MULTI-CENTRED CLINICAL EVALUATION OF A NOVEL KERATOPROSTHESIS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,091.00
Summary
The prosthesis developed by applicants, known also as Chirila keratoprosthesis, is an artificial implantable device designed to replace a diseased cornea or a failed corneal graft, and can be used in patients with no hope for a conventional replacement of the cornea with donor tissue. The device may ultimately find a wider application, as it has the potential to give better visual results than human donor grafts. Even when not rejected, the donor grafts may lead to problematic healing patterns a ....The prosthesis developed by applicants, known also as Chirila keratoprosthesis, is an artificial implantable device designed to replace a diseased cornea or a failed corneal graft, and can be used in patients with no hope for a conventional replacement of the cornea with donor tissue. The device may ultimately find a wider application, as it has the potential to give better visual results than human donor grafts. Even when not rejected, the donor grafts may lead to problematic healing patterns and astigmatism, both limiting the final vision of patients. From the 45 million blind people worldwide, at least 10 million are due to corneal diseases or trauma. The figures released by WHO suggest a doubling of this number by year 2020. Many countries are unable to provide sufficient donor corneas, sometimes for cultural-religious reasons. In developed countries, the replacement with donor tissue is a common procedure, but many patients remain untreated because their prognosis for successful grafting is poor. Figures released in Australia show that long-term success of donor transplantation is unlikely in the patients identified as high-risk recipients. Furthermore, even technically successful cases show disppointing final vision. The significance of the applicants' artificial cornea is that allows high-risk, or otherwise untreatable corneal blind patients, to have their vision restored, and it could ultimately reduce the need for donor corneal tissue. A phase I pilot study has been completed, and Phase II is currently underway with support from NH and MRC. These studies showed that the Chirila KPro is an effective means of reversible replacement of a diseased cornea.The proposed Phase III will evaluate both safety and effectiveness in different categories of patients in comparison with published outcomes of donor grafting, and will establish unequivocally the clinical potential of this prosthesis.Read moreRead less
Genome-wide Association Studies To Identify Major Genetic Determinants Of 5 Blinding Eye Diseases Using Pooled DNA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,193.00
Summary
This project aims to find important genes for 5 diseases that can lead to blindness. We will use a cost-effective approach where samples from a large number of individuals with a given disorder are pooled (mixed together) and then compared on gene chips covering the whole genome to a pool of people who do not have the disease. Differences identified between the groups will point to genes causing that disease. We will identify any major genes for the 5 diseases being studied.
Mechanisms Of Novel TLR9 Mediated Intraocular Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,244.00
Summary
Corneal opacities and scarring due to microbial and parasitic infections are a major cause of blindness globally. Novel studies in our lab have shown that topical application of bacterial/viral DNA alone to the cornea can cause previously unrecognised inflammation in the retina. Understanding the mechanisms of this retinal inflammation and how to block it may help in the design of novel treatments for a number of blinding conditions.
Making Sense Of Novel Ocular Neuroimmune Interactions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,178.00
Summary
It is becoming clear that the interaction between corneal nerves and immune cells underpin many inflammatory conditions of the ocular surface. Despite this increased interest, very little is known about the relationship between corneal nerves and immune cells in this outermost layer of the eye. This project will investigate the relationship between corneal nerves and immune cells during health and corneal inflammation to identify therapeutic targets to treat corneal disease.