Centre for Eye Research Australia

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Centre for Eye Research Australia

CERA is Australia's leading eye research institute.

13/03/2026

At the 17th Annual Gerard Crock Lecture on Wednesday evening, Professor Pete Williams, Research Lead of CERA’s new Neuroprotection and Repair Unit, outlined innovative approaches to protecting the retinal cells damaged in glaucoma – aiming to develop treatments that better protect vision than lowering eye pressure alone. 👁️

You can now watch his keynote online, where he presents research targeting NAD metabolism – the process that helps cells produce energy – showing how restoring this energy may protect retinal cells, preserve vision and support future treatments.

Following the lecture, you can hear more from Professor Williams in a panel with fellow CERA researcher Dr Flora Hui and advocate Lani Dinh. A special thanks to Lani for sharing her unique perspective of living with vision loss from glaucoma and why early diagnosis and treatment matters.

📺 Watch the recording and 📖 read the transcript (link in comments) 👇

12/03/2026

As part of World Glaucoma Week, Professor Pete Williams sat down with Vision Australia Radio to share some fascinating insights into how he and his CERA colleagues are exploring new ways to protect the retinal cells affected by glaucoma - aiming to develop treatments that go beyond lowering eye pressure. 👁️

📻 Tune in to hear how this work is helping shape the future of glaucoma care (link in comments) 👇

11/03/2026

This World Glaucoma Week, Asher Kozma shares his journey from diagnosis to taking part in CERA’s cell-saving research. 🔬

In early 2020, Asher had just finished playing squash with mates when he felt a sensation in his left eye. It wasn’t long before the pain became more intense and couldn’t see out of the left eye.

“I wondered what my life would be like without vision. How would I do my job? Would I be able to still play squash,” he says.

Asher’s day ended in the emergency department at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, where he was diagnosed with pigment dispersion syndrome.

“It was an incredibly frightening moment I’ll never forget.”

Asher’s eye was full of microscopic pigments – flaking off the iris and clogging the eye’s drainage – leading to intense pressure and pain.

"They put in eye drops to relieve the pressure – which I still use to help manage my condition."

Pigment dispersion syndrome isn’t glaucoma, but Asher is at a very high risk of developing it due to eye pressure.

After Asher began seeing Professor Keith Martin to manage his condition, he was referred to participate in CERA research.

He’s grateful to contribute to research with the potential to help people like himself.

"CERA has brilliant minds, great leadership and a fantastic vision. They need continued funding and generous donors from the community to support the amazing breakthroughs that mean conditions like mine can be diagnosed and treated," he says.

“It’s important research that can help people like me into the future.”

Donate today (link in comments) 👇

10/03/2026

Our Autumn 2026 edition of Visionary has landed in online, audio and magazine formats! 👀

Coinciding with World Glaucoma Week, this issue highlights progress being made to better protect the retinal cells most at risk in glaucoma – and preserve sight for the 300,000 Australians affected.

This edition features Asher Kozma, who lives with pigment dispersion syndrome and has taken part in CERA’s glaucoma trials. Asher shares his experience, how his diagnosis unfolded, and why contributing to research gives him hope.

You’ll also hear from the researchers driving innovation: Professor Pete Williams on boosting the energy of retinal ganglion cells, Dr Flora Hui with an update on our world‑first vitamin B3 trial, and Associate Professor Luis Alarcón‑Martínez on the role of blood flow in detecting and treating glaucoma.

Beyond glaucoma, you can also read about new insights into the genetic changes linked to severe age‑related macular degeneration, and why Peter and Jo Manger have chosen to support sight‑saving research now.

📖 Read or 📻 listen to Visionary online or download a copy of the magazine (link in comments) 👇

09/03/2026

It's World Glaucoma Week, and we’re highlighting the important work of Dr Flora Hui, whose research is helping uncover new ways to prevent vision loss caused by glaucoma.

Dr Hui co-leads world‑first international clinical trials with Professor Pete Williams exploring how nicotinamide – a form of vitamin B3 – may help power the cells in the eye and support current treatments like eye drops and surgery.

“We have known for a long time now that eye pressure is not the final story in glaucoma,” says Dr Hui.

People can develop glaucoma even when their eye pressure isn’t high. And even when pressure is lowered, up to a third of people still continue to progress towards blindness.

Earlier work at CERA suggested that insufficient energy supply to the retina may be a key factor in glaucoma, showing that mitochondria – the energy source for nerve cells – don’t work as they should.

This research led to CERA’s first clinical trial into vitamin B3 supplementation, which produced positive results. Independent studies overseas have since supported these findings, and a longer international trial is now underway across Australia, Singapore, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Your support today helps accelerate breakthroughs in our clinical trials and drive the next generation of treatments.

Donate today to support our groundbreaking research (link in comments) 👇

08/03/2026

🌟 This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating women at CERA who are part of the next generation of scientists redefining what’s possible in eye health — and Dr Wenyi Hu is one of those leading the way in using emerging technologies to transform how diseases may be detected. 📸

Dr Hu's work applies artificial intelligence to retinal images to uncover indicators of general health, including cardiovascular disease and diabetic eye disease.

Her research aims to develop practical tools that can be used in routine clinical care to support earlier detection and improve access to eye health services.

Dr Hu says her proudest moments come from the people behind the research.

“Many patients are genuinely amazed when they see the back of their own eyes for the first time. Some say it looks like the moon – beautiful and unexpected. And when they realise this same image may inform their heart health, they’re even more surprised.

"In those moments, I'm reminded that my work isn't just algorithms or data – it's helping people see their own body in a completely new way."

Dr Hu says these experiences highlight the deeper purpose behind the research.

"Some told us they didn’t need anything in return but simply wanted to contribute to something that could benefit their community. It tells me the research has meaning beyond any publication or metric."

07/03/2026

🌟 This International Women’s Day, we’re recognising the women at CERA who represent the next generation shaping the future of eye research – and Dr Emily Glover is one of the emerging clinician–scientists driving progress in macular disease research. 👁️

Her work in our Macular Research team helps coordinate clinical studies that advance understanding of conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Dr Glover says one of her proudest moments was being accepted into her PhD at CERA under the supervision of Associate Professor Zhichao Wu, Professor Robyn Guymer and Associate Professor Carla Abbott. It's an opportunity to study neovascular (wet) AMD more deeply and improve how it is detected and understood.

“I love working in the Macular Research team and having an opportunity to explore the topic of neovascular AMD on a deeper level. I feel proud the team believe in me and privileged to be the person to develop a greater understanding of the structure and functional changes in neovascular AMD.”

She is motivated by the potential of research to meaningfully shift how diseases are understood and managed.

“The great thing about research is the power it has to potentially change how an eye disease is characterised and ultimately guide in improving future pathways that lead to improved diagnosis and treatments.”

Dr Glover also appreciates the connections formed with study participants.

“I really enjoy meeting new participants and feel privileged to be a part of their lives in a small way. I feel proud to have the chance to work at CERA."

02/03/2026

We know there’s a better way to stop vision loss from glaucoma – one that targets the real cause of the disease. While reducing eye pressure helps, retinal cells can still slowly die, leading to permanent vision loss.

As Professor Pete Williams explains, “The cells damaged in glaucoma are like an old motorcycle trying to climb a hill.”

Professor Williams, who leads our new Neuroprotection and Repair Research program, is exploring how boosting energy metabolism in retinal ganglion cells could prevent their death in glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Together with Dr Flora Hui, Professor Williams is investigating whether nicotinamide (vitamin B3) can support nerve cell function alongside current treatments.

“And all the treatments we’re trying in the clinic are aiming to get that motorcycle over the hill,” he says. “But… a broken motorcycle at the bottom of the hill can go nowhere regardless of the road surface ahead.”

Will you donate and help give this research the boost it needs? (Visit the link in the below comments) 👇

26/02/2026

Did you know your tattoo could affect your vision? 👀 A new national review involving CERA’s Head of Uveitis and Retinal Vascular Disease Research, Professor Lyndell Lim, has identified 40 confirmed cases of tattoo associated uveitis across Australia – a rare but potentially sight threatening immune reaction linked to tattoo ink.

Uveitis causes inflammation inside the eye, and can lead to redness, pain, floaters, blurred vision and light sensitivity – and, in severe cases, permanent vision loss.

Researchers found many people had inflammation in both eyes and at their tattoo sites. Most needed more than simple eye drops, with many requiring long-term treatment to manage the condition.

While still uncommon, as tattooing becomes more and more popular, this sight-threatening complication may become more widespread.

25/02/2026

Together with Asher, we’re giving cells a boost for the estimated 300,000 Australians with glaucoma. 👁️Will you join us?

Ahead of World Glaucoma Week (8–14 March), meet Asher Kozma – cover star of our latest edition of Visionary magazine. Asher lives with pigment dispersion syndrome, which can develop into glaucoma if left unmanaged.

At CERA, preventing vision loss from glaucoma is about saving a cell’s life – protecting the eye cells that turn light into information. Lowering eye pressure helps, but we’re working to discover better ways to rescue these cells. 🧬🔬

Our researchers are working to ensure people at high risk of glaucoma, like Asher, and those already with the condition can both manage their condition and avoid vision loss.

Can you donate today to help people like Asher❓ https://ow.ly/Ilrg50Yk2Pq

23/02/2026

👁️‍🗨️📻 The Hope in Sight audio library series features the voices and stories of people who've been involved in research at Cerulea Clinical Trials and the Centre for Eye Research Australia.

In epsisode 1, Trish, a New Zealander living in Australia with Usher syndrome, shares her journey from initial diagnosis to participating in medical research.

Trish was initially reluctant to participate in medical research due to her past experiences, but her involvement in clinical trials has provided her with a sense of control and hope.

LIsten to Trish talk about her supportive community, and the positive impact of research on her life and broader Usher syndrome community (link in comments).

Pictured: A clinical trial coordinator scans the eyes of a participant.

20/02/2026

This March, Professor Guei-Sheung (Rick) Liu is cycling across Gippsland to raise funds for life-changing eye research in the 32nd Lions Ride for Sight. 🚲⛰️

Professor Liu leads CERA’s Genetic Engineering Research Unit, pioneering gene editing and gene delivery methods to help shape the future of inherited eye disease treatments. 🧬🔬

Support Professor Liu and the CERA Superstars team as they pedal for our sight-saving mission (link in comments) 👇

Address

Level 10, 200 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne, VIC
3002

Telephone

+61399298360

Website

http://www.cera.org.au/

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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.