Behind the cover story

Behind the scenes of our Myopia management and innovation edition

Photographs were captured in Northampton and Glasgow for an edition exploring the effects of an advancing tide of short-sightedness

2 min read

Stephanie Kearney, Emma Dow and Mhairi Day

Iona Shepherd

Selina Powell

05 December 2025

A trio of academics at the forefront of myopia management research were photographed at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) for OT’s December 2025/January 2026 edition.

Drs Mhairi Day and Stephanie Kearney joined colleague Emma Dow for the Myopia management and innovation edition photoshoot.

Dow shared that while they had not taken part in a photoshoot before, photographer, Iona Shepherd, quickly put the group at ease.

“It was a really positive experience overall, and a nice change from our usual morning routine,” she said.

“It makes a difference when you are joined by such lovely colleagues, who are also friends. It really was a lovely hour or so spent together,” Dow said.

As well as capturing photographs at the GCU Vision Centre, Shepherd – who is herself an alumnus of GCU – took photos on a stairwell within the university campus.

Dow shared that passersby took a respectful approach to the unfolding photoshoot.

“They were quite interested in what was going on. It was starting to get a bit busy when we moved to the stairwell, but a lot of students would pause when they saw us to avoid accidentally being included in the photo,” she said.

At Tompkins, Knight & Son in Northampton, clinical director and optometrist, Dr Keyur Patel, was photographed by Adrian Jones.

“Adrian really seemed to have done his homework and knew I have an interest in photography and imaging. He allowed me to make suggestions and collaborate on the set-up, which was a little more fun than just smiling on cue,” he said.

Patel added that the photoshoot barely caused a stir at the Hakim group independent practice.

“The team is pretty nonchalant about photoshoots. As a practice we are always doing pics and videos. They’ve become immune to it,” he said.

With the focus of the edition centring on the eye health of young people, Patel’s 11-year-old son, Yush, kindly stepped in to pose for some candid photographs as part of the shoot.