Ahalya is an optometrist and currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences at City, University of London, which she joined in 2006. She runs the visual impairment clinic at the university and her main focus area is improving the quality of life of vision impaired people, with particular emphasis on technology and improving reading ability. Ahalya gained a first-class degree from the Elite School of Optometry in Chennai, India, and subsequently worked there as a lecturer. In 2000, she came to the UK to take up a position as a research assistant at the University of Manchester, and during this time completed her PhD in visual impairment. Outside of work Ahalya enjoys watching her son’s football matches, gardening and walking her dog.