Involvement of the Human Retinal Endothelial Cell in Blinding Eye Disease. Endothelial cells line the blood vessels of the vascular networks that circulate blood through the tissues. The molecular constitution of each endothelial cell is different and specific to function, but may predispose to tissue-specific disease. Retinal endothelial cells ensure the nutrition and protection of a tissue critical to vision, but are key participants in retinal ischemic, inflammatory and infectious diseases th ....Involvement of the Human Retinal Endothelial Cell in Blinding Eye Disease. Endothelial cells line the blood vessels of the vascular networks that circulate blood through the tissues. The molecular constitution of each endothelial cell is different and specific to function, but may predispose to tissue-specific disease. Retinal endothelial cells ensure the nutrition and protection of a tissue critical to vision, but are key participants in retinal ischemic, inflammatory and infectious diseases that threaten vision. This project will investigate molecular activities of retinal endothelial cells that are relevant to retinal disease processes and explore future biological therapies directed against the human retinal endothelial cell that address efficacy and safety deficiencies of current treatments.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology Of Cataract In An Older Australian Population: Long-term Incidence And Risk Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,378.00
Summary
Cataract is the most common eye disease in the elderly population and cataract surgery is the most commonly pe formed eye surgery in the country. Preventing or delaying the onset of cataract will not only improve the quality of life of the elderly population but will also save a significant amount in the health care spending. In this study we aim to estimate the incidence of this disease amongst older Australians and identify possible preventable causes.
A ROBOTIC MICRO DRAINAGE SURGERY FOR GLAUCOMA (A BIOLOGICAL MICROFISTULA AND IMPLANTATION METHOD AND APPARATUS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,020.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness in our community. We are developing a new surgical procedure to treat glaucoma. The technique is based on the implantation of a tiny drainage tube inside the eye. This allows the eye's natural fluid to escape at the required rate. Insufficient drainage, or over production of fluid in the eye's of glaucoma patients is responsible for the high pressures inside the eye that characterise this disease. A simple, safe, and reliable surgical procedure to lower int ....Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness in our community. We are developing a new surgical procedure to treat glaucoma. The technique is based on the implantation of a tiny drainage tube inside the eye. This allows the eye's natural fluid to escape at the required rate. Insufficient drainage, or over production of fluid in the eye's of glaucoma patients is responsible for the high pressures inside the eye that characterise this disease. A simple, safe, and reliable surgical procedure to lower intraocular pressure would be a major benefit to the almost 67 million glaucoma patients worldwide, and would relieve the current need for lifelong medication.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101434
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
The role of outdoor activity in myopia development. It has recently been found that spending more time outdoors may reduce the risk of developing short sightedness. This project will examine the underlying basis of these associations and improve understanding of environmental factors involved in the cause of short sightedness, an eye problem that is a major cause of vision impairment globally.
Despite the acknowledged limitations of ophthalmic medication by means of topical guttae therapy, including toxicity, inefficiency and poor compliance, there has been no success in developing a true alternative suitable for a wide range of conditions. The availability of a simple, safe efficacious means of prolonged topical ophthalmic drug delivery would alter the practice of ophthalmology worldwide, with reduced morbidity, improved compliance and direct and indirect health savings. Poor patient ....Despite the acknowledged limitations of ophthalmic medication by means of topical guttae therapy, including toxicity, inefficiency and poor compliance, there has been no success in developing a true alternative suitable for a wide range of conditions. The availability of a simple, safe efficacious means of prolonged topical ophthalmic drug delivery would alter the practice of ophthalmology worldwide, with reduced morbidity, improved compliance and direct and indirect health savings. Poor patient compliance with topical guttae therapy is increasingly recognised as a source of significant morbidity. The occurrence of such a breakthrough in Australia would result in Australia benefiting from the boost to a medical biomaterial industry based here, with a large export market for a high value-m3 product. During the next phase of research for this project, over 1 year, we aim to do the following: Phase I: Manufacture a range of prototype devices, with variations in sponge and surface composition and evaluate these devices using a Sintech mechanical tester for elasticity and strength and by light and environmental scanning electron microscopy for structure and porosity. The liquid loading capacity will also be measured for each variant. Phase II: Using both hydrophilic and lipophilic models, drug loading and release kinetics will be assessed in vitro in a continuous flow system, with drug concentrations being measured by UV-Vis and HPLC. Drug stability within the devices will also be assessed. Phase III: Having determined the optimum sponge formulation and release kinetics in vitro, a pilot study will be undertaken to assess drug release in an animal model. Loaded devices will be placed within the inferior fornix the rabbits for specified periods from 0.5 to 96 hours, then removed so that drug levels remaining in the device can be assessed. After a 2 week flushing period, the experiments will be repeated but with animals being sacrificed at the end of the wearing period so that device levels in intraocular tissues and fluids, as well as remaining in the devices, can be determined at these times, with appropriate controls (‘blank’ devices and guttae therapy). This study will also fulfil the requirements for new device tolerance testing as specified by Regulatory authorities, as animals will be monitored for signs of irritation and histological studies will allow any evidence of inflammation to be identified. These studies do not allow evaluation of the device in a model diseased eye, nor attempt to establish drug loading levels required for human subjects, as there are differences in drug transport across the ocular surfaces of rabbits and humans, but will allow sufficient proof-of-principle for further development to occur.Read moreRead less
Association Of Retinal Vascular Calibre With Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviour In Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$104,664.00
Summary
The back of the eye provides a unique window to the health of the body's veins and arteries. The diameter of its blood vessels can be measured using photographs. Studies have shown that these measurements can help identify a person's risk of high blood pressure, diabetes or stroke. This project aims to see if the state of health of these blood vessels are related to a person's level of physical activity and television viewing time using data from a large-scale Australian study.
Personalising the management of diabetes care in non-English speaking Australian adults with diabetic retinopathy. Reducing the public health burden of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy for non-English speaking Australians is a major challenge for health care providers, researchers, and health policy makers. In addition to improving self care, eye health, and quality of life, this intervention has considerable potential to deliver substantial savings to the Australian community. It will also pro ....Personalising the management of diabetes care in non-English speaking Australian adults with diabetic retinopathy. Reducing the public health burden of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy for non-English speaking Australians is a major challenge for health care providers, researchers, and health policy makers. In addition to improving self care, eye health, and quality of life, this intervention has considerable potential to deliver substantial savings to the Australian community. It will also provide a novel and valid diabetes management program and contribute to future health policies related to personnel, resources and funding allocated to diabetes, eye care, and rehabilitation. This project will raise the skill of existing diabetes educators and serve to generate closer coordination of care between tertiary eye care services and primary care settings.Read moreRead less