https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/our-people/staff-z/dorothy-thompson/
Dorothy Thompson
Dorothy Thompson is a Consultant Clinical Scientist at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Director of the Tony Kriss Visual Electrophysiology Unit.
Specialisms
Visual electrophysiology for children, retina and visual pathway function
Qualifications
Dorothy completed a PhD in Pattern Electroretinography; studying the origin of electrical signals in the retina. She went on to explore how the brain uses specialised areas for vision with post-doctoral Leverhulme and Wellcome Research Fellowships.
Dorothy then joined the clinical science team in the ophthalmology department of GOSH and has worked here clinically for 25+ years, now leading the visual electrophysiology team.
Dorothy is a board member and the Director of Education for the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision, ISCEV, which sets international standards of practice for clinical electrophysiology. She is also Chair of the UK Professional Body for visual electrophysiology, BriSCEV In this role Dorothy works closely with other UK bodies including the RCOphth, NSHCS, HEE, to develop, support and deliver training in Ophthalmic and Vision Sciences, though the NHS Scientist Training Programmes (STP), Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) and apprenticeships.
Research Interests
Our department research aims to understand better the mechanisms of sight loss in different conditions so that we can contribute to treatments designed to ameliorate or rescue visual function. We collaborate widely, as our publications show, with colleagues across the speciality services of GOSH and GOSICH UCL, and with other UK and international centres.
The visual electrophysiology team are dedicated to adapting clinical visual electrophysiology, imaging and eye-movement tests so that alert children of all ages and abilities can tolerate them. These child friendly tests provide objective, functional biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring. We also provide ‘ISCEV adult standard visual electrophysiology’ passports for children who transition into adult care pathways.
The visual electrophysiology unit at GOSH is a vibrant learning and research hub. The team of vision scientists come from diverse backgrounds. Some are working towards their Masters through apprenticeships or NSHCS STP programmes and others doctorates through HSST and NIHR fellowships. This diversity brings fresh ideas and different views to our clinical research, as do our international and national observers.