Research in the Clinical Vision Science Program

Research is an essential tool in the processes of

• Evaluating the effectiveness of current treatment regimens
• Developing new treatment regimens
• Generating new knowledge on both normal and pathological functioning of the vision system

The Clinical Vision Science program recognizes the importance of research to the profession and includes training in research methods for all students (VISC 5031.03). Clinical Vision Science students who opt to pursue the M.Sc. program stream will have the benefit of interactions with, and training from, the experienced faculty of the program, many of whom they will see on a daily basis (see Faculty).

The Program is also strongly in favour of the interdisciplinary model of modern research and is very cognizant of the important, central role vision plays in linking several areas of research endeavor - from basic science to clinical investigation, from cell biology, genetics, amblyopia, ocular motility, and electrophysiology to behaviour and psychology - with many possibilities in between. This is readily evident in the varied backgrounds of the program faculty, but the program is also continually seeking out collaborations with investigators from a broad range of fields and institutions. Some colleagues involved in the supervision of M.Sc. thesis students (past and present) include:

Dr. Ahmed Alsaleh, King Saud University Riyadh, Department of Ophthalmology

Dr. Arif Khan, King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital Riyadh, Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology 

Drs. Paul Artes, Lesya Shuba & Alejandra Valenzuela, Dalhousie University Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Dr. William Baldridge, Dalhousie University Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology and Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Dr. Linda Dagi, Children's Hospital Boston, Department of Ophthalmology

Drs. Kevin Duffy, Patricia McMullen & Donald Mitchell, Dalhousie University Department of Psychology

Dr. Charles Maxner, Dalhousie University Department of Neurology

Dr. David Westwood, Dalhousie University School of Health and Human Performance

Pediatric Vision Science Research Group (PVSRG)

Research in the Clinical Vision Science Program overlaps partially with research efforts in the IWK Health Centre Eye Care Team and the IWK Health Centre Division of Ophthalmology (a division of the Department of Surgery). These three entities are all located at the IWK Health Centre Eye Clinic and their research programs have been united in the recently created IWK Health Centre Pediatric Vision Science Research Group (PVSRG).  It is the goal of the PVSRG to more closely integrate research by the three groups so that everyone can gain through shared resources and expertise. Participation of the CVS program in the PVSRG extends the resources and access to expertise of CVS students, including potential supervisors.  

PVSRG Facilities

In 2007 a new research lab space at the IWK Health Centre was commissioned. The PVSRG Lab is located only two floors from the Eye Clinic and enhances the Clinical Vision Science research program by providing dedicated work space and an area for research participant assessment and testing.

The PVSRG also employs a Research Associate, Mr. Steve Van Iderstine, who is available as a resource on topics such as: research ethics and Research Ethics Board applications and communications, participant recruitment and consenting, funding opportunities, and publication support.

PVSRG website
www.pvsrg.org 

Sample Projects

The following is a sample of research projects currently underway. Both those involving and not involving CVS students have been listed to give an idea of the range of investigations ongoing. (CVS MSc students are listed in italics.)