Professor Shahina Pardhan OBE

Prof Pardhan was appointed as the first female Professor of Optometry in the UK in 2001. She was the founding director of Vision and Eye Research Institute (VERI) and under her leadership the Institute has received world class status.

Background

Shahina graduated with a First-Class Honours and awarded the Best Student Prize from the University of Bradford. She was supported by a PhD scholarship from the College of Optometrists and the Vice Chancellors Committee of the UK to support promising international students for her thesis, ‘Summation and inhibition in binocular contrast detection’.

Under Professor Pardhan’s strategic leadership, supporting a multinational and multidisciplinary team of researchers in clinical and public health research, ARU's Vision and Eye Research Institute (VERI) has received "world-leading" status through its publications and impact.

VERI's work has benefitted patients and policy makers in Global Burden of Eye Diseases and also diabetic retinopathy in those most at need. VERI has attracted collaborations from the World Health Organisation, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and many other countries across the world all committed to reduce the risk and impact of blindness.

Professor Pardhan was named in the King’s New Year Honours list 2025 for services to optometry and preventing blindness, receiving the title of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). She is a recipient of the Ibn Sinha Award for Excellence in Health; Life Fellowship of the College of Optometrists; silver medal from the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers; First Ismaili Award for Excellence - Postgraduate category; Asian Women of Achievement Award - Professions category; Asian Jewel Award - Health Care and Education category; Vice Chancellor’s award for Outstanding Scholar; Dean’s Award for Research; and Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Research Impact. She has received the award of Honorary Doctor of Health from her alma mater, the University of Bradford.

Prof Pardhan has published 257 research papers on diabetic retinopathy, low vision, dual sensory loss, auditory cues in vision impairment, ageing and visual short-term memory and COVID-19, having won over £7 million worth of grants from the EU (Horizon 2020, Marie Curie), NIHR, NHS, College of Optometrists, Global Challenge Research Fund, Newton Fund, and various national and international charities, including Lions Club International and Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), NHS and ICB.

Prof Pardhan has developed research projects and published with University of Cambridge, as well as collaborative partners in India, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mexico, Iran, Spain, the Netherlands, and Bangladesh. The other countries where she has established research collaborations include Pakistan, Trinidad and Nigeria. She is also a Global Burden of Disease collaborator.

Prof Pardhan led the REF2014 submission for Vision on behalf of VERI, receiving "world-leading", "internationally excellent", and "internationally recognised" scores. She led the submission on Vision for REF2021, which also scored highly.

Her research has benefitted over 163,000 people in the UK and overseas. and was submitted as one of the two impact case studies in REF2014 (receiving 100% world leading and internationally excellent scores) and one of five impact case studies in REF2021.

She is passionate about reducing health inequality, and has worked with stakeholders including NHS and policy makers within communities in the UK and Asia to produce culturally appropriate awareness programs in 15 different languages which have reduced the risk of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy. She has also brought care closer to home by developing diagnostic hubs, which have reduced the waiting lists of over 40,000 patients in Cambridge and Mid and South Essex.

Prof Pardhan is regularly invited to disseminate her research to newspapers and TV. She has been interviewed by the BBC, ITV, Euronews and various local radio stations. Her research has made a significant contribution to increasing the knowledge base in vision and eye, including diabetic retinopathy, in South Asians and other optometry research.

Prof Pardhan sits on the Editorial Board for Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, and regularly reviews for journals, national and international grants, and reader and professorial appointments both for UK and international universities including Hong Kong Polytechnic University and University of Malaysia.

She has supervised 25 Research Fellows and 17 PhD students to completion and has been an examiner for 13 PhD students. She serves on two working groups (Diabetic Retinopathy and Low Vision) for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

Prof Pardhan is an active member of the Women in Vision UK network, having given invited talks on 'Women in Leadership' in the UK and USA, and invited editorials on 'Breaking the glass ceiling in academia', 'Vision scientists breaking the glass ceiling' and a podcast, 'Blazing the trail for women in vision science', leading to her being included on The Ophthalmologist Power List 2019 as a Champion of Change, one of ten people in 2019 to be recognised as such for her work in improving equity for women in academia. Prof Pardhan has given talks at conferences in Nepal, India, USA, China, Hong Kong, UK, Pakistan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Tanzania, Canada, Singapore, Australia and Germany.

Prof Pardhan was appointed to be on the Assessment Panel for REF2021 for Allied Health, providing her expertise on research outputs submitted by all higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UK. She is a member of our Safe and Inclusive Communities research theme.

Spoken Languages

English
Hindi
Swahili

Research interests

Diabetic retinopathy
Low vision
Ageing
Visual short-term memory
Anterior eye

Areas of research supervision

Supervision of higher degrees

R. Sapkota, (PhD) 2007-2010: ‘Visual Short term memory’. Completed successfully.
R. Dharani, (PhD) 2006-2013, part- time: 'Genetic and optical influences on myopic progression'. Completed successfully.
H. Shorrock, (PhD) 2009-2013: ‘The effect of influencing accommodative factors in myopia’. Completed successfully.
K. Notice, (PhD) 2009-2014: ‘Saccadic eye movements and visual short term memory. Completed successfully.
L. Sanchez-Parra, (PhD) 2009-2014: Influence of Biometric Parameters and the Effects of Laser Peripheral Iridotomy and Argon Iridoplasty on Angle Closure in Caucasian Subjects’. Completed successfully.
S. Visvanathan, (PhD) 2010-2017: ‘Factors that cause night myopia’. Completed successfully.
A. Barbarian, (PhD) 2013-2020: ‘How is quality of life affected in patients with retinitis pigmentosa?’. Completed successfully.
L. Farouk (PhD) 2016-2023: 'The effect of environmental stress on diabetic cornea'. Completed successfully.
M. Vaughan (PhD) 2018-2023: 'New optometric tests for the early detection of ocular conditions'. Completed successfully.
E. Altobelli (PhD) 2018-2023: 'An investigation into the perceived positions of static and moving sounds in anechoic and reverberant rooms in normally sighted and visually impaired individuals'. Completed successfully.
M. McAtarsney-Kovacs (PhD) 2021-ongoing: ‘Visual short-term memory as a screening tool to detect early cognitive decline’.

Postdoctoral supervision

Dr H. Radhakhrishnan (2004-2005)
Dr A. Subramanian (2004-2005)
Dr S. Rae (2007-2008)
Dr M. Timmis (2010-2012)
Dr A. Kolarik (2010-2020)
Dr R. Sapkota (2010-ongoing)
Dr A. Schrafe (2011-2016)
Dr D. Tabrett (2011-2013)
Dr H. Price (2012-2013)
Dr Z. Jessa (2012-2013)
Dr M. Crossland (2013-2014)
Dr G. Nakafero (2016-2017)
Dr J. Allsop (2016-2018)
Dr N. Garcia-Porta (2017-2019)
Dr T. Zult (2017-2019)
Dr C. Otero (2018-2019)
Dr G. López-Sánchez (2020-2022)
Dr M. Trott (2020-2022)
Dr M. Hines (2022-2023)
Dr J. Jolly (2022-2024)
Dr E. Charlesworth (2023-2025)
Dr T. Sehmbi (2023-ongoing)
Dr C. Strongman (2024–ongoing)
Dr Hena Haque (2025-ongoing)
M. McAtarsney-Kovacs (2025-ongoing)
N. Mukhamejanov (2025-ongoing)
R. Hawkins (2025-ongoing)
Dr H. D. Onumajuru (2025-ongoing)

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Optometry, First-Class Honours, University of Bradford
Awarded Yorkshire Optical Best Student Prize
Registered Optometrist, General Optical Council
PhD, recipient of a scholarship from the College of Optometrists and further scholarship from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of the United Kingdom as a foreign student of outstanding merit
Awarded a PhD on ‘Summation and inhibition in binocular contrast detection’, University of Bradford

Memberships, editorial boards

General Optical Council
College of Optometrists
Association of Optometrists
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics
Journal of Personalised Medicine

Selected recent publications

Please see VERI publications for full list.

Peer reviewed research publications

Chipeta, C., Zhang, J., Davidson, M., Sallam, A. B., … Pardhan, S. and Chandra, A. (2025) 'Risk factors of late intraocular Lens displacement: A multi-national study', European Journal of Ophthalmology, 11206721251358006. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/11206721251358006

GBD 2021 Global AMD Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Global burden of vision impairment due to age-related macular degeneration, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet Glob Health, 13(7), e1175-e1190. PMID: 40580986; PMCID: PMC12208786. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00143-3

GBD 2023 Vaccine Coverage Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Global, regional, and national trends in routine childhood vaccination coverage from 1980 to 2023 with forecasts to 2030: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023', Lancet, 24, S0140-6736(25)01037-2. PMID: 40578370. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01037-2

Rahmati, M., Smith, L., Piyasena, M. P., Bowen, M., Boyer, L., Fond, G., Kazemi, A., Yon, D. K., Lee, H., Sehmbi, T., Ahluwalia, S. and Pardhan, S. (2025) 'Artificial Intelligence improves follow-up appointment uptake for diabetic retinal assessment: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Eye . Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-025-03849-4

Sapkota, R., Knight-Davidson, P., Roberts, J. and Pardhan, S. (2025) 'Factors influencing health-seeking behaviours and self-care practices among black-African Caribbean people living with type 2 diabetes: a community-focused qualitative study from Southwestern England', BMJ Open, 15, e099553. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099553

GBD 2019 Acute and Chronic Care Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Characterising acute and chronic care needs: insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019', Nature Communications, 16(1), 4235. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56910-x

Sehmbi, T., Cao, R., Sapkota, R. and Pardhan, S. (2025) 'Knowledge and awareness of healthcare systems and the uptake of diabetic services among Chinese people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the UK. Ethnicity & Health. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2025.2496188

Lee, S., Son, Y., Hwang, J., Kim, M. S., GBD 2021 Dietary Iron Deficiency Collaborators, Il Shin, J., Yon, D. K. and Kassebaum, N. J. (2025) 'Global, regional and national burden of dietary iron deficiency from 1990 to 2021: a Global Burden of Disease study', Nature Medicine. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03624-8

GBD 2021 Asthma and Allergic Diseases Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Global, regional, and national burden of asthma and atopic dermatitis, 1990-2021, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet Respiratory Medicine, S2213-2600(25)00003-7. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(25)00003-7

GBD 2021 Europe Life Expectancy Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Changing life expectancy in European countries 1990–2021: a subanalysis of causes and risk factors from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet Public Health, 10(3), e172-e188, ISSN 2468-2667. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00009-X

GBD 2021 HAP Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Global, regional, and national burden of household air pollution, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet, S0140-6736(24)02840-X. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02840-X

Beresford-Webb, J. A., Charlesworth, E., Pardhan, S., Wang, V., Vaughan, M., Igbineweka, M. and Zaman, S. H. (2025) 'The Ocular Manifestations of Individuals With Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', Journal of Ophthalmology, 2317959. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1155/joph/2317959

Trott, M., Koblitz, A. and Pardhan, S. (2025) 'Cognitive behavioural therapy versus other interventions on mental health in people with sensory impairments: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Psychosomatic Research. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111998

Pardhan, S., Sehmbi, T., Wijewickrama, R., Onumajuru, H. and Piyasena, M. P. (2025) 'Barriers and facilitators for engaging underrepresented ethnic minority populations in healthcare research: an umbrella review', Int J Equity Health, 24, 70. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02431-4

GBD 2021 Adult BMI Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Global, regional, and national prevalence of adult overweight and obesity, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet, S0140-6736(25)00355-1. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00355-1

GBD 2021 Adolescent BMI Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Global, regional, and national prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet, S0140-6736(25)00397-6. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00397-6

Al Imran, M., Islam, M. S., Hossain, M. S., Pardhan, S., Bari, N. and Zeba, Z. (2025) 'Knowledge and practice among caregivers having children with autism in Bangladesh: findings from a cross-sectional study', BMC Research Notes, 18(1), 82. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-024-07074-2

GBD 2021 Europe Life Expectancy Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Changing life expectancy in European countries 1990-2021: a subanalysis of causes and risk factors from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet Public Health, S2468-2667(25)00009-X. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00009-X

Mahabub, Md. S., Siddique, A. B., Islam, Md. Z., Islam, Md. S., Shaikat, Md. A. and Pardhan, S. (2025) 'Assessment of prevalence and factors associated with perceived lower back pain among the bicycle rickshaw pullers in Dhaka', Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 79(9-10), pp. 273–281. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2024.2447270

Rahmati, M., Smith, L., Boyer, L., Fond, G., Yon, D. K., Lee, H., Sehmbi, T., Piyasena, M. P. and Pardhan, S. (2025) 'Vision impairment and associated daily activity limitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis', PloS One, 20(1), e0317452. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317452

Tabernero, J., Otero, C., Kidd, J., Zahiño, L., Noia, A., Güell, J. L., Artal, P. and Pardhan, S. (2025) 'Depth of focus as a function of spherical aberration using adaptive optics in pseudophakic subjects', J Cataract Refract Surg.. PMID: 39848274. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001608

Mahabub, M. S., Siddique, A. B., Islam, M. Z., Islam, M. S., Shaikat, M. A. and Pardhan, S. (2025) 'Assessment of prevalence and factors associated with perceived lower back pain among the bicycle rickshaw pullers in Dhaka', Arch Environ Occup Health. PMID: 39743666. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2024.2447270

Global Nutrition Target Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2025) 'Global, regional, and national progress towards the 2030 global nutrition targets and forecasts to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet,  404(10471), pp. 2543–2583. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01821-X

GBD 2019 Injuries Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2024) 'Global, regional, and national burden of injuries, and burden attributable to injuries risk factors, 1990 to 2019: results from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019', Public Health, 237, pp. 212–231. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2024.06.011

GBD 2021 Diarrhoeal Diseases Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2024) 'Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific burden of diarrhoeal diseases, their risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990-2021, for 204 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet Infectious Diseases, S1473-3099(24)00691-1. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00691-1

Pardhan, S., Wijewickrama, R. C. A., Gilbert, C. E., Piyasena, M. P. and Sapkota, R. (2024) ‘Impact of COVID-19 and recovery of routine diabetic retinopathy digital screening across different regions in England: an analysis of publicly available data’, BMJ Open, 14, e089710. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089710

Pardhan, S., Islam, M. S. and Sapkota, R. (2024) 'Knowledge, attitude, and diabetes self-care among individuals at high-risk of diabetes-related blindness in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study', BMC Public Health, 24, 3272. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20772-7

Pardhan, S., Siddique, A. B., Motahara, U. et al. (2024) 'Investigating the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and loneliness among people with type-2 diabetes in Bangladesh: a community-based study', Sci Rep, 14, 25129. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75144-3

Rahmati, M., Smith, L., Lee, H., Boyer, L., Fond, G., Yon, D. K., Lee, H., Soysal, P., Udeh, R., Dolja-Gore, X., McEvoy, M., Piyasena, M. P. and Pardhan, S. (2024) ‘Associations between vision impairment and eye diseases with dementia, dementia subtypes and cognitive impairment: An umbrella review’, Ageing Res Rev., 101, 102523. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2024.102523

GBD 2021 Tobacco Forecasting Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2024) 'Forecasting the effects of smoking prevalence scenarios on years of life lost and life expectancy from 2022 to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet Public Health,  9(10), e729–e744. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00166-X

GBD 2021 Stroke Risk Factor Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2024) 'Global, regional, and national burden of stroke and its risk factors, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet Neurology, 23(10), pp. 973-1003. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(24)00369-7

GBD 2021 Upper Respiratory Infections Otitis Media Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2024) 'Global, regional, and national burden of upper respiratory infections and otitis media, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet Infectious Diseases, 25(1), pp. 36-51. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00430-4

Rahmati, M., Smith, L., Boyer, L., Fond, G., Yon, D. K., Lee, H., Soysal, P., Piyasena, M. P. and Pardhan, S. (2024) ‘Factors Affecting Global Adherence for the Uptake of Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’, Am J Ophthalmol., 268 ,pp. 94-107. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2024.07.028

Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease StudyBourne, R. A., Sedighi, T.), GBD 2019 Blindness and Vision Impairment Collaborators (Bourne, R. A., Sedighi, T., Pardhan, S.) (2024) ‘Global estimates on the number of people blind or visually impaired by Uncorrected Refractive Error: a meta-analysis from 2000 to 2020’, Eye. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-024-03106-0

Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease Study (Bourne, R. A., Sedighi, T.), GBD 2019 Blindness and Vision Impairment Collaborators (Bourne, R. A., Sedighi, T., Pardhan, S.) (2024) ‘Global estimates on the number of people blind or visually impaired by age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis from 2000 to 2020’, Eye. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-024-03050-z

Santos, J. V., Padron-Monedero, A., Bikbov, B., Grad, D. A., Plass, D., Mechili, E. A., Gazzelloni, F., Fischer, F., Sulo, G., Ngwa, C. H., Noguer-Zambrano, I., Peñalvo, J. L., Haagsma, J. A., Kissimova-Skarbek, K., Monasta, L., Ghith, N., Sarmiento-Suarez, R., Hrzic, R., Haneef, R., O'Caoimh, R., …, GBD 2019 EU State of Health Collaborators (Pardhan, S.), Freitas, A. and Devleesschauwer, B. (2024) 'The state of health in the European Union (EU-27) in 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study 2019', BMC Public Health,  24(1), 1374. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18529-3

Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease Study (Bourne, R. A., Sedighi, T.); GBD 2019 Blindness and Vision Impairment Collaborators (Bourne, R. A., Sedighi, T., Pardhan, S.) (2024) 'Publisher Correction: Global estimates on the number of people blind or visually impaired by cataract: a meta-analysis from 2000 to 2020', Eye, 38(11), pp. 2229–2231. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-024-03161-7 [Original entry: Pesudovs, K., Lansingh, V. C., Kempen, J. H., Tapply, I., Fernandes, A. G., Cicinelli, M. V., Arrigo, A., Leveziel, N., Briant, P. S., Vos, T., Resnikoff, S., Taylor, H. R., Sedighi, T., Flaxman, S., Steinmetz, J., Bourne, R., Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease Study, GBD 2019 Blindness and Vision Impairment Collaborators (Pardhan S) (2020) ‘Global estimates on the number of people blind or visually impaired by cataract: a meta-analysis from 2000 to 2020’ Eye. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-024-02961-1]

Pardhan, S., Raman, R., Moore, B. C. J., Cirstea, S., Velu, S. and Kolarik, A. J. (2024) ‘Effect of early versus late onset of partial visual loss on judgments of auditory distance’, Optom Vis Sci., 101(6), pp. 393-398. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000002125

Ferdous, M. Z., Islam, M. S., Kundu, L. R., Islam, U. S., Banik, R. and Pardhan, S. (2024) ‘Patterns of eating behaviors, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications among Bangladeshi adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic’, PLoS One, 19(5), e0302571. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302571

Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease Study (Bourne, R.A., Sedighi, T.); GBD 2019 Blindness and Vision Impairment Collaborators (Bourne, R. A., Sedighi, T., Pardhan, S.) (2024) ‘Global estimates on the number of people blind or visually impaired by glaucoma: A meta-analysis from 2000 to 2020’, Eye. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-024-02995-5

GBD 2021 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2024) 'Global incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021', Lancet,  403(10440), pp. 2133–2161. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00757-8

GBD 2021 Demographics Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2024) ‘Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950-2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021’ Lancet, S0140-6736(24)00476-8. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00476-8

Vaughan, M., García-Porta, N., Tabernero, J., Gantes-Nuñez, J., Artal, P. and Pardhan, S. (2024) ‘Ocular effects of exposure to low-humidity environment with contact lens wear: A pilot study’, Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.13308

GBD 2021 Nervous System Disorders Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2024) ‘Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021’, Lancet Neurol.. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(24)00038-3

Charlesworth, E., Jolly, J. K., Farrell, S., Bourne, R. and Pardhan, S. (2024) ‘Patient-reported outcome and experience measures (POEM) of a community-based glaucoma clinic in Cambridge, UK: an observational study’, BMJ Open, 14(1), e077906. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077906

Pardhan, S., Raman, R., Biswas, A., Jaisanker, D., Ahluwalia, S. and Sapkota, R. (2024) ‘Knowledge, attitude, and practice of diabetes in patients with and without sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy from two secondary eye care centres in India’, BMC Public Health, 24, 55. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17371-3

Pizzol, D., Trott, M., Butler, L., Barnett, Y., Ford, T., Neufeld, S., Ragnhildstveit, A., Parris, C., Underwood, B., Lopez Sanchez, G. F., Fossey, M., Brayne, C., Fernandez-Egea E., Fond, G., Boyer, L., Shin, J. I., Pardhan, S. and Smith, L. (2023) ‘Relationship between severe mental illness and physical multi-morbidity: a meta-analysis and call for action’, BMJ Ment Health, e300870. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjment-2023-300870

Martín-Cuesta, J., Calatayud, J., Casaña, J., Smith, L., Pardhan, S., López-Sánchez, G. F., Suso-Martí, L., Cuenca-Martínez, F. and López-Bueno, R. (2023) ‘Association of difficulties in daily physical activities and handgrip strength with cancer diagnoses in 65,980 European older adults’, Aging Clin Exp Res, 35(12), pp. 2971-2978. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02577-7

GBD 2019 Lip, Oral, and Pharyngeal Cancer Collaborators (2023) ‘The Global, Regional, and National Burden of Adult Lip, Oral, and Pharyngeal Cancer in 204 Countries and Territories: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019', JAMA Oncol.. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.2960

GBD 2019 Meningitis and Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2023) ‘Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis and its aetiologies, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019’, Lancet Neurol.. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(23)00195-3

GBD 2021 Anaemia Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2023) ‘Prevalence, years lived with disability, and trends in anaemia burden by severity and cause, 1990-2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021’, Lancet Haematol.. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(23)00160-6

Shin, Y. H., Hwang, J., Kwon, R., Lee, S. W., Kim, M. S., GBD 2019 Allergic Disorders Collaborators (Pardhan, S.), Shin, J. I. and Yon, D. K. (2023) 'Global, regional, and national burden of allergic disorders and their risk factors in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2019: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019', Allergy, 78(8), pp. 2232–2254. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15807

GBD 2021 Diabetes Collaborators (Pardhan, S.) (2023) ‘Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021’, Lancet. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01301-6

Kumar, G., Velu, S., Pardhan, S., Sapkota, R., Ruamviboonsuk, P., Tadarati, M., Chotcomwongse, P., Nganthavee, V., Pattanapongpaiboon, W. and Raman, R. (2023) 'Patient, family member, and health care provider perspective on barriers and facilitators to diabetic retinopathy screening in Thailand: A qualitative study', PLoS One,18(8), e0289618. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289618

Sapkota, R., van der Linde, I., Grunwald, I., Upadhyaya, T., Lamichhane, N. and Pardhan, S. (2023) 'The impact of stimulus configuration on visual short-term memory decline in normal aging and mild cognitive impairment', Brain and Behavior, e3113. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.3113

Ramamurthy, D., Radhakrishnan, H. and Pardhan, S. (2023) 'Associations between Accommodative Facility, Age and Refractive Errors in Early, Older Adolescent Myopes and Emmetropes', British and Irish Orthoptic Journal. Available at: https://doi.org/10.22599/bioj.284

Leveziel, N., Marillet, S., Braithwaite, T. and Pardhan, S., et al. (2023) 'Self-Reported Dual Sensory Impairment and Related Factors: A European Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey', British Journal of Ophthalmology. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bjophthalmol-2022-321439

Pardhan, S., Driscoll, R. and Ingleton, H., et al. (2023) 'Confusion around Certification of Vision Impairment (CVI) and registration processes—are patients falling through the cracks?', Eye. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-023-02520-0

Zult, T., Timmis, M. and Pardhan, S. (2023) 'The effects of age and central field loss on maintaining balance control when stepping up to a new level under time-pressure', PeerJ., 11, e14743. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14743

Trott, M., Driscoll, R., Bourne, R., Slade, J., Kidd, J. and Pardhan, S., et al. (2023) 'Mental health support across the sight loss pathway: a qualitative exploration of eye care patients, optometrists, and ECLOs', Eye. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-022-02373-z

Pardhan, S., Smith, L., Kidd, J. and Sapkota, R., et al. (2023) 'Individual patient-centered target-driven intervention to improve clinical outcomes of diabetes, health literacy, and self-care practices in Nepal: a randomized controlled trial', Frontiers in Endocrinology. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1076253

Ikuta, K. S., Swetschinski, L. R., Robles Aguilar, G., Sharara, F., Mestrovic, T., Gray, A. P. and Pardhan., S. (2022) 'Global mortality associated with 33 bacterial pathogens in 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019', Lancet, 400(10369), pp. 2221-2248. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)02185-7

Hassan, A., Balal, S., Cook, E., Dehbi, H.-M., Pardhan, S., Bourne, R., Ahmad, S. and Sharma, A. (2022) 'Finger-Prick Autologous Blood (FAB) Eye Drops for Dry Eye Disease: Single Masked Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial', Clinical Ophthalmology, 16(1), pp. 3973-3979. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S384586

Islam, M. Z., Islam, M. S., Kundu, L. R., Ahmed, A., Hsan, K., Pardhan, S., Driscoll, R., Hossain, M. S. and Hossain, M. M. (2022) 'Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antimicrobial usage, spread and resistance emergence in commercial poultry farms of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh', PLOS ONE, 17(11), e0275856. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275856

Trott, M., Driscoll, R. and Pardhan, S. (2022) 'Associations between diabetic retinopathy, mortality, disease, and mental health: an umbrella review of observational meta-analyses', BMC Endocrine Disorders, 22(311). Available at: https://doi/org/10.1186/s12902-022-01236-8

Haakenstad, A., Yearwood, J. A., Fullman, N., Bintz, C., Bienhoff, K., Weaver, M. R. et al. (Pardhan, S.) (2022) 'Assessing performance of the Healthcare Access and Quality Index, overall and by select age groups, for 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019', Lancet Global Health. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00429-6

Recent presentations and conferences

Invited talks

Pardhan, S., 2021. College of Optometrists Podcast: COVID-19 and the eye.

Pardhan, S., 2021. Diabetic Retinopathy or Diabetes & Vision. Invitation by Rt Hon Keith Vaz. Silver Star Diabetes, national charity dedicated to raising diabetes awareness.

Pardhan, S., 2019. Where are we? Pilot results for INCODEN. Gandaki Medical College, Pokhara, Nepal.

Pardhan, S., 2019. College of Optometrists Podcast: Blazing the trail for women in vision science.

Pardhan, S., 2018. Reducing the risk of sight threatening retinopathy in people with macular oedema. Sankara Nethlaya Hospital, India.

Pardhan, S., 2017. How do we reduce the risk of Diabetic Retinopathy in those most at risk? Diabetic Endocrinology Association for Nepal, Pokhara, Nepal.

Pardhan, S., 2017. Women in Leadership. On the receiving end. Association for Vision and Ophthalmology, Baltimore, USA.

Pardhan, S., 2016. Diabetic retinopathy. A global problem. Knowledge and Awareness. 2nd Eye Hospital, Huangzhou, China.

Pardhan, S., 2016. Improved hearing in the visually impaired. Current research. South University of Science and Technology of China.

Pardhan, S., 2015. Functional disability with visual impairment. Asian Pacific Optometry Congress, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Pardhan S., 2014. Diabetic Retinopathy: The need for improved awareness. Sankara Netralya Eye Centre, Chennai, India.

Pardhan, S., 2014. Knowledge, Awareness and Self-help in Asian Diabetic Patients. AMRITA, Kochi, India.

Pardhan, S., 2010. Mobility in the visual impaired. Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Pardhan, S., 2007. How does simulated visual impairment affect reaching and grasping movements in young participants? College of Optometrists, Manchester, UK.

Pardhan, S., Subramanian, A., 2005. Diabetic retinopathy changes in Asians and Caucasians. Elite School Conference, Chennai, India.

Pardhan, S., 2004. Diabetes and its complications. The Norfolk Local Optometric Association, Norwich, UK.

Pardhan, S., 2002. Age and duration as risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in South Asian and Caucasian subjects. The Scottish Optometric Society, Glasgow, UK.

Pardhan, S., 2002. Eye-related eye diseases in South Asian and Caucasian subjects. The Cambridge Local Optometric Association, Cambridge, UK.

Pardhan, S., 2000. How does lifestyle affect diabetes in the eye in South Asian subjects in Bradford? Bradford Health Authority, UK.

Pardhan, S., 2000. Diabetic retinopathy and life-style profiles in South Asian and Caucasian subjects. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Congress, Harrogate, UK.

Pardhan, S., 1999. Assessing the neural integrity behind a cataract. Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Pardhan, S., 1999. Knowledge of self-reported eye disease and awareness of ocular screening in the older South Asian subjects in Bradford. Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Pardhan, S., 1998. Measurement of contrast detection in noise. A new method to assess the retinal function behind a cataract. The Second Nottingham Eye Symposium and Research Meeting, UK.

Pardhan, S., 1997. Further investigation into binocular summation in the peripheral visual field. British Congress of Optometry and Vision Science, Cardiff, UK.

Pardhan, S., 1996. The clinical application of contrast detection in noise. Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, UK.

Pardhan, S., 1995. The decrease of binocular performance with ageing: The effect of interocular difference. The American Academy of Optometrists, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Pardhan, S., 1994. Is ageing an optical or neural phenomenon? Department of Ophthalmology, Leeds General Hospital, UK.

Pardhan, S., 1993. Binocular inhibition in unilateral cataract. Annual Ophthalmological Congress Masters’ Symposium, Oxford University, UK.

Pardhan, S., 1992. The use of the Pelli-Robson chart in assessing the visual function of early contact lens wearers. British Contact Lens Association, Harrogate, UK.

Pardhan, S., 1992. Clinical assessment of binocular visual function. University of Waterloo, Canada.

Pardhan, S., 1989. Binocular contrast summation and inhibition. Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic.

Pardhan, S., 1989. Are two eyes always better than one? Seventh Asian-Pacific Optometric Congress, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Pardhan, S., 1989. The binocular VECP and contrast sensitivity in unequal interocular retinal illuminance. Clinical Ophthalmological Conference, Hong Kong.

Pardhan, S., 1987. Psychometric functions for binocular summation and inhibition. Optometry Research Conference, Bradford, UK.

Media experience

Staring at screens all day? Here are five simple tips to protect your eyes, EuroNews, 29 July 2025.

Diabetes and preventing diabetic blindness, Anglia Ruskin University (YouTube), 10 June 2024.

Six ways to look after your eyes in 2024, The Conversation, 28 December 2023.

A targeted campaign has reduced blindness risk in South Asians, Health Awareness, 17 June 2022.

Covid-19: Five ways to avoid lockdown eye strain, BBC, 14 February 2021.

Press coverage: Risks of digital screen time and recommendations for mitigating adverse outcomes in children (PDF)

Press coverage: Sore eyes as the most significant ocular symptom experienced by people with COVID-19 (PDF)

Press coverage: Changes and correlates of screen time in adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF)