Identify the underlying physiology of glaucoma, work towards better understanding of the eye and developing novel therapies to save sight.
Glaucoma is the third most common cause of blindness globally. It is a degenerative, life-long disease caused by raised intraocular pressure which gradually crushes the optic nerve fibre, causing sight loss.
Surgery and laser treatments are used, but currently have limited and short-term effect. Individualised treatments need to be developed to determine which patients will respond to certain treatments and those patients’ ideal pressures.
In countries such as Indonesia, access to affordable and effective eye health care can be challenging. Glaucoma affects 1.8 per cent of the Indonesian population over the age of 40 and is the second most common cause of blindness in the country, after cataract.
Our work, our achievements
We have a strong international track record in glaucoma pathophysiology and treatment.
- The first researchers to measure pressure distributions across the optic nerve, and have explored vascular and nerve tissue changes induced by pressure alterations.
- Invented gelatin stent surgery – commercialised by Allergen Corporation as the XEN® gelatin stent – to lower pressure by draining excess fluid from the eye.
- Co-developed the Virna Glaucoma Drainage Device for use in Indonesia, where glaucoma is particularly prevalent.
- With the Australian Space Agency, we are developing technologies to address eye problems associated with long-term space flight.
- Extensive experience in developing novel diagnostic imaging techniques for optic nerve and conjunctival lymphatic assessment and visual field analytical techniques in glaucoma.
- Developed a non-invasive technique for measuring intracranial pressure and a dynamic eye pressure measurement system, using novel engineering and image analysis techniques to enable individualized home measurements by patients.
- Developing a novel laser glaucoma treatment system.
- Developing a new form of imaging of lymphatic vessels.
- Examining modulation of endothelium functions to improve outflow and reduce ocular pressure.
- Collaborating with a start-up company to investigate the effects of a peptide drug to protect against intraocular pressure induced damage to the axons of the retinal ganglion cells.
