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
A comparative study of the laser-tissue interaction between solid state 213nm vs excimer gas 193nm laser systems. We will carry out a comparative study of the latest technological developments in laser vision correction surgery. We will compare the biological effects of a new solid state laser operating at 213nm and a traditional excimer gas laser operating at 193nm. For each laser type, long-term scarring, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and free radical production will be studied in relevant in viv ....A comparative study of the laser-tissue interaction between solid state 213nm vs excimer gas 193nm laser systems. We will carry out a comparative study of the latest technological developments in laser vision correction surgery. We will compare the biological effects of a new solid state laser operating at 213nm and a traditional excimer gas laser operating at 193nm. For each laser type, long-term scarring, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and free radical production will be studied in relevant in vivo and in vitro animal models. Furthermore, optimization of the irradiation protocol for the solid state laser will lead to the development of a wide range of biological applications.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence - Vision Science. This Centre will generate important new knowledge of the performance, logic and stability of vision and visual behaviour. This knowledge will help reduce the burden of vision impairment in Australia, increasing productivity, promoting healthy ageing and reducing the community costs of visual impairment (ca. $9.85 billion in 2004). The knowledge produced will also make possible world-class innovations in robotics, leading to novel automated vision system ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Vision Science. This Centre will generate important new knowledge of the performance, logic and stability of vision and visual behaviour. This knowledge will help reduce the burden of vision impairment in Australia, increasing productivity, promoting healthy ageing and reducing the community costs of visual impairment (ca. $9.85 billion in 2004). The knowledge produced will also make possible world-class innovations in robotics, leading to novel automated vision systems with applications in industry and national security. Other knowledge will develop novel diagnostic technologies, for application in health delivery.Read moreRead less
Peripheral aberrations of the human eye. This project will benefit Australia from several perspectives. It will make an important contribution to understanding limitations to peripheral vision of the eye, particularly as a result of refractive surgical intervention. This is important because many Australians will require such surgery. Being able to better measure and correct peripheral aberrations will lead to improved imaging of the eye and thus contribute to improved detection and diagnosis of ....Peripheral aberrations of the human eye. This project will benefit Australia from several perspectives. It will make an important contribution to understanding limitations to peripheral vision of the eye, particularly as a result of refractive surgical intervention. This is important because many Australians will require such surgery. Being able to better measure and correct peripheral aberrations will lead to improved imaging of the eye and thus contribute to improved detection and diagnosis of ophthalmic disease. The study will benefit ophthalmologists, optometrists, and engineers involved in designing visual instruments. This project will provide training in adaptive optics for graduate students not available in any other Australian institution.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354517
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Adaptive Optics for Australian Astronomy, Medicine, Industry, and Defence. Adaptive optics is a technique for correcting wavefront distortions in light beams to improve optical imaging performance. The Research Network for Adaptive Optics aims to draw together isolated Australian and New Zealand research groups working on adaptive optics applications in disparate areas to achieve a critical mass of researchers in this burgeoning field. Adaptive optics has wide application in areas as diverse as ....Adaptive Optics for Australian Astronomy, Medicine, Industry, and Defence. Adaptive optics is a technique for correcting wavefront distortions in light beams to improve optical imaging performance. The Research Network for Adaptive Optics aims to draw together isolated Australian and New Zealand research groups working on adaptive optics applications in disparate areas to achieve a critical mass of researchers in this burgeoning field. Adaptive optics has wide application in areas as diverse as astronomy, vision science, ophthalmology, microscopy, optical communications, laser radar, and laser beam shaping. The Research Network will coordinate and expand Australian involvement in these areas and inform industry, as have similar networks in the USA and Europe.Read moreRead less
Auditory and Vestibular Ringing--Detection and theraputic interventions. Tinnitus effects up to 30% of the elderly population. To date no single suppression modality has been successful across all tinnitus sufferers. This study will apply an aural, low level, modulated, fractal suppression strategy designed to induce a "natural" olivary efferent response capable of suppressing/reducing tinnitus.
Balance disorders e.g. Meniere's Disease and nausea (seasickness) are unwanted outcomes of vestibu ....Auditory and Vestibular Ringing--Detection and theraputic interventions. Tinnitus effects up to 30% of the elderly population. To date no single suppression modality has been successful across all tinnitus sufferers. This study will apply an aural, low level, modulated, fractal suppression strategy designed to induce a "natural" olivary efferent response capable of suppressing/reducing tinnitus.
Balance disorders e.g. Meniere's Disease and nausea (seasickness) are unwanted outcomes of vestibular dysfunction/hypersensitivity. This study will apply a low level, low frequency, modulated, acoustic pressure wave designed to induce a ?natural? olivary efferent response and an end organ endolymph/perilymph balance shift. It is postulated these stimuli will reduce the effects of vestibular dysfunction/hypersensitivity.
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The kinematics of the anterior eye deformation. This project has a potential to benefit Australia from a number of perspectives. The outcomes will provide ophthalmologists and optometrists with currently unavailable knowledge on dynamic behaviour of eye. In particular the research will identify aspects of corneal deformation that in turn will help improve the accuracy of refractive surgeries and aid in the management of glaucoma. Also, the knowledge generated through this project will be of valu ....The kinematics of the anterior eye deformation. This project has a potential to benefit Australia from a number of perspectives. The outcomes will provide ophthalmologists and optometrists with currently unavailable knowledge on dynamic behaviour of eye. In particular the research will identify aspects of corneal deformation that in turn will help improve the accuracy of refractive surgeries and aid in the management of glaucoma. Also, the knowledge generated through this project will be of value to engineers designing advanced clinical instrument for measuring eye parameters. Read moreRead less
Gene therapy to enhance auditory prosthesis performance for cochlear implants. The cochlear implant is the most effective neural prosthesis, restoring hearing to the deaf. The research aims to develop a new type of implant compatible with delivery of therapeutic genes to the cells lining the cochlea. Gene therapy DNA constructs will be developed that will enhance neural survival and growth, improving cochlear implant performance. The research will provide advances in understanding how to tran ....Gene therapy to enhance auditory prosthesis performance for cochlear implants. The cochlear implant is the most effective neural prosthesis, restoring hearing to the deaf. The research aims to develop a new type of implant compatible with delivery of therapeutic genes to the cells lining the cochlea. Gene therapy DNA constructs will be developed that will enhance neural survival and growth, improving cochlear implant performance. The research will provide advances in understanding how to transfer genes into cochlear tissue, as well as development of gene cassettes for effective neural repair. The work will advance the field of bionics, an area where Australia is establishing international preeminence.Read moreRead less
Optical Fibre Touch Sensor for Cochlear Implants. The touch sensor will be part of a cochlear implant, which is surgically implanted to provide a sense of hearing for people who are profoundly or severely deaf. Approximately 100,000 people worldwide have received cochlear implants so far. However, the delicate internal structures of the ear can easily be damaged when the implant is inserted. By helping surgeons to preserve the inner ear, this sensor will help to further improve the hearing abili ....Optical Fibre Touch Sensor for Cochlear Implants. The touch sensor will be part of a cochlear implant, which is surgically implanted to provide a sense of hearing for people who are profoundly or severely deaf. Approximately 100,000 people worldwide have received cochlear implants so far. However, the delicate internal structures of the ear can easily be damaged when the implant is inserted. By helping surgeons to preserve the inner ear, this sensor will help to further improve the hearing ability of future patients. The 'bionic ear' was invented in Australia and this project will help to ensure the continued success of Australia's world leading implant industry.Read moreRead less