NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre

12/02/2026

Unsure if you can trust the research system?

Many people feel unsure, especially if past experiences with healthcare haven’t always felt clear. Today, research is built on transparency, safety and respect. Researchers must follow strict rules on informed consent, ethics, data privacy and participant wellbeing.

Want to take part? Sign up today: https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

12/02/2026

Yesterday we marked International Day of Women and Girls in Science with a lunchtime drop-in at Moorfields Eye Hospital hosted by the NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre and Friends of Moorfields.

Across our partnership between Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, women are leading work spanning genomics, AI-driven imaging and regenerative therapies - while also playing central roles across research delivery, EDI and the operational teams that make this work possible.

It was great to speak with clinicians, researchers, patients and volunteers from across our ophthalmology community. We talked about the impact of networks such as Women in Vision UK, embedding EDI into the way we structure research and how NIHR career development initiatives are strengthening equality within the clinical academic pipeline.

Ophthalmology is one of the few surgical specialties approaching gender equality at trainee level however, progression, visibility and leadership still matter. Supporting people at every stage of their careers through encouraging mentorship and open conversations about inclusion is how we continue to move forward.

Days like this are a reminder that advancing science and advancing equity go hand in hand. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to celebrate the brilliant women contributing to vision research every day 👩‍🔬

11/02/2026

Happy 200th birthday UCL! 🎉

We are proud to celebrate as part of the NIHR Moorfields BRC partnership with UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.

For over 200 years, UCL has championed bold ideas and fair access to education. Today, this spirit continues through world-leading eye and vision research that improves lives globally.

We can't wait to see what the next chapter holds!

11/02/2026

We’re excited to share that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase 1 OSPREY clinical trial evaluating STK-002, an investigational treatment developed by Stoke Therapeutics for Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA).

ADOA is the most common inherited optic nerve disorder that causes progressive and irreversible vision loss. There are currently no approved treatments.

The study is led by Prof Patrick Yu-Wai-Man, with support from NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre. Patrick is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Cambridge and honorary consultant neuro-ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.

If successful, this global study could be an important step towards the first disease-modifying treatment for ADOA.

Trial recruitment is now open at Moorfields Eye Hospital, with additional European sites planned.

👉 Read the full story on our website:

09/02/2026

We were pleased to be joined by Prof Alice Davidson at our latest coffee hour! Alice shared how her research is helping us better understand the genetic causes of inherited corneal conditions and how this knowledge could lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatments in the future.

The session sparked great discussion with attendees asking questions about genetics, laboratory research and how this work could shape future eye care.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to Alice for such an enlightening session👏

Read the full news story: https://moorfieldsbrc.nihr.ac.uk/coffee-hour-with-prof-alice-davidson/

We look forward to welcoming you to our next Coffee Hour on March 26th with Prof Jugnoo Rahi, who will speak about visual health in children and young people using population health science.
Register here: https://moorfieldsbrc.nihr.ac.uk/events/

UCL Institute of Ophthalmology | Moorfields Eye Hospital | | |

05/02/2026

Worried your health data won’t be kept safe?

It’s natural to have concerns about how your information is used. Your health data is protected by strong rules and will help researchers discover new treatments, understand conditions better, and ultimately save lives.

Want to take part? Sign up today: https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

04/02/2026

At NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, we’re dedicated to pioneering discoveries in eye health and vision science to transform the lives of patients facing sight loss.

Hosted by Moorfields Eye Hospital in partnership with UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, we bring together researchers, clinicians and patients to turn laboratory discoveries into better diagnosis, treatment and care for people with eye conditions.
Our vision is to improve lives in the UK and worldwide by preserving sight and driving equity through innovation, particularly for those with the greatest need.

✅ Follow us to stay up to date with our latest research, upcoming events and inspiring people at out BRC:

LinkedIn: NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre
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Bluesky: .bsky.social

03/02/2026

The latest Eye Young Persons Advisory Group (EyeYPAG) blog is now live on the Generation R website, sharing highlights from the eye-conic first meeting of 2026!

The Eye brings together young people aged 8-16 to share their perspectives on eye health research and help shape studies that involve children and young people.

At the January meeting, the group gave thoughtful feedback to researchers from City St George’s, University of London, and King's College London. Their ideas are helping to shape study design, make research materials more accessible, and improve how projects are explained to younger audiences.

Well done to the brilliant EyeYPAG members for continuing to make research more relevant and impactful.

Read the full blog here: https://generationr.org.uk/take-a-peek-at-our-eye-conic-start-to-2026/

Moorfields Eye Hospital | UCL Institute of Ophthalmology | | |

30/01/2026

☕ Don't miss our next Coffee Hour!

Come and meet Prof Alice Davidson to hear about her research into inherited corneal conditions and how genetics research could lead to better care in the future.

This informal session is a chance to learn more about eye research happening at Moorfields and UCL and ask any questions you may have.

When: Wednesday 4th February 2026 | 3-4pm
Where: Coffee Junction, 42 Provost Street, London N1 7SU

Open to patients, families, carers and anyone interested in eye health and research.

Register for free here: https://moorfieldsbrc.nihr.ac.uk/?post_type=event&p=6706

Moorfields Eye Hospital | Moorfields Eye Charity | Friends of Moorfields | UCL Institute of Ophthalmology

29/01/2026

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month! 👁️

This month, we are proud to highlight the work of our BRC Co-Director, Prof Sir Peng Tee Khaw, a globally respected leader in glaucoma surgery and research.

Sir Peng is Professor of Glaucoma and Ocular Healing at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, and Founder Director of NIHR Moorfields BRC, leading translational research that improves outcomes for adults and children with glaucoma.

His work has played a key role in shaping modern glaucoma surgery, including the development of the Moorfields Safer Surgery System. This set of glaucoma surgical techniques and anti-scarring methods have improved the safety and long-term success of sight-saving operations and are now used by surgeons worldwide.

In 2025, Professor Sir Peng received a major honour for his contribution to the field. The Lifetime Achievement Award from the European Paediatric Ophthalmological Society recognised his impact on the care and outcomes of children with glaucoma and other eye conditions.

Sir Peng’s career has been dedicated to advancing understanding, treatment and surgery for glaucoma. From pioneering surgical techniques to championing research from bench to bedside, his work continues to shape practice.

We're proud to recognise Sir Peng's leadership and commitment to improving lives through glaucoma research and care 👏

29/01/2026

Public trust is the foundation of meaningful health research. We’re proud to support INSIGHT in upholding rigorous data protection standards that keep patient information secure.

Marked annually on 28th January, Data Protection Day is a timely opportunity to highlight how INSIGHT at Moorfields safeguards data, while enabling world-leading medical research.