Spotlight on Professor Anthony Robson
On the occasion of his Inaugural Lecture on 27 November 2024, we spoke to Anthony Robson, Professor of Visual Electrophysiology.
Tell us a bit about your work
I lead the largest visual electrophysiology department in Europe, underpinning a significant proportion of the clinical care of those with visual loss managed by Moorfields Eye Hospital and providing a platform to support research into human visual function. Symptoms may be non-specific and although fundus examination and imaging techniques can reveal structural abnormalities, these are not always present and do not always correlate with the nature or severity of dysfunction. Electrophysiological testing often plays a pivotal role in diagnosis and is used to characterise and monitor retinal and optic nerve function. Work has also involved standardising or developing methods, most recently involving machine learning.
Why is your research important?
Electrophysiological testing helps to define phenotypic and disease variability and refine diagnostic criteria. It is often essential in understanding visual pathway disease or the underlying genetic defect. The development of new therapies makes accurate and early diagnosis crucial, electrophysiology helps identify potential candidates for treatment and can be used to objectively monitor treatment efficacy and safety in both genetic and acquired disorders of the visual system.
What inspires you in your work?
I am making a positive difference to patients, the work of my team, and my colleagues through discovery and collaboration.
What has been your most memorable career moment so far?
There have been a few, bookended by my first paper given at the John Dalton International Colour Vision conference in 1994, and by a memorable recent call from Professor Andrew Dick to inform me about my successful application! I am especially pleased with a few papers, especially those that have influenced the understanding of disease, treatment or significantly established genotype-phenotype correlations.
What do you like to do outside work?
I am a keen cyclist. I like spending time with the family, and cooking, but do not have much time for hobbies. Being a grandfather is great fun.