IoO PhD student awarded funding via the UCL Train and Engage scheme

Train and Engage is a training and funding program for postgraduate research students who are looking to connect their work with public groups. 

 Dr Siegfried Wagner's project, 'Windows of the Soul', will unite members of the public, patients, and scientists at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and doctors at Moorfields Eye Hospital to communicate the effect of general health conditions on their eyes using the medium of art. 

Dr Wagner said:

The overarching aim of this project is to use the medium of art to improve public awareness of how eyes are affected by diseases of the body, and thus to promote public attendance at eye screening checks. Community optometrists provide surveillance of specific eyes diseases, such as glaucoma and cataract. However, it is less known that systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and dementia also have manifestations within the eye. Moreover, these changes are predictive of subsequent events, such as heart attack and stroke, bolstering the global motivation for preventative medicine. My hope is that the exhibition will give a voice to patients, many visually impaired or suffering from general health issues, by allowing them to convey their experience and empower the public with a greater understanding of the unfamiliar benefits of regular eye checks. 

Links 

• See all 2020 Train and Engage funded project on the UCL Culture page