Archive: May 2020

• Glaucoma Appeal drives research momentum

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  Glaucoma Appeal drives research momentum

  We thank our generous donors for supporting ground-breaking research that is finding new ways to understand, diagnose and treat glaucoma.

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  Our incredible community of supporters have come together through our annual Glaucoma Appeal to raise vital funds for glaucoma research.

  The appeal will provide a significant boost to our glaucoma research program, which spans lab-based science through to patient trials.

  This support enables us to tackle this complex disease from all angles, including enhancing our understanding of its causes, finding ways to detect it earlier and developing new treatments to save sight.

  “Thank you to everyone who contributed to our appeal. Every donation, no matter how small, helps us keep working towards new treatments in glaucoma research,” says Professor Keith Martin, Managing Director of CERA.

  Advancing glaucoma research

  CERA’s researchers are among the world’s top scientists investigating the causes of glaucoma and how it can be better treated. This includes Dr Flora Hui who is currently trialling an innovative new treatment for glaucoma.

  Dr Hui’s previous research has shown the potential of nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) to slow the progression of vision loss in glaucoma. The follow-up study she is leading will determine if the supplement could be used in standard clinical care for glaucoma.

  This is just one of many research projects at CERA that have the potential for real-life impact on patients – and our supporters play a crucial role in helping us get there.

  “All of the researchers at CERA are deeply grateful to the hundreds of people who contribute to make our achievements possible,” says Dr Hui.

  Uniting for a glaucoma-free world

  This year’s appeal coincided with World Glaucoma Week, under the theme ‘Uniting for a glaucoma-free world’.

  Professor Martin believes the success of the Glaucoma Appeal comes down to a shared vision for a world where no one loses their sight from glaucoma.

  “We’re proud to help lead the way towards improved understanding of glaucoma and explore potential new therapies, which we hope will be able to protect the vision of those who do not respond to current therapies,” he says.

  “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who is joining us on this journey.”

  If you’d like to help future generations be free from glaucoma, there’s still time to support our work.

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  Stories

  Writing a new chapter

  Tom Valenta has witnessed incredible progress in glaucoma research in less than two decades – and is doing his part to keep up the momentum.

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  Vitamin B3’s promise in slowing the progress of glaucoma

  Promising results in our pioneering study into the role of vitamin B3 in slowing the progress of glaucoma has sparked plans for a large international trial.

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• Watch CERA’s International Women’s Day 2024 Event

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  Watch CERA’s International Women’s Day 2024 Event

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  Ahead of International Women’s Day 2024 CERA hosted a celebration of the achievements and successes of female researchers.

  Dr Anna Wang, CERA’s first Equity Fellow for Excellence in Vision Research, explains the technique she used to find a new type of cell in the eye, how her work could lead to new treatments for glaucoma and other eye diseases, and how this Fellowship is supporting her at a critical point in her career.

  CERA’s Professor Lyndell Lim and Associate Professor Andrew Symons unveil a new AI-powered portable camera, generously donated by philanthropists Jaqui Maree and George Stamas AM. The camera will be used in research aiming to help women with diabetes protect their sight during pregnancy.

  Meet our presenters

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  About

  Dr Anna Wang

  Dr Anna Wang is a Visual Neuroscientist investigating unidentified cells in the eye and CERA’s first Equity Fellow for Excellence in Vision Research.

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  About

  Dr Jennifer Fan Gaskin

  Dr Jennifer Fan Gaskin is a clinician-scientist glaucoma specialist and leads CERA’s ocular fibrosis research.

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  About

  Professor Lyndell Lim

  Professor Lyndell Lim is a uveitis and medical retina subspecialist and leads CERA’s clinical trials research.

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• Ride raising money and awareness to save sight

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  Ride raising money and awareness to save sight

  Riders from across Gippsland have so far pedalled their way to raising more than $28,000 towards CERA’s research into eye diseases – and there’s still time to support the cause.

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  The 30th anniversary Lions Ride for Sight took place on Saturday March 23 and Sunday March 24 with a 170-kilometre round trip from the High Street Community Hub in Moe to Cowwarr and back.

  Ride for Sight Chair Paul Drinkwater, from the Lions Club of Moe, says the 2024 Ride was one of the friendliest he’s seen, with lots of community support.

  “What a ride! It went perfectly. It was a great year. We had marvellous weather for the weekend,” Paul says.

  “There was plenty of fun and frivolity on the ride, and I would really like to thank the people of Cowwarr, who came out on Sunday morning and cooked us breakfast. We really appreciated it.”

  The Lions Clubs of Bairnsdale, Heyfield, Wellington/Latrobe in Toongabbie and Moe all provided support for the Ride.

  “I would especially like to thank the Lions Club of Moe for their enormous support, all the volunteers who made this Ride possible and everyone who has supported us with donations,” says Paul.

  “And I would like to thank all of the Lions of district V3 (Gippsland) for giving me the opportunity to do this ride.”

  

  Sharing insights: Associate Professor Guei-Sheung (Rick) Liu speaks to the riders.

  Supporting vital research

  The night before the Ride, participants and crew gathered to hear CERA’s Head of Genetic Engineering Research, Associate Professor Guei-Sheung (Rick) Liu, discuss his team’s research into developing a gene therapy that could be delivered via an eye drop.

  The eye drop could potentially be a future replacement for regular eye injections in conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy and wet age-related macular degeneration.

  “It was a privilege and a pleasure to share insights into our research with the people who are working hard to help support it,” he says.

  The Lions Ride for Sight fundraising effort is not over yet. Organisers are still welcoming donations through the Ride for Sight Raisely page, which will remain open until the end of April.

  Media enquiries: Jamie Duncan, Ride for Sight Media Coordinator – 0417 377 617, JDwritesalot@gmail.com

  Still time to support the Ride

  The Lions fundraising effort is not over yet. You can support the four-week Ride with a Difference Challenge, where riders nominate a distance of their choice in their local area to raise funds for our vision research.

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• Meet our researchers: Dr Emily Glover

  Stories

  Meet our researchers: Dr Emily Glover

  For World Optometry Day, we’re celebrating optometrists such as Dr Emily Glover – a Clinical Trials Coordinator in our Macular Research team who is helping other optometrists have a big impact on our research.

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  How did you get into optometry?

  I studied a Bachelor of Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne, followed by a Doctor of Optometry. What inspired me to study optometry is that eyesight is one of the most important senses and this profession gives me the opportunity to help patients and have an impact on their daily lives.

  During my studies, I was one of three students awarded the Judy Glover Memorial Scholarship (no relation!), which took us outside of Broome in northern Western Australia. We did vision testing for Indigenous communities with Lions Outback Vision. They had an ophthalmologist on board that could do some of the treatments on the spot. This was a wonderful and eye-opening experience to see eyecare management in different environments.

  It was good to see how eye health is managed in different settings, because it’s easy in a big city where all you need is a referral to see a specialist. But people living in remote WA have to travel on a Royal Flying Doctors service if they need to go to hospital.

  I also had an internship in Connecticut in the United States, where I developed my skills testing patients using advanced imaging technology. That served as good experience for my current role as a clinical trials coordinator, where imaging needs to be spot-on perfect.

  What inspired you to get into research?

  As an optometrist, I was good at helping individual patients with their eye care management. But with research, I could potentially help many people living with eye conditions.

  After working in optometry for a few years, I considered studying a PhD and found out through the University of Melbourne there were research assistant opportunities with CERA. I was really happy with my choice to move into research, and I think it’s a great opportunity others can get involved with.

  What research are you involved with in the Macular Research Unit?

  I’m involved in recruiting people who have the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) for our studies and coordinating a natural history study where I see participants every three months.

  

  Supporting macular research: Dr Emily Glover talks to optometrist Dr Mina You about the referral network.

  What do you typically do with a patient during clinical studies?

  I take people through questionnaires about their day-to-day life with macular degeneration, check their vision, dilate their eyes and record their eye pressure. I also do visual field testing and use imaging devices to look at their eyes and assess their level of macular degeneration.

  What’s great is that many participants enjoy coming in, and it gives them a regular check-in to see where their eyes are at. And I can give them regular updates to see if they’re eligible for any other clinical trials.

  I’m currently screening patients referred from optometry clinics for our clinical studies – just to gauge where they’re at and what they’re eligible for.

  How can optometrists help our vision research?

  Optometrists can bring a lot to the table. We need to catch patients with the earliest signs of dry AMD for our studies, and these people are most likely to see optometrists. People who are further along with their eye condition are often more likely to see an ophthalmologist.

  Over the years, the Macular Research Unit has been trying in different ways to encourage easier referral pathways for patients. The Optometry Referral Network empowers patients to make an informed decision about becoming involved in our clinical research in a quicker and easier way.

  I really enjoy going out to clinics and special events, where I talk to optometrists about what’s going on with our macular research. I offer them referral pads, which they can get patients to fill out if they’d like to register their interest for our AMD studies.

  Do you think it’s important to still have a foot in the clinical world when you’re working in research?

  For me, it’s good keeping up my skills and speaking to patients directly. Working at CERA has changed my management strategy for some patients because I can now offer people with dry AMD the option of participating in research.

  What’s your proudest moment working at CERA?

  Last year, I attended the annual Southern Regional Congress optometry conference. I created and presented a poster with optometry colleagues about the landmark LEAD study, which investigated whether using a ‘nanosecond’ laser could slow down the rate of AMD progression, from early to late stages. I’m grateful to Professor Robyn Guymer AM for the opportunity.

  I enjoy working at CERA and interacting with our regular participants and the team – it’s a great environment to work in.

  Related Pages

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  Research

  Putting research in the frame

  Optometrists are playing a vital role in helping their patients get involved in research.

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  Stories

  Macular milestone

  Our Macular Research Unit has celebrated its 25th anniversary – and a quarter-century of advances in the diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

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• Mark engineers his 30th Ride for Sight

  Stories

  Mark engineers his 30th Ride for Sight

  Thirty years involved with a charity is a long road, but it’s one that Mark Sage was happy to build. The Cardinia Shire civil engineer is about to embark on his 30th consecutive Lions Ride for Sight.

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  This year’s Ride for Sight will be held from Friday March 22 to Sunday March 24 with a ride from Moe to Cowwarr and return, with all money raised going to CERA to fund research into and treatment for eye diseases.

  The Ride is supported each year by Lions Clubs across Gippsland and is one of CERA’s longest-running charity events.

  The first Lions Ride for Sight in 1994 saw participants cycle from Mallacoota to CERA at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital more than 500km away. This year, the Ride will take place with a 170km trip from Moe to Cowwarr and back.

  Back in 1994, Mark worked with former Ride Chairman Ian de Bruyne, who is also riding in his 30^th Lions Ride for Sight this year.

  While Ian is a Lions Club of Warragul member, Mark is not – but that didn’t stop him getting involved back in 1994. They were colleagues who rode bikes together after hours for recreation.

  “At the beginning, we figured that we could do one day. There was plenty of climbing and descending, and day one was 167km from Mallacoota to Newmerella, near Orbost. That was going to be a good challenge,” says Mark.

  “It was a long day in the saddle, but the next two days was about 130km each. How doable was that? We were going to find out.

  “It was a big outing. I was young and foolish then. I just got on my bike and pedalled. It was all brawn and no brains, spinning up the road for kilometre after kilometre.”

  Mark says the camaraderie on the ride kept him coming back each year.

  “It’s a real blast. You get to catch up with people, some you might see through the year once or twice.”

  

  Raring to go: Longtime supporters of the Ride for Sight, Tara Daw and Mark Sage.

  Mark says the riders’ philosophy is getting everyone through to the end of the day, which often means sharing resources such as food or equipment.

  “They’re a great group of people united by a common interest in a very worthy cause. It’s rewarding to share some laughs and do a little bit of exercise while we’re raising money for a fabulously good cause. It’s a perfect balance, really.

  “Over the journey, we’ve had people with varying degrees of impaired vision taking part in the ride.

  “It’s been great to pilot a tandem bike sometimes to support their efforts to join the ride and the fundraising.”

  Mark began training in recent weeks, with Pilates to stretch his muscles, indoor exercise bike classes to get his legs moving and free weights to build endurance.

  “I have an office job, so I’m not out on the road doing kilometre after kilometre. It’s more targeted, intense training to get me in suitable condition to complete the Ride,” he says.

  “I have been to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and I’ve seen the great work CERA does.”

  Mark is raring to go for the 2024 Ride for Sight and to support the CERA’s research towards ending preventable blindness.

  How can I help?

  There are two ways you can support the Lions Ride for Sight.

  Participants can enter the ride itself from March 22 to 24 with a $70 entry fee. They must raise a minimum of $400 in sponsorship.

  Or, riders can enter the Ride with a Difference, where riders pay $30 to enter and nominate the number of kilometres they aim to ride anywhere across the month of March to raise a minimum of $250 in sponsorship.

  Riders will meet at the Moe Community Groups Hub at 4pm on Friday, 22 March, enjoy a group dinner at participants’ cost and an after-dinner presentation from CERA on its work. They ride for Cowwarr on Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon.

  Lions Clubs from Moe, Heyfield and Latrobe Wellington (Toongabbie) provide all other meals, with other clubs and volunteers assisting.

  To join the Ride for Sight or Ride with a Difference, or to support the riders, details are available on the event’s Raisley page.

  For enquiries, or to volunteer to assist the ride, email paul.drinkwater@aussiebroadband.com.au or phone Paul on 0450 260 679.

   

  Media enquiries: Jamie Duncan, Ride for Sight Media Coordinator – 0417 377 617, JDwritesalot@gmail.com

  Join the Ride

  Contribute to raising funds for research to achieve the goal of a world-free from vision loss and blindness.

  Donate to support those doing the ride or sign up to participate yourself.

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• Catch up on the Gains in Glaucoma Research Community Forum

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  Catch up on the Gains in Glaucoma Research Community Forum

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  Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight because it often gives no warning until it is well-advanced. Early detection and intervention can halt vision loss for many, although better treatments are still needed for the people who go on to lose their vision.

  At this event, presented on World Glaucoma Day 2024, we share how researchers at CERA are leading the way towards new treatments.

  Speaking at the event are:

  • Dr Luis Alarcon-Martinez – How blood supply to the retina may contribute to vision loss in glaucoma.
  • Associate Professor Zhichao Wu – The discovery of new treatments for glaucoma and prevention.
  • Dr Jennifer Fan Gaskin – Preventing scarring after glaucoma surgery.
  • Dr Flora Hui – What’s a neuroprotectant and how do they work?

  Meet our presenters

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  About

  Dr Luis Alarcon-Martinez

  Dr Luis Alarcon-Martinez investigates how blood is distributed in the retina to help prevent or treat retinal neurodegenerative diseases.

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  About

  Associate Professor Zhichao Wu

  Associate Professor Zhichao Wu is a clinician-scientist and leads CERA’s clinical biomarkers research. He focuses on expediting the discovery of new treatments and ways to prevent irreversible vision loss.

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  About

  Dr Jennifer Fan Gaskin

  Dr Jennifer Fan Gaskin is a clinician-scientist glaucoma specialist and leads CERA’s ocular fibrosis research.

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  About

  Dr Flora Hui

  Dr Flora Hui is a clinician scientist with a research interest in neuroprotectants for treating glaucoma.

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• Bob’s vision quest

  Stories

  Bob’s vision quest

  Bob Lloyd understands more than most people the importance of CERA’s work – because he’s witnessed it first-hand. That’s why he’s taking part in the Lions Ride for Sight.

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  The 30th anniversary Lions Ride for Sight runs from Friday March 22 to Sunday March 24, with all money raised going to fund CERA’s research into and treatment for eye diseases.

  The first Lions Ride for Sight in 1994 saw participants ride from Mallacoota to CERA’s Melbourne office in over a 500 kilometre trek. This year’s event is 170km from Moe to Cowwarr and return.

  The ride is supported each year by Lions Clubs across Gippsland.

  Bob has had extensive treatment for uveitis – an inflammation of the iris, which is the coloured part of the eye.

  An autoimmune illness led to Bob developing uveitis and arthritis, which are being treated at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

  “In the past, it has caused blurred vision and inflammation inside my eyes,” he says.

  “There have been complications. I have needed steroid injections in my eyes. I’ve had a detached retina and cataracts, but I still probably have 20/20 vision or better.

  “The doctors at the Eye and Ear Hospital are heroes. I’ve been on clinical trials with CERA, and they got me off oral steroids as well, which is great. They were horrible – causing bloating, weight gain and increased heart rate.”

  This year’s Lions Ride for Sight will be Bob’s fifth.

  “I do it just out of respect for the Eye and Ear Hospital, the doctors, for CERA, and for awareness as well,” he says.

  ”After the first one, I joined Lions. Then, I started doing vision checks at schools. It’s a cause that’s close to my heart, obviously.”

  Lions Clubs in Gippsland visit schools to perform basic eye checks on students. Anyone with a possible vision issue is referred to an optometrist. This is part of Lions Clubs’ work internationally to end preventable blindness.

  Bob said he’s looking forward to this year’s Ride for Sight. “It goes to Cowwarr, which is my home town,” he says laughing.

  “Just catching up with people from last year will be good. We always seem to have a drink afterwards. Before I did the first one, I didn’t realise how relaxed it was.”

  Supporting the cause

  There are two ways to support the Lions Ride for Sight.

  Participants can enter the Ride for Sight from March 22 to 24 with a $70 entry fee. They must raise a minimum of $400 in sponsorship.

  Or, riders can enter the Ride with a Difference, where riders pay $30 to enter and nominate the number of kilometres they aim to ride anywhere across the month of March to raise a minimum of $250 in sponsorship.

  Riders will meet at the Moe Community Groups Hub at 4pm on Friday, 22 March, enjoy a group dinner at participants’ cost and an after-dinner presentation from a CERA representative on CERA’s work. They ride for Cowwarr on Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon.

  Lions Clubs from Moe, Heyfield and Latrobe Wellington (Toongabbie) provide all other meals, with other clubs and volunteers assisting.

  To join the Ride for Sight or Ride with a Difference, or to support the riders, find out more on the event’s Raisley page.

  For enquiries, email paul.drinkwater@aussiebroadband.com.au or phone 0450 260 679.

   

  Media enquiries: Jamie Duncan, Ride for Sight Media Coordinator – 0417 377 617, JDwritesalot@gmail.com

  Join the Ride

  Contribute to raising funds for research to achieve the goal of a world-free from vision loss and blindness.

  Donate to support those doing the ride or sign up to participate yourself.

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• Ride for Sight on track at Phillip Island

  Stories

  Ride for Sight on track at Phillip Island

  Three South Gippsland sisters have helped launch a charity bike ride in Gippsland that will support CERA’s work to end vision loss.

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  Lions Ride for Sight is one of CERA’s longest-running fundraising events, which celebrates its 30^th anniversary this month and is supported by Lions Clubs across Gippsland.

  The first Lions Ride for Sight went from Mallacoota to Melbourne in 1994. This year’s ride is shorter, but no less significant.

  Riders will gather in Moe on Friday March 22 and will cycle to Cowwarr, between Traralgon and Heyfield, and return on March 23 and 24 – about 170km.

  Sisters Sharon Oates, Leesa Willmott and Kerry Fitzgerald, known in the Lions Ride for Sight fraternity simply as Team Sisters, raised more than $30,000 in last year’s ride – the most collected by a single team.

  They will cycle in both the Ride for Sight and the Ride with a Difference, where riders nominate the distance they intend to ride during March and raise money for the kilometres they cover.

  Team Sisters have set a lofty target of more than 600km.

  They got off to a great start on Friday, March 1 with a lap of the Phillip Island grand prix circuit as part of the first 100km for the Ride with a Difference.

  Inverloch businesswoman Sharon Oates says the ride has special meaning for her family.

  “It’s very important to my family because our parents and three of our sisters all have macular degeneration. They’re all in the early stages of it. Dad is legally blind and Mum has a wet macula. She has injections in her eye every six weeks.

  “To be able to raise money to give to the likes of CERA to do amazing research and develop new treatments is just incredible and it makes me really proud to be a part of the Ride.”

  CERA Donor Relations Lead Bronwyn Sugden says CERA is grateful for the enduring support of the Gippsland community over the past 30 years.

  “The funding we receive and the donations from the Lions Ride for Sight is absolutely integral for our research to continue.

  “They have been partnering and supporting our researchers for the past 30 years, and it’s absolutely vital for us to continue that.”

  

  Supporting CERA: Lions Ride for Sight Chair Paul Drinkwater with CERA Donor Relations Lead Bron Sugden.

  Call for support

  Lions Ride for Sight Chair Paul Drinkwater, from the Lions Club of Moe, says he stepped up to run this year’s event for family reasons.

  “It’s a privilege to participate in raising funds for very worthwhile eye research. That’s why I took the chairman’s role on.

  “My mum has glaucoma. She has totally lost her sight, and I just desperately want to find a cure.

  “It’s very important not only for people like my mum. The Centre for Eye Research does such amazing work.”

  Mr Drinkwater says preparations are on track but is asking for a few more volunteers to lend a hand.

  “Particularly, we’re after marshals to direct the riders safely, and we’re also after a first aid person with first aid qualifications.”

  There are two ways to support the Lions Ride for Sight.

  The first way is participating in the Ride for Sight from March 22 to 24 with a $70 entry fee and raising a minimum of $400 in sponsorship.

  The second option is entering the Ride with a Difference, where riders pay $30 to enter and nominate the distance they aim to ride during March to raise a minimum of $250 in sponsorship.

  Riders will meet at the Moe Community Groups Hub at 4pm on Friday, 22 March, enjoy a group dinner at participants’ cost and an after-dinner presentation from a CERA representative on CERA’s work.

  They ride for Cowwarr on Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon. Lions Clubs from Moe, Heyfield and Latrobe Wellington (Toongabbie) provide all other meals, with other clubs and volunteers assisting.

  To join the Ride for Sight or Ride with a Difference, or to volunteer for the riders, find out more on the event’s Raisley page.

   

  For Ride for Sight enquiries, email Paul Drinkwater at paul.drinkwater@aussiebroadband.com.au or call 0450 260 679.

  For media enquiries, contact Jamie Duncan on 0417 377 617.

  Join the Ride

  Contribute to raising funds for research to achieve the goal of a world-free from vision loss and blindness.

  Donate to support those doing the ride or sign up to participate yourself.

  Read More

• Generous gift boosts pregnancy and diabetes eye research

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  Generous gift boosts pregnancy and diabetes eye research

  A new research project aims to make it easier for women with diabetes to have sight-saving eye checks during pregnancy.

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  New research aiming to help women with diabetes protect their sight during pregnancy has received a major boost from philanthropists Jaqui Maree and George Stamas AM.

  Jaqui Maree and George, of JGK Facility Services, have purchased a new AI-assisted portable camera for the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA).

  The new equipment was unveiled at CERA’s International Women’s Day celebrations.

  The state-of-the-art camera will support an innovative trial providing eye screenings in obstetrics clinics to pregnant women who have pre-existing diabetes.

  Led by CERA’s Professor Lyndell Lim and Associate Professor Andrew Symons, the study aims to find new ways to help women with diabetes monitor their eye health for signs of sight threatening eye disease during pregnancy.

  All people with diabetes need regular eye checks to monitor for diabetic retinopathy – a disease which causes bleeding in the back of the eye and can lead to serious vision loss if left untreated.

  Pregnant women with diabetes are at even greater risk and it’s recommended that they have eye tests every three months.

  But previous research by Professor Lim’s team found that many pregnant women with diabetes missed these critical checks because were too busy with other medical appointments.

  “Our new research will examine a more streamlined way of providing eye screening to women with pre-existing diabetes during their pregnancy,’’ says Professor Lim.

  “We will be trialing a system where women can receive their eye screening at the same time as their obstetrics appointment using a new AI-assisted portable camera.

  “Patients will receive an on-the-spot assessment of whether they need referral to an ophthalmologist for urgent care or can continue with in-clinic screening once per trimester.’’

  The trial will be conducted at obstetrics clinics at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Mercy Hospital for Women, Monash Medical Centre and Cabrini Maternity. It will compare results of new screening program with the current approach of requiring women to attend separate eye care appointments.

  Professor Lim said that without the generosity of Jaqui Maree and George Stamas AM the research would not go ahead.

  “I am deeply grateful for the generous contribution of Jaqui Maree and George Stamas to CERA’s research,’’ says Professor Lim.

  “Their support will ensure that more women with diabetes experience the precious gift of seeing their new baby’s face.’’

  Related Pages

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  Research

  Precious vision

  A CERA study aims to improve screening for diabetic eye disease during pregnancy and empower women like Catherine to protect their vision.

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  Eye conditions

  Diabetic eye disease

  People with diabetes (types 1 and 2) are at increased risk of eye problems and vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema are the main forms of diabetic eye disease.

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• Equity Fellowship supports bold research vision

  News

  Equity Fellowship supports bold research vision

  An emerging researcher who discovered a new class of cell which could provide clues for future glaucoma treatments is CERA’s first Equity Fellow for Excellence in Vision Research.

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  CERA’s first Equity Fellow for Excellence in Vision Research, Dr Anna Wang, will establish an innovative research program to discover new eye cells and understand how they work.

  The emerging scientist has joined CERA from the University of California, Berkeley, where she worked in the lab of Assistant Professor Teresa Puthessery, leading projects investigating retinal ganglion cells which carry visual information from the eye to the brain.

  In 2023, Dr Wang was first author of research published in the prestigious journal Nature, that for the first time demonstrated a specific type of retinal ganglion cell was present in primates, including humans.

  The cells, called ON-type direction-selective ganglion cells, play a key role in helping sight stay clear and stable when eyes move to follow movement such as looking out of the window of a moving train.

  Her research used a two-photon microscope – a device that can capture high-resolution images of living eye tissue.

  “We’re able to see how living cells respond to changes in the environment, which tells us a lot more about the cells than if they were static,” says Dr Wang.

  Dr Wang aims to develop the same technique that she used to identify ON-type direction-selective ganglion cells in her lab at CERA to discover more new cells and learn how they change in eye disease.

  “This technique lets us ask all kinds of questions – what kind of effect does this treatment have on cells in the retina? How do these cells respond to blue light?” says Dr Wang.

  “We can test new treatments for diseases much more easily than going to a clinical trial.”

  Understanding glaucoma

  Vision loss occurs in people in glaucoma when the retinal ganglion cells, which make up the optic nerve, are damaged or die.

  Managing Director Professor Keith Martin says Dr Wang’s research focus brings a new dimension to CERA’s glaucoma program.

  “Dr Wang has discovered a completely new class of retinal ganglion cell that respond to the direction of movement of objects in our visual world,’’ says Professor Martin.

  “It is currently completely unknown how these cells are affected by glaucoma and therefore Anna’s current work is both ground-breaking and exciting.

  “Identifying new retinal ganglion cells, understanding how they work and what damages their function is a critical first step in developing new methods of diagnosing glaucoma earlier and formulating new treatments.’’

  Equity Fellow

  CERA’s new Equity Fellowship for Excellence in Vision Research aims to encourage and develop the career of a researcher with high potential for future leadership in eye research.

  The CERA Foundation has provided funding to establish the fellowship with a view to seeking further philanthropic funding in the future.

  The Equity Fellowship aims to tackle the barriers across the medical research sector which impede the career development of women and other underrepresented groups from early career to more senior levels.

  “The three-year fellowship will provide Anna with momentum and continuity to establish her research program so that she can be competitive in external funding schemes,’’ says Professor Guymer.

  “The Fellowship also ensures that CERA can continue to attract the best researchers and deliver world-leading research.’’

  Dr Wang says she has been inspired by the many people who have supported her throughout her career.

  “I’ve had brilliant, supportive supervisors and mentors – I’m grateful for their support because it can be scary to think about the things that can affect your career like parenthood.

  “This fellowship is a great initiative, and I’m very grateful to everyone who has made it possible.”

  Related Pages

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  News

  Women’s fellowship supports research excellence

  A three-year fellowship for an outstanding woman scientist is one of the first major initiatives of CERA’s new Gender Action Plan.

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  People

  Dr Anna Wang

  Dr Anna Wang is a Visual Neuroscientist investigating unidentified cells in the eye and CERA’s first Equity Fellow for Excellence in Vision Research.

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