There are five main research areas in the School comprising:

1. Anterior segment and contact lenses

• Contact lens design and material technology
This research focuses on the design of contact lenses to prevent the development of myopia and the development of the next generation of contact lens materials. In order for the contact lens market to grow, infections that occur during wear, and comfort for the wearer must be addressed. Main national collaborators include the Institute for Eye Research and Vision CRC, international collaborators include the University of Houston, University of Miami and Sunyat Sin University. These projects have involved collaborations with international industry including CibaVision and Advanced Medical Optics. (Holden, Willcox, Stapleton)

• Ocular homeostasis, inflammation, infection and the effect of contact lenses on the defence systems of the eye
This research has focused on interactions between microorganisms and the ocular surface and biomarkers in the tear film. Important outcomes have included establishing mechanisms of bacterial adhesion to epithelial surfaces; that bacteria that colonised contact lenses were responsible for producing certain adverse responses and the development of products to mitigate these responses; identification of changes in the tear film proteome during sleep, contact lens wear or adverse responses. Future grant support for this will be in form of NHMRC and/or ARC funding applications. (Willcox, Stapleton)

• Epidemiology of contact lens-related infection
Contact lens-related infection is a rare but severe disease and the only complication of contact lens wear to result in loss in vision. This group has established studies to determine the risks of disease, health outcomes, and community costs of eye infections, visual loss and morbidity. New collaborations (University of Melbourne, University of Miami, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Moorfields Eye Hospital) have been established. A new Linkage grant application is proposed in this area for 2008, involving key US industry partners (Alcon Ltd) and national collaborators (Institute for Eye Research and Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne). (Stapleton)

• Research in Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology (OK) is a contact lens-based corneal reshaping technology for temporary correction of refractive error. This group has investigated the corneal mechanisms underlying the procedure, its safety and the use of OK to inhibit myopia progression in children. Progressive myopia in children is highly prevalent in East Asia, with significant public health implications. A further Linkage grant application is planned for 2009, involving the key industry in the USA (Polymer Technology) and in Australia (Capricornia). (Swarbrick, Boneham, Pye, Avudainayagam, Stapleton).

• Biomarkers in ocular surface and other diseases (planned)
This emergent field fits with existing areas of expertise in ocular surface, which have already received funding from the ARC. Dry eye is increasingly common in the aging population, affecting 500,000 individuals in Australia. We will continue such research and develop this in new areas to understand mechanisms of disease and through an ARC Linkage application with Blackmores in 2008, specifically to establish the mechanisms by which dietary supplements modulate biomarkers. The use of tears as a fluid to assess breast cancer progression and treatment will form the basis of a further ARC Linkage application in 2009. Collaborators include Southern Cross University, Institute for Eye Research and University of Wollongong. (Willcox, Pye, Jalbert, Golebiowski, Madigan, Stapleton)

2. Glaucoma and posterior segment

• Corneal and ocular biomechanics in glaucoma
Glaucoma is a common age related eye condition which is asymptomatic until the later stages where irreversible loss of the visual field occurs, thus timely disease diagnosis presents a major challenge. This research focuses on improved diagnosis in glaucoma and has resulted in the development of an algorithm to correct the measurement of intraocular pressure in vivo, and to further investigate the biomechanical behaviour of the cornea, and the effects of corneal swelling on the measurement of pressure in vivo. (Pye)

• Role of the immune system in posterior segment disease
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common age related eye disease resulting in a loss in central vision. The inflammatory nature of AMD has been confirmed and this research focuses on the role of the immune system, complement and the expression of a novel protein in Bruch/s membrane/choriocapillaris, in both AMD and in normal ageing. National collaborators include Prof J Provis, ANU and international collaborations with the Doheny Eye Institute USC. (Madigan)

Similar cell biology approaches have been applied to the study of ocular tumours, collaborating with Dr RM Conway, Ophthalmology, Uni Sydney and internationally with the Leiden Medical Centre, Netherlands, and the Ocular Oncology Unit, UCSF. (Madigan)

• Biomarkers in ocular surface and other diseases (planned)
This emergent field fits with existing areas of expertise in ocular surface, which have already received funding from the ARC. Dry eye is increasingly common in the aging population, affecting 500,000 individuals in Australia. We will continue such research and develop this in new areas to understand mechanisms of disease and through an ARC Linkage application with Blackmores in 2008, specifically to establish the mechanisms by which dietary supplements modulate biomarkers. The use of tears as a fluid to assess breast cancer progression and treatment will form the basis of a further ARC Linkage application in 2009. Collaborators include Southern Cross University, Institute for Eye Research and University of Wollongong. (Willcox, Pye, Jalbert, Golebiowski, Madigan, Stapleton)

3. Optics and Applied Vision Research

• Applied Vision Research
This area has investigated the clinical examination of colour vision, developed and performed research to support the setting of occupational standards and the provision of appropriate eye and face protection. The Optics and Radiometry Laboratory performs research in the metrology of light and colour for industry applications and supports numerous Faculty projects in Materials Science and Engineering, BEES and Photovoltaics. Future research directions include the evaluation of energy efficient lamps, with the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Engineering, UNSW; evaluation of impact properties of ophthalmic lenses with the University of Waterloo, Canada; assessment and development of energy efficient light sources for good colour rendering. (Dain)

• Applications of holography in vision
Holography has the potential for multiple applications in vision including the measurement of refractive error and in the correction of ocular aberrations. Methods of measurement of spherical and astigmatic refractive error have been developed and validated in vivo and future studies will establish the innovative application of wide angle holography in correction of aberrations, which is currently not possible by any other means. This application will form the basis of an ARC Development grant in 2009. (Avudainayagam/Avudainayagam)

4. Vision Science

• Development of the visual system
This area tackles key questions in visual development, specifically evaluating and optimising interventions in ‘lazy eye’ and development of specific visual functions in children with normal development and in children with intellectual disabilities. Internal collaborators include the School of Mathematics and Statistics and School of Psychology and external collaborators the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Occupational Therapy Department, University of Sydney, Developmental Assessment Service, St George Hospital, Kogarah. (Suttle, Boon, Asper, Alexander, Dain, Stapleton).

• Visual function in disease
Both psychophysical and electrophysiological techniques involved in detailed examination of the visual system also permit evaluation of the impact of disease on specific aspects of visual function in adults and children. (Dain, Vaegan)

• Low vision and visual rehabilitation (planned)
With the aging population in Australia, research in low vision and rehabilitation will become increasingly important and will be a key area for collaboration with the new Ocular Imaging Centre. This research area has focused on functional vision, such as the impact of luminance, contrast and colour on functional performance. We have established links with community and advocacy groups in Australia to strengthen our research links. At UNSW collaborators include the School of Psychology, the Bionic Eye group, POWMRI and the Faculty of the Built Environment. An NHMRC application to establish the impact of an exercise programme on falls in individuals with low vision is planned in 2009 with the George Institute at Sydney University. (Boon, Dain, Vaegan, Stapleton)

• Visual processing (planned)
This emergent field is establishing how the visual system detects global structure (i.e. the percept of a complete image) through the integration of motion and form signals. At UNSW, collaborators include the School of Psychology, the Bionic Eye group and external collaborations include University College Dublin, University of Western Australia, University of Sydney and the University of Nottingham. Two ARC Development applications are planned for 2009. (Khuu).

5. Public Health Optometry

• Eye care delivery
Along with collaborators in the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE), Vision CRC and Optometry Giving Sight, this group is undertaking research in eye care delivery and delivering public health campaigns in many under developed areas worldwide including East Timor, Sri Lanka and South Africa in accordance with the WHO initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness worldwide by 2020. (Holden)

• Development of refractive error
Through the Vision Education Centre at the School, refractive error and functional vision data are collected on primary school children from the Sydney population. These data have demonstrated that the prevalence of myopia in children of the eastern suburbs in Sydney is the lowest in the western world. This educational and research initiative provides ongoing surveillance on refractive error development in this childhood population. (Junghans)

• Access to eyecare services in NSW
With changes to optometric therapeutic prescribing rights in NSW, there is a need to understand barriers in accessing to eyecare services to better utilise expanded services provided by optometrists. In 2008, this area received funding from the NSW Department of Health to explore these issues in the general population in regional and urban communities and in individuals with glaucoma. (Golebiowski, Pye, Stapleton)