The research groups at The Department of Ophthalmology are involved in following projects:

METABOLIC PROCESSES IN THE EYE

Our research is focussed on metabolic mechanism in the anterior segment of the eye occurring as a result of diseases, ageing, environmental and nutritional influence. High resolution NMR spectroscopy has been successfully applied to study metabolic profiles of cornea aqueous humour and lens. Intact tissue samples from cornea and lens were examined with MAS NMR spectroscopy. Application of new quantitative methods, and focus on clinical applications of NMR spectroscopy is part of this project.

Head of research: Professor Anna Midelfart, MD, MSc, PhD

REFRACTIVE ERRORS IN THE EYE

This project focuses on the aetiology, epidemiology, biometry, correction and clinical impact of refractive errors in the eye with the main focus on myopia.

New laboratory with modern equipment including PENTACAM will be operative in new hospital facilities from May 2006. Refractive data collected in the epidemiological study HUNT II in two population groups in Nord Trøndelag is currently analysed with focus on age and gender differences. A new study of refractive errors among children in Nord-Trøndelag county (HUNT III) is planned to start in 2008. Medical student Erlend Haugen Lundemo takes part in this project in a study of ocular biometry in population groups with different ethnicity

CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGICAL STUDIES

This research area includes clinical studies focusing mainly on neuroophthalmology. At present time, visual field defects of patients with epilepsy treated previously with vigabatrin are evaluated by medical student Gunhild Heide Mørch-Johnsen as part of her student thesis.