Researcher Home Page : Mr John Dart

Current research undertaken by my team is in three areas: ocular infections in which there is one group carrying out studies on epidemiological and clinical research into keratitis and another group undertaking laboratory based studies into biomaterial related infections including both contact lens related infections and intra-ocular lens related. The second area is into inflammatory diseases of the anterior segment; Laboratory based clinical research on ocular cicatricial pemphigoid linked to clinical research on this disease was a major focus in 1997 in collaboration with Professor Lightman. Currently clinical studies of immunosupressive regimens are continuing but the direction of laboratory based research has altered towards studies on the role of metalloproteases in corneal extracellular matrix degradation in ulcerative disease with Gerd Geerling in collaboration with Professor Khaw's wound healing group. Clinical studies on the management of ocular surface diseases have run throughout this period and are closely related to the clinical workload. These studies have included the role of submandibular gland transplantation for patients with severe dry eye with Gerd Geerling in collaboration with Mr Richard Collin (Adnexal Service) and Peng Khaws wound healing group for cell culture studies. Studies on the role of serum drops with Alex Poon, Gerd Geerling and Andrew Ramsay and amniotic membrane transplantation with Ewan Craig, Alex Poon and Andrew Ramsay.

A randomised controlled trial of cataract surgical techniques has been completed and the first publication submitted. Other publications are being prepared by the study group at Moorfields and the Oxford Eye Hospital.