Centre for Eye Research Australia

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

We did it! 🎉 Together, we've raised $200,000 for eye research. Thanks to our anonymous dollar-for-dollar match donor who...
09/10/2025

We did it! 🎉 Together, we've raised $200,000 for eye research. Thanks to our anonymous dollar-for-dollar match donor who amplified our collective impact and doubled donations until we reached our target. And of course, YOU.

Without you, none of this would have been possible. We hope you enjoyed watching your donation double and seeing the tally increase throughout the day.

But Hope in Sight Giving Day isn't over – there's still time to support our vision research – although any donations from this point won’t be doubled: https://ow.ly/qbyL50X8VCA

Your generosity means so much to our team of researchers – helping them move ever closer to new treatments and cures for vision loss. 🧬🔬

It’s research that could have a life-changing impact for people like Louis Shepard and Olivia Depares who live with Usher syndrome – a rare inherited genetic condition that causes profound hearing loss, a progressive decline in vision from teen to adult years and balance problems.

At CERA, our ever expanding and developing gene and cell therapy research is giving hope for future treatments for vision loss due to Usher syndrome and other genetic eye conditions.

Thank you again for supporting our Hope in Sight Giving Day. We couldn’t have reached this milestone without you. ❤️

Let's hit our $200,000 goal for eye research out of the park! We are nearly there, and there is still time today to dona...
09/10/2025

Let's hit our $200,000 goal for eye research out of the park! We are nearly there, and there is still time today to donate! Can you help us raise $200,000 for research into Usher syndrome and other inherited retinal diseases? https://www.charidy.com/HopeinSight

We are half way there, but we still have a way to go to reach our goal of $200,000. All money raised today goes directly...
09/10/2025

We are half way there, but we still have a way to go to reach our goal of $200,000. All money raised today goes directly towards CERA's research into blindness caused by Usher syndrome and other inherited retinal diseases: https://www.charidy.com/HopeinSight

Our very own Professor Lauren Ayton AM appeared on Vision Australia Radio for World Sight Day to discuss CERA's research...
09/10/2025

Our very own Professor Lauren Ayton AM appeared on Vision Australia Radio for World Sight Day to discuss CERA's research focused on treating Usher syndrome – an inherited retinal disease that not only affects vision but also hearing and balance.

Listen to Professor Ayton’s insightful conversation with Peter Greco to learn how genetic testing is identifying Usher syndrome much earlier and how CERA researchers are using innovative gene therapy and gene editing approaches in their mission to treat vision loss.

Access the podcast via the link in the comments below 👇

We are a quarter of the way there! Thank you! Can you help us hit our next goal of 50% to support research into blindnes...
08/10/2025

We are a quarter of the way there! Thank you! Can you help us hit our next goal of 50% to support research into blindness and vision loss that is caused by Usher syndrome and other inherited retinal diseases? Link to donate in comments below 👇

Today is the day! CERA's annual Hope in Sight Giving Day has begun. Today, for every dollar you donate we will match it ...
08/10/2025

Today is the day! CERA's annual Hope in Sight Giving Day has begun. Today, for every dollar you donate we will match it up to our goal $200,000. All funds raised go directly to our ongoing research into eye diseases that cause vision loss and blindness. Be a Sport and donate now: https://www.charidy.com/HopeinSight

Hope in Sight Giving Day starts tomorrow. But the good news is that you don’t need to wait to donate. Be a Sport and don...
08/10/2025

Hope in Sight Giving Day starts tomorrow. But the good news is that you don’t need to wait to donate. Be a Sport and donate early to support research into blindness caused by Usher syndrome and other inherited retinal diseases (link to donate in comments below) 👇

🌠 Rising star of eye research Dr Jiang-Hui (Sloan) Wang is bringing his cutting-edge gene therapy techniques from the Un...
07/10/2025

🌠 Rising star of eye research Dr Jiang-Hui (Sloan) Wang is bringing his cutting-edge gene therapy techniques from the United States to Australia. His new CERA lab will be one of only a few capable of developing new viral vectors to treat inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) involving large genes, like Usher syndrome. 🧬🔬

Usher syndrome type 1B, caused by mutations in the MYO7A gene, leads to profound hearing loss, progressive vision decline from teenage years and balance problems.

IRDs with large genes were once considered untreatable, but gene therapies that can correct faulty genes and prevent vision loss are emerging. However, delivering the full corrected gene is challenging.

"The MYO7A gene that causes Usher syndrome is too large for a single AAV to deliver to fix the mutations," says Dr Wang.

While the AAVs are safe, the deep injections risk damaging the cells they aim to treat.

Dr Wang's revolutionary approach uses less invasive injections to deliver the complete gene into the eye. By splitting MYO7A and reassembling it inside the retina using an engineered viral vector, he aims to reverse retinal degeneration in a mouse model of Usher syndrome.

Dr Wang developed these cutting-edge techniques under world-renowned gene therapy expert Professor Guangping Gao at UMass Chan Medical School and will now advance this technology in Australia for future clinical use.

Dr Wang is deeply appreciative his work is being supported by CERA’s donor community: “These generous gifts will make a meaningful difference in accelerating our efforts to develop gene therapy for Usher syndrome.”

“If successful, this method could offer a safe and efficient way to treat other IRDs with large genes, using the same injection approach, and will benefit teams working to develop gene therapies across CERA.”

✨ Louis Shephard, like all people born with Usher syndrome 1B, has experienced profound hearing loss, balance problems a...
06/10/2025

✨ Louis Shephard, like all people born with Usher syndrome 1B, has experienced profound hearing loss, balance problems and a progressive decline in vision throughout his life. But he isn’t letting that define him. 🏏

“What does define me are my personality traits, such as being honest, having integrity, and my hobbies such as playing sports like cricket, or gaming, reading a book,” Louis says.

With 15 degrees of peripheral vision compared to the standard 180 degrees, Cochlear implants allow Louis to hear the ball spinning towards him in blind cricket matches.

Medical breakthroughs have helped preserve his hearing, and now gene therapies are offering hope for protecting vision. 🧬🔬

Associate Professor Rick Liu's team at CERA is using CRISPR gene editing to develop treatments for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) like Usher syndrome.

"Finding treatments and cures for inherited retinal diseases, like Usher syndrome, caused by large-sized gene defects, is urgent and at the forefront of our advancement in the field of research," says Associate Professor Liu.

CRISPR makes it possible to correct genetic errors in RNA molecules – the carriers of genetic information for all living cells in the body.

Researchers are using this technology to develop treatments that could one day edit RNA directly in the patient's retina, correcting faulty genetic messaging and helping retinal cells function properly.

With over 300 genes known to be associated with IRDs, customized gene editing therapies could achieve safe and effective treatment to prevent vision loss.

As Louis says: "It's amazing there is now research that could stop people from losing their sight from Usher syndrome – and one day help someone like me have their full 180 degrees of vision."

Pictured: Emily Shepard, Louis Shepard and A/Prof Rick Liu are wearing white lab coats and smiling directly at the camera.

✨ This Hope in Sight Giving Day, CERA aims to raise $200,000 to fund vision research that could change lives of people l...
02/10/2025

✨ This Hope in Sight Giving Day, CERA aims to raise $200,000 to fund vision research that could change lives of people like Olivia Depares – a young woman living life on her own terms and breaking down barriers for others with Usher syndrome. 🥊

A lawyer specialising in immigration law and a career in government, Olivia is also a keen boxer: “I think sports is so fundamental for us all – to be physically active and social builds confidence and friendships,” she says.

Olivia was born with Usher syndrome 1B – a rare inherited genetic condition that causes profound hearing loss, a progressive decline in vision from teen to adult years and balance problems.

Diagnosed deaf as an infant, cochlear implants gave Olivia the ability to hear and achieve her goals. Now, she is doing everything she can to advocate for research into vision loss.

“I feel it's my duty to do what I can to raise awareness, understanding, funds and hope, to give those living with eye disease the chance to improve their future," Olivia says.

But without research, people with Usher syndrome will continue to lose their sight.

The loss of sight associated with Usher syndrome is caused by an inherited retinal disease (IRD) called retinitis pigmentosa – the degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina.

Olivia's field of vision is currently 10 degrees instead of the usual 180 degrees. “I have no peripheral vision, and my sight is deteriorating slowly,” she says.

There is currently no cure for Usher syndrome, but CERA’s work into emerging gene therapies is giving Olivia hope.

“My hope is that, by sharing my story, other people with Usher syndrome can have the confidence to live a life without further limitations and can continue living independently and contribute to society to their full ability.

“I hope people consider this and donate what they can towards this worthwhile research that can have a life changing impact.”

On Thursday 9 October, every dollar you donate to CERA is matched until we reach our goal of $200,000. Together, we can give young adults with Usher syndrome a brighter future.

02/10/2025

Both Louis Shepard and Olivia Depares were born with Usher syndrome - a rare inherited genetic condition that causes profound hearing loss, a progressive decline in vision from teen to adult years and balance problems.

Medical breakthroughs have already made a huge difference in their lives, with Louis and Olivia receiving two cochlear implants each.

However, people like Olivia and Louis with Usher syndrome continue to lose their sight at a slow rate. Olivia and Louis are waiting on the next scientific discovery to save sight.

On Thursday 9 October, for just 24 hours, we are aiming to raise $200,000 for research into treatments for Usher syndrome. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor pledging $100,000, all donations will be matched up to our $200,000 goal.

Together we can double our impact for young adults like Olivia and Louis. Donate at the link in the comments below.

Did you know many cases of vision loss can be prevented or treated if caught early enough❓ As our eyes change with age, ...
01/10/2025

Did you know many cases of vision loss can be prevented or treated if caught early enough❓ As our eyes change with age, staying informed is key.

Our Healthy Ageing Eyes Guide offers crucial information for maintaining eye health as we age:
🔸 Snapshots of major age-related eye diseases
🔸 Simple lifestyle tips to help reduce your risk
🔸 Emphasis on early detection and treatment
🔸 Importance of regular eye checks

Share with friends and family, because everyone deserves clear vision at every age. 👁️

Learn how you can protect your vision for the future. Simply register for Eye News to download our free guide (link in comments below) 👇

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Level 10, 200 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne, VIC
3002

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+61399298360

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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.