BHVI

In July 2006 the Vannas Fellowship was launched to promote international interdisciplinary eye research. The fellowship was established to celebrate and honour the contributions of Professor Antti Vannas to science and eye research and to recognise his great capacity to stimulate colleagues and researchers alike to seek better ways of working together to improve sight for all people.

Through his outstanding work as one of the world’s most experienced corneal surgeons and love for life Antti Vannas developed a network of research collaborations in Finland, Australia, USA and India. He played a key role in advancing corneal and refractive surgery, corneal implantation and the understanding of ocular inflammation, and inspired an enormous number of people to continue towards better and permanent solutions to myopia and to make vision accessible throughout the world. As an internationally renowned opthalmologist, Antti’s efforts in bringing together leaders in the fields of optometry and ophthalmology were instrumental in making major advances in the areas of eye health and vision care.

The Vannas Fellowship was created by the Institute for Eye Research (now Brien Holden Vision Institute) and made possible by donations from Antti’s friends and colleagues who contributed over $500 000 to the organisation.

At the launch of the fellowship in Helsinki Professor Vannas said, “I am very honored by the establishment of the Vannas Fellowship and I am pleased that it will support basic eye research. Hopefully it will provide a chance for young researchers to appreciate the immense value of collaborations such as the ones I have enjoyed so much”.

Sadly, in December 2006 Antti lost his battle with cancer. He was however, able to see the first recipient of the fellowship at a moving ceremony held in his home in November 2006. The fellowship medal was awarded to Dr. Jukka Moilanen, a scientist and ophthalmologist at Helsinki University Eye Hospital who worked together with Antti on a number of projects focusing on the surgical correction of vision.

In December 2008 the fellowship brought Jukka and his family to Sydney, where he participated in two surgical projects that the Brien Holden Vision Institute collaborates with Vision CRC on, which have been attempting to develop revolutionary vision correction technologies.

Vision CRC have been working on a flexible gel lens to replace the old hardened lens and is designed to act like the natural young lens and be able to change shape and focus. Substantial progress has been made towards the development of the gel, and patents on key technologies relating to Accommodating Gel have been granted in various international regions.

Jukka continues his collaboration with Vision CRC on several projects.