Developing tests for the early detection of eye disease. Australians have a tradition of innovative design in perimetry. A good example being the Frequency Doubling Technology produced from work performed at the Australian National University. This technology, however, is manufactured by an overseas company (Welch Allyn, NY, USA). The Medmont company is a local perimeter manufacturer and we hope to improve their product with innovative design to yield a distinct marketing advantage. We will cons ....Developing tests for the early detection of eye disease. Australians have a tradition of innovative design in perimetry. A good example being the Frequency Doubling Technology produced from work performed at the Australian National University. This technology, however, is manufactured by an overseas company (Welch Allyn, NY, USA). The Medmont company is a local perimeter manufacturer and we hope to improve their product with innovative design to yield a distinct marketing advantage. We will consider the fundamental issues underlying cone-interactions and methods that stress retinal function. We believe that this approach will have advantages over conventional techniques and prove more sensitive for the early detection of eye disease. However, this is a high risk venture requiring substantial developmental cost and technical commitment by the company. Successful innovation will enhance the company's international penetration, continue the trend for Australians to be seen as leaders in this field and have impact on eye care.Read moreRead less
Histamine and non-visual regulation of retinal signalling. This project is internationally competitive, asking basic biological questions about the brain and vision. Of direct national benefit, the new knowledge generated may alter the way we understand how vision works. Ultimately this knowledge may give insight into particular health issues, such as the persistence of visual memory in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and age related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Further this new kno ....Histamine and non-visual regulation of retinal signalling. This project is internationally competitive, asking basic biological questions about the brain and vision. Of direct national benefit, the new knowledge generated may alter the way we understand how vision works. Ultimately this knowledge may give insight into particular health issues, such as the persistence of visual memory in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and age related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Further this new knowledge will flow directly into the reputation of our major institutes of higher education and strengthen their place on the world stage. Through both CIs, this research will contribute to the education of both undergraduate and postgraduate science students at The University of Melbourne. Read moreRead less
Optical defects of the eye and their relationship to visual performance. All of us will need ophthalmic correction (spectacles, contact lenses and/or refractive surgery) at some stage in our lives. This research is important to the whole Australian community as it will lead to improved equipment for measuring optics of the eye and their effects on spatial vision, better techniques for measuring vision, and obtaining a better understanding of the contribution of the optics to human vision. It wil ....Optical defects of the eye and their relationship to visual performance. All of us will need ophthalmic correction (spectacles, contact lenses and/or refractive surgery) at some stage in our lives. This research is important to the whole Australian community as it will lead to improved equipment for measuring optics of the eye and their effects on spatial vision, better techniques for measuring vision, and obtaining a better understanding of the contribution of the optics to human vision. It will provide information about how correcting optical defects through customized refractive surgery and how inducing optical defects (eg with progressive addition lenses) affect vision, and will thus guide developments in refractive surgery and spectacle lenses. Read moreRead less
Understanding lens aging: the molecular basis of presbyopia. Ageing has major consequences in the deterioration of vision, notably, the inability to focus on near objects. The understanding gained through this study of age-related lens changes may allow us to prescribe drugs or diets that alter lens properties and thus delay the need for glasses. This would have great benefits not just in decreased inconvenience of users, but also in cost to the middle-aged and elderly. In addition, data will b ....Understanding lens aging: the molecular basis of presbyopia. Ageing has major consequences in the deterioration of vision, notably, the inability to focus on near objects. The understanding gained through this study of age-related lens changes may allow us to prescribe drugs or diets that alter lens properties and thus delay the need for glasses. This would have great benefits not just in decreased inconvenience of users, but also in cost to the middle-aged and elderly. In addition, data will be used to underpin the development of a flexible intraocular lens (IOL). Hard IOLs are routinely inserted into human eyes following cataract surgery. In the future, flexible IOLs based on the properties of young lenses will be used, rather than reading glasses. This new industry could be based in Australia.Read moreRead less
Identifying tear lipids, their deposition onto contact lenses and their role in the development of dry eye. Lipids provide a critical layer in the human tear film that retards evaporation and helps nourish and protect the eye. We will identify the molecules within this essential "oil slick" to better understand dry eye syndrome and the discomfort associated with wearing contact lenses. This may lead to new treatments for dry eye and novel technologies that provide greater comfort for the ~120,00 ....Identifying tear lipids, their deposition onto contact lenses and their role in the development of dry eye. Lipids provide a critical layer in the human tear film that retards evaporation and helps nourish and protect the eye. We will identify the molecules within this essential "oil slick" to better understand dry eye syndrome and the discomfort associated with wearing contact lenses. This may lead to new treatments for dry eye and novel technologies that provide greater comfort for the ~120,000 Australians who wear contact lenses. This collaborative research directly supports the mission of a respected non-profit organisation (Institute for Eye Research) and will train scientists in world-leading analytical technologies that are essential to Australia's emerging biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Design and Analysis of Optimal Algorithms for Automated Perimetry. Australian demographic studies reveal that visual impairment contributes significantly to disability in the elderly. Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in developed nations, may be slowed if detected early, however recent studies estimate 50% of Australians with glaucoma are undiagnosed. Automated perimetry is used to detect and track such vision loss, but perimetry algorithms perform poorly. This project will design ....Design and Analysis of Optimal Algorithms for Automated Perimetry. Australian demographic studies reveal that visual impairment contributes significantly to disability in the elderly. Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in developed nations, may be slowed if detected early, however recent studies estimate 50% of Australians with glaucoma are undiagnosed. Automated perimetry is used to detect and track such vision loss, but perimetry algorithms perform poorly. This project will design and analyse new algorithms with superior accuracy and efficiency, improving detection and monitoring of vision loss. Enhanced tools for community vision screening will also result, crucial for the ARC's priority goals of ?ageing well, ageing productively? and ?preventative healthcare?Read moreRead less
Resolving multi-sensory conflict as we age: audio-visual integration and the role of normal and abnormal sensory decline. Australia has an ageing population. Even the healthiest older individuals undergo some deterioration of vision and hearing, however, these senses are almost invariably studied in isolation. The real world is multisensory. This project will enhance our knowledge of how ageing impacts on the interpretation of visual and auditory information regarding the timing and location of ....Resolving multi-sensory conflict as we age: audio-visual integration and the role of normal and abnormal sensory decline. Australia has an ageing population. Even the healthiest older individuals undergo some deterioration of vision and hearing, however, these senses are almost invariably studied in isolation. The real world is multisensory. This project will enhance our knowledge of how ageing impacts on the interpretation of visual and auditory information regarding the timing and location of objects; essential precursors to many real world tasks, for example: driving, interpreting speech, and hazard avoidance. This knowledge is essential for the optimisation of audio-visual environments for the elderly, and for the development of tools to improve performance in the presence of sensory decline due to age-related eye disease.Read moreRead less
Understanding the consequences of normal ageing on visual form perception. Australia has an ageing population. Within the elderly, vision is a key sense that contributes significantly to the maintenance of independence, mobility and participation in society. This project will enhance our knowledge of the impact of ageing on vision. The research findings are important to a variety of disciplines involved in planning for our ageing population; for example: the design of living/working spaces for t ....Understanding the consequences of normal ageing on visual form perception. Australia has an ageing population. Within the elderly, vision is a key sense that contributes significantly to the maintenance of independence, mobility and participation in society. This project will enhance our knowledge of the impact of ageing on vision. The research findings are important to a variety of disciplines involved in planning for our ageing population; for example: the design of living/working spaces for the elderly, information technology, and the design of technology to assist with independent living. This project will train students in visual psychophysics, continuing the strong international reputation and output of Australian scientists in this discipline.Read moreRead less
Functional pathways in primate retina. When light enters the eye, specialised nerve cells called photoreceptors transform the light signal into nerve signals. These signals are processed in the retina by two groups of neurones, bipolar and ganglion cells before being sent to higher brain centres. Bipolar and ganglion cells can be subdivided into several types. We will measure which types communicate with each other and which proteins (neurotransmitter receptors) are involved at the site of commu ....Functional pathways in primate retina. When light enters the eye, specialised nerve cells called photoreceptors transform the light signal into nerve signals. These signals are processed in the retina by two groups of neurones, bipolar and ganglion cells before being sent to higher brain centres. Bipolar and ganglion cells can be subdivided into several types. We will measure which types communicate with each other and which proteins (neurotransmitter receptors) are involved at the site of communication between these nerve cells. This study will improve our knowledge of the basis of functional subspecialisation at the earliest stages of the visual process.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel biodegradable ophthalmic biomaterial based on porous silicon. Within this interdisciplinary project, we will combine our diverse expertise towards the development of frontier technologies for control of stem cell behaviour on biodegradable scaffold materials. We will develop a novel ophthalmic bioimplant from porous silicon using topographical and chemical aspects of surface modification as well as immobilisation and/or incorporation of bioactive species such as growth fac ....Development of a novel biodegradable ophthalmic biomaterial based on porous silicon. Within this interdisciplinary project, we will combine our diverse expertise towards the development of frontier technologies for control of stem cell behaviour on biodegradable scaffold materials. We will develop a novel ophthalmic bioimplant from porous silicon using topographical and chemical aspects of surface modification as well as immobilisation and/or incorporation of bioactive species such as growth factors, to permit the growth and differentiation of mammalian stem cells. This project will result in biomaterials for the treatment of blinding diseases of the eye. Implanted into the limbus, bioimplants may ameliorate some common corneal diseases.Read moreRead less