Ophthalmology

The overall research aim in paediatric ophthalmology is to provide new knowledge about how visual and ocular function develop over time in preterm children and in children who have undergone surgery for craniosynostosis, and to design optimal ophthalmic follow-up for these children. In paediatric ophthalmology, research is also conducted at national level through the Swedish quality registry for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (SWEDROP). The research concerns the prevalence of ROP and its treatment, as well as follow-up up to preschool age. Furthermore, the group investigates how methods such as OCT and ERG can facilitate the evaluation of disorders of the visual pathways and retinal diseases in children.

Research on visual and ocular function in children who have had idiopathic intracranial hypertension and brain tumours is carried out in collaboration with paediatricians.

Glaucoma research aims to diagnose the disease at an early stage and to detect progression. The group has several ongoing projects. Using OCT, a new deep learning-based algorithm has been developed. The method is being applied in healthy individuals to build normative data. The algorithm is also being compared with established methods used to make a diagnosis and to assess disease progression. The aim is to analyse whether the method is superior and more precise for diagnosing glaucoma, as well as for follow-up and assessment of progression. Parts of the projects are conducted in collaboration with the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

In addition, a study on so-called normal-tension glaucoma is ongoing in collaboration with ophthalmologists in Switzerland.

In oculoplastic surgery, studies are underway on how to measure intraorbital pressure using the least invasive procedures possible in patients with severe burns involving the face and eyes. A further study is investigating different surgical techniques in eyelid surgery.

A study is underway on learning progression in cataract surgery using a virtual simulator. The aim is to evaluate whether a cataract surgery simulator can help improve training in cataract surgery, and to assess whether the method can enhance surgical competence and reduce complications during real-life operations.