Non-invasive Therapy For Keratoconus – Ultrasound Enhanced Delivery Of Riboflavin To Cornea For Transepithelial Corneal Collagen Crosslinking
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,658.00
Summary
Keratoconus is a degenerative eye disease which causes corneal thinning. The disease causes visual distortions & loss of vision, and is commonly treated with Corneal Cross-Linking. This involves scraping off the outer protective layer of the cornea so that treatment can be applied. This is painful for patients and carries many risks. This grant assists in the development of a device that is able to deliver the reagent in a painless, non-invasive, effective and safe way.
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.
The Influence Of Aqueous And Plasma Cytokines In Treatment Outcomes For Diabetic Macular Oedema
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,384.00
Summary
Diabetic macular oedema (DME) is the commonest cause of central visual loss in diabetics and has been linked to increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the eye. DME is treated with anti-VEGF injections, but these need to be repeated, with some patients failing to respond. We plan to see if levels of VEGF and other inflammatory markers will predict treatment response, so those unlikely to respond can be spared futile treatment and receive alternative treatment earlier.
Regulation Of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells For Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,930.00
Summary
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in the working population of developed countries. Current treatments cannot restore the retinal vascular damage in DR. This project intends to combat DR by repairing the damaged retinal vasculature through short- and long-term regulations of the function of bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells. Success in this project would potentially have a major impact on all diabetic vascular complications.
Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-B As A Biologic For Treating Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$464,295.00
Summary
We plan to show that an engineered antibody fragment against vascular endothelial growth factor-B is an effective therapeutic drug for two eye diseases, corneal neovascularization and age-related macular degeneration. The innovative aspects of this approach are that it may be safer, and have a different spectrum of activity, than existing ophthalmic anti-angiogenic agents. Furthermore, it may be effective for corneal disease when administered as an eye-drop.