Myopia And Colour Vision: Potential Impact Of Colour Vision Gene Variation On Susceptibility To Myopia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,947.00
Summary
The frequency of myopia has shown a rapid increase in recent years but the underlying cause remains largely unknown. Our recent work on severe myopia with dichromacy has indicated that some forms of myopia may arise through changes in cone visual pigments and the arrangement of cone photoreceptors in the retina which impact on the feedback loop between image formation and eye elongation. This study seeks to explore this link in detail in myopia patients that possess normal colour vision.
Safety And Efficacy Of A Surgically Implanted Suprachoroidal Retinal Prosthesis (Bionic Eye)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,233,826.00
Summary
A bionic eye is a electronic device which can stimulate the remaining visual pathway in a person who is blind, to restore some basic vision. Our team have previously shown that our novel bionic eye device can be safely implanted in a patient, and can give improvements in vision when tested in a laboratory environment. The next stage of the research is to provide patients with a more advanced device, which will contain more electrodes and also be able to be taken home.
Pathways To Treatment In Blinding Genetic Retinal Eye Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,956.00
Summary
Blinding eye diseases with genetic contributing factors affecting the retina or light-sensing part of the eye, damage the vision of millions of people worldwide. The vision impairment is irreversible, untreatable, and worsens with age. In this project, we will use technological breakthroughs in genome correction and sequencing, in combination with stem cell and mouse model applications, to develop pathways to treatment of these currently incurable diseases.
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.
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.
Managing Depression Within Low Vision Rehabilitation Services: The Effectiveness Of Integrating An Evidence-based Therapy ‘Problem-Solving Therapy For Primary Care’ On Depression, Quality Of Life And Service Utilisation In Those With Low Vision
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,785.00
Summary
This research will evaluate the integration of an evidence-based treatment for depression into low vision rehabilitation services. It is anticipated that this new program will lead to sustained improvements in participants’ quality of life and mental health. This is the first time a system to manage depression has been implemented into low vision services worldwide and if successful this intervention could be suitable for application to other chronic health conditions.
Validation And Implementation Of A Diabetic Retinopathy Quality Of Life Item Bank
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,362.00
Summary
The current proposal will validate a comprehensive diabetic retinopathy quality of life item bank using a computer adaptive testing system in an Australian, and Singapore-Chinese, -Malay and -Indian sample. The national and international translational applications of the final item bank for researchers, clinicians and policy planners will be substantial, allowing the outcomes of novel treatment therapies for diabetic retinopathy to be accurately assessed from the patient’s perspective resulting ....The current proposal will validate a comprehensive diabetic retinopathy quality of life item bank using a computer adaptive testing system in an Australian, and Singapore-Chinese, -Malay and -Indian sample. The national and international translational applications of the final item bank for researchers, clinicians and policy planners will be substantial, allowing the outcomes of novel treatment therapies for diabetic retinopathy to be accurately assessed from the patient’s perspective resulting in better allocation of funding and resources.Read moreRead less
Investigating Trans-synaptic Degeneration In The Human Visual Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,514.00
Summary
This research project investigates the spread of neuronal damage along the visual pathway from the retina to higher order areas including the visual cortex and inter-hemispheric tracts. This trans-synaptic degeneration will be examined in Leber's optic atrophy, optic neuritis and glaucoma.
Nanoparticle-based Anti-VEGF Treatment For Ocular Neovascularization
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,921.00
Summary
Diseases like AMD and DR are the leading cause for substantial and irreversible vision loss as a direct effect of pathologic ocular neovascularization and have a significant economic impact on individuals, families, health systems and countries. Nowadays, the treatment requires frequent intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF antibody with all the risks of an invasive intraocular procedure. Nanotechonoly-based drug delivery system will provide a less invasive treatment for this kind of disease.
Identifying The Barriers To Optimal Diabetes And Diabetic Retinopathy Care In Non-English Speaking Adults With Type I And II Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Diabetes is a growing epidemic, with diabetic retinopathy being one of its common complications. With an ageing population, the public health and economic impact associated with diabetes are expected to magnify. Among the risk factors for sub-optimal diabetes care, language proficiency and cultural differences have been indicated. However, there is little to no research into the barriers of diabetes care in Australia�s non-English speaking population, which is the purpose of the proposed study.