We are delighted to see that Professor Anna Horwood has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List in recognition of her services to orthoptics and research in visual development.
Professor Horwood is internationally recognised as one of the most influential figures in orthoptics and is held in exceptionally high regard across the wider ophthalmic community. Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for the profession, helping to raise its profile nationally and internationally while shaping education, research, and clinical practice for the benefit of patients and practitioners alike.
Her research journey began following the birth of her daughter, when she embarked on a PhD that would go on to make a lasting contribution to the understanding of the accommodative system. This work has significantly influenced how strabismus is taught and managed in clinical practice and remains highly relevant to orthoptic education and care today.
Professor Horwood has also played a pivotal role in professional leadership. She served two terms as Editor of the British and Irish Orthoptic Journal and two terms as BIOS Research Director, contributing to the development of research, education, and professional standards. She authored the first national orthoptic curriculum and was instrumental in expanding orthoptic practice by teaching refraction to orthoptists, helping to shape the modern scope of the profession.
A highly sought-after international speaker, Professor Horwood has been invited to present at almost all major national and international meetings in strabismus and ocular motility. Her prestigious invited lectures include the BIOS Gail Stephenson Lecture, the BIPOSA Trimble Lecture, the International Orthoptic Congress Burian Lecture, the European Strabismological Association Lecture, and the 13th International Strabismological Association Bielschowsky Lecture.
Her commitment to education and global eye care extends beyond the UK. Professor Horwood has taught countless orthoptic students, taught many orthoptists the skills of refraction and served as External Examiner for undergraduate orthoptic programmes at the Universities of Liverpool and Sheffield. She has also taught clinicians in The Gambia through the International Orthoptic Association.
Professor Horwood said: “I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded an MBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours list. It is the culmination of a very long career in orthoptics and research. Because we are such a small profession, national recognition is particularly special. I have loved working in our small patch of clinical medicine, and in my even smaller patch of vision science, which unexpectedly turned out to have wider applications than I anticipated when I started out. I have been very lucky to have worked with many inspirational people, and I could not have done it without the many individuals who have supported and encouraged me over the years.”
Commenting on the award, Craig Murray, Chair of BIOS said: “Anna’s MBE is richly deserved. Her career has had a huge impact on orthoptic practice, influenced ophthalmology, and inspired generations of clinicians, educators, and researchers. We are immensely proud to celebrate this recognition of her extraordinary contribution to our profession.”
The British and Irish Orthoptic Society congratulates Professor Horwood on this well-deserved honour and thanks her for her exceptional service and leadership.
