|
The Technology group has made a significant contribution to the Myopia Control project, including hardware and software for measurement of peripheral vision.
Some of the key design features for the optical intervention devices were developed by the optical experts within the technology team. Specialised metrology equipment was developed to verify the accurate manufacture of these devices.
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 at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhao, China.
Investigators
Project Leader
Dr Padmaja Sankaridurg
Dr Percy Lazon de la Jara
Les Donovan
Prof Brien Holden
Prof Arthur Ho
Dr Klaus Ehrmann
Collaborators
The Myopia Control project involves collaborations through the Vision CRC with:
Professor Earl Smith, College of Optometry at the University of Houston, USA
Dr Peter Allen, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
Dr Gregor Schmid, Salus University (formerly Pennsylvania College of Optometry), US
Professor Paul Mitchell, Westmead Millenium Institute at the University of Sydney, Australia
Professor Jiang Ge, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre at Guangzhou, China
Thomas Allen OD, California, USA
About Myopia
The myopic eye is longer than the non-myopic eye. This means that light focuses in front of the back of the eye (the retina) rather than on it, causing blurred vision.
- Myopia can be corrected by spectacles or contact lenses.
- Myopia usually begins in childhood at school age (six years and onwards) and can worsen until early adult years. This is referred to as youth-onset or juvenile-onset myopia. It can also occur in adults (ages 20 to 40) with no prior history of problems in childhood, termed early adult-onset myopia. One can also be born with high levels of myopia (congenital myopia).
- Myopia affects 1 in 5 people in Australia, 1 in 3 in America and 1 in 2 in some Asian countries. It affects a quarter of the world’s population (1.45 billion people).
- Myopia is a rapidly increasing epidemic. By 2020, it is estimated that the number of people with myopia will grow to one third of the world’s population (2.5 billion).
The causes of myopia are both genetic and environmental. Increased urbanisation and close-range activities e.g. reading and computer work, are increasing the incidence of myopia. In Australia, the prevalence of myopia in children whose both parents have myopia is 30 to 40%. In children who have one parent with myopia is 20 to 25%. In children with no parent with myopia the rate is less than10%.
Myopia doubles the risk of serious eye problems such as glaucoma or retinal detachment, which can cause permanent vision loss.
Research by the Institute in the area of myopia includes:
- The Myopia Control programme, which aims to develop strategies to slow or prevent the development of myopia.
- The Corneal Onlay and Inlay projects, offering permanent vision correction through the use of an implantable contact lens.
- The next generation of contact lenses, offering improved comfort and biocompatibility.
- Anti-bacterial contact lenses, to prevent the attachment or growth of bacteria on the lens surface.
|
Research 
