Professor Nicola Logan
BSc, PhD, FCOptom, MEd, SFHEA
Associate Dean for Research & Enterprise
School of Optometry, Aston University
Birmingham, UK
Dr. Nicola Logan will be broadcasting to us live via MS Teams on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 @ 4:30pm for a one-hour seminar. Please email Angela Hare to register and receive a link for the lecture.
Abstract
Myopia, or short‑sightedness, is a highly prevalent refractive error that has increased markedly in prevalence and severity over recent decades, particularly within paediatric populations. In the United Kingdom, the prevalence of myopia has approximately doubled over the past 50 years, while in several East Asian countries more than 70% of adolescents are now affected. Myopia is not a benign refractive condition; increasing axial elongation is associated with a heightened risk of sight‑threatening ocular pathologies, including retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma. Consequently, myopia is listed among the top ten most common causes of registered sight impairment in the UK.
The rapid rise in global myopia prevalence has intensified concerns regarding its long‑term implications for individual visual health and the broader economic burden on public health systems. This presentation summarizes our research on the mechanisms underlying myopia development, evaluates our work on expanding evidence base for interventions aimed at modulating axial eye growth in children, and discusses the translation of these findings into contemporary clinical practice while highlighting our current knowledge gaps.
Biography
Dr. Nicola Logan is a Professor of Optometry and Associate Dean for Research and Enterprise, School of Optometry, Aston University, Birmingham, UK. Logan’s research interests are the epidemiology of refractive error, mechanisms underlying the development of myopia and myopia control. Her current research projects include clinical trials in myopia control and risk factors for progression of myopia in children. Nicola leads an active myopia clinic at Aston University, and she collaborates with other researchers as part of the Myopia Consortium UK and internationally as a taskforce chair for The International Myopia Institute. Logan has been the recipient of awards for excellence in research and paediatric optometry research, and she has been awarded a Life Fellowship from The College of Optometrists, UK.