Macular Research

Determining the genetic components of AMD: AMD inheritance study

This study uses a database of AMD cases and their families as one of the largest in the world. The database is used to study genes that might influence AMD.

Australia – India collaboration: Developing an AMD risk assessment chip

The development of a risk assessment chip; standardisation of Indian and Australian AMD patient repositories; identification of a common molecular signature (haplotypes) for the complement gene; identification of haplotypes in other genes and correlate these with clinical phenotype and progression. The project is funded under the Commonwealth government Australia–India Strategic Research Fund.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) collaboration

Collaboration with Prof Greg Hageman at the University of Iowa in the USA. To standardize the clinical grading of the cases included in the genetic association studies and to subtype end stage disease to further characterize the genetics of AMD across two different cohorts.

Understanding epidemiological risk factors in AMD, Health 2000. The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS)

The project aims to investigate simultaneously dietary genetic and other potential risk factors for age-related macular degeneration in a large cohort of elderly participants of the Health 2000 study.

Identification of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the macular tissue from the eyes affected by AMD

Exposure to Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been associated with AMD progression. This study aims to examine AMD-affected and non-affected macular tissue from donor eyes for the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Exposure to Chlamydia pneumonia infection and incidence of AMD: the Blue Mountain Eye Study

A collaboration between three research groups in Australia and USA to test C pneumonia antibody titers in the plasma from the participants of the 5-year follow up Blue Mountain Eye Study. The Blue Mountain samples have been collected, analysed and no association was found in this cohort.

Cardiovascular Health and Agerelated Maculopathy (CHARM) study

The CHARM study looked at the associations between cardiovascular disease and age-related maculopathy. Several papers have been published and others submitted or in progress.

Delaying the progression of AMD: Age-related maculopathy statin study

The study aims to determine whether statin (cholesterol-lowering drugs) treatment for three years, to people with high risk characteristics but not CNV, can slow the progression of AMD. We are not only determining progression by traditional fundus but also by conducting a range of novel visual function tests.

A functional predictive test of AMD: Recruit AMD cases and controls for testing

The aim is to develop a visual function test that looks at how the retina functions in early AMD. These tests will be used to assess the risk of progression of visually devastating complications of AMD. Tests were also performed on patients with glomerulonephirits and drusen and in Sorsby’s fundus dystrophy.

Pathogenesis of AMD: Collect retinal tissue and conduct immunohistochemical studies

Collections form part of work investigating links with Alzheimer’s disease and provides tissue for Chlamydia work. Collecting eyes and examining them for signs of AMD continues.

International drug trials in AMD: Alcon AMD prophylactic study
(Anecortave Acetate)

Responsible Parties This trial aims to demonstrate that Anecortave Acetate Depot Suspension is superior to Placebo after 60 months in preventing the development of choroidal neovascularization, or causes a decrease of three or more lines of visual acuity as compared to baseline in the study eye.

Novartis anti VEGF study

All excite and sustain patients have been offered enrolment in the secure study which aims to follow patients who have had several doses of an anti vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment.

Novartis PTK inhibitor (oral anti VRGF)

An investigation of the safety of PTK787 administered in conjunction with photodynamic therapy with Visudyne to patients with predominantly classic, minimally classic or occult with no classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Small interfering RNA treatment for AMD Allergan

An assessment of the safety and efficiency of multiple intravitreal injections of AGN 211745 in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

C-02-60: Alcon

A retrospective analysis to evaluate the efficiency and treatment rationales of Lucentis (ranibizumab) in clinical practice in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to AMD.

Macular telangiectasis: National Eye Institute collaboration.

Understanding the natural history of type 2 macular telangiectasis. This work seeks to understand the natural history of type 2 macular telangiectasis. Researchers are consulting family members for genetic studies. The study will be the first centre in Australia to begin looking at the genetics of this disease.

Bionic Eye

A collaboration between the Bionic Ear Institute, Centre for Eye Research Australia, NICTA (National Information Communications Technology Australia) and University of New South Wales to advance the bionic eye implant. The Biocompatibility & Efficacy study is the first phase of seven core projects centred on the development of a high resolution bionic eye.

Biomarkers of AMD. A proteomic approach

To identify diagnostic proteins in bodily fluids for AMD and develop a simple biochemical test that can be obtained from a bodily fluid such as blood or urine that can predict AMD development and monitor its progression.

Ocular Inflammatory Disease Research

In-vivo confocal imaging of ocular inflammatory disease

The study involves the imaging of keratic precipitates with the HRT II and Rostock Corneal Module in various ocular inflammatory diseases, with the premise that the images obtained will have diagnostic significance. Recruitment and imaging has commenced with preliminary results expected mid-2008.

Genetics of uveitis

This study aims to investigate the genes associated with various ocular inflammatory diseases through an international collaboration with the Casey Eye Institute. Preliminary results from blood sample analysis are promising, with the emergence of a possible candidate gene for anterior uveitis and sarcoidosis related uveitis.

Investigation of inflammatory biomarkers of progression in AMD

This project aims to investigate the association between systemic markers of inflammation and the prediction of progression and overall prognosis in those with AMD. Recruitment has commenced with samples being collected for batch analysis for inflammatory marker assays.

Intravitreal Avastin in macular oedema and uveitis

To investigate the effect of intravitreal Avastin (Bevacizumab) in the treatment of macular oedema secondary to diabetic retinopathy and uveitis; and in the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation secondary to uveitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis and uveitis

To investigate a possible relationship between uveitis and autoimmune hepatitis. All data has been collected and the manuscript is currently in press (American Journal of Ophthalmology).