Dr Catherine Suttle discusses how to assess research using a critical appraisal tool to help decide on whether the outcomes of any research are significant and to what extent.

Professor Brendan Barrett looks at the various ways literature reviews are undertaken and then explains how he uses the new Cochrane Risk of Bias tool to understand the robustness of published research into the impact of coloured lenses in influencing reading ability.

Dr Doina Gherghel looks at the influence of Alzheimer's disease upon eye health and appropriate management options.

Dr Rebekka Heitmar offers an insight into the developments in retinal vascular assessment that are useful in monitoring vascular diseases via retinal analysis.

Prof Francesca Cordeiro discusses the use of fluorescent dye markers in early detection of glaucoma and the detection of apoptosing retinal cells or DARC technique.

Prof Jenny Read, Principal Investigator on the ASTEROID project and ‘Man, mantis and machine: the computation of 3D vision’, talks virtual reality and 3D displays, and the potential impact of prolonged use of virtual reality displays upon the visual system.

Dr Vivek Nityananda offers a unique insight into how we may better understand human stereo vision through his research into the stereo vision of praying mantises as part of the ‘Man, mantis and machine: the computation of 3D vision’ project.

Dr Kathleen Vancleef discusses the ASTEROID project’s new technology, and how its new methodology promises to make the assessment of younger patients easier.

Prof John Flanagan talks about a potential new treatment for glaucoma and explains the neuroprotective role of lipoxin around ganglion cells and how maintenance of this may offer new options in management of the disease.

In the final unit, unit 8, we summarise the general protocols of referrals that apply regardless of pathway. We consider the importance of record keeping and legal issues around referrals.