Centre for Eye Research Australia

Centre for Eye Research Australia CERA is Australia's leading eye research institute.

In 2026, CERA macular researcher Erin Gee's mission is to confirm if there is a connection between nocturnal hypoxia (of...
12/12/2025

In 2026, CERA macular researcher Erin Gee's mission is to confirm if there is a connection between nocturnal hypoxia (often the result of sleep apnoea) and wet AMD. 👁️ If confirmed, it will be the first time in decades we'll have identified a risk factor that can be changed.

Can you support exciting research like this by donating to CERA this festive season? Make your wish to cure vision loss and blindness our mission in 2026.

Link to donate in the below comments 👇

08/12/2025

👀A new study published today reveals for the first time the specific genetic factors linked to a severe form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The research offers a promising new target for treatments aimed at the most severe forms of AMD including geographic atrophy.

Watch CERA Deputy Director and Head of Macular Research Professor Robyn Guymer AM share why this discovery is so important, and read the full story linked in the comments.

In 2026, CERA's Head of Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Associate Professor Lisa Zhuoting Zhu's mission is to move closer to ma...
03/12/2025

In 2026, CERA's Head of Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Associate Professor Lisa Zhuoting Zhu's mission is to move closer to making a simple eye scan part of routine health checks - helping prevent blindness, heart disease and kidney failure before they start.

Can you support exciting research like this by donating to CERA this festive season? Make your wish to cure vision loss and blindness our mission in 2026 (link to donate in comments below) 👇

According to Vision Australia, around 18% of Australian adults experience print disability. Difficulty reading and under...
03/12/2025

According to Vision Australia, around 18% of Australian adults experience print disability. Difficulty reading and understanding print can be associated with impacts to vision, learning and physical abilities. Accessible information is important and offering information in different formats to meet differing needs is the goal at CERA and Cerulea Clinical Trials.

The Hope in Sight audio library series has been developed by CERA Consumer Advisory Lead Fleur O’Hare and Knowable Me Managing Director Kelly Schulz to help prepare people for what's it's like to participate in a clinical trial.

This International Day of People with Disability, visit our consumer resources page to hear from eight individuals about their journey with research and hope for the future: https://ow.ly/LFVG50XB56K

Pictured: Clinical trials volunteer Tom Valenta OAM and Dr Flora Hui, CERA Research Fellow

Can you support CERA’s researchers as they look forward to the year ahead? This festive season your donation can support...
28/11/2025

Can you support CERA’s researchers as they look forward to the year ahead? This festive season your donation can support our mission in 2026, as we work towards uncovering treatments and cures for eye diseases that our researchers can translate into real-life clinical setting outcomes.

Can you support exciting research like this by donating to CERA this festive season? At CERA, not only is your wish our mission it’s also our hope: https://ow.ly/lGG550XyU09

We're thrilled to congratulate CERA Head of Cellular Reprogramming Research Raymond Wong on being appointed a full profe...
28/11/2025

We're thrilled to congratulate CERA Head of Cellular Reprogramming Research Raymond Wong on being appointed a full professor by The University of Melbourne! 🌟

It's a fantastic recognition of the leadership, dedication and innovation shown by Professor Wong in advancing eye research and working towards finding treatments for people living with eye disease.

Professor Wong is a stem cell biologist and lead researcher at CERA and Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb. At CERA, his team’s research focuses on understanding genetic signals in retinal cells and applying cell reprogramming and stem cell technologies to study and treat retinal diseases.

As co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of CERA startup Mirugen, Professor Wong is committed to translating exciting discoveries in the lab into real-world treatments in the clinic.

Please join us in congratulating Professor Wong on this well-deserved honour! 🎉

We were pleased to welcome Jaqui Maree and George Stamas AM to CERA recently to share how their generosity is powering o...
25/11/2025

We were pleased to welcome Jaqui Maree and George Stamas AM to CERA recently to share how their generosity is powering our research.

Last year they donated an AI-assisted portable camera to CERA to support our research aiming to protect the eyesight of women with diabetes during pregnancy.

Pregnant women with diabetes are at an increased risk of vision loss, and amid the dozens of medical appointments they need to attend sight checks can be missed. This research, led by Professor Lyndell Lim, is working to make these crucial checks easier to perform during other appointments.

Our thanks to Jaqui Maree and George who are helping us continue our research so women with diabetes can cherish the moment they first see their baby’s face.

New CERA research has shown an artificial intelligence system can accurately detect and measure distinctive deposits in ...
19/11/2025

New CERA research has shown an artificial intelligence system can accurately detect and measure distinctive deposits in the eye critical in the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 👁️

The findings open the possibility to study the not yet fully understood deposits at a scale previously thought impossible, accelerating research towards better treatments for the disease.

These deposits – called reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) – have previously been associated with a higher risk of progressing to late-stage AMD.

The deposits are not fully understood, and learning more about them requires looking at eye scans of many people who have them. However, identifying and measuring them is a challenge.

“Because of how they present on scans, identifying these deposits can be difficult for many clinicians,” says Associate Professor Zhichao Wu, the corresponding author of the study.

“And accurately quantifying or measuring their extent would be too prohibitively time-consuming to do manually.

“We want to be able to do large studies of hundreds or even thousands of people with these deposits to learn more about what they mean for age-related macular degeneration, but there aren’t the people or time to do it by hand.”

The AI model, developed alongside Dr Himeesh Kumar and University of Washington collaborators, has been publicly released so researchers around the world can use in their own work.

Continue reading this story from the latest edition of Eye News via the link in the comments below. 👇

Have you tuned in to Voices of Volunteering❓ This Vision Australia Radio podcast celebrates the power of volunteering in...
14/11/2025

Have you tuned in to Voices of Volunteering❓ This Vision Australia Radio podcast celebrates the power of volunteering in the disability space, particularly in aged care.

Through the voices of everyday Australians, hear how small acts of kindness and connection make a big difference in the lives of older people, and why giving back is just as rewarding for the volunteer as it is for those they support.

📻💬 Link to the podcast in the comments below 👇

✨ In celebration of Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day, we’re spotlighting Lisa Kearns, Research Genetic Counsellor and Or...
12/11/2025

✨ In celebration of Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day, we’re spotlighting Lisa Kearns, Research Genetic Counsellor and Orthoptist, who works with people affected by inherited eye diseases. ✨

Lisa also focuses on Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disorder that leads to sudden central vision loss. Her work raises awareness and helps people navigate diagnosis with confidence.

🔺 Why is raising LHON awareness so important?

“Many people may be unfamiliar with LHON, which can delay diagnosis. Sudden vision loss can have a major, life-changing impact. Raising awareness improves understanding and reduces misconceptions, ensuring earlier recognition and timely connection to low-vision services, support networks and research. It also can help maternally related family members who may worry about their vision loss risk to manage emotions such as fear, anxiety or guilt.

“Genetic counselling supports individuals and families to work through these feelings, understand their personal risk and discuss lifestyle, environmental and other factors that may trigger vision loss. It also provides an opportunity to explore family planning options, including emerging mitochondrial donation techniques that can help women reduce the risk of passing on the condition. This enables families to make informed decisions about their future.”

🔺 How do you support and empower people impacted by inherited eye conditions?

“Living with an inherited eye condition can bring many emotions and uncertainties. Support focuses on helping people navigate these challenges and find ways to cope and adapt. It helps individuals and families understand their diagnosis, talk through options for genetic testing and consider what it may mean for other family members, including family planning choices.

“We also connect people with low-vision services, practical aids and technology, mental health resources, peer or community groups and guidance on opportunities such as clinical trials or treatments. All to empower people to make informed choices and live life to the fullest.”

🔺 What advice would you give to someone who has just received diagnosis of an inherited eye disease or is concerned about their genetic risk?

“It can feel overwhelming. A referral for genetic counselling can help people understand their situation and genetic risk, and connect them with support. You're not alone in navigating this journey.”

🔺 What excites you about the future?

“Years ago, patients with an inherited eye disease were often told nothing could be done. Today, advances in genetic testing and research are helping us understand these conditions better – improving diagnosis and care, and creating more opportunities for clinical trials.

“It’s also wonderful to see the growing connection between researchers, clinicians and patients – driving change and ensuring lived experiences help shape future research, treatment development and supporting families.”

Listened to the latest Talking Eyes podcast? This week, Head of the Lions Eye Donation Service Dr Heather Machin sits do...
03/11/2025

Listened to the latest Talking Eyes podcast? This week, Head of the Lions Eye Donation Service Dr Heather Machin sits down with Lien Trinh to discuss how Eye Banks such as LEDS are changing people’s lives through honouring donors and families, preparing tissue for surgery and research and helping to restore sight in Australia and around the world.

📻💬 https://ow.ly/hmHu50XkKMn

When your child is young, it can be challenging to spot the signs of vision problems. 👀We’ve put together the 'Keeping y...
31/10/2025

When your child is young, it can be challenging to spot the signs of vision problems. 👀

We’ve put together the 'Keeping young eyes healthy guide' to give you a snapshot of the different conditions affecting young eyes, with tips to protect your child’s eyesight for the future.

To get your copy, simply subscribe to our monthly Eye News via the link in the below comments. 👇

Address

Level 10, 200 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne, VIC
3002

Telephone

+61399298360

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Centre for Eye Research Australia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Centre for Eye Research Australia:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

Hope in sight

Vision is precious and no one should ever lose the gift of sight.

We’re deeply committed to conducting eye research with real-life impact and finding ways to prevent people from going blind.

As an international leader in eye research, we use our world-class knowledge and expertise to achieve better treatments, and faster diagnosis of eye disease. Our goal is to prevent vision loss - and ultimately, find cures to restore sight.

As true innovators, our scientists are on the brink of new discoveries every day.