Ever wondered about the performance of EDOF IOLs with glaucoma surgical devices, or why some keratoconus patients suddenly progress long after cross-linking. And can surgically discarded tissue be used to grow corneal endothelial cells, or can music reduce anxiety prior to refractive surgery.
Answers to these burning questions in Australian ophthalmology – and much more – are set to become clearer after the Future Vision Foundation unveiled its inaugural grant recipients on 26 September.
Launched in 2021 by the Vision Eye Institute (VEI), the not-for-profit research foundation encourages and supports the research efforts of staff and associated clinicians. This includes those with little-to-no formal research experience but who are keen to improve diagnosis, treatments and/or healthcare experiences for patients with eye conditions.
Seventeen applications were reviewed by the foundation’s advisory committee using criteria based on current NHMRC guidelines.
A shortlist was then considered by the distinguished board of directors, including former VEI national medical director and respected cataract and glaucoma specialist Associate Professor Tim Roberts, Australian Medical Association NSW CEO Ms Fiona Davies, former ZEISS ANZ senior manager Mr Joe Redner, VEI CEO Mr James Thiedeman and UNSW optometry Professor Fiona Stapleton.
The Future Vision Foundation also acknowledged the contribution of Mr Richard Grills who passed away on 12 July. He was on the foundation’s advisory committee and held several prominent roles, including as an ODMA board member and former chair, and founded ophthalmic product supplier Designs For Vision.
The 12 successful grant applicants were:
Vision-related quality of life of mild glaucoma patients with extended depth of focus IOL at cataract surgery – Dr Jason Cheng, Dr Gary Schiller, Dr Alex Ioannidis, A/Prof Tim Roberts, Ms Faten Assaf
The aim of this research project is to understand the safety and efficacy of using an EDOF IOL in a series of patients with concurrent mild-to-moderate glaucoma requiring an iStent microshunt insertion at cataract surgery.
The Amazing Amber Project – Pilot Study – Mr Eagle Ngo, Mr Jaguar Ngo, Dr Jason Cheng, Dr Rushmia Karim
This research project aims to investigate whether the children’s story book, ‘Amazing Amber’, can increase patching treatment compliance as well as improve children’s attitudes towards patching treatment in children with amblyopia.
Sudden progression in patients following long-term collagen cross-linking for keratoconus: pilot study – Dr Abi Tenen, Prof Rasik Vajpayee, Prof Colin Chan
This research project aims to detail a cohort of Vision Eye Institute patients who have described sudden deterioration in vision at long-term follow-up. The findings will provide the basis for developing additional investigative initiatives in this subset of patients.
OCTA Signal Quality Augmentation using the Isometric Hand-Grip Test to maximise detection of macular neovascularisation in AMD: a double-blind, randomised crossover trial – Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith PhD, Mr Matt Trinh, Dr Jeff Friedrich, Dr Simon Chen, Dr David Ng
This research project aims to determine if the Isometric Hand-Grip Test can improve optical coherence tomography angiography detectability and signal quality of macular neovascularisation in patients with treatment-naïve, age-related macular degeneration.
Creation of a clinical guide to assist language and neuropsychological assessment in children with visual disorders – Dr Rushmia Karim, Dr Chris Hodge PhD, Dr Rebecca Sutherland PhD, Ms Antoinette Hodge PhD
The aim of this research project is to develop a practical guide to help clinical and neuropsychologists understand the impact of visual disorders during assessment in patients with language and/or cognitive impairments and how this impact may be ameliorated during the assessment with appropriate protocols.
The impact of a faulty tear film on the outcome of IOL surgery – Dr Jim Kokkinakis, Prof Gerard Sutton, A/Prof Michael Lawless, Dr Tess Huynh, Dr Gary Schiller, Ms Elena Binios
The aim of this research project is to establish that a normal tear film prior to cataract surgery will improve surgical outcome and eye surface health; to establish that a low level of skin lipids found in patients will improve surgical outcomes; and to establish that increased levels of skin lipids are associated with signs and symptoms of dry eye.
Understanding the role of music in reducing anxiety in refractive surgery – Ms Shih Shih Ta, A/Prof Michael Lawless, Prof Gerard Sutton, Prof Colin Chan, Dr Tess Huynh, Dr Joe Reich, Dr Guy Olorenshaw, Dr Abi Tenen, Ms Nicole Moore
The aim of this research project is to explore differences in patient anxiety, comfort and satisfaction levels following refractive surgery in patients with and without perioperative/intraoperative music. This study represents a non-randomised, prospective trial and will include patients aged 21 to 65 years of age undergoing primary laser refractive surgery for the treatment of myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism.
Patient-surgeon discussion in phacovitrectomy surgery: an analysis of patient information, comfort and anxiety in the context of concurrent ocular disease, symptoms and vision-related quality of life – Ms Tram Nguyen, Ms Opal Mai, Dr Simon Chen
The aim of this research project is to understand the current patient profile and understanding of the patient-surgeon discussion prior to phacovitrectomy surgery, with an emphasis on the patient desire for optical independence following surgery. This is a prospective study.
Personalising care for keratoconus patients through artificial intelligence – Ms Nicole Hallett, Dr Jingjing You PhD, Prof Colin Chan, Dr Tess Huynh, Dr Peter Kim, Dr Athena Roufas, Dr Chris Hodge PhD
The main aims of this research project are to refine our existing model to help understand keratoconus (KC) and the present risk of progression in KC patients, and to provide a supplementary module to identify ectasia risk in laser surgery candidates by rating candidates against the spectrum of keratoconus patients.
Anaesthesia in cataract surgery: retrospective review of safety and efficacy – Dr Rachel Yeong, A/Prof Michael Lawless, Dr Liz Feeney
The main aims of this research project are to understand the patient profile, anaesthetic requirements and the safety of anaesthesia practices used in routine cataract surgery. This study represents a retrospective approach.
Using surgically discarded tissue for the fabrication of optically transparent endothelium for more surgical potentials – Prof Gerard Sutton, Dr Chris Hodge PhD, Dr Sheng Hua PhD, Ms Michelle Phung
The main aim of this research is to use lens capsule discs from discarded tissue as a platform for the growth of primary corneal endothelial cells that have been acquired from donors. After which, the construct will be compared to a normal corneal endothelium and be tested for its potential as a substrate for corneal endokeratoplasty.
The impact of personality on postoperative subjective outcomes in cataract surgery and the accuracy of surgeon assessment of patient personality profiling – Dr Alex Ioannidis, Ms Kate Roberts
The main aim of this research is to (1) understand the influence of patient personality on IOL choice and correlate personality type with postoperative patient satisfaction and (2) assess the difference between the Ten Item Personality Measure (TIPI) and the ‘blinded’ surgeon evaluation to understand the correlation between patient and surgeon evaluation.
More information about the grant recipients, including video content, can be found here.
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