NATIONAL RESEARCH STRATEGY

The ORIA is developing a list of eye research priorities to use in strategic planning and in negotiation with Government agencies.  The current document is listed in alphabetical order. 

The list is being refined by those Fellows principally involved in research but is available for wider comment.   Thank you to those who have responded.  We will be posting an updated version of the list once all comments are compiled.

If you would like to comment, please download the list and forward with inclusions/deletions or comments to Anne Dunn Snape at  

National Research Strategy for Australia

Corneal Disease and External Disease

Explore the biology of the ocular surface to gain a better understanding of the interaction and regulation of these components under normal and pathological conditions

Investigate corneal infectious and inflammatory processes and immunological responses to develop treatments to reduce keratitis and prevent blindness

Identification of risk factors for iatrogenic diseases caused by refractive surgery, contact lens wear and inappropriate use of topical medications

Investigate wound healing process and develop strategie to optimise corneal refractive procedures

Develop newer and optimal additive refractive surgeries

Rapid diagnosis and improved treatment strategies for ocular infections

Factors affecting corneal graft survival and strategies to prevent rejection

To develop and evaluate techniques of customized component surgery of cornea in relation to corneal transplantation surgery.

Identify risk factors for occurrence of infectious keratitis and develop strategies for prevention.

Develop techniques of suture less corneal transplantation surgery.

Develop artificial human corneas.

Molecular genetic analysis of the corneal dystrophies and degenerations

Glaucoma

Develop screening techniques to identify subgroups at particularly high risk of primary open angle glaucoma

Natural history of glaucoma and risk factors for progression

Optimal treatment strategies to arrest disease progression

Understand Genotype/phenotype correlation

Understand the structure/ function  correlation

Identify the genetic basis for glaucoma

Develop simplified and sensitive measures of progression of optic nerve damage

Mechanisms for raised intraocular pressure

Evaluate the cost-efficiency of screening and prophylaxis interventions in populations of varying risk of angle closure glaucoma

Develop diagnostic methodologies and treatment regimens that lead to improved patient outcomes and prevent vision loss from glaucoma and other optic neuropathies

Understand the basic biology underlying the pathophysiology of glaucoma and other optic neuropathies

Develop new and novel treatment approaches, particularly neuroprotection

Understand and modify the wound healing response to filtration surgery

Lens and Cataract

Evaluate strategies to reduce the impact of the major complications of cataract Surgery

Analytical research to identify reasons for regional variation in cataract surgery rates and outcomes.

Develop better and easy drug delivery systems after cataract surgery

Identify environmental risk factors for age related cataract formation and understand their influence on lens homeostasis

Determine the genetic factors that interact with environmental influences to confer a susceptibility to age-related cataract

Determine the causes and mechanisms of age-related changes in the lens that lead to cataracts and presbyopia

Develop intraocular lens technology to fully restore accommodation

Evaluate intraocular lens technologies for the prevention of posterior capsular opacification after cataract surgery

Congenital cataracts, research into aetiology, develop strategies for earlier diagnosis and better management.

Low Vision and Blindness Rehabilitation

Develop rehabilitation strategies to minimize the impact of vision impairment in everyday life and reduce disability and societal limitations in visually impaired persons.

Develop research tools and assess interventions to give an evidence base for a rehabilitative care for the visually impaired

Establish the ramifications of impaired vision and blindness in Australia for everyday life, and target high-risk and underserved subpopulations

Create a network for the dissemination of research findings to adapt research findings for use in clinical and rehabilitation settings]

Retinal Disease

Develop strategies for primary, secondary and tertiary  prevention and improved treatment for AMD, diabetic retinopathy and retinal diseases

Documenting population variations in risk of these diseases to elucidate genetic and environmental markers risk factors and determine pathogenetic mechanisms

Develop better diagnostic tools for defining risk, early retinal disease, and tracking progression

Conduct operational research on extending efficient retinal screening and photocoagulation to disadvantaged populations suffering from diabetic retinopathy

Evaluation of novel treatments and improvement of existing treatments in AMD, and diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. In particular develop treatments that are cost effective and logistically practical to deliver.

Understand the molecular and biochemical bases for AMD and its different forms, improve early diagnosis, characterize environmental effects on its aetiology and progression and develop new treatmens for both early and late disease

Develop methods to delay the progression of AMD

Characterization of phenotype of AMD genetic polymorphisms

Development of drugs to use in intraocular devices to control intraocular Inflammation and angiogenesis and adjunctive medications for vitreoretinal surgery especially after posterior segment trauma or PVR

Trachoma

Define the geographic distribution of trachoma

Determining what is required to sustain the reduction in prevalence of infection and active disease following antibiotic treatment

Demonstrating how SAFE can be most effectively delivered

Documenting the dynamics of infection/reinfection