Epidemiological And Molecular Risk Factors For Diabetic Retinopathy Blindness.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$61,988.00
Summary
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in working age adults, affecting 30% of Australians with diabetes. Patients at most risk of blindness are the focus of this project. We aim to (1) investigate why some people are more likely to develop blinding DR by looking at genetic difference between diabetic patients with and without DR; and, (2) help to understand why Indigenous Australians are so over represented in this subset of diabetic patients going blind from DR.
Using New Retinal Imaging Technologies To Improve Treatment And Classification Of Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,644.00
Summary
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in Australia. This project aims to use new ways of imaging changes in the back of the eye to try to improve the treatment and diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.
Molecular Genetic Risk Factors And Mechanisms In Blinding Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
This project aims to understand the genetic causes of blinding eye diseases. We have recently identified genetic variation that contributes to the risk of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. We are exploring the mechanisms through which this leads to disease by looking at differences in the genes in patients with disease compared to unaffected individuals. We hope to be able to identify genes that could be the target of new therapies to prevent blindness and visual impairment in the community.
A Genome-wide Association Scan To Identify Genetic Risk Factors For Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$982,203.00
Summary
Diabetic eye disease is an important complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness. Very little is known about how diabetes causes eye disease, but genetics is known to play a role. We aim to identify genes that contribute to eye disease in diabetes patients. We will compare genes between patients with diabetes with and without severe diabetic eye disease using cutting edge genomic technology. We hope to be able to better predict risk of blindness and to move towards novel treatments.
Clinical Trial Of Intravitreal Injections Of Dexamethasone Vs Bevacizumab In Diabetic Foveal Oedema Resistant To Laser
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,398.00
Summary
Diabetic macular oedema (swelling in the back of the eye) occurs in 20% of patients who have had diabetes for 10 years, and causes progressive vision loss. This project aims to determine whether there may be a difference between treatment with bevaciumab -VEGF inhibitor- and steroids used as eye injections inpatients with diabetic macular oedema losing vision despite standard laser treatment.
Improving Visual Outcomes In Patients With Diabetic Macular Oedema Undergoing Cataract Surgery: A Prospective Randomised Clinical Trial (the DiMECat Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,322.00
Summary
Cataract and diabetic retinopathy are the leading causes of visual loss in patients with diabetes, but unfortunately, cataract surgery in these patients often results in a loss of vision, rather than an improvement. The purpose of this study is to improve the visual outcomes in this group of patients, through the use of new, injected medicines that are given at the time of cataract surgery, thereby potentially changing current medical practice.
Low Cost Smart Screening System For Sight Threatening Eye Disease: Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$529,079.00
Summary
The aim of the project is to develop an automated disease grading and clinical decision support system for diabetic retinopathy (DR) to perform eye screening by primary care providers and nurses. The grading system will automatically extract DR pathology from a patient’s color fundus images by image processing, feature detection and machine learning algorithms. Based on the detected information, the system can classify the patient as non symptom or a specific disease level.
Novel Functional Testing For Early Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,578.00
Summary
About 7.5% of Australians have diabetes and 62% of them will have signs of damage to their eyes within 6 years of diagnosis. Diabetes is 2 to 3 times more common amongst Aboriginal Australians. A group of researchers at the Australian National University are collaborating to bring a new test for the severity of diabetic eye disease to the market within 3 years. The objective is to provide doctors with a rapid, cost-effective tool to help them recognize sight-threatening damage and to assist in t ....About 7.5% of Australians have diabetes and 62% of them will have signs of damage to their eyes within 6 years of diagnosis. Diabetes is 2 to 3 times more common amongst Aboriginal Australians. A group of researchers at the Australian National University are collaborating to bring a new test for the severity of diabetic eye disease to the market within 3 years. The objective is to provide doctors with a rapid, cost-effective tool to help them recognize sight-threatening damage and to assist in treatment.Read moreRead less
A Novel Treatment For Ameliorating Retinal Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,685.00
Summary
Retinal vascular disease is a leading cause of blindness and is currently treated by laser photocoagulation surgery. Although successful, this treatment is associated with serious side effects. Recently, Ellex Pty has developed a novel laser called the 2RT laser that is likely to be effective without the accompanying side effects. This study will allow examine the effect of the 2RT laser in animal models of retinal vascular disease so as to complete preclinical development of this laser.