, A., Myint, J., Mann, D.L. (2018). Contrast sensitivity is a significant predictor of performance in rifle shooting for athletes with vision impairment. Frontiers in Psychology: Movement Science and Sport Psychology 9: 950.doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00950.

Wilkins, L., Mann, D.L., Dain, S.J., Hayward, T. and Allen, P.M. (2018). Out with the old, in with the new: How changes in cricket helmet regulations affect the vision of batters. Journal of Sports Sciences. Read on Taylor & Francis online .

Hussaindeen, J.R., Anand, M., Sivaraman, V., Krishna, R. and Allen, P.M. (2018). Variant myopia – a new presentation? Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 66, 799-805.

Aldrich, A., Lovell-Patel, R., Allen, P.M., Wilkins, A.J. (2018). The repeatability of Colorimetry is as expected. Neuro-Ophthalmology and Visual Neuroscience, 3, 1-6

Srinivasan, K., Krishnan, G., Wilkins, A.J. and Allen, PM. (2018). Design of a Kannada version of the Rate of Reading Test. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 66, 630-633.

Evans, B.J.W. and Allen, P.M. (2018). Coloured filters and visual stress. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 38, 203-204.

Manchaiah, V., Beukes, E.W., Granberg, S., Durisala, N., Baguley, D.M., Allen, P.M. and Andersson, G. (2018) Problems and life effects experienced by tinnitus research study volunteers: an exploratory study using the ICF classification. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology DOI: 10.3766/jaaa.17094

Beukes, E.W., Baguley, D.M., Allen, P.M., Manchaiah, V. and Andersson, G. (2018). Audiologist guided Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for adults with tinnitus in the United Kingdom: a randomised controlled trial. Ear and Hearing 39: 423-433. doi: 10.1097/AUD.000000000000505

Beukes, E.W., Manchaiah, V. Valien, T.E., Baguley, D.M., Allen, P.M. and Andersson, G. (2017). Positive experiences related to living with tinnitus: A cross‐sectional survey. Clinical Otolaryngology 2017;00:1–7. Read on Wiley online library 

Mann, D.L., Loffing, F., Allen, P.M. (2017). The success of sinister righter handers in baseball. New England Journal of Medicine, 377, 1688-1690 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc1711659

Beukes, E.W., Manchaiah, V., Baguley, D.M., Allen, P.M. and Andersson, G. (2017). Process evaluation of Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adults with tinnitus in the context of a randomised control trial. International Journal of Audiology, 57, 98-109. DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2017.1384858.

Beukes, E.W., Manchaiah, V., Andersson, G. Valien, T.E., Allen, P.M., Terlizzi, P.M. and Baguley, D.M., (2017).  Situationally influenced tinnitus coping strategies: A mixed methods approach. Disability and Rehabilitation. Read on Taylor & Francis online.

Evans, B.J.W. and Allen, P.M. (2017). Reply to Letter to the editor by Barrett et al. commenting on Evans and Allen: A systematic review of controlled trials on visual stress using Intuitive Overlays or the Intuitive Colorimeter. Journal of Optometry. Read on Science Direct. 

Beukes, E.W., Baguley, D.M., Allen, P.M., Manchaiah, V. and Andersson, G. (2017) Guided internet-based versus face-to-face care in the management of tinnitus: protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Trials 18:186. DOI: 10.1186/s13063-017-1931-6.

Beukes, E.W., Allen, P.M., Manchaiah, V., Baguley, D.M. and Andersson, G. (2017) Internet-based intervention for tinnitus: Outcome of a single-group open trial. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology 28 (4), 340-351. DOI: 10.3766/jaaa.16055.

Evans, B.J.W., Allen, P.M. and Wilkins, A.J. (2017) A Delphi study to develop practical diagnostic guidelines for visual stress (pattern-related visual stress). Journal of Optometry, 10, 161-168.

Allen, P.M., Latham K., Mann, D.L., Ravensbergen, H.J.C., Myint, J. (2016) The level of vision necessary for optimal performance in shooting: setting the standards for Paralympic shooting with vision impairment. Frontiers in Psychology: Movement Science and Sport Psychology 7: 1731.doi: 10:3389/fpsyg.2016.01731.

Evans, B.J.W. and Allen, P.M. (2016) A systematic review of controlled trials on visual stress using Intuitive Overlays or the Intuitive Colorimeter. Journal of Optometry, 9, 205-218.

Beukes, E.W., Vlaescu, G., Manchaiah, V., Baguley, D.M., Allen, P.M. and Andersson, G. (2016) Development and efficacy of an internet-based intervention for tinnitus in the UK. Internet Interventions, 6, 6-15. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2016.08.002.

Engel, S., Wilkins, A.J., Mand, S., Helwig, N.E. and Allen, P.M. (2016) Habitual wearers of coloured glasses adapt more rapidly to the color changes they produce. Vision Research, 125, 41-48.

Mann, D.L., Runswick. O. and Allen, P.M. (2016) Are cricket batsmen being taught to bat back-to-front? Sports Medicine, 46, 1355-1363 DOI 10.1007/s40279-016-0516-y.

Monger, L., Shah, D., Wilkins, A.J. and Allen, P.M. (2016) The effect of viewing distance on responses to the Pattern Glare Test. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 99, 47-50.

Myint, J., Latham, K., Mann, D., Gomersall, P., Wilkins, A.J. and Allen, P.M. (2016) The relationship between visual function and performance in rifle shooting for athletes with visual impairment. BMJ Open Sports & Exercise Medicine 2: e000080 doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2015-000080.

McGonicle, C., van der Linde, I., Pardhan, S., Engel, S., Mallen, E. and Allen, P.M. (2016) Myopes experience greater contrast adaptation during reading. Vision Research, 121, 1-9.

Monger, L.J., Allen, P.M., Evans, B.J.W., Wilkins, A.J. (2016). Pattern Glare. The Optician (23rd September).

Wilkins, A.J., Allen, P.M., Monger, L.J., Gilchrist, J.M. (2016). Visual stress and dyslexia for the practising optometrist. Optometry in Practice, 17, 103-112.