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Associate Professor Philip Turnbull

Philip TurnbullB Optom (Hons), PhD

Associate Professor in Optometry
University of AucklandAotearoa New Zealand
ORCiD: 0000-0002-9892-2964

I'm an optometrist passionate about improving eye care for patients and creating better learning experiences for students. My research explores virtual reality, eye tracking, and AI applications in healthcare, alongside broader interests in mental wellbeing, refractive development, evidence-based optometry, equity, and improving access to eye care. I also advise on clinical standards and healthcare policy in Aotearoa New Zealand.

I am available to supervise Masters and PhD students across these areas, and I welcome advisory or expert witness engagements where my experience in clinical and forensic optometry, teaching, standards development, or digital health may add value.

Contact PhilUniversity Profile

Research Areas

Leading the Virtual Eyes Lab, our research spans three core pillars: developing innovative healthcare technologies, advancing clinical diagnostics and management, and shaping health policy to improve equitable access to eye care.

Healthcare Technologies

Virtual Reality in Healthcare

Virtual Reality in Healthcare

Developing and evaluating virtual reality applications for optometry education and clinical training. These immersive environments enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for real-world practice.

Eye Tracking and Gaze Analysis

Eye Tracking & Gaze Analysis

Exploring eye tracking technology to understand visual behaviour, support clinical diagnosis, and develop assistive technologies for patients with vision impairment.

Artificial Intelligence in Optometry

Artificial Intelligence in Optometry

Applying AI and machine learning to retinal imaging, disease prediction, and clinical decision support systems to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

Clinical Diagnostics & Management

Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion

Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion

Investigating the use of eye tracking and oculomotor function to objectively classify and manage mild traumatic brain injuries, as well as the effects of interventions like cervical spine vibration on visual processing.

Myopia Control Research

Myopia Control Research

Researching effective myopia management strategies and evaluating clinical interventions to address the growing global myopia epidemic, including foundational work at the Auckland Myopia Control Clinic.

Ocular Surface and Dry Eye

Ocular Surface & Dry Eye

Researching the physiological impacts of modern lifestyles, including the effects of soft contact lenses and extended digital screen time on tear film stability and ocular surface health in younger populations.

Health Policy & Equity

Scope of Practice and Health Policy

Scope of Practice & Health Policy

Investigating the evolving scope of optometry practice, workforce dynamics, and advising on health policy and standards to improve eye care delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Public Health and Eye Care Equity

Public Health & Eye Care Equity

Conducting population-based eye health surveys to identify underserved groups and develop strategies to address inequity in access to eye care across Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider Western Pacific.

Publications

I share my research publications, including journal articles, conference papers, and collaborative works.

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Teaching & Education

As an educator, I teach and examine both undergraduate and postgraduate optometry students. I am the Part II coordinator for the Bachelor of Optometry programme, and course director of OPTOM216 – Introduction to Optometry. I also act as both a clinical and oral examiner for Part V students, and teach statistics and research skills as part of the OPTOM783 – Research Project in Vision Science.

Each year I supervise many Honours, Masters, and PhD students in a broad range of research areas, and I remain available to take on new Masters and PhD projects.

Teaching Roles

Undergraduate Coordination

Undergraduate Coordination

Coordinating the Bachelor of Optometry Part II programme and directing OPTOM216 – Introduction to Optometry, ensuring a strong foundational curriculum for early-stage students.

Clinical Assessment

Clinical Assessment

Acting as a clinical and oral examiner for Part V optometry students during their final year capstone assessments, maintaining rigorous standards for clinical competency.

Postgraduate Teaching

Postgraduate Teaching

Teaching advanced statistics and research methodologies within OPTOM783 – Research Project in Vision Science, equipping the next generation of researchers with critical analytical skills.

Interactive Learning

Interactive Learning

Developing and integrating the Virtual Patient platform to provide immersive, interactive, and scalable clinical learning experiences that bridge theory and practice.

External Review & Audit

External Review & Audit

Providing external review and auditing services for international optometry programmes to ensure academic rigour, clinical teaching standards, and programmatic excellence.

Postgraduate Examination

Postgraduate Examination

Serving as an external examiner for international PhD and Masters theses across the fields of optometry and vision science.

Postgraduate Supervision

Jasmine Zoest

Current PhD

Measurement of eye movements in three-dimensional space

Balaje Vivekanandan

Current PhD

Oculomotor Function, Attentional Function, Trans-Saccadic Processing and Visual Perception in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease

Maggie Xu

Current PhD

The Effect of Blue Light on Myopia Progression in Young Smartphone Users

Tony Han

Current PhD

Home-Based Monitoring of Visual Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Jordan Cooper

Current PhD

Exploring the influence of eyelid and blink characteristics on dry eye development

Dr Samuel Chiang

PhD Alumni

The effect of optical defocus on choroidal thickness

Dr Safal Khanal

PhD Alumni

The effect of changes in choroidal perfusion on visual function

Dr Soheil Doustkouhi

PhD Alumni

Development of objective techniques of the optometric examination

Dr Alice Cade

PhD Alumni

Eye movements and postural stability following traumatic brain injury

Dr Aryaman Taore

PhD Alumni

Developing Eye Tracking Technology using a mobile device for the use of optokinetic assessment

Bhavna Patel

Masters Alumni

Dry eye in younger populations

Richard Johnson

Masters Alumni

Maritime visual standards

Sabrina Ju

Masters Alumni

Treatments for AMD

Interested in joining the team?

Contact me to discuss potential research opportunities.

Get in touch

Advisory & Professional Service

I provide advisory services to professional organisations, regulatory bodies, and healthcare providers to advance optometry practice and education standards.

ODOB Advisor & Researcher

ODOB Advisor & Researcher

Advising the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board on regulatory standards, continuing education requirements, and professional development frameworks.

Vision Standards

Vision Standards

Contributing to the development of vision standards for government and non-government agencies, ensuring rigorous and evidence-based visual standards and assessments.

Expert Witness Services

Expert Witness Services

Providing objective expert opinions and scientific testimony on optometry-related matters in complex legal cases and professional disciplinary disputes.

Policy Development

Policy Development

Developing robust policies and evidence-based best practice guidelines for optometry education and clinical practice, both in New Zealand and internationally.

Associate Editor

Associate Editor

Serving as Associate Editor for Clinical and Experimental Optometry, managing peer review and contributing to the dissemination of impactful vision science research.

Interested in Collaborating?

I'm always interested in discussing how my expertise can help your organisation or research initiatives, and I'm available for advisory or expert witness engagements when those conversations extend into regulatory or clinical practice questions.

Contact Philip

Publications

Explore my research publications across vision science, optometry, and related fields.

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Showing 10 of 67 publications
JOURNAL2025
Response of the human choroid to short-term changes in eyelid and periocular temperature
Safal Khanal, Philip RK Turnbull, Lucia Kim, John R Phillips
Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 108(5), pp. 578-584

Summary

This study utilised OCT to demonstrate that local cooling of the anterior eye via the eyelid causes a small but statistically significant increase in macular choroidal thickness. These findings suggest that the choroid plays a rapid thermoregulatory role and highlight environmental temperature as a confounding factor that must be controlled in clinical myopia research.

Khanal, S., Turnbull, P. R. K., Kim, L., & Phillips, J. R. (2025). Response of the human choroid to short-term changes in eyelid and periocular temperature. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 108(5), 578-584. https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2024.2377391

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JOURNAL2025
The expanding scope of the Aotearoa New Zealand optometric workforce
Philip RK Turnbull, Inhae Park, Richard Johnson
Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 108, pp. 1-3

Summary

An analysis of a decade of professional data reveals that NZ optometrists have safely issued over half a million prescriptions, primarily for glaucoma and dry eye. The report advocates for the further expansion of the optometric scope into intravitreal injections and laser procedures to improve national eye care equity and reduce hospital waitlists.

Turnbull, P. R. K., Park, I., & Johnson, R. (2025). The expanding scope of the Aotearoa New Zealand optometric workforce. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 108, 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2025.2460609

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JOURNAL2025
A baseline audit of the population groups accessing optometry training clinics in Aotearoa New Zealand: looking towards equity in eye care
Lucy K Goodman, Jinfeng Zhao, Arier Lee, Lydia Han, Jaymie T Rogers, Geraint Phillips, Philip RK Turnbull, Jacqueline Ramke
Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 109, pp. 1-7

Summary

This audit found that university-based training clinics are less accessible to people living in high-deprivation areas, who often travel the furthest for care. It recommends increasing funding for community outreach and mobile eye clinics to foster equity and provide diverse clinical training for future optometrists.

Goodman, L. K., Zhao, J., Lee, A., Han, L., Rogers, J. T., Phillips, G., Turnbull, P. R. K., & Ramke, J. (2025). A baseline audit of the population groups accessing optometry training clinics in Aotearoa New Zealand: looking towards equity in eye care. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 109, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2024.2433597

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JOURNAL2025
Participation in population-based eye health surveys is lower but more gender-balanced in high-compared to low-and middle-income countries
Lucy Goodman, Philip Turnbull, Ian McCormick, Deborah Ewuru, Jennifer R Evans, Matthew J Burton, Jacqueline Ramke
Wellcome Open Research, 10, pp. 203

Summary

A systematic review of global surveys found that while participation is generally high, it is declining in high-income nations. The study highlights that gender balance is more equitable in high-income settings, whereas women are more likely to participate in lower-income regions.

Goodman, L., Turnbull, P., McCormick, I., Ewuru, D., Evans, J. R., Burton, M. J., & Ramke, J. (2025). Participation in population-based eye health surveys is lower but more gender-balanced in high-compared to low-and middle-income countries. Wellcome Open Research, 10, 203. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23976.1

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JOURNAL2025
The impact of soft contact lens wear on tear film lipid layer characteristics
Jennifer P Craig, Kalika Bandamwar, Eujin Kang, Fiona Li, Philip RK Turnbull
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 66(8), pp. 5622-5622

Summary

Published in IOVS, this study investigated how various soft contact lens materials disrupt the stability of the tear film lipid layer. The research identifies material-specific impacts that can inform the selection of lenses for patients prone to dryness and discomfort.

Craig, J. P., Bandamwar, K., Kang, E., Li, F., & Turnbull, P. R. K. (2025). The impact of soft contact lens wear on tear film lipid layer characteristics. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 66(8), 5622-5622. https://doi.org/10.1016/0892-8967(96)88963-2

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REPORT2025
Guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in optometry and optical dispensing in New Zealand
Philip RK Turnbull

Summary

This foundational report outlines the ethical and professional standards for integrating AI into New Zealand clinical practice. It focuses on diagnostic accuracy, patient data privacy, and the standardised implementation of AI-driven tools in primary eye care.

Turnbull, P. R. K. (2025). Guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in optometry and optical dispensing in New Zealand. [Report]. https://odob.in1touch.org/document/8314/Guidelines%20for%20use%20of%20AI%202025.pdf

Full Text
JOURNAL2025
Diagnosing Colour Vision Deficiencies Using Eye Movements (Without Dedicated Eye-Tracking Hardware)
Aryaman Taore, Gabriel Lobo, Philip RK Turnbull, Steven C Dakin
Journal of Eye Movement Research, 18(5), pp. 51

Summary

This paper describes a breakthrough diagnostic test that uses a standard tablet's front camera to detect colour vision defects via reflexive eye movements. The study proves that this hardware-agnostic approach is as effective as traditional methods, making objective colour screening highly accessible.

Taore, A., Lobo, G., Turnbull, P. R. K., & Dakin, S. C. (2025). Diagnosing Colour Vision Deficiencies Using Eye Movements (Without Dedicated Eye-Tracking Hardware). Journal of Eye Movement Research, 18(5), 51. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/s3hxa

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JOURNAL2025
Emerging research on non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration treatments
Xiaohan Ju, Jacqueline Ramke, Philip RK Turnbull
Clinical and Experimental Optometry, pp. 1-9

Summary

This scoping review of over 130 studies from the past decade identifies antioxidant and complement pathway inhibitors as the most promising avenues for treating geographic atrophy. It notes a 24% annual increase in research activity, signalling a significant shift towards effective atrophic AMD therapies.

Ju, X., Ramke, J., & Turnbull, P. R. K. (2025). Emerging research on non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration treatments. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2025.2579872

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REPORT2025
The optometrist and dispensing optician workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand 2025
PRK Turnbull

Summary

This latest workforce survey report provides critical demographics and trends for the eye care profession in NZ. It serves as a strategic data source for the ODOB to identify service gaps and support a workforce that responds to evolving public needs.

Turnbull, P. R. K. (2025). The optometrist and dispensing optician workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand 2025. [Report]. https://odobportal.in1touch.org/document/8495/Workforce%20survey%202024-2025.pdf

Full Text
JOURNAL2024
Classification of short and long term mild traumatic brain injury using computerized eye tracking
Alice Cade, Philip RK Turnbull
Scientific reports, 14(1), pp. 12686

Summary

This research utilised machine learning to categorise concussion stages based on oculomotor metrics like VOR gain and fixation stability. The model provides an objective pathway for identifying brain injury when standard imaging remains inconclusive.

Cade, A., & Turnbull, P. R. K. (2024). Classification of short and long term mild traumatic brain injury using computerized eye tracking. Scientific reports, 14(1), 12686. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63540-8

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Get in Touch

For collaboration opportunities, supervision enquiries, or professional engagements, please send a message below or use direct contact details.

Contact Details

Email

p.turnbull@auckland.ac.nz

Phone

+64 9 373 7599 Ext. 82352

Office Address

School of Optometry and Vision Science
University of Auckland
85 Park Road, Grafton
Auckland 1023, New Zealand

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