Current Projects
In 2023 we are excited to be supporting these projects.
Comparison of macro and micro vascular changes in diabetic patients
Prof. Tim Davis
Fremantle Hospital
Analysis of carotid artery function using ultrasound, and retinal circulation using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), will determine whether subjects with early diabetic retinopathy are more likely to develop carotid disease and vice versa.
Using OCTA in diabetic children to predict diabetic retinopathy prior to photographic retinal changes
A. Prof. Chandra Balaratnasingam
Perth Children’s Hospital and Lions Eye Institute
The utility of retinal perfusion scans in children with type 1 diabetes will be evaluated as an early indicator of vascular change. Early prediction of vascular changes would allow timely interventions to decrease retinal damage in type 1 diabetes.
Using AI analysis of retinal images for pregnant diabetic women to predict development of retinopathy and pre-eclampsia
Dorothy Graham, Mary Nangrahary, Brendan McQuillan, Phoebe Fitzgerald, Yogi Kanagasingam, Vignesh Raja, Chaaya Mehrotra, Scott White, Eileen Sung, Dorota Doherty
King Edward Memorial Hospital
Pregnant women with diabetes have increased risk of pre-eclampsia. This study is using artificial intelligence of retinal images to discover which markers indicate an increased risk of pre-eclampsia. Diet, serum lipids, and serum markers of placental function will be recorded. The expected completion date is 2025.
Comprehensive care for Stickler’s syndrome
Dr Rosie Dawkins
CERA (Centre for Eye Research Australia) - Melbourne
This project, “Comprehensive Care for People with Stickler's Syndrome” aims to develop a model of care appropriate to the Australian context. Stickler's Syndrome is associated with retinal detachments in children, that may result in blindness.
Pre-operative OCT definition of suspected ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN)
Tom Cuneen and Joel Mudri
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Pre-operative anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and post-operative histology will be compared in patients with clinically suspected ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). The OCT features that provide the most useful prognostic information will be determined.
Educational Grant
The Royal Australasian College of Ophthalmologists
RANZCO
An educational grant to the Royal Australasian College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) supports visiting lecturers, training materials, and clinical conferences to which the eye care community
are invited.
Gene editing to correct inherited retinal diseases
A. Prof. Guei-Sheung Liu
CERA (Centre for Eye Research Australia)
A program to develop a novel gene editing and delivery system for correcting inherited retinal diseases.
Helen Smith Award
Helen was the founding CEO of the Perth Eye Hospital (PEH) in 1990, and also served as board member of the Eye Surgery Foundation (ESF) charity, in 2020 the ESF emerged into the Perth Eye Foundation (PEF).
Helen’s leadership was enormously instrumental to the success of both organisations and is now recognised by naming the major grant each year as the Helen Smith Award.
Winners
Australian Vision Research enterprise grant.