Our Partners

The Centre is a joint undertaking between the University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital (RVEEH), the Victorian branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), Vision Australia, the Victorian Lions Foundation, the Ansell Ophthalmology Foundation and CBM Australia (formerly known as Christian Blind Mission International)

CERA’s work is recognised both nationally and internationally. Since 1992 we have been designated a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, the only such centre in Australia.

CERA is a major contributor in the international organisation VISION 2020: The Right to Sight. This organisation was established in 1999 through an alliance of WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). This global initiative, which aims to eliminate avoidable blindness around the world by the year 2020, provided the impetus to develop an Australian organisation, Vision 2020: The Right to Sight – Australia. Professor Hugh Taylor AC was a founding co-chairman. Vision 2020 Australia provides advocacy for vision and a forum for its 47 co-partners to work together. Its three main target areas are the Australian community, indigenous eye health and global programs.

CERA, in association with the University of Melbourne, is also a core partner in the recently funded Vision Co-operative Research Centre (Vision CRC). This is an exciting initiative with objectives to become a leader in research, education and the delivery of vision correction; to improve international eye care; and to maximise commercial opportunities. Professor Debbie Sweeney leads the Vision CRC. Other core participants are the University of NSW, the International Centre for Eyecare Education, the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (Hyderabad, India) and the Institute of Eye Research.

Other partners include the Department of Human Services (Victoria), Optometrists Association of Australia, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital, and Vision Australia.