The University of Sheffield
Department of Oncology

Alison Y Firth [MSc, DBO(T)]

Photo of Alison Firth

Senior lecturer in Orthoptics

Academic Unit of Ophthalmology and Orthoptics,
Department of Oncology,
The Medical School,
Beech Hill Road,
Sheffield,
S10 2RX,
UK.

Office: K123a

Tel: +44 (0) 114 271 2064
Fax: +44 (0) 114 271 3314

Email: a.firth@sheffield.ac.uk

Biography

I have been a lecturer at the University of Sheffield since 1993, becoming a senior lecturer in October 2005. Prior to this I taught at the Welsh School of Orthoptics, Cardiff (1981-1993) and worked as a Clinical Orthoptist, in Abu Dhabi (1979-1981) and the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle on Tyne (1977-1979).


I am a member of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society and am registered with the Health Professions Council.

Research Interests

My main research interests are convergence accommodation and vergence adaptation.

Teaching Interests

I teach all years of the undergraduate BMedSci(Orthoptics) programme and on the residential weekends of the distance learning MMedSci(Vision and Strabismus) course. I also supervise research projects and assess on both of these programmes.

Professional Activities

I am a regular reviewer for journals in the field of Ophthalmology and Orthoptics and edited the British Orthoptic Journal from 1997 to 2003. Other former involvement with the British and Irish Orthoptic society includes the roles of treasurer and member of professional development committee and I am currently a research mentor.

Current Projects

Key Publications

  1. Gratton LC, Firth AY. Stimulus and Response AC/A ratios in an Orthoptic Student Population. Br Ir Orthopt J 2010; (in press).
  2. Hirani KJ, Firth AY. Convergence accommodation to convergence (CA/C) ratio: stability with different levels of convergence demand. Br Ir Orthopt J 2009; 6: 60-64.
  3. Hunn R, Firth AY. The effect of testing distance on the Bielschowsky Head Tilt Test. Binocular Vision & Strabismus Quarterly 2009; 24:33-38.