Alexandra Grimwade has seen the impact of vision loss on how someone experiences the world.

Her mother has lost peripheral vision due to glaucoma and her paternal grandmother lost her sight through late detection of macular degeneration. 

Her career as a teacher only added to her passion for eye health – particularly how early intervention can impact a child’s education. 

“Sight is a gift, and people should be aware of their eye health just as much as they are the rest of their body,” she says.

Knowing her own genetic risk of developing these conditions, she is vigilant about getting her eyes checked.

Her clinician, friend and prolific ophthalmologist Associate Professor Justin O’Day highlighted the research undertaken at CERA and the capacity to help many more people protect their sight.

In 2024 she took on the role as Chair of CERA’s Philanthropy and Engagement Committee to inspire more people to make a gift that supports research.

“CERA is a great organisation with brilliant, dedicated people all doing what they do best,” she says. 

“CERA has a fantastic community of supporters – I want to help grow that community and support it to continue long into the future.” 

This story was originally published in Share our vision: Annual Review 2024.