RESEARCH

Professor Pearce is Director of the Clinical Eye Research Centre (CERC) at St Paul’s Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital. 

He leads a team actively involved in more than 27 ongoing clinical trials investigating the latest treatments for ophthalmic disorders including age- related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, retinal vein occlusions and uveitis. These trials allow access for patients to cutting edge treatment through local, national and international Phase I/II/III trials. 

He has been principal/chief investigator for numerous international and national trials of novel treatments and therapies for retinal diseases such as intravitreal injections of Ozurdex, Lucentis, Eylea, Avastin and Ocriplasmin (Jetrea) and surgical management of AMD involving radiotherapy.  

He is  and member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Professional Standards Committee. He represents the RCOPHTH at the DVLA Visual Standards Panel. 

He is a nominated Specialist Clinical Expert Advisor to NICE for the appraisal of novel technologies including Lucentis, Eylea, Ozurdex , Ocriplasmin (Jetrea) and intraocular radiotherapy. For the Department of Health he is chair of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens TSE Ophthalmic Sub-group. 

The success of CERC was one of the key motivators for St Paul's Eye Unit being awarded Freedom of the City of Liverpool and in 2018 we received the NIHR North West Coast Clinical Research Team of the Year award.

I am Honorary Professor in Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Liverpool supporting/supervising PhD students and academic lead for student NICE champions. 

A key aspect of the role is to support and promote effective translational research with the University of Liverpool’s Department of Eye and Vision Science. As well as supporting individual studies I am clinical collaborator on several Engineering  and Physical Sciences Research Council grants/ fellowships which have dedicated translational research objectives to provide drug/cell delivery to patients suffering with ophthalmic conditions.

Professor Pearce has authored 3 National Guidelines, 3 Book Chapters ( Evidenced-based Management of Diabetes, Complications of Vitreo-retinal Surgery, Barton and Powers Clinical Negligence) and over 60 publications cited >1000 times.