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• New consumer group to shape future of eye research

  News

  New consumer group to shape future of eye research

  CERA’s Consumer Advisory Group will bring the voices of consumers into the heart of vision research.

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  A new Consumer Advisory Group has been appointed to help shape the direction of research at the Centre for Eye Research Australia and Cerulea Clinical Trials.

  The group will bring the voices of consumers—people living with eye conditions and their families—into the heart of medical research and strategic planning.

  The Group’s Chair, CERA Board Director Simon Brewin said the new initiative ensures that consumer insights directly shape research priorities, development of new treatments for eye disease and the overall direction of CERA and its fully owned clinical trials subsidiary Cerulea Clinical Trials.

  “This is a turning point for CERA. Involving consumers directly in our research isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s going to make our work more impactful,’’ he said.

  “These are the voices that matter most, and we’re making sure they guide our research.”

  The group includes independent consumers – Jane Cherry, Dr Colleen Lewis, Dr Ronelle Hutchinson and Daniel Talko –

  along with advocates from organisations like Vision Australia, CERA researchers, and Cerulea Clinical Trials representatives.

  The initiative is led by CERA’s Consumer Involvement and Advocacy Lead Kelly Schulz.

  “The strength of this group lies in the diversity of perspectives and lived experiences each member brings,’’ she said. “This advisory group marks the starting point for CERA’s broader Consumer Program, laying the foundation for meaningful, long-term involvement of consumers in our research and strategy.“

  The group will provide advice on various aspects of CERA and Cerulea’s work, from early research design and clinical trial experience to the rollout of results. This collaboration will help ensure that CERA’s research is both practical and responsive to the needs of the community.

  CERA Managing Director Professor Keith Martin said involving consumers directly in research was a powerful step forward.

  “Their insights will help ensure our work has real-world impact, benefiting those who need it most,’’ he said. “The launch of the Consumer Advisory Group marks an important step forward for CERA as it continues to advance eye research. By embedding consumer perspectives, CERA is strengthening its commitment to more inclusive, community-driven research—working alongside other organisations that share this goal.”

  • Media contact: Janine Sim-Jones, CERA, jsimjones@cera.org.au +61 420 886 511

  

  Myra McGuinness, Daniel Talko, Kelly Schulz, Luis Alarcon-Martinez, Flora Hui, Chris Edwards, Ronelle Hutchinson, Jane Cherry, Colleen Lewis, Simon Brewin and Michelle Gallaher.

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  Help shape vision research

  Consumer Program

  We work alongside people with lived experience to ensure their insights are at the heart of advancing eye research.

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  Annual Review 2023

  Building a consumer conscience

  Consumer Involvement and Advocacy Lead Kelly Schulz is creating new ways for CERA’s community to directly influence and improve research at every stage from the laboratory to the clinic and beyond. 

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• Preventing blindness at its source

  Research

  Preventing blindness at its source

  Researchers at CERA are working to expand gene therapy technology to increase the number of treatments for blindness-causing genetic disorders.

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  In recent years, breakthroughs in genetic research have opened the door to treating inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), such as retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome and Stargardt’s disease.

  Only a few years ago, being diagnosed with one of these IRDs meant a gradual loss of vision was all but a certainty, but treatments for these diseases are now on the horizon.

  One gene therapy is now available for a rare form of retinitis pigmentosa, and treatments are being developed for a range of other conditions.

  Collectively, IRDs are the most common cause of blindness in working-age Australians. But despite sharing a name, the genetic mistakes that cause each IRD are different. A treatment that works for one of the 250 genes known to cause IRDs will not work for another.

  Satheesh Kumar is a graduate researcher in CERA’s Genetic Engineering Research Unit. He is working with Associate Professor Guei-Sheung (Rick) Liu to develop new ways of treating disease that would mean more treatments for different IRDs.

  Editing vs replacing

  A person’s DNA includes all the instructions that cells need to operate – and mistakes in this sequence are what cause a person’s body to not operate properly.

  In the case of IRDs, this means vision loss.

  “Before starting my PhD, I was an honors student in Queensland and became interested in gene editing, because there are now a lot of new technologies that are trying to treat genetic diseases,” Kumar says.

  These tools are safe viruses which carry a correct version of the gene, but they aren’t suitable for every type of disease.

  “In traditional gene therapy, a new gene is introduced without fixing the root cause,” Kumar says.

  “The mutated gene is still in the cell, which can sometimes be harmful. And for a lot of IRDs, the tools we have just aren’t suitable.”

  The Genetic Engineering team is using a technology called RNA base editing to try and correct these mistakes instead.

  While DNA is the instruction booklet for cells to function, it is RNA that carries out these instructions by transmitting their message to build the different parts of our cells.

  “Gene editing that targets RNA enables us to directly correct the mistake causing the disease,” Kumar says.

  “We aim to correct the genetic errors responsible for these diseases at the molecular level, which could lead to new treatments in the future.”

  “We aim to correct the genetic errors responsible for these diseases at the molecular level.”

  – Graduate researcher Satheesh Kumar

  To the clinic

  Kumar is hopeful that IRDs once believed to be untreatable will eventually have therapies, thanks to improved understanding of the genetic causes and better tools to produce working genes.

  “At CERA, when we do research, we are always asking ‘how do we turn this into a tool for the clinic?’

  “When I’m working with Associate Professor Liu, we want to dive deeper into our understanding of these tools – and alongside many other people around the world we are constantly learning new things about them.

  “Learning more about the basic mechanisms of these tools means we can improve them, so they can be useful for even more diseases.”

  The team’s work requires significant collaborations with others.

  “Associate Professor Liu and I work with a lot of collaborators to make sure these tools are clinically relevant – especially as some of these tools might also be helpful not just for vison loss but also for hearing loss,” he says.

  “I’m excited about the new treatments for many conditions that our research is working towards.”

  Associate Professor Liu’s RNA editing research is supported by an NHMRC Ideas Grant.

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  Spring 2024

  Visionary magazine

  In our latest edition, we spotlight the strides being made in the lab and through clinical trials – all possible through the power of teamwork.

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  Science and research

  Genetic engineering research

  CERA scientists are investigating ways advanced gene technology can improve the treatment of eye diseases that cause blindness.

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• Community impact

  Stories

  Community impact

  Keith Teirney, 74, lives with glaucoma, leads an active life and supports CERA through community fundraising.

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  “I was diagnosed with glaucoma about 20 years ago,” Keith says.

  “Fortunately, I found out early and it doesn’t affect my daily life. I just have to remember to put my eye drops in every night.”

  Glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness, causes optic nerve damage.

  There is currently no cure, but prescription eye drops, laser therapy and surgery can help slow or stop vision loss.

  CERA’s researchers are investigating how glaucoma can be better treated.

  Just two examples include Professor Keith Martin’s research into gene therapies that aim to protect the optic nerve, and Dr Flora Hui’s research to determine whether vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) can support glaucoma treatments.

  Community minded

  In March, Keith attended CERA’s community forum to learn about the latest research and treatments being trialled for glaucoma.

  “It was also a great chance to talk to others with glaucoma about how they were coping,” he says.

  Afterward, Keith recommended that proceeds from local fundraising activities at Carnegie Lions Club and Malvern Theatre Company go to CERA.

  Professor Martin says CERA is grateful for their support.

  “Community fundraising, alongside individual donations, plays a critical role in enabling us to advance our research.”

  Learn more about our community forums and register for our upcoming events.

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  Spring 2024

  Visionary magazine

  In our latest edition, we spotlight the strides being made in the lab and through clinical trials – all possible through the power of teamwork.

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  Science and research

  Glaucoma research

  Our researchers are among the world’s top scientists investigating the causes of glaucoma and how it can be better treated. We collaborate across research areas including gene therapy, mitochondrial research and clinical genetics.

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• Maggie Sandles’ Paralympic dream

  Stories

  Maggie Sandles’ Paralympic dream

  Teamwork is powering Maggie Sandles through challenges and towards her dreams of Paralympic gold.

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  Maggie Sandles, a 22-year-old para‑triathlete, was hoping to compete in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. At the final qualifier Maggie just missed out, but she shrugged off the disappointment.

  “My next challenge is the World Championships in Spain,” Maggie says.

  “Ultimately the goal is to podium at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. That is my new dream.”

  Maggie is as optimistic, determined and driven in sport as she is in life, and Usher syndrome isn’t holding her back. She sees her condition as a remarkable opportunity.

  Born with Type 1C Usher Syndrome, the most common genetic form of deaf-blindness, Maggie was profoundly deaf at birth.

  Through childhood, she developed balance problems and the gradual onset of retinitis pigmentosa – a condition associated with Usher syndrome.

  Retinitis pigmentosa affects the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of the eye. As a result, Maggie has decreasing peripheral vision and trouble seeing any details at night.

  While complete blindness is uncommon, Maggie is expecting her sight will continue to deteriorate.

  “The diagnosis was hard,” Maggie says.

  “Initially, I could only focus on the fact I was going to be blind by the time I was 30. Whilst this isn’t true for everyone, that’s what the ophthalmologist told me.

  “My diagnosis was perhaps not delivered gently, but we handled it great as a family. My mum was very supportive, and my dad dove into the research.”

  Positive focus

  While Maggie is unfailingly positive, she admits daily life can be a struggle. Currently, she has around 15-20 degrees of peripheral vision, compared to a normal 120.

  “This means I cannot drive. I am a hyper-independent person, so it’s one of the hardest things about Usher syndrome,” she says.

  In sport, Maggie says she found both an outlet for her energy and a coping mechanism.

  “Sport was a place where I didn’t feel very different. There was always a bigger challenge, whether it was performance pressure or a hard training session.”

  Maggie says obstacles, like not hearing her coach on the megaphone or a wobble climbing onto her bike, were soon forgotten.

  “Sport taught me resilience and dedication, which are now integral values in my life.

  “While this isn’t how I imagined my life would go, there is a world of opportunities available that weren’t before. I’m travelling the world and aiming for the Paralympics and World Championships. I think that’s pretty cool.”

  

  Bigger dreams: (from left) Lauren and Maggie working together.

  Better experiences

  “Maggie sets an incredible example for young people living with inherited retinal disease,” says Associate Professor Lauren Ayton – a clinician‑scientist at CERA with a strong research interest in inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), gene therapy and clinical trials.

  “But even she admits that life with Usher syndrome is not what she expected.

  “Although there’s currently no treatment for Usher syndrome, breakthroughs have put many treatments for previously untreatable conditions in reach.”

  Gene therapy, stem cell research and regenerative medicine offer avenues for repairing damaged sensory cells – potentially restoring or improving hearing and vision.

  “CERA’s Genetic Engineering Research Unit is working on a treatment to prevent vision loss from Usher syndrome,” Associate Professor Ayton says.

  “And the work of myself, Dr Tom Edwards and our team is focused on clinical trials as a tool to improve awareness, support networks and advocacy efforts for people living with Usher syndrome.

  “This is vital to improving access to resources, funding research initiatives and enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families affected by Usher syndrome.

  “Our ultimate goal is seeing a world where all people with complex conditions such as Usher syndrome receive best-practice multidisciplinary care.”

  Bigger dreams

  Maggie says she hopes to be a role model to “inspire others with Usher syndrome to dream big”.

  “I want to go to more than one Paralympic Games and see the world as much as I can before my sight deteriorates. I hope for driverless cars. I hope for research breakthroughs that lead to effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

  “Inherited retinal diseases affect millions worldwide, causing vision loss and impacting quality of life.

  “The incredible work by CERA researchers using stem cell technology and gene‑editing techniques offers a beacon of hope for those of us living with conditions like Usher syndrome.”

  Follow Maggie’s journey on Instagram: @maggie_sandles

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  Hope in Sight Giving Day

  Triple your impact on October 10

  Be a beacon of hope for vision research.

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  Spring 2024

  Visionary magazine

  In our latest edition, we spotlight the strides being made in the lab and through clinical trials – all possible through the power of teamwork.

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• The end of genetic discrimination in insurance

  News

  The end of genetic discrimination in insurance

  New Australian Government policy removes barriers to genetic testing – encouraging early diagnosis and participation in clinical trials that could transform the future of personalised medicine and gene therapy for eye diseases.

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  CERA researchers have welcomed the Australian Government’s recent decision to ban life insurance companies from discriminating against people based on genetic testing results.

  They say the change marks a pivotal shift in healthcare and research and removes significant barriers that have long discouraged Australians from undergoing genetic testing.

  The change will be a major benefit for people living with conditions like inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), where early diagnosis and intervention can be life changing.

  The announcement by Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones, ensures that Australians can now undertake genetic testing without fear that it will impact their ability to access life insurance.

  The move is expected to encourage greater uptake of genetic testing, empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their health and unlocking new opportunities for medical research.

  A new era for genetic medicine

  CERA’s Retinal Gene Therapy Unit co-lead Dr Tom Edwards welcomes the new policy and says it is a major advancement for genetic medicine and personalised healthcare in Australia.

  “This decision is a major step forward for genetic medicine and personalised healthcare in Australia.

  “For too long, people have been forced to weigh the benefits of genetic testing against the potential risk of discrimination.

  “By removing this barrier, the government is supporting people to make empowered choices about their health, free from the fear of economic disadvantage.’’

  Genetic testing can provide crucial insights for people living with IRDs that can lead to early interventions and access to cutting-edge therapies.

  Identifying the specific genetic mutations causing these conditions allows for more targeted treatment approaches, increasing the chances of success and better outcomes for patients.

  “For those with inherited retinal diseases, a genetic diagnosis can open the door to new therapies that were unimaginable a decade ago,’’ Dr Edwards says.

  “It allows us to identify the most effective treatments and tailor them to an individual’s genetic makeup. Research in this area is moving rapidly, and knowing your genetic profile can make all the difference.”

  However, while this policy change is a significant step forward, Dr Edwards believes it is just the beginning.

  He says the next crucial step is for the Government to provide financial support for patients to access genetic testing, especially as more gene therapies become available.

  “Without this support, many people may still find it difficult to take that first step towards a genetic diagnosis and the potential benefits it can unlock.

  “If we want to fully realise the potential of gene therapy, we need to ensure genetic testing is accessible to all who need it, regardless of their financial situation.’’

  

  Better access: Dr Tom Edwards believes the announcement is a big step towards genetic testing for all.

  Accelerating innovation

  The ban on genetic discrimination also has broad implications for medical research – particularly for gene therapy in clinical trials.

  CERA and its ophthalmic clinical trial centre, Cerulea Clinical Trials, are at the forefront of developing and testing new gene therapies that aim to prevent or reverse vision loss caused by IRDs.

  Cerulea Clinical Trials is bringing cutting-edge research from the lab to real-world applications and is set to deliver new gene therapy trials for retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt’s disease in the next year.

  Cerulea CEO Michelle Gallaher says clinical trials are essential to bringing new treatments to patients, but to participate in a gene therapy trial, participants typically need to have undergone genetic testing to determine their eligibility. 

  By reducing the discrimination and concern associated with genetic testing, the new policy could lead to increased participation in clinical trials. In turn, this will provide researchers with more robust data and accelerate the development of effective therapies for conditions which currently have limited options.  

  Gallaher emphasises the importance of this policy change in enhancing Australia’s position in global ophthalmic research. 

   “This decision opens the door for more Australians to access genetic testing without fear of financial repercussions and treatment limitation, and that’s incredibly important,’’ she says. 

  “By encouraging more people to take that first step and access genetic testing, we create a larger, more diverse pool of potential participants for clinical trials. This, in turn, helps bring more innovative ophthalmic trials to Australia, ensuring that Australians can access the latest gene therapies close to home.” 

  Future for personalised medicine

  Gallaher says the changes announced by the Government are a promising sign that Australia is committed to advancing personalised medicine and ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge healthcare.

  “At CERA and Cerulea Clinical Trials, we are excited about the possibilities this new policy brings and are dedicated to continuing our work to develop innovative treatments that improve the lives of those with inherited eye diseases.

  “By ensuring both policy protection and financial support, Australia can become a leader in making advanced genetic treatments a reality for everyone.”

  Find out more about our gene therapy research.

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  Research

  Finding answers to unknown IRDs

  A new project is using cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology to find the genetic cause of not-yet-understood inherited retinal diseases.

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  News

  Cerulea to boost access to sight-saving therapies

  Cerulea Clinical Trials will bring more international trials to Victoria and give people living with vision loss and blindness early access to sight-saving therapies.

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• Protecting sight to protect the mind

  News

  Protecting sight to protect the mind

  A new report has named vision loss as a risk factor that could be modified to reduce the chance of developing dementia.

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  The Lancet Commission – an international authority on health research – has named vision loss as a new modifiable risk factor for dementia.

  Vision loss was for the first time named alongside 13 other risk factors that the report says if  addressed could reduce the impact of dementia worldwide.

  Commenting on the report, CERA Managing Director Professor Keith Martin says the findings highlight the importance of addressing vision loss for maintaining good health into older age.

  “Two per cent of dementia cases were attributed to untreated vision loss later in life, but we should remember that with as many of 150 million people predicted to be living with dementia by 2050, reducing by even a small amount has the potential to prevent millions from developing the disease,” Professor Martin says.

  The other risk factors for dementia are lower levels of education, hearing impairment, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury, air pollution and social isolation.

  The Lancet Commission also called for governments to do more to address these risk factors.

  

  Clear focus: Good vision in older age helps people stay physically and mentally active.

  Staying active

  Professor Martin says vision loss can have a significant impact on a person’s overall health, both directly and indirectly.

  “There are direct links between vision loss and other diseases, but vision loss also makes it harder to socialise, exercise or do many other activities to stay healthy,’’ he says.

  “People also might find it harder to get to medical appointments, leading them to delay treatment for other conditions.”

  Professor Robyn Guymer AM, CERA Deputy Director and Head of Macular Research, studies age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can have a profound impact on older people’s lives.

  “AMD affects the central vision, which can make it impossible to read, do crafts, watch television and drive – all ways someone might keep mentally active and enjoying life,” says Professor Guymer.

  “This can lead to social isolation, which we know is another risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

  “We also know that there also are pathological links between Alzheimer’s and AMD, so there is good evidence the conditions are connected directly as well.”

  She says that vision loss is not a natural part of ageing, and new treatments to prevent vision loss are crucial to maintain a person’s health.

  “People often say that they’re just losing their vision because they’re old.

  “Well, no, plenty of people grow old without losing their vision, and our research is working towards making sure everyone can keep their vision throughout their entire life.”

  Brain connections

  Associate Professor Lisa Zhuoting Zhu leads CERA’s Ophthalmic Epidemiology research and is studying how technology can be used to detect disease in the community.

  She says she became interested in the link between dementia and vision loss after reading research that found drivers in the UK were less likely to develop dementia.

  “The hypothesis was that people who spent a lot of time driving received more visual stimulus – so their brain was more active – which helped prevent dementia.”

  She has since completed reviews of many studies that have found an association between vision loss and dementia, and her work contributed to the Lancet Commission’s decision.

  “We know that people with a visual impairment are more likely to have cognitive impairment and dementia,” says Associate Professor Zhu.

  She and her team are working towards developing an AI technology that can predict a person’s overall health – including their risk of developing dementia – through an eye scan.

  “We think an optometrist appointment, every couple of years when a person updates their glasses, would be a good time to check a person’s overall health, including their dementia risk, with a non-invasive retinal scan, which is showing promising results,” she says.

  Professor Martin says much of CERA’s research looks at the links between the eye and the brain.

  “The hyperspectral imaging team are developing a camera that aims to detect the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s in the eye before symptoms of dementia appear, which might open a window for more effective preventative treatments,

  “And with CERA’s former deputy director Professor Peter van Wijngaarden now leading The Florey, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest brain research centre, we now have many new opportunities to study the connections between the eye and the brain.”

  Professor Martin says the Lancet Commission’s decision to include vision loss as a modifiable risk for dementia highlights the impact new treatments for vision can have on a person’s life.

  “When we treat a person’s vision, we’re often also improving their overall physical and mental health.”

  Read the Lancet Commission report.

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  News

  AI scan for diabetes has potential to save sight and money

  Modelling shows AI-powered screening for diabetic retinopathy has the potential to prevent blindness by increasing access to scans, protecting sight and reducing healthcare costs.

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  News

  Space-age scan for Alzheimer’s disease

  A collaboration between eye researchers and astronomers to develop an eye scan that can combine three Alzheimer’s disease tests into one has been awarded an Ideas Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

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• Leadership role for IRD innovator

  NEWS

  Leadership role for IRD innovator

  The newest addition to CERA’s leadership team is known for her commitment to finding sight saving treatments for people living with inherited retinal disease.

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  Associate Professor Lauren Ayton, a co-leader of CERA’s Retinal Gene Therapy Research Unit and VENTURE Study, has been appointed to the organisation’s executive team.

  Associate Professor Ayton, who is also Head of the Vision Optimisation Unit in the Department of Optometry and interim Associate Dean of Innovation and Enterprise in the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, joins the executive team this month.

  Her appointment is the latest chapter in her long association with CERA which began as a post-doctoral researcher working with Professor Robyn Guymer AM in the Macular Research Unit in 2010.

  She later became clinical team leader on the Bionic Eye Project – working closely with Associate Professor Penny Allen and her team before leaving CERA for the United States in 2017.

  During her time in the US, Associate Professor Ayton was Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Bionic Eye Technologies, a start up company from Harvard and Cornell Universities.

  Since returning to Australia, her research program and impact has grown to encompass collaborative projects aimed at improving the lives of people living with inherited retinal disease – the leading cause of blindness in working age Australians.

  She now co-leads of the Retinal Gene Therapy Research Unit at CERA with Dr Tom Edwards, and the VENTURE Inherited Retinal Diseases Registry has grown to include more than 450 participants and is the only Australian site for the Foundation Fighting Blindness Uni Rare Gene Study.

  Associate Professor Ayton is also a co-leader of the Ocular Genomics Hub, part of the Advanced Genomics Collaboration, with colleague Dr Ceecee Britten-Jones – which is using cutting edge DNA sequencing technology to discover the genetic causes of inherited retinal disease.

  She is an investigator at Cerulea Clinical Trials and has been involved in 11 industry-sponsored trials for inherited retinal disease.

  Managing Director Professor Keith Martin says Associate Professor Ayton’s appointment to CERA’s leadership reflects its strong commitment to inherited retinal disease research.

  “Throughout her career Lauren has been a champion of innovation in vision research,” he says.

  “She is known for her passion for improving the lives of people living with inherited retinal disease and getting emerging new treatments to them as quickly as possible.

  “She has a unique ability to bring together different groups – consumers, clinicians, researchers and industry – to drive better outcomes for people living with vision loss and blindness.’’

  Professor Martin says the appointment also demonstrates the ongoing strength of the vision research collaboration between CERA and the University of Melbourne.

  Associate Professor Ayton says she is honored to be joining CERA’s executive team and is excited by the opportunity to develop impactful collaborations with other research organisations, industry and consumer groups.

  She is also excited by the potential to link more people with inherited retinal disease with clinical trials through Cerulea Clinical Trials, CERA’s new not-for profit clinical trials centre.

  “I am proud of my long involvement with CERA and its commitment to translating the research that happens in the lab into treatments that make a real difference for patients,” she says.

  “There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in inherited retinal disease research.

  “When I began my career there were no treatments for inherited retinal disease patients were told there was nothing that could be done for them.

  “But now we are seeing a wave of new treatments such as gene therapy moving into clinical trial – providing new hope that we can prevent or reverse vision loss.

  “With Cerulea Clinical Trials we can now attract more of these trials to Melbourne and give more patients access to emerging therapies.’’

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  Research

  Finding answers to unknown IRDs

  A new project is using cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology to find the genetic cause of not-yet-understood inherited retinal diseases.

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  News

  International effort

  CERA has joined a worldwide collaboration to ensure rare genetic diseases receive the same attention as more common conditions.

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• AI scan for diabetes has potential to save sight and money

  Research

  AI scan for diabetes has potential to save sight and money

  Modelling shows AI-powered screening for diabetic retinopathy has the potential to prevent blindness by increasing access to scans, protecting sight and reducing healthcare costs.

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  Modelling has revealed integrating an AI-powered scan for diabetic retinopathy into routine healthcare has the potential to increase detection of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy, while also reducing costs across the healthcare system.

  The research, led by Dr Wenyi Hu and Associate Professor Lisa Zhuoting Zhu at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, shows that an accurate AI-powered camera could prevent up to 40,000 cases of blindness from diabetic retinopathy, while also reducing costs to the healthcare system by as much as $615m, over a 40-year period.

  By being cheaper to perform than a traditional test and not needing specialised training, an AI scan could be incorporated into many more care settings.

  “If by making this test cheaper and able to be introduced into routine care for everyone, we can find and save the sight of people who might not yet know they have diabetes,” says Dr Hu.

  “A universal screening program, which is accessible to as many people as possible, could mean more people are able to start treatment before they lose their vision.”

  Vision threatening

  Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes in which blood vessels at the back of the eye swell, bleed and damage the retina, leading to a loss of sight.

  People with diabetes should receive regular eye checks to monitor for the condition.

  However, the complexity of managing the condition and access to eyecare professionals, particularly in rural settings, means the test is not always performed as often as it should be.

  KeepSight, Australia’s national eye health reminder program for people living with diabetes, prompts people to receive these checks, but increasing access can also make these appointments easier to make.

  People with undiagnosed diabetes, which are estimated to be as much as 25 percent of Australia’s diabetic population, are also unlikely to have their eye checked for the disease.

  An accurate AI-powered check that is cheaper and easier to perform, while still accurate, could make it possible for the test to be incorporated into many more primary care settings, like general practitioner offices, as a part of routine treatment for everyone.

  As well as protecting the sight of people with diabetes, the AI camera could also identify people who have diabetes but have not yet been diagnosed.

  “Our modelling has shown that, if we’re able to screen over 80 percent of the diabetic population to find the undetected cases of diabetic retinopathy in the community and protect their vision, we would not only save their sight but save the healthcare system many thousands of dollars in support services,” explains Dr Hu.

  “There would be some increase in the cost of treating the disease, but since more people get treated earlier, less people will progress to blindness – which is our ultimate goal.”

  The team performed this modelling by comparing an AI-powered system against conventional manual screening at estimated rates of detected and undetected diabetic retinopathy in the community.

  The study supports the team’s work developing an AI-powered camera that has the capacity to detect a whole host of conditions that are visible through the eye.

  The technology requires minimal training, and the portable camera could make healthcare more accessible to regional Australia and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that might not have regular access to eyecare.

  AI scans

  AI-powered scans work by taking a picture of the back of the eye where the damage caused by diabetic retinopathy occurs.

  The AI system is trained on thousands of images of eyes both healthy and with diabetic retinopathy, and uses this information to look for signs of the disease in patients.

  Previous research by the team has found the technology can accurately identify the disease, and research participants have been very positive about their experiences with the AI screening system.

  “This research shows that AI screening for diabetic retinopathy can play an important role alongside clinicians in helping people in the community protect their vision,” says Dr Hu.

  “AI scans like these have a great potential to increase the number of people we screen for the disease – and working alongside clinicians and policymakers we could one day incorporate this into routine clinical care.”

  Read the research

  Hu, W., Sanil, J., Rui, L., et al. Population impact and cost-effectiveness of artificial intelligence-based diabetic retinopathy screening in people living with diabetes in Australia: a cost effectiveness analysis. eClinicalMedicine (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102387

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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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  News

  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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• Boost to sight-saving eye bank

  News

  New biohoods double LEDS productivity

  New equipment purchased thanks to support from the Victorian Lions Foundation is simplifying how tissue is processed at LEDS.

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  The Lions Eye Donation Service (LEDS) have purchased essential equipment for the eye bank that will help them more efficiently process eye tissue donations for sight-saving corneal transplant surgeries.

  Head of LEDS Dr Heather Machin says two new biohoods provide their team of donor coordinators double the close-to sterile environments needed for handling and preparing precious donor eye tissue.

  “Thanks to the generosity of the Victorian Lions Foundation (VLF), we’ve replaced our old biohood with two new smaller hoods that upgrade our tissue preparation facilities to the latest industry standards.”

  The previous biohood had been in use for over 20 years and, while still perfectly functional, only allowed one donor coordinator to perform a single task at any given time.

  “Having two biohoods means that two donor coordinators can work at the same time – which will improve our team’s workflow and most importantly mean getting more tissue out to where it’s needed,” says Dr Machin.

  

  Doubling productivity: The new biohoods are expanding the eye bank’s capabilities.

  Advancing eye banking

  A biohood is an enclosed cabinet that prevents contamination and enables LEDS’ donor coordinators to safely examine and prepare donor eye tissue.

  “It has special functions that change airflow, so bacteria or fibres aren’t coming in and settling on the eye tissue,” says Dr Machin.

  “The two new biohoods have different airflows, which means we can do different tasks at different times.”

  These tasks include using the latest techniques to cut corneal tissue – the window of our eye – in preparation for corneal graft surgeries, or even storing donor eye tissue for future use in bottles of a pink liquid known as organ culture.

  The arrival of the new biohoods represent the latest in a series of eye banking innovations that have happened at LEDS since it was established in 1991.

  LEDS was the first Australian eye bank to introduce organ culture preservation in 2005 – extending the time of corneal preservation from seven days up to 30 days.

  “The biohood also gives us the clean environment needed to fill the bottles with organ culture medium, so they can be stored, ready for when they’re needed,” says Dr Machin.

  The LEDS team send the precious gift off for urgent surgeries at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and to transplant facilities across the state.

  For someone with a damaged cornea, a corneal transplant is often their last hope of restoring vision.

  Dr Machin says the new biohoods will have a significant impact.

  “This wonderful gift further strengthens our close ties with the VLF, who have been strong supporters of our vital work from the beginning.”

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  Stories

  Nurses saving sight and advancing research

  On International Nurses Day, we celebrate our Lions Eye Donation Service coordinators out in the field and in the lab – working to protect sight for current and future generations.

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  The Lions Eye Donation Service

  Why become an eye donor?

  By choosing to donate your eye tissue after you pass away, you can give someone the precious gift of sight – or help with important medical research. Here are a few things you should know.

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• Donations help put less invasive treatments for AMD in sight

  News

  Donations help put better treatments for AMD in sight

  We are incredibly grateful to the many generous CERA supporters who donated to our 2024 mid-year appeal in support of our research into prevention of and improved treatments for age-related macular degeneration.

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  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50 years.

  It is a progressive eye disease that affects the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision.

  Late AMD comes in two forms – ‘wet’ and ‘dry’.

  The only treatment for the wet form of AMD currently available is a regular injection in the eye – costly, invasive and time-consuming.

  In the mid-year appeal, we highlighted the incredible work being done by Associate Professor Guei-Sheung (Rick) Liu and his team.

  They’re working tirelessly in the lab to develop a simple eye drop as a less invasive treatment for wet AMD, with the hope of making the need for repeated injections a thing of the past.

  “Our non-invasive, eye drop-based gene therapy aims to make treatment safer, more convenient and easier to sustain, while reducing costs to the patient and healthcare system,” says Associate Professor Liu.

  “It would not only significantly advance the clinical management of AMD, but also diabetic retinopathy and potentially many other eye diseases. It would also make treatment more accessible, enabling uptake in disadvantaged communities and developing nations.

  “I’m very grateful to everyone in the community who was encouraged by our research to support CERA’s mid-year appeal. There are so many lives that could be touched by an innovation like this in AMD treatment, so to be at the forefront of this research is very exciting – for all of us.”

  

  Colin and Pam with their daughters Leesa, Sharon and Kerry send their thanks for your support.

  Thank you from Colin and Pam

  Colin and Pam, a couple featured in our mid-year appeal, are both affected by AMD. Pam is one of those people living with AMD who get regular eye-injections.

  She and her family were especially excited to hear about Associate Professor Liu’s work in this area, and they were all keen to pass on their personal thanks to everyone who donated to the mid-year appeal.

  “I’m really pleased to hear that so many people have responded to the CERA mid-year appeal,” says Pam.

  “It gives me a great feeling of optimism for the future knowing there are so many generous people out there in the community supporting the research being done by CERA.”

  Pam and Colin are still able to live in their own home, thanks to their daughters’ help. Three of their daughters are showing early signs of AMD, although fortunately have no sight issues as yet.

  “Thanks to everyone who donated to the CERA mid-year appeal,” says Sharon, one of Colin and Pam’s daughters. “It means a lot to the family to know that you responded so positively to mum and dad’s story.”

  “I’ve done a lot of fundraising for CERA myself, most recently through the Lions Ride for Sight, so I’m right there alongside you, supporting the really ground-breaking research CERA is doing.”

  No one should have to live knowing their future is literally unclear, with the fear of vision loss on the horizon. Thanks to your generous support we can give hope to those living with treatable forms of AMD, working towards less invasive procedures to curtail their vision loss.

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  Science and research

  Using gene therapy to reduce the need for eye injections

  In this video, learn about how CERA’s research into gene therapies could transform the treatment of eye disease.

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  Annual Review 2023

  Family in it together

  Three sisters took on the ambitious challenge of riding 150km to raise vital funds for eye research – for themselves, for their family, and for others affected by age-related macular degeneration.

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