BHVI

Myopia (short or near-sightedness) is an eye condition where distant objects cannot be seen ...

Corneal Onlay is a revolutionary lens implant capable of providing permanent vision correction ...

Dynamic Vision is a radical new vision correction technology, capable of providing total visual rehabilitation to the over 1 billion people worldwide with presbyopia...

Contact lenses are now the preferred choice for many people requiring vision correction. While contact lens wear is regarded as extremely safe, a small number of contact lens related infections do occur...

Mucins are part of the tear-film, and play various important roles, such as maintaining viscosity and lubrication to retard fluid evaporation and anchoring the aqueous tear-film to the underlying cornea and conjunctival surface.

The tear film’s lipid layer is vital in preventing excess evaporation of the aqueous phase, a major cause of ‘dry eye’.

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

Diabetes, breast and prostate cancer affect the lives of enormous numbers of people.

This project is at the centre of the Institute's push to develop ways of controlling bacterial infection by using a range of biomaterials.

The condition ‘dry eye’ affects many people, around 21 million people in the US alone - at least twice as many women as men – and its prevalence increases with age.

The first project is an investigation of the characterisation of bacterial types that cause microbial keratitis and identification of immunological consequences. The second is an analysis of whether genetic polymorphisms can lead to the production of adverse responses during contact lens wear.

The Institute has a group of very experienced microbiologists who perform routine diagnostic microbiology services for the Clinical Research and Trials Centre and work in conjunction with many of the microbiology projects.

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.