In the ever-evolving landscape of medical research, collaboration plays a pivotal role in addressing critical health challenges. This year, the Lions Eye Institute is proud to acknowledge Roche for their generous contribution of $400,000 over 12 months to our groundbreaking research initiative focused on diabetes-related retinal ischaemia led by principal investigator Professor Chandra Balaratnasingam.
Diabetes is becoming increasingly prevalent, affecting millions globally. One of its most severe complications is retinal ischaemia, which results from a loss of blood supply to the retina and is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss among diabetic patients. Currently, there is no effective treatment for this debilitating condition.
Our project aims to define the cellular changes in the human retina that precede or contribute to the development of retinal ischaemia in individuals with diabetes. Using cutting-edge single-cell transcriptomics, we will analyse donor tissue from diabetic patients to uncover the molecular mechanisms at play in retinal ischemia.
Through this research, we hope to identify novel molecules and therapeutic targets that could potentially prevent or reverse retinal ischaemia. One promising outcome we are pursuing is the discovery of a molecule that could be injected into the eye to halt the progression of this condition, thereby preserving vision for countless patients living with diabetes.
Roche’s decision to fund our proposal reflects their commitment to combatting retinal blindness and addressing significant gaps in the clinical management of diabetes-related eye diseases. Each year, Roche evaluates thousands of proposals for investigator-initiated research studies, and our proposal stood out for its robust scientific foundation, built upon over 30 years of research into retinal vascular diseases by our Physiology and Pharmacology research group led by Professor Dao-Yi Yu AM.
Our longstanding collaboration with the Lions Eye Bank has also been instrumental in our research. For nearly two decades, we have received invaluable human donor tissue from the Eye Bank, enabling us to conduct expert histological studies that have significantly advanced the field.

Retinal blood vessels (blue) and choroidal blood vessels (orange) in a human donor eye. Photo credit: Dr Martin Hein.
“This collaboration with Roche highlights how partnerships drive innovation in diabetes research. By addressing critical gaps in patient care, we are on the path to discovering new solutions that could prevent vision loss from retinal ischemia,” said clinician-scientist Professor Balaratnasingam. “The Lions Eye Institute is uniquely placed to progress this work, with critical human donor tissue provided through the Lions Eye Bank, state of the art medical research laboratories and multiple clinics where we see patients every day. The support from Roche not only amplifies our research efforts but also exemplifies the power of partnership in driving innovation and improving patient outcomes,” he said.
We are excited about the potential impact of this research and are deeply grateful to Roche for their investment in our work. Together, we are making strides toward a future where vision loss from diabetic retinal ischaemia can be effectively prevented or treated.
We are also thankful to the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, without whom this research would not have been possible. Their ongoing support of the Perron Paediatric Retinopathy Initiative has enabled us to collect pilot data and carry out foundational research that has led to the support from Roche.