BHVI

Research projects are grouped within programmes and comprise a collection of projects based around a unifying theme and series of hypotheses.

MYOPIA CONTROL Programme

Myopia
About 1.45 billion people suffer from myopia (short-sightedness), predicted to rise to 2.5 billion by the year 2020. High levels of short-sightedness are associated with increased retinal detachment, glaucoma and cataracts.

The Institute is conducting a number of projects within the Myopia Control programme and has developed strategies for slowing the progress of myopia. As part of the programme the Institute has recently funded the development of the International Clinical Centre in Guangzhao, China. To learn more click here.

EMBARK Programme

Antimicrobial Contact Lenses
Contact lens wear, especially extended wear, is associated with an increased risk of corneal infection caused by microbial contamination of contact lenses and inflammation, often caused by bacterial contamination of contact lenses.

This project is aimed at creating an antimicrobial contact lens to prevent bacterial adhesion and reduce the occurrence and severity of infection and inflammation. The research is conducted in partnership with industry and research colleagues from Australia and USA. To learn more click here.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Contact Lens Solutions
Contact lens disinfecting solutions are needed during routine lens wear to minimise bacterial colonisation of lenses and help in the general cleaning of the lens surface. The Institute has studied the effectiveness of various multipurpose contact lens disinfecting solutions for manufacturers and for internal research purposes and is also researching the most effective combination of disinfectants and cleaners for use in these solutions. To learn more click here.

Risk of Microbial Keratitis with Contact Lenses
Although microbial keratitis is rare, approximately 10-15% of cases of this contact lens related infection lead to permanent loss of vision. Often hygiene practices, particularly that associated with the contact lens case, are implicated as a cause of this condition. The Institute is currently studying lens case contamination and factors to minimise this, with a view to developing evidence-based guidelines for better lens case hygiene.

The Institute is in a unique position in that it has access to over 250 subjects who’ve developed microbial keratitis and more who have developed inflammation during lens wear. We plan to examine whether these subjects have genetic predispositions to developing keratitis or for the severity of the keraitits.

To learn more about microbial keratitis click here.

Tear Film Supplements

The Institute has been examining whether the cornea and conjunctiva can respond to the presence of potential osmoprotectants, which are present in certain ocular drops for relief of 'dry eyes'. We have shown that corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells are able to take up carnitine via specific mechanisms. This research has been funded by a grant from Allergan Inc, USA. To learn more click here.

Lactoferrin as an ocular therapeutic
The Institute has an established program of research investigating whether lactoferrin from cows milk could be used to:

• Treat ocular infection by reducing the resistance of infecting microbes to frequently used antimicrobial agents.
• Cover biomaterial surfaces and reduce the ability of bacteria to colonise those surfaces.
• Promote wound healing in a damaged cornea.

We have demonstrated the efficacy of lactoferrin in each of these situations, and plans are underway to further develop this research.

Tear Film Diagnostics

This is an ongoing project aiming to find disease-specific markers in tears, which may lead to early, reliable, non-invasive diagnosis of these diseases.

In partnership with Minomic Pty Ltd, the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, and Sydney Urology Centre at St george Hospital, Sydney, Institute researchers are analysing tear proteins from diabetic patients or people with prostate cancer and normal subjects using 2-dimensional electorphoresis and a range of other proteomic techniques.

The goal is to develop a diagnostic test that could be used in optometric practice to evaluate the start or progression of diabetes, or a more specific and sensitive test for prostate cancer that might replace with  current Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. To learn more click here.

To learn more about the Institute's research into tear film lipids click here.

To learn more about the Institute's research into tear film mucins click here.

PERFECT CONTACT LENS Programme

Several projects within the programme are working towards the development of silicone hydrogels contact lenses for myopes, hyperopes and presbyopes, as well as people with astigmatism. In addition, the Institute has a programme of research design to understand the factors involved in the comfort of a lens on the eye. Comfort is a primary reason for people to dropout of lens wear. Understanding drivers of ocular comfort and developing more comfortable lenses may provide a better wearing experience for the 120 million wearers worldwide and increase the market for contact lenses.

The perfect contact lens should provide excellent vision correction, fit the eye excellently, provide the highest possible amount of oxygen to the cornea so that there are few (or no) hypoxic complications, be comfortable to use and not be associated with inflammatory complications, especially as the result of build up of bacteria.

The Institute is working closely with industry partners to develop these lenses.

SURGICALS Programme

Dynamic Vision
Presbyopia is the loss of the ability to focus on near objects. The lens of the eye gradually hardens with age, consequently losing flexibility, meaning most people over the age of 45 need reading glasses. The Dynamic Vision project is developing a unique gel-lens system that can be implanted and replace the old presbyopic lens.

To learn more click here.

Corneal Onlay Project
The Corneal Onlay project is developing a technique to correct refractive errors through the development of a lens that will alter corneal curvature. The lens sits beneath the corneal surface of the eye, offering the convenience of permanent vision correction, while still being reversible.

To learn more click here.

Corneal Inlay Project
The Corneal Inlay project is working to develop an implantable lens to correct refractive errors. The Inlay is inserted into the eye using a similar procedure to refractive surgery, providing permanent vision correction.