CERA

About us

Our story

Vision is precious and no-one should ever lose the gift of sight.

The Centre for Eye Research Australia is an independent Medical Research Institute, proudly affiliated with the University of Melbourne. We are based at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne.

We are deeply committed to conducting eye research with real-life impact and finding ways to prevent people from going blind.

As an international leader in eye research – ranking in the world’s top 5 for ophthalmology research – we use our world-class knowledge and expertise to achieve better treatments and faster diagnosis of eye disease.

Our goal is to prevent vision loss – and ultimately, find cures to restore sight. As true innovators our scientists are on the brink of new discoveries every day.

With the support of our many partners, funders and philanthropic supporters, we can continue this world-leading research and accomplish scientific breakthroughs previously deemed unachievable.

Our aim is to offer hope to people affected by vision loss and protect the sight of everyone in need.

With CERA, there’s hope in sight.

Our vision

A world free from vision loss and blindness.

Our mission

We work to eliminate the major eye diseases that cause vision loss and blindness and to reduce their impact on people’s lives.

Our values

  • Integrity: We are accountable and honest in the work we do. Credible, ethical and responsible research is our priority.
  • Unity: We work together for the greater good.
  • Agility: We work with ambition, tenacity, innovation and creativity. We are nimble and responsive in the pursuit of excellence.
  • Making a difference: We value collaborating and sharing knowledge with each other and our community to make a real difference in the world. We never waiver from our goal of saving sight and changing people’s lives for the better.

Our history

CERA was established in 1996 by Melbourne Laureate Professor Hugh Taylor, and has grown into an international leader in vision research.

Learn about our history

Read more about CERA’s beginnings and growth into a leading international eye research institute.

Our people

From our world-leading scientists to our experienced Board directors, each member of our team is committed to our goal of saving sight and offering hope to people affected by vision loss.

Meet our people

Get to know our leadership team, Board directors, lead researchers and honoraries.

Our Strategic Plan 2020-2025

Our Strategic Plan focuses on three key research domains:

  • Innovative diagnostics and treatments – Developing new methods to diagnose, prevent and treat vision loss, including a flagship project to develop a Melbourne Centre for Ocular Gene and Cell Therapy.
  • Regenerating vision – Drawing on the potential of new therapies to restore lost vision, continuing to advance the trial and development of new devices to restore vision, and playing a founding role in an international collaboration to regenerate the optic nerve.
  • Understanding eye health – Using data to identify public health challenges and deploying artificial intelligence and other technologies to increase access to screening programs, promote earlier detection and prevent disease progression.

It also sets out four Strategic Priorities:

  • Investing in people
  • Collaboration and relationships
  • Future sustainability
  • Commercialisation and translation

You can learn more by reading: Vision for the future – Strategic Plan 2020-2025.

Download our Strategic Plan

Read Vision for the future – Strategic Plan 2020-2025.

Our annual reviews

Inside our annual reviews, you’ll find stories about the scientific discoveries our researchers are making, and how the support of individual donors, philanthropic trusts and foundations allows this important work to advance.

Read our annual reviews

Browse and download our annual reviews, from 2001 to the current year.

Our collaborations and partnerships

Collaboration is critical to research success and we have a range of strategic and commercial partnerships with research and health organisations, corporate supporters, industry partners and spin-out companies incubated at CERA.

We are active members of many organisations which promote the value of medical research to our community and the eye health of Australians and people around the world.

See our collaborations and partnerships

Learn about some of our collaborative relationships with other research, industry and membership organisations.