05/06/2026
✨ This Orthoptics Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the important role orthoptists play in advancing eye care and research. We spoke with Cerulea Clinical Trials Coordinator, Regina Callegher, about her journey and how orthoptists contribute to clinical trials and better outcomes for people living with eye disease.
➡️ How do you support clinical trials?
I work across a range of clinical trials investigating treatments for various eye conditions. I utilise my orthoptic skills as a visual acuity examiner and perform ophthalmic imaging for participants enrolled in studies evaluating new treatments for conditions such as diabetic macular oedema, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), thyroid eye disease and geographic atrophy (dry AMD).
As a coordinator, I manage studies in thyroid eye disease and intermediate AMD. This involves recruiting and screening potential participants, ensuring trial protocols and visit schedules are followed, maintaining regulatory and ethics documentation, and supporting participants throughout their involvement.
➡️ What inspired you to become an orthoptist?
I have strabismus (an eye turn) and, as a child, was under the care of both an orthoptist and an ophthalmologist. These positive experiences, combined with a strong interest in biology and health sciences at school, inspired me to pursue orthoptics as a career.
➡️ How did you move into clinical research?
I first worked as an orthoptist in private practice and low vision services. I later decided to broaden my career by transitioning into clinical research and joined Cerulea (formerly CERA) five years ago. This role has allowed me to combine my clinical expertise with a passion for advancing new treatments and improving patient outcomes.
➡️ What skills do orthoptists bring to clinical trial teams?
Orthoptists bring a unique combination of clinical expertise and patient-centred care. We are skilled in performing visual acuity assessments, slit-lamp examinations and ophthalmic imaging, as well as assisting with procedures such as angiograms and intravitreal injections.
Our in-depth understanding of the visual system also enables us to educate participants about their eye conditions, treatment options and available care pathways.
In a research setting, these skills help ensure high-quality data collection while providing participants with confidence and support throughout their trial experience.
➡️ What do you find most rewarding about working in clinical trials?
The opportunity to build meaningful relationships with participants and supporting them throughout their research journey – while contributing to the development of potential new treatments.
It’s incredibly fulfilling to know the work we do today may help improve outcomes for people living with eye conditions in the future and contribute to advancing the standard of care. Being part of research with the potential to benefit future generations is something I find both motivating and rewarding.
