My research focuses on evidence-based eye care, eye care quality and health education. This research used both qualitative and quantitative methods to measure quality of eye care delivery, understanding of, attitude towards, and competence in evidence-based practice. Our multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional group has developed and adapted resources to support the use of evidence-based practice by optometry students and practitioners in Australia and New Zealand and across the world (www.eboptometry.com).
A parallel research focus has been on understanding the ocular surface in the healthy and diseased eye. This research uses a mix of the latest clinical and laboratory based techniques to investigate links between diet and the ocular surface. We have applied these techniques to characterise the ocular surface during contact lens wear, in dry eye disease including meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular allergy.