A world-leading multi-million-pound research institute is set to transform the way we detect and prevent both eye and general diseases and boost the region’s health and prosperity prospects.
The University of Sunderland and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) are working to create a world-leading joined-up data centre with eye health technology at its heart, to help researchers and doctors understand who may be at higher risk of certain illnesses and how diseases develop over time.
The £4.2million Northern Ophthalmic Research and Innovation Institute (NORI) will be based at the University, close to the region’s new Eye Hospital in Sunderland, helping transform the detection and prevention of eye disease by linking routine scans with secure NHS and community health data.
Matthew Campbell, Professor of Human Metabolism and Co-Director of NORI said: “This represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our region. With millions of eye appointments taking place every year, we have a real opportunity to turn routine eye scans into a power tool for prevention and early diagnosis.
“Bringing together cutting-edge eye imaging, secure data platforms, and world-class research expertise, we can support a step-change in our region’s health and prosperity prospects.”
Currently, eye scan data and other health information sit in separate systems, meaning opportunities to detect illness early can be missed.
NORI will safely bring this information together, enabling the NHS to offer more personalised care, faster diagnosis, and better support for people across our region and beyond. By using routine and readily available eye data, the aim is to change how health risks are managed nationally and set a global standard in preventive healthcare.
This is especially important in the north-east where communities face serious health challenges. Life expectancy is lower, and illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are more common and often detected too late. Many serious conditions develop silently, without symptoms, until they become harder to treat.
Routine eye scans, like those taken at opticians and eye clinics, can reveal early signs of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and stroke years before symptoms appear.
David Steel is a Consultant Ophthalmologist in Sunderland and Professor of Ophthalmology and Co-Director of NORI. He said: “We’re delighted to announce NORI and this groundbreaking partnership between our Trust and the University of Sunderland.
“By connecting eye imaging with general health information, we can detect and predict many serious diseases much earlier than before. This means we can prevent illnesses before they develop, helping people live longer, healthier lives. NORI will help us to do just that and strengthen Sunderland’s reputation as a world leader in eye care and research.”
NORI is built on a five-year, £4.2 million co-investment between the University and STSFT, working in collaboration with Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside Council, Durham and Newcastle Universities, and the UK’s leading vision loss charity, Fight for Sight. It builds on the long-standing and internationally recognised expertise of the Eye Infirmary in the city.
Vicky Mitchell, Executive Director of Planning and Business Development at STSFT, said: “The institute represents a clear commitment to improving health by focusing on prevention using digital means and driving innovation in the North East. It comes at an important time, as we prepare to open our new Eye Hospital next year in the heart of the city and at an exciting time for health and social care in Sunderland as we embark on the Neighbourhood Health Implementation programme.”
Professor Milan Radosavljevic, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Commercial) at the University of Sunderland, said: “The launch of NORI creates solid foundations for pioneering research and innovation on a truly global scale, and marks a pivotal moment for Sunderland and the wider region.
“By harnessing this vital data and expertise, we are creating a model of preventive healthcare that benefits communities across the north-east and far beyond.”
Work is now underway with all partners as NORI gears up to formally launch in 2026 in line with the opening of the region’s new Eye Hospital.