Dr. Karen Lahav Yacouel

Biography

Karen Lahav-Yacouel is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Medicine & Health Division at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and has garnered over 20 years of experience in the field of optometry. She completed her PhD at UNSW, with a thesis focused on novel contact lens technology designed to correct presbyopia, for which she was awarded the Brian Kirby Prize. Karen holds a Bachelor of Optometry with Honors from UNSW and previously worked in private practice before returning to UNSW to teach. She has also completed a Master of Optometry while serving as a staff optometrist, where she managed a low vision clinic in partnership with the Guide Dog’s Association. Throughout her career, she has collaborated internationally with private practices and has held roles as a Senior Research Optometrist at start-up companies. Karen has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and scientific abstracts, holds co-inventor status on multiple patents, and has volunteered as a reviewer for scientific journals. She has presented her research at both local and international conferences, focusing on vision correction devices and contact lenses for low vision.

Research Interests