Rune Brautaset

Since 2003, Rune Brautaset has worked hard to build optometric research at Karolinska Institutet (KI). Originally from Norway, he nonetheless became the first working optometrist with a PhD at a Swedish University. Here, he began his research career with a deep-dive study of binocular vision (“Why do we see a picture with two eyes”).

Rune took his doctorate in optometry and neuroscience at Manchester University, where he was inspired by the interdisciplinary and vibrant research environment in the field. Naturally, he wanted to help that grow at KI, when he began teaching in 2000.

Already three years later, he took over as head of the unit for the optometry program and became program director shortly after. Today, he is head of the division of eye and vision and in charge of undergraduate education at the clinical neuroscience department. Even outside the walls of KI, Rune keeps up his professional dedication as president of the Swedish Optometry Association. He has published (or co-published) over 80 academic articles.

On the programme
At Clinical Conference 2022, Rune will give his academic view of optometry’s development in the years to come during the opening session about the direction of global optometry on Wednesday 5 October. He’ll also take part in the session about clinical assistants on the same day, addressing the importance of working with qualified clinical assistants. | Go to the programme