About us
We are
We are the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
Our Biomedical Research Centre is dedicated to vision research. We aim to substantially improve the diagnosis, management and treatment of eye conditions to benefit large numbers of patients in the UK and around the world.
Our purpose
The primary purpose of the centre is to conduct 'translational research' that is designed to take advances in basic medical research from the laboratory to the clinic, enabling patients to benefit more quickly from new scientific breakthroughs.
We are one of 20 national Biomedical Research Centres and we are the only one dedicated to eye disease.
Our aim is to be the development site of choice for rapid-track delivery of new diagnostic methods and therapies in ophthalmology.
Priorities
We continue to prioritise areas where there are unmet patient needs and grow our outstanding track record and expertise at an international level.
We have focused on building a tight yet comprehensive infrastructure and have continued to grow strategic partnerships and collaborations with our partners.
Our work is contributing to new treatment techniques and practices that improve patient health.
We aim to ensure that our research findings are brought through to clinical and surgical practice as quickly as possible, thereby benefiting patients, as well as the NHS, universities and the UK as a whole.
Funding
After two consecutive five-year terms from 2007, we successfully received a new NIHR award in 2017 for another five years to support and further develop our research strategy.
A new £816 million investment in health research has been shared between 20 NHS and university partnerships across England through the NIHR. Each of the 20 BRCs, of which we are one, will host the development of new, ground-breaking treatments, diagnostics, prevention and care for patients in a wide range of diseases.
2016 film about NIHR Moorfields BRC
Working together
The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre is a partnership between Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
The centre is funded by the Department of Health through the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Read Beyond Health: The economic impact of the Moorfields UCL partnership to find out more about the future benefits of the Moorfields UCL partnership.
UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
The UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is one of a number of specialised biomedical research centres within UCL. We conduct cutting-edge science, attracting research workers of the highest international calibre. In recognition of the Institute’s international standing, the most recent HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) Research Evaluation Framework exercise confirmed the outstanding quality of research carried out at the Institute. According to the 2017 Centre for World University Rankings, UCL is the best place in the world to study ophthalmology. To find out more, go to: ucl.ac.uk/ioo
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading provider of eye care services in the UK. We provide a wide range of clinical services, caring for patients in over 30 locations in and around London to provide expert treatment closer to patients’ homes. We also operate commercial divisions that provide care to private patients in both London and the Middle East. With our academic partner, the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, we are recognised as a leading centre of excellence in eye research and education. To find out more, go to: moorfields.nhs.uk