A leading vision scientist from the University of Reading whose research transformed the treatment of childhood eye conditions has received her royal honour during a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Professor emerita Anna Horwood was presented with her award by Anne, Princess Royal on 17 February 2026. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to orthoptics and research in visual development.
Professor Horwood has worked as an orthoptist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital since 1981 and led the University’s Infant Vision Lab between 2006 and 2020.
Her research provided the first laboratory evidence to overturn more than a century of clinical understanding about how doctors treat eye-movement disorders such as childhood squint. The findings helped reshape international guidance for patient care and are widely credited with improving treatment outcomes for children.
Today, Professor Horwood is internationally recognised as one of the most influential figures in orthoptics.
Reflecting on the ceremony, she said:
“It was definitely a day to remember. All the officials and military guards in their uniforms were very welcoming and made us feel special. Speaking with Princess Anne was a highlight and she was interested in my research, particularly my work with children.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition for my work, and would like to thank the many colleagues, partners, patients and their families for their support and dedication to this research throughout my career. It has been fantastic to see how it has helped improve patient outcomes for those dealing with common vision issues. The support from the University was also vital to this research, so I am grateful for that too.”
Professor Horwood continues to see patients at the Royal Berkshire Hospital while also volunteering her time to teach orthoptics internationally.
