Up to five academics are presented with the Professorship annually, the most senior academic award made by the College that recognises a substantial body of work by an individual.

An Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Professor Lois accepted the award this week at The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) Annual Congress 2024.

Held this year in Belfast for the first time, the RCOphth Annual Congress 2024 brings together ophthalmologists and ophthalmic professionals to celebrate the eye health community.

This honour recognises Professor Lois’ dedication to her field and specifically celebrates the advancements she made as Chief Investigator of DIAMONDS (Diabetic Macular Oedema aNd Diode Subthreshold micropulse laser), a large multicentre clinical trial.

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, DIAMONDS recruited 266 UK participants with diabetic macular oedema (DMO), the most common sight threatening complication of diabetes. As a result of DMO, the central sight is affected, and when not severe, DIAMONDS showed that a newer form of macular laser treatment called subthreshold micropulse macular laser (SML), is as effective as standard macular laser, to preserve sight and treat DMO.

Having joined Queen’s in 2013, Professor Lois has since been leading a programme of preclinical and clinical research focused on diabetic retinopathy and its complications. 

On receiving the award, Professor Lois commented: "I am thoroughly delighted to receive this very precious award, which means a lot me. The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh generously funded a great deal of experimental research I undertook while a full time Consultant Ophthalmologist in Aberdeen and I will be always indebted to them for their support.” 

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Media inquiries to Grace White g.white@qub.ac.uk