Alberto Domínguez Vicent

As a Senior Lecturer in Optometry (2024), I combine clinical research, teaching, and educational responsibilities within the Optometry Programme. My research mainly focuses on the macro- and micro-structural integrity of the anterior segment using advanced imaging techniques. In addition to coordinating research projects within the Unit of Optometry, I teach and coordinate courses at both the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, as well as supervising and co-supervising PhD students.

I am interested in the precise characterization of the eye’s anatomy and function, bridging the gap between clinical optometry/ophthalmology and advanced ocular imaging. My research interest revolves around the categorization of the anterior and posterior ocular structures at a macro- and micro-structural level to facilitate the diagnosis of ocular and systemic diseases.

• At a macroscopic level, my research focuses on understanding structural changes under several ocular pathologies to develop new metrics that can improve its diagnosis and monitoring. Current research projects include (but do not limit to):
  1. Development of new biomarkers to detect early corneal and scleral tissue changes that may enhance the diagnosis of corneal ectasias.
  2. Assessing the conjunctival microvasculature to develop new biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.
  3. Effect of contact lenses on the anterior segment.
  4. Validation of diagnostic imaging and instrumentation to improve the detection and assessment of ocular pathologies.
  5. Assess changes in the crystalline lens morphology under different visual and accommodative stimuli.

• At a microstructural level, my research aims to characterize ocular tissues at a microscopic level in order to identify early biomarkers of a disease. Current research projects include (but do not limit to):
  1. Assess microscopic changes in the corneal tissue using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.
  2. Application of adaptive optics instrumentation to assess photoreceptor morphology in healthy and pathological eyes.

Some of these projects are carried out in collaboration with several European universities:

• Department of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham.
• Department of Applied Physics at the University of Zaragoza.
• Department of Optics and Optometry, and Vision Sciences at the University of Valencia.
• Department of Optometry and Vision at the Complutense University of Madrid.

Since 2017, I have been coordinating several courses each year within the Optometry Programme at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. I also supervise between 4 and 7 thesis projects every year in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.