RANZCO commends yesterday’s government announcement of $123.5 million in grants to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of medical health and research and a world leader in preventing, treating and curing illness and disease.
Ophthalmology research featured in the group of over 100 top Australian researchers and projects to share in the National Health and Medical Research Council grants.
These include:
Dr Hong Zhang, Development Grant, Centre for Eye Research Australia ($584,165)
This research supports the development of a non-invasive treatment for the degenerative eye condition keratoconus. Current treatment involves lifting the protective layer of the cornea to apply riboflavin to the central region of the cornea – a procedure which can be painful and carries many risks of complications. Professor Zhang will work with Seagull Technologies to develop a polymer gel that, combined with a delivery device invented by the company, can release riboflavin into the cornea safely and without the need for any incision
Prof Yogesan Kanagasingam, Development Grant, Australian e-Health Research Centre (516,424)
Low cost smart screening system for sight threatening eye disease: diabetic retinopathy
Dr Queena Qin, Postgraduate Scholarship, Centre for Eye Research Australia
Energy supply in glaucoma: one cell’s trash is another cell’s treasure