The Lions Eye Institute is delighted to announce that we are a beneficiary of the Channel 7 Telethon Trust, with three critical programs receiving significant funding in 2026.
Telethon grants enable researchers at the Lions Eye Institute to identify children at high risk of myopia and earlier detection in children with inherited retinal diseases.
1. Myopia prevention – Tracking eye growth and early childhood myopia
Professor David Mackey AO
Professor David Mackey AO
Combatting the rising rates of childhood myopia is an urgent public health challenge, with half of the world’s population predicted to be affected by 2050. Early detection and intervention are key to preventing long-term vision loss and associated complications.
Building on the Raine Study Generation 3 and ORIGINS cohorts, Professor David Mackey AO, Dr Samantha Lee and Dr Gareth Lingham will conduct children’s eye examinations to map eye growth and track early signs of myopia. By linking eye development with lifestyle factors such as outdoor activity and sports participation, the team aims to identify children at risk and inform simple, practical interventions – helping protect vision, promote healthy habits and improve lifelong eye health.
2. Understanding and preventing childhood myopia in Western Australia
Dr Jessica Mountford
Dr Jessica Mountford
Early onset myopia affects thousands of Western Australian children and can lead to serious vision problems in adulthood if left untreated. With generous support from Telethon, Dr Jessica Mountford and co-investigator, Dr Antony Clark, are using a cutting-edge genetic and zebrafish disease modelling platform to uncover how genes and environment drive myopia progression.
Their work identifies children at highest risk, enabling early intervention, prevention strategies and the development of novel therapies. By translating these insights into practical approaches, they are helping protect children’s vision, improve lifelong eye health and reduce the growing social and economic burden of myopia.
3. Enabling treatment readiness for children with inherited retinal diseases
Dr Danuta Sampson
Dr Danuta Sampson
The RTX1 retinal camera enables imaging of individual photoreceptor cells, essential for vision, at the back of the eye. In children with inherited retinal diseases, it detects early changes and treatment responses much sooner than other imaging methods, supporting earlier diagnosis, improved monitoring in clinical trials and sight-saving interventions.
With generous support from Telethon, Dr Danuta Sampson and Associate Professor Fred Chen, will be able to purchase the next generation RTX1 device, which offers faster imaging, a wider field of view and functional photoreceptor assessment. They will also develop and validate imaging protocols tailored for paediatric populations. The new camera and protocols will significantly enhance Western Australia’s capacity to preserve vision and accelerate access to therapy for children with inherited retinal diseases.
