The NI Clinical Research Network (NICRN) undertakes research on a variety of Eye and Vision related topics. The Vision Group, through NICRN, is part of a UK-wide initiative to provide opportunities for patients and clinicians to participate in high-quality clinical research.
The NI Clinical Research Network aims to:
- Promote Vision research within Northern Ireland;
- Attract observational and interventional vision related clinical trials to Northern Ireland;
- Expand our clinical trial activity, through links with both of the province’s universities, across Northern Ireland to the highest standards of quality and safety;
- Provide infrastructure and support to facilitate the start-up of new trials on a range of vision related topics;
- Improve access for patients with vision related problems to new cutting-edge treatments.
Areas of current study include the following:
- The treatment and detection of Diabetic Eye Disease, Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Vascular Diseases;
- The impact of novel treatments and home monitoring in Glaucoma;
- The optical management of refractive error and sight loss;
- Intraocular magnifiers for macular disease
- The detection and management of Dry Eye;
- Genetics in eye disease and ocular toxicity of systemic drug therapy.
Dr Stephen Stewart MBBS MA PgDipCRS CertLRS PhD FRCOphth
– BHSCT
Vision Clinical Lead
Dr Stephen Stewart is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Clinical Lead for Vision within the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN). His clinical and research interests centre on cataract and refractive surgery.
Stephen graduated from the University of Cambridge and University College London Medical Schools with distinction. During his time at UCL, he was awarded the Allen Goldsmith Prize in Ophthalmology and the TC Yu Bequest Award, which supported a medical elective in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Auckland.
He completed ophthalmology specialty training in the Northern Ireland Deanery and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in 2019. He subsequently undertook specialist fellowship training in cataract and refractive surgery in Belfast with Professor Johnny Moore, followed by a fellowship in cataract, implant and complex anterior segment surgery under Dr Tun Kuan Yeo at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Stephen has a particular academic interest in improving the accuracy and refractive outcomes of cataract and surgery. He has published his work in peer-reviewed ophthalmic journals and presented widely at national and international scientific meetings. In 2026, he was awarded a PhD by Queen’s University Belfast for his thesis, “Improving the prediction accuracy of toric intraocular lens power calculations.”
Alongside his research activity, Stephen maintains a busy NHS surgical practice within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, with a subspecialty interest in complex cataract and anterior segment surgery. He has also worked internationally with the Khmer Sight Foundation in Cambodia, providing cataract surgery in a resource-limited setting.
As Clinical Lead for NICRN Vision, Stephen is committed to supporting and expanding high-quality ophthalmic research in Northern Ireland and to strengthening the integration of clinical research with everyday patient care.
Contact email: Stephen.Stewart@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Professor Julie Silvestri CBE – BHSCT/QUB
Vision Clinical Lead
Professor Julie Silvestri is Clinical Director for Ophthalmic Services at the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, Honorary Professor at the Centre Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast and Co-Lead for the NI Clinical Research Network.
In her capacity as Clinical Director and Clinical Lead for Northern Ireland Eye Network (NIEN) Prof Silvestri has led on the changes to the NI Cataract Pathway and on the establishment of surgical Day Procedure Centres for Ophthalmology. Prof Silvestri also works closely with the Clinical leads in her service to drive forward innovations to maximise services for patients in other subspecialties and has created the opportunity to develop well-equipped Ophthalmic Outpatient Centres to facilitate 1- stop clinic attendances for common conditions.
Prof Silvestri’s programme of research focuses on genetic predisposition and causative genetic variants in ophthalmic diseases with emphasis on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and inherited retinal disorders. Prof Silvestri has successfully led a research team with a cumulative grant income of circa 2 million, has published over 80 peer-reviewed publication and successfully supervised students to both MD and PhD level.
Prof Silvestri has extensive undergraduate and postgraduate clinical teaching experience, has held many administrative positions at both QUB and the Belfast Trust. Miss Silvestri has served as an Examiner for both the Royal Colleges of Ophthalmology, London and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and has held a number of positions on Grant Review Committees. Prof Silvestri has been internationally recognised for her clinical expertise in retinal disease and intraocular magnifying devices for AMD.
Contact email: Julie.Silvestri@belfasttrust.hscni.net