Ahalya Subramanian
City University of London
Research areas: Medicine · Ophthalmology · Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies · Visual perception and processing mechanisms · Retinal Diseases and Treatments
0000-0001-8104-5312
About
Ahalya is a registered optometrist and a Professor of Optometry at City St George's, University of London . She is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Authority and a Fellow of the College of Optometrists. She is also a Trustee for Vision Action and sits on the board for the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR).
Since joining City St George's in 2006 she has held several senior roles including most recently the role of head of department for Optometry from 2016-2019. Ahalya has a specialist interest in visual impairment and runs the visual impairment clinic at City St George's, University of London.
Ahalya studied at the Elite School of Optometry in Chennai India where she gained a first class degree in 1998. She subsequently worked at the Elite School of Optometry as a lecturer dividing her time between clinical work, teaching and doing research. In 2000 she came to the UK to take up a position as a research assistant at the University of Manchester and during this period completed a PhD in visual impairment under the guidance of Professor Christine Dickinson. She moved to Anglia Ruskin University in 2004 and worked as a research fellow investigating reaching in grasping in visually impaired people. In early 2006 she passed the Non-EEA exams at first attempt and registered with the General Optical Council. Later that year she joined City St George's, University of London.
Her main area of work has been on improving the quality of life of visually impaired people and their caregivers with particular emphasis on improving reading ability and the use of technology.
Employment
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City University of London Professor2024 - Present
Education
Education history is unavailable.
Projects & Funding
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Global Low Vision Rehabilitation Services Silmo Academy2024 - 2025
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Investigating the feasibility and acceptability of using a ChatBot to improve adherence to Glaucoma Medication College of Optometrists2021 - Present
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AIVI - A virtual rehabilitation assistant to offer timely and relevant information and advice to individuals with visual impairment Macular Society2020 - 2021
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Caring for carers- increasing research impact through a dissemination event Higher Education Funding Council for England- City grant2020 - Present
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Caring for the carers-what support exists for caregivers of people who are visually Impaired: An exploratory study. Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust2019 - 2020
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Building Vision; enhancing research capacity in India for eye health Global Challenges Research Fund- City allocation2019 - Present
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Can smartphones and tables improve quality of life for individuals who are visually impaired? Fight for Sight UK2017 - 2020
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The impact of COVID-19 on visually impaired children and their families in India Institutional GCRF
Publications (53)
- Authors’ response: The role of family members in supporting glaucoma medication adherence Save
- Peer Review Report For: Barriers and Enablers to Medication Adherence & Compliance in Glaucoma – A Scoping Review Protocol [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations] Save
- Apps for people with vision impairment: an international review of practitioner suggestions and app availability Save
- Exploring Parental Views of Remote Vision Testing in Children Save
- An international survey of low vision rehabilitation services Save
- Factors influencing glaucoma medication adherence: A qualitative study in the United Kingdom using the Theoretical Domains Framework Save
- Barriers and Enablers to Seeking Eye Care Among the Adult Indian Population: A Systematic Review Save
- Validation of clinical tools to measure grating acuity and contrast sensitivity in children with cerebral visual impairment Save
- Factors influencing glaucoma medication adherence: A qualitative study of patients and ophthalmologists in India. Save
- Editorial: Neuro-behavioral insights on low vision and beyond. Save
- Uptake of eye care services in South India: Retrospective mapping of self‐reported barriers using the Theoretical Domains Framework Save
- Service providers views on changes in low vision service provision during and after the COVID-19 pandemic Save
- Age-related normal limits for visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in different lighting conditions Save
- Young adults with vision impairment in India: Loneliness and social networks Save
- How do research participants with age-related vision loss talk about their experiences? A secondary discourse analysis of published qualitative extracts Save
- Social media use and vision impairment in adults between the ages of 18 and 35 years in India Save
- Barriers and enablers to medication adherence in glaucoma: A systematic review of modifiable factors using the Theoretical Domains Framework Save
- “If I don’t like it, I’ll just pop the phone down!”: Reflecting on participant and researcher experiences of telephone interviews conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic Save
- Parent-Reported Visual Concerns in Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment Presenting to a Pediatric Neurology Clinic. Save
- What do individuals with visual impairment need and want from a dialogue-based digital assistant? Save