BHVI

The highly competitive international awards, which support excellence in postgraduate research in the areas of physiological optics, vision science and related fields, are the flagship program of the AOF and were established in 1947 in honour of its founding President, William C Ezell OD.

The development of the contact lens has provided many needing vision correction a convenient alternative to spectacle wear. While infection associated with contact lens wear is extremely rare (4 in 10 000 daily wear and 20 in 10 000 extended wear contact lens wearers annually), both Nicole and Maria’s projects are part of a series of research studies being conducted by the Institute to develop the safest and most comfortable contact lens possible.

Nicole’s research is looking at two ends of the spectrum of the intrinsic risks of developing a contact lens related eye infection: risk taking behaviour and genetics. In pursuing this line of research she hopes to identify wearers with higher risks and find ways to decrease the overall burden of disease. She said she was extremely honoured to receive the Ezell Fellowship, joining the company of so many researchers and academics she admires.

In recognition of Nicole’s dedication to her project, she was awarded the Dallos Research Award by the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) in 2010, with was and was also the recipient of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia (CCLSA) research award the same year.

Maria Markoulli is seeking to identify the underlying causes of corneal erosions in contact lens wear. Although only occurring infrequently, erosions represent damage to the surface of the cornea and may therefore expose it to infection, particularly in the case of contact lens wear where the lens itself may carry bacteria. Understanding the factors which predispose the cornea to erosion may enable contact lens practitioners to substantially reduce the risk of infection in contact lens wear.

Maria is a second time recipient of the Ezell Fellowship and says she feels honoured to be associated with a group of people who share the same passion for optometry, with the desire to advance the field and simultaneously contribute to the general community.  Maria’s commitment to excellence in her studies has also seen her awarded the CCLSA research grant and the Maki Shiobara Scholarship.

The Ezell Fellowships provide opportunities to talented postgraduate students who wish to pursue careers in optometric research and education. In addition to a cash award they provide the opportunity to attend the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) Annual Meeting and The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. The AOF is a philanthropic organisation devoted to the advancement of optometric education and research affiliated with AAO.

To lear more about postgraduate research at the Brien Holden Vision Institute click here.