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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.
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.
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.
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
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 Randomised, Multi-Centre, Placebo Controlled Trial Of Fenofibrate For Treatment Of Diabetic Macular Oedema With Economic Evaluation (FORTE Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,588,132.00
Summary
Our project aims to test if adding an inexpensive oral medication, fenofibrate, is effective at improving treatment of diabetic macular oedema. We will use a well-designed, adequately powered, multi-centred randomised placebo controlled trial to test if fenofibrate can treat currently untreatable forms of diabetic macular oedema, and if it can be combined with current treatments to improve outcomes and reduce costs and risks to patients.
Clinical Trials And Registries To Prevent Blindness For Macular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,961.00
Summary
Injection of drugs into the eye is an unprecedented breakthrough in the treatment of macular diseases, however many questions must be addressed for our patients with diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration to reap the full benefits. My clinical research unit will conduct our own clinical trials, such as testing a new laser that has never been used in the retina. My observational studies unit will track “real world” outcomes of treatment of retinal disease in a large group of Australians.