Identifying tear lipids, their deposition onto contact lenses and their role in the development of dry eye. Lipids provide a critical layer in the human tear film that retards evaporation and helps nourish and protect the eye. We will identify the molecules within this essential "oil slick" to better understand dry eye syndrome and the discomfort associated with wearing contact lenses. This may lead to new treatments for dry eye and novel technologies that provide greater comfort for the ~120,00 ....Identifying tear lipids, their deposition onto contact lenses and their role in the development of dry eye. Lipids provide a critical layer in the human tear film that retards evaporation and helps nourish and protect the eye. We will identify the molecules within this essential "oil slick" to better understand dry eye syndrome and the discomfort associated with wearing contact lenses. This may lead to new treatments for dry eye and novel technologies that provide greater comfort for the ~120,000 Australians who wear contact lenses. This collaborative research directly supports the mission of a respected non-profit organisation (Institute for Eye Research) and will train scientists in world-leading analytical technologies that are essential to Australia's emerging biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
A comparative study of the laser-tissue interaction between solid state 213nm vs excimer gas 193nm laser systems. We will carry out a comparative study of the latest technological developments in laser vision correction surgery. We will compare the biological effects of a new solid state laser operating at 213nm and a traditional excimer gas laser operating at 193nm. For each laser type, long-term scarring, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and free radical production will be studied in relevant in viv ....A comparative study of the laser-tissue interaction between solid state 213nm vs excimer gas 193nm laser systems. We will carry out a comparative study of the latest technological developments in laser vision correction surgery. We will compare the biological effects of a new solid state laser operating at 213nm and a traditional excimer gas laser operating at 193nm. For each laser type, long-term scarring, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and free radical production will be studied in relevant in vivo and in vitro animal models. Furthermore, optimization of the irradiation protocol for the solid state laser will lead to the development of a wide range of biological applications.Read moreRead less
Improving the visibility and safety of pedestrians, roadworkers and cyclists. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities cost Australia ~$2 billion/year, accounting for a third of road users killed or seriously injured. Late visual recognition by motorists is the main reason these collisions occur. While visibility aids to improve pedestrian and cyclist conspicuity have been advocated, they have had limited success. We will use innovative driving measurement techniques to advance understanding of pedest ....Improving the visibility and safety of pedestrians, roadworkers and cyclists. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities cost Australia ~$2 billion/year, accounting for a third of road users killed or seriously injured. Late visual recognition by motorists is the main reason these collisions occur. While visibility aids to improve pedestrian and cyclist conspicuity have been advocated, they have had limited success. We will use innovative driving measurement techniques to advance understanding of pedestrian and cyclist visibility and the effectiveness of different visibility aids for enhancing pedestrians and cyclist recognition. We will develop novel visibility aids to maximise pedestrian and cyclist conspicuity and evidence-based educational programs to improve the safety of vulnerable road users.Read moreRead less
Developing innovative contact lens designs and materials for effective and safe corneal refractive reshaping. Despite the increasing prevalence of refractive errors, there are limited options available for refractive error correction. Current contact lens designs for orthokeratology, a corneal reshaping technique which temporarily reduces refractive error, are effective for correcting only low to moderate myopia (short-sightedness). In this project, we will use innovative lens design approache ....Developing innovative contact lens designs and materials for effective and safe corneal refractive reshaping. Despite the increasing prevalence of refractive errors, there are limited options available for refractive error correction. Current contact lens designs for orthokeratology, a corneal reshaping technique which temporarily reduces refractive error, are effective for correcting only low to moderate myopia (short-sightedness). In this project, we will use innovative lens design approaches that harness the fluid forces generated in the post-lens tear film, and modulation of the corneal tissue response to these pressures, to develop novel contact lens designs in appropriate lens materials for effective and safe corneal reshaping to correct a wide range of refractive errors.Read moreRead less
Vision performance in relationship to spectacle lens design. Refractive errors such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness or presbyopia (age related decline in near vision) are the leading causes of visual impairment in the world. Of these, presbyopia affects almost 100% of the population above 45 years of age. This represents over 40% of all Australians. Although spectacles provide a safe and easy means of correcting refractive errors, they affect quality of life due to distorted vision, disco ....Vision performance in relationship to spectacle lens design. Refractive errors such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness or presbyopia (age related decline in near vision) are the leading causes of visual impairment in the world. Of these, presbyopia affects almost 100% of the population above 45 years of age. This represents over 40% of all Australians. Although spectacles provide a safe and easy means of correcting refractive errors, they affect quality of life due to distorted vision, discomfort such as head and neck ache and cosmetic effects. The goals of the project are to better understand the visual performance of young and old people who wear glasses and to develop improved spectacle lens designs to provide clear and comfortable vision over a range of distances.Read moreRead less
Adopting innovative strategies to manipulate and refine desirable optical outcomes from contact lens wear and corneal refractive reshaping. Corneal refractive reshaping is a contact lens-based technique that moulds the front surface of the eye to correct refractive errors. The corneal reshaping process is slow, making research in this area inefficient. This project will reshape the front surface of large diameter rigid lenses, allowing immediate evaluation of optical outcomes.
Investigation of the structure of the pre-ocular tear film. Eye care is critical to the elderly e.g. over 50% can expect to suffer from dry-eye which inhibits productivity and independence. Eye-drops are often used for treatment and development of drops will improve the well-being and productivity of the elderly. Formulation of eye-drops is complex because they must be comfortable, easy to use, and preserve the active agent. Better formulations will benefit people both medically and financially. ....Investigation of the structure of the pre-ocular tear film. Eye care is critical to the elderly e.g. over 50% can expect to suffer from dry-eye which inhibits productivity and independence. Eye-drops are often used for treatment and development of drops will improve the well-being and productivity of the elderly. Formulation of eye-drops is complex because they must be comfortable, easy to use, and preserve the active agent. Better formulations will benefit people both medically and financially. It will lead to more compliance, and thus maintain the independence of and productivity of older people. This will increase the market share and the financial gains will be fed back to the community. This project will also train scientists in industrial production and marketing.Read moreRead less
Using lasers to prime the immune system. This project aims to detail the precise effects that lasers have on eye cells, cell populations and the body as a whole. Laser treatments for sight problems are increasing but the effects of these laser applications on the unique immune systems of the eye and brain are unknown. Previous work of the researchers has shown that a novel nanosecond laser when targeted to the eye can alter cells in the lasered eye and in the unlasered eye and the brain. This kn ....Using lasers to prime the immune system. This project aims to detail the precise effects that lasers have on eye cells, cell populations and the body as a whole. Laser treatments for sight problems are increasing but the effects of these laser applications on the unique immune systems of the eye and brain are unknown. Previous work of the researchers has shown that a novel nanosecond laser when targeted to the eye can alter cells in the lasered eye and in the unlasered eye and the brain. This knowledge may be crucial for enhancing our understanding of the immune privileged state of the eye. In addition, it seeks to guide the development of future low energy lasers as important successful treatments.Read moreRead less
Using 'biological motion' to enhance the nighttime safety of road workers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities are a major road safety problem, accounting for a third of road fatalities at an estimated cost of $2.5 billion/year. Late recognition of pedestrians and cyclist by drivers is the main reason for these collisions. We have shown that innovative visibility designs which involve strategic placement of reflective markers on the moveable joints can greatly enhance vi ....Using 'biological motion' to enhance the nighttime safety of road workers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities are a major road safety problem, accounting for a third of road fatalities at an estimated cost of $2.5 billion/year. Late recognition of pedestrians and cyclist by drivers is the main reason for these collisions. We have shown that innovative visibility designs which involve strategic placement of reflective markers on the moveable joints can greatly enhance visibility and hence safety of these vulnerable road users. We will extend this research to incorporate evaluation of these visibility solutions in real-world environments and encourage the widespread use of these designs in the real-world through education and policy change.Read moreRead less
Harnessing contact lens design to optimise optics and vision through corneal refractive reshaping. Development of innovative OK lens designs to correct presbyopia and astigmatism, optimised for visual performance through manipulation of optical aberrations, will place Australian rigid contact lens manufacturing at the international forefront of OK lens production. Lens designs to control myopia progression will strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the potential m ....Harnessing contact lens design to optimise optics and vision through corneal refractive reshaping. Development of innovative OK lens designs to correct presbyopia and astigmatism, optimised for visual performance through manipulation of optical aberrations, will place Australian rigid contact lens manufacturing at the international forefront of OK lens production. Lens designs to control myopia progression will strategically position Australian lens manufacturing to capitalise on the potential market in Asia, where myopia is prevalent. Significant intellectual property will be generated for Australia through greater understanding of OK lens design manipulation to optimise visual outcomes. This project promises to enhance the international reputation of UNSW researchers, keeping Australian science at the forefront of this research area.Read moreRead less