James Loughman

James Loughman is a Professor of Optometry and Vision Science at Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and Director of the Centre for Eye Research Ireland (CERI). He holds additional key roles including Honorary Research Fellow at the African Vision Research Institute (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Director of Optometry Giving Sight Ireland, and member of the World Council of Optometry's Standing Committee for Public Health.

His educational background includes:

• Graduated as Optometrist from DIT with first class honours (June 1997)
• PhD in "Clinical viability study of preattentive visual search in glaucoma" (August 2006)

Loughman's research pioneers preventive interventions for leading causes of blindness, with major focus on myopia control through the MOSAIC trial (first European study on low-dose atropine in children) and glaucoma management via the ENIGMA trial investigating macular carotenoids. His work spans macular pigment research, visual attention mechanisms, and epidemiological studies in both developed and resource-limited settings, particularly across 11 African nations through international development projects.

His significant contributions have been recognized through:

• Fellowship of the Association of Optometrists Ireland (1997)
• Allergan Ocular Pharmacology Award (1997)
• Harte Barry Award (1997)
• DIT Hothouse Research Commercialisation Award (2008)
• Honorary Professorship by DIT (2013)

As Principal Investigator for major clinical trials (MOSAIC and ENIGMA) and Africa-based initiatives like the Mozambique Eyecare Project, Loughman has secured over €8.6 million in research funding since 2007. His leadership extends to capacity building in eye health systems across developing nations through partnerships with Brien Holden Vision Institute and Orbis.

He founded and directs CERI at DIT, which develops cutting-edge blindness prevention solutions, and actively collaborates with Trinity College Dublin's TILDA Vision Research Group and international health organizations.