• Professor Shehzad Naroo has won the 2024 Neil Charman Medal for Research
• It is awarded to optometrists who have contributed outstanding or original research in optometry, optics or vision science
• Professor Naroo and his team have shown changes in how the brain responds to different contact lenses for presbyopia.

Professor Shehzad Naroo from Aston University’s School of Optometry has been awarded the Neil Charman Medal for Research from the College of Optometrists.

Professor Naroo was presented with his award at the prestigious annual Diploma and Awards Ceremony held at Central Westminster Hall, London on 12 November 2024.

The College of Optometrists is the professional body for optometry, developing optometrists’ knowledge and skills, defining good optometric practice, supporting optical research and innovation, and educating and advising the public on eye health.

The Neil Charman Medal for Research is one of five Research Excellence Awards presented by the College annually and is awarded to optometrists who have contributed outstanding or original research published within the last three years, in optometry, optics or vision science.

Professor Naroo was recognised for his work into the response of brains of first-time wearers of contact lenses for presbyopia, which is the loss of near vision that naturally happens as a result of ageing. Together with Dr Fabrizio Zeri and other colleagues at Tre University in Rome, Italy, Professor Naroo looked at the effects of both monovision and multifocal contact lenses using a technique called electrophysiology. For the first time, he and the team showed that the brain activity, or cortical response, changed depending on the type of lenses worn, which shows how the brain is able to adapt to the various types of optics that are used in contact lenses for presbyopia. The team believes this may in future lead to an optimum design based on neural activity.

At Aston University, Professor Naroo teaches in the area of the anterior eye. His research interests include contact lenses, dry eye, corneal biomechanics, laser refractive surgery, cataract and lens surgery, intraocular lenses, sports vision and business aspects of eye care. He has authored and co-authored more than 200 publications.

Professor Naroo said:

“It is a great honour to receive this award related to the research looking at cortical responses to wearing contact lenses for presbyopia in first-time wearers and I am happy to receive the award on behalf of the team. Personally, I am very grateful to the College for this award, especially as it bears the name of my former mentor and PhD supervisor Professor Neil Charman.”

Dr Gillian Rudduck, president of the College of Optometrists, said:

“I would l like to congratulate all this year’s awardees. Without optometrists choosing to enter research and development, the knowledge and evidence base that underpins the discipline could not expand and strengthen.

“Advances in eye health care are increasingly important, as we face the challenges of an ageing population, the need for new optical materials that do not impact on our environment or climate, and the growing need to support our colleagues across the eye care pathways.

“Today’s awardees are among the most dedicated and talented individuals the profession has to offer, and they should all be immensely proud of what they have achieved.”