News and Events

Quit smoking, save your sight

People struggling to keep their New Year’s resolution to quit smoking take note – quitting smoking, even late in life, will dramatically reduce your risk of blindness.

Smoking is a known risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Australia’s leading cause of vision loss and blindness, with research showing that smokers are three times more likely to develop the disease. 

Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) Managing Director Professor Jonathan Crowston said that given there’s no known cure and limited treatment options for AMD, cutting out risk factors like smoking is the best weapon against the disease.

“There’s evidence to suggest that people who quit can actually reverse the risk levels for AMD,” Professor Crowston said.

“A study by the University of California Los Angeles found that smoking continues to increase the risk of AMD, even after the age of 80. This should act as a strong incentive to quit smoking”. 

Professor Crowston said although cigarette packets featured warnings about the risk of blindness caused by smoking, there is still a lack of community awareness. 

AMD is a progressive disease affecting the central area of the retina called the macula. Fifteen per cent of people over 50, or half a million Australians, live with the early stages of the disease.

For information on quitting smoking call Quitline on 131 848 or visit http://www.quitnow.info.au/

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Watch Professor Robyn Guymer’s interview about the bionic eye project that recently aired on Ten News

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Expert warns parents ‘sunnies just as important as sunblock’

Eye health experts are urging parents to protect kid’s eyes from harmful UV rays during the summer holidays.

CERA Managing Director Professor Jonathan Crowston said while most parents know that UV exposure is harmful to the skin, many are unaware it can be damaging to the eyes.

According to Professor Crowston UV exposure can have short and long term effects on children’s eyes.

“Short-term exposure can cause sunburn of the cornea and impaired vision,” Professor Crowston said.

“But the real concern is the cumulative effect of exposure which can lead to the early onset of cataracts, the yellow-white growths on the eye known as pterygium, and even retinal damage.”

Professor Crowston said that the increased life expectancy of today’s young people means protecting their eyes from the sun is more important than ever.

“The prevalence of cataract increases from just 5 per cent in people aged 40-49 to 85 per cent in those aged 80-89. Given the rate of cataract surgery doubles with each decade of life, delaying the onset of cataract by just 10 years would reduce the need for surgery by half,” Professor Crowston said.

“This should act as a very strong incentive to protect your child’s eyes for the future.”

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Blind Reggie pins hopes on bionic eye

The loveable winner of the 2003 Big Brother series, ‘Reggie’ Sorenson, is one of the many Australians who stand to benefit from the bionic eye.

At just 35, Reggie is slowly losing her sight to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a degenerative disease that causes sufferers to gradually lose their peripheral vision.

With only ten per cent vision, Reggie is classified as legally blind. 

Professor Robyn Guymer is the Head of Macular Research at CERA and the lead clinician-researcher working with Bionic Vision Australia (BVA) – a consortium of world-leading researchers awarded $42 million to develop an advanced bionic eye.

“The decision will give hope to millions of people world-wide who suffer from irreversible vision loss and blindness,” Professor Guymer said. 

“Profound vision loss is largely caused by degeneration or death of the cells in the eye that receive light signals. A bionic eye will help restore sight by effectively replacing the function of these cells.”

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Bionic Eye Fact Sheet

Media Release - Funding for Bionic Eye

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Screening could abolish diabetic blindness says expert

A screening program aimed at detecting the early signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR) could abolish diabetic blindness.

This was the message from experts at a briefing to some of Australia’s leading diabetes and eye health specialists.

Professor Paul Dodson, Director of the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Training Centre (HEDRSCE) said DR screening has a major impact on the reduction of blindness in the diabetic population. 

“Since HEDRSCE began its screening program in 1993, the rate of diabetic blindness in the population we serve has reduced by about a third”.

“Ophthalmologists in Iceland, where they’ve implemented a program that works closely with diabetes clinics, maintain they’ve abolished diabetes related blindness completely. This is a staggering result.”

CERA Managing Director Professor Jonathan Crowston said that to implement a similar program in Australia, the Government will need to be convinced of the social and financial cost benefits.

“The UK experience provides a compelling case for support. The program ticks all boxes – it’s cost effective, it tackles a common and growing problem, the test is quick and painless and treatment is widely available,” Professor Crowston said.

Professor Crowston said CERA is already developing a service that will use retinal imaging to predict diabetic retinopathy and vascular disease through its Retinal Vascular Imaging Centre (RetVIC).

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CERA welcomes international review panel

In early December , three world renowned research leaders will visit CERA to conduct an independent review of its research.

The review panel will provide an assessment on CERA’s current and upcoming research, past achievements and contributions to eye research.

CERA Managing Director Professor Jonathan Crowston said the review will inform its strategy direction and help position CERA as a leader in ophthalmology research internationally.

“CERA is well recognised as Australia’s leading eye institute. By conducting this review, we aim to gain a better picture of where we stand on the international stage,” Professor Crowston said.

“The recommendations of the panel will also shape CERA’s vision and strategic direction for 2010 and beyond.”

During an intensive three day visit, panelists will interview key personnel including Unit Heads, senior scientists and researchers, students and the CERA Research Advisory Committee.

 “It’s a tall order to review an organisation of CERA’s size and scope in three days but we’re confident the program we’ve developed for the visit will give panelists a comprehensive view of CERA’s work.”

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Australian eye health consortium to save sight throughout the Asia Pacific

In an historic first, CERA has united with eight Australian eye health organisations to form the Vision 2020 Australia Global Consortium.

Formed as part of the Australian Government’s $45 million dollar commitment to prevent avoidable blindness in the Asia Pacific, the Consortium aims to eliminate avoidable blindness and reduce the impact of vision loss throughout the region over the next 10 years.

Head of CERA’s Population Health Unit Professor Jill Keeffe said she looks forward to contributing to the partnership.

“CERA will investigate the epidemiology of vision loss and blindness, monitor and evaluate the success of each project, and conduct education and training in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and the Solomon Islands,” Professor Keeffe said. 

Blindness is both a cause and consequence of poverty. Improving eye care and reducing preventable blindness is a simple and cost effective way to reduce poverty.

Vision 2020 Australia will coordinate the consortium which includes: CBM Australia, CERA, Foresight, International Centre for Eyecare Education, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, the Fred Hollows Foundation, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and Vision Australia.

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Revolutionary new treatment ‘could halt’ AMD progression

In a world first, CERA researchers will trial a novel laser therapy aimed at stopping the progression of the sight threatening disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Head of CERA’s Macular Research Unit, Professor Robyn Guymer said the trial is particularly exciting because unlike existing AMD treatments, the laser therapy targets the disease in its early stages, before sight is lost.

“Currently, when a patient is diagnosed with early AMD, they’re told that nothing can be done until the disease reaches its late stages, by which time some patients have suffered irreversible vision loss,” Professor Guymer said.

“In applying the laser therapy we hope to halt, or partially reverse, the progression of AMD before it threatens a patient’s sight”.

Former opera singer June Sloane is one of the first patients to receive the laser treatment. June discovered she had the early stages of the disease 18 months ago after visiting her optometrist for a routine check up. 

“When I was diagnosed I was already well aware of the devastating impact AMD can have on a person’s vision,” Mrs Sloane said.

“My older sister was diagnosed with dry AMD, which very rapidly developed into the wet form of the disease. Her vision deteriorated quickly. She is now almost blind and living in a residential care facility”.  

While her vision has not been affected by the disease, June is considered at high risk of developing late AMD due to a family history of the disease and the presence of ‘drusen’ in her retinal tissue.

Encouraged by preliminary results of the trial, June is hopeful the treatment she received will halt the progression of the disease and her sight will remain intact.

“My sight is just so valuable. I don’t know how I’d cope if I couldn’t see. If this procedure stops the disease from progressing I shall be eternally grateful”.

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New investigator awarded glaucoma research grant

CERA was awarded six of the 13 available grants from the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia (ORIA) in October.

More than $250,000 will be distributed across four research units to help fund studies into conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and myopia.

Fleur O’Hare of the Glaucoma Research Unit received a New Investigator grant of $45,000, jointly funded by Glaucoma Australia, to investigate the auditory function in individuals with glaucoma.

“Preliminary research suggests that some glaucoma patients experience auditory hearing processing impairments, a potential sign of generalised sensory nerve problems,” Ms O’Hare said.

“The results of the study will provide us with new ways of detecting glaucoma and a better understanding of the impact of glaucoma on the central nervous system.”

For the study, researchers will recruit individuals with open-angle glaucoma between the ages of 40 and 65, who have reportedly ‘normal’ hearing.

For more information please contact Fleur O’Hare on 03 9929 8791.

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Restored vision helps grandfather pursue lifelong dream  

At 73, Sid Powley is not a typical university student but the Visual Arts undergraduate at Victoria University says he’s embracing campus life and the opportunity to hone his artistic skills.

“Whenever I see a white surface I just want to draw on it, to put my mark on it somehow. Art allows me to express myself,” Sid said.

Two years ago however Sid was forced to abandon his art after blurry and distorted vision made it difficult to focus. After consulting an ophthalmologist, Sid was diagnosed him with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a severe form of the disease characterised by rapid central vision loss.

Sid was treated with regular injections into the eye of Lucentis, a drug shown to stop the progression of wet AMD, and in some cases improve a patients vision. The treatment improved his sight dramatically.

Professor Robyn Guymer, head of Macular Research at the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), and an ophthalmologist at the Eye and Ear Hospital, said Sid is fortunate he was diagnosed early.

“While there’s no cure for wet AMD, the good news is that there are several treatments that are very effective when applied early. That’s why early diagnosis is so important,” Professor Guymer said.

For Sid, the improvement to his vision has been life changing, allowing him to fulfil his lifelong dream of studying art.

“If you or someone you love is experiencing changes in vision, don’t ignore the signs. Book an eye test, it could save your sight,” he said.

To read the full story click here: Restored vision helps grandfather pursue lifelong dream

View Sid’s story on Channel 7 news  

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Landmark survey reveals startling levels of vision loss in Indigenous communities

The rate of blindness in Indigenous adults is more than six times higher than non-Indigenous Australians.

This is one of the findings of the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey, launched by Governor General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC.  

The study was undertaken by researchers at the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) and the School of Population Health at the University of Melbourne.

“This is the first comprehensive study of its kind and the first time in 30 years we’ll have national data on the impact of eye disease on Indigenous communities,” said Professor Taylor, Harold Mitchell Chair of Indigenous Eye Health, University of Melbourne.

“The survey puts into sharp focus the frighteningly high level of avoidable vision loss and the unacceptable deficiencies in Indigenous eye health.”

Read more

Download the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey key findings

Download the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey summary report

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AMD patients at higher risk of heart disease: study

Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) researchers have discovered a link between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and an increased risk of heart disease that could lead to early diagnosis and more effective treatment.

The study, published in Ophthalmology, found that people with early AMD are almost 60 per cent more likely to develop coronary heart disease than those without the disease.

 Director of CERA’s Retinal Vascular Imaging Centre Professor Tien Wong said that while scientists have long thought AMD to be associated with cardiovascular disease, this study is the first to establish a consistent link between AMD and coronary heart disease.

 “We don’t fully understand the causes of AMD however increasing evidence suggests the disease shares similar genetic and environmental risk factors with cardiovascular disease,” Professor Wong said.

 “Smoking, a diet high in fat and hypertension are all risk factors of both AMD and heart disease and the two share common genetic variants,” he said.

 The findings suggest that common treatments for cardiovascular disease, such as cholesterol lowering medication, may be useful for AMD prevention. However further research into this area is required.

 Researchers monitored 1786 people between the ages of 69 to 97 years who were free of coronary heart disease over a seven year period. Of those who had early AMD, almost 26 per cent developed heart disease, compared to only 18.9 per cent of those without AMD.

 AMD is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Australia and one in seven people over the age of 50 are affected by the condition.

Australians urged to test for glaucoma

An estimated 150,000 Australians have glaucoma, an eye disease that can lead to irreversible vision loss and blindness, and they don’t know it yet.   

This is just one of the findings by Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) researchers who are investigating the genes associated with glaucoma and identifying new ways to diagnose those at a high risk of developing the disease.

CERA Managing Director Professor Jonathan Crowston said a simple eye test will pick up glaucoma long before the patient notices any symptoms.

“During National Glaucoma Week I urge you to book an eye test, and remind a friend or loved one to do the same. It could end up saving their sight,” Professor Crowston said.

National Glaucoma Week is August 16 – 22.

To read the full story click here: Australians urged to test for glaucoma

Call for diabetes patients to join research study

Only 15 per cent of people with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels within the optimal range, fueling an increase in vision loss from complications such as diabetic retinopathy.

This is just one of the findings by Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) researchers who are investigating the factors that prevent good diabetes management. 

Principal Investigator Ecosse Lamoureux said that while most people with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy at some point in their lives, severe vision loss caused by the disease is preventable.

“Diabetic retinopathy is usually the result of untreated or poorly controlled diabetes. Studies show that proper control of blood glucose levels and hypertension significantly reduces the progression of the disease,” Dr Lamoureux said.

Researchers hope the results of the study will help medical professionals to better support and educate patients about their treatment needs.

CERA is seeking to recruit 2,000 people over 18 with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to participate in the study which involves an interview, blood test and eye exam at CERA and the Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne.

If you would like to join the study, please contact CERA recruitment coordinator Eva Fenwick on 03 9929 8363.

Read more about the study in the June edition of Vision news here

Bionic eye partnership announced

A new landmark partnership, involving the Centre for Eye Research Australia, is pursuing the development of a technologically advanced bionic eye to help improve the sight of people with degenerative or inherited retinal disease.

‘Bionic Vision Australia’ includes other world-leading Australian research institutes: the University of Melbourne, the University of New South Wales, the Bionic Ear Institute, and the Victoria Research Laboratory of NICTA. The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital will be the clinical partner in this endeavour and will be the place where the first human transplants are performed.

Professor Robyn Guymer, Head of the Centre’s Macular Research Unit, says that the multidisciplinary partnership plans to deliver a ‘first prototype, in 2011, and a higher-resolution model to follow several years later.’

It’s thought the bionic eye would work by wirelessly transferring images from a small camera to the retina at the back of the eye

“Bionic Vision Australia is working on a bionic eye that has around 1,000 electrodes, which far exceeds other models around the world and increases resolution so that people might be able to recognise faces or familiar objects,” Professor Guymer says.

More than 50,000 Australians have severe to profound vision loss, caused largely by degeneration or death of the cells in the eye that receive light signals

“A bionic eye will assist in restoring patient mobility, independence and quality of life by effectively replacing the function of damaged light-sensing cells in the eye. Unfortunately, not all causes of severe vision loss can benefit from a bionic prosthesis,” Professor Guymer says.

“Clarity and definition of vision may not be equal to normal sight, but the device will allow patients to move around, detect large objects and, in time, read text and recognise some facial features.”

The Centre is currently involved in perfecting the surgical procedures for the placement of the bionic eye’s electrodes. It is also forming focus groups with people who have suffered significant visual loss to understand what visual stimuli recipients would most desire from a bionic eye and the impact such a device might have on their quality of life.

More information about Bionic Vision Australia can be found at www.bionicvision.org.au