Ophthalmic Epidemiology Research Center

History

The Ophthalmic Epidemiology Research Center (OERC) officially received initial approval from the Council for the Expansion of Medical Sciences Universities of Iran on July, 2019 . This marked the formal beginning of its mission to advance research in eye health and visual sciences.

Vision

“To bring the beauty of vision to everyone, everywhere.”

Mission

OERC is committed to safeguarding and enhancing human eye health through rigorous research. By engaging both national and international researchers, identifying risk factors and underlying causes of ocular diseases and visual impairments, and developing innovative strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment, the center strives to improve vision health for all members of society.

Core Mandate

The center focuses on sustainable development and social equity in the application of research outcomes. Its work is guided by community needs and aligned with national and international research priorities, ensuring meaningful and impactful contributions to public health.

Research Focus Areas

OERC concentrates on several high-impact research areas:

  • Longitudinal Cohort Studies: Conducting subsequent phases of two major ongoing cohort studies:

    • Shahroud Eye Cohort Study (SECS): Investigating vision disorders in the adult population.

    • Shahroud Student Eye Cohort Study: Tracking ocular health development in younger demographics.

  • Follow-up Studies and Ophthalmic Research: Continuing large-scale longitudinal studies and other clinical and basic research in ophthalmology and optometry.

  • Systematic Disease Registration: Establishing a standardized registry for significant eye diseases and visual impairments to support precise epidemiological tracking.

  • Human Resource Development: Recruiting, training, and empowering skilled professionals in ophthalmic research, technology transfer, and innovation, including start-up initiatives.

Facilities and Capabilities

OERC is equipped with state-of-the-art ophthalmology and optometry instruments, enabling comprehensive diagnostic and research capabilities:

  • Refraction & Vision Assessment: Auto-refractometer, distance and near vision charts, trial lens sets.

  • Intraocular Pressure & Biometry: Tonometer, Biograph, Pentacam.

  • Functional and Diagnostic Testing: Perimetry, contrast sensitivity testing.

  • Advanced Imaging & Ophthalmic Devices: Slit Lamp, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Vendus Camera, Slit Camera.

  • Functional Testing: Perimetry, contrast sensitivity testing.

Head of the Center

Dr. Mohammad Hassan Emamian, MD, PhD in Epidemiology, Faculty Member of the University

Contact Number: +98-23-32396714

Mailing Address: Shahroud, Azadi Street, next to the Martyr and Veterans Affairs Foundation, Sadri Educational, Research, and Treatment Complex, Eye Disease Epidemiology Research Center.

Email: emamian@shmu.ac.ir