Save Sight Institute

02/12/2025

Co-hosted by the University of Sydney and Keratoconus Australia, KeraClub 2025 brought together patients, researchers, and clinicians last 12 November for discussions on the latest advancements in keratoconus management. Speakers included:

💡Dr Himal Kandel: Latest insights from the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry
💡Martin Robinson: Practical tips and advice on contact lens wear for keratoconus
💡Larry Kornhauser OAM: 25 years of Keratoconus Australia: Reflections and impact
💡Ruby Chan: Social determinants in keratoconus
💡Tiffney Nesakumar: UV exposure and its impact on keratoconus
💡Ethan Wilkinson: Novel applications of artificial intelligence in corneal graft outcomes
💡Clare Smith: Living with keratoconus: A patient’s perspective
💡Professor Stephanie Watson OAM: New knowledge and resources for keratoconus patients
💡Amanda Craze: Supporting keratoconus research: How you can make a difference

If you missed the event (or would like to relive the highlights), you can watch the KeraClub 2025 recording in the comments below! 👇

28/11/2025

At this year’s Save Sight Institute Community Day, the theme was how inclusion can be better achieved.

Philippa presented on how professional support from NextSense can assist with navigating life transitions; Sue from NextSense Institute presented about embedded inclusivity in the Master of Disability Studies program; and orthoptist Cathie, representing National Braille Music Camp, spoke about the importance of shared interests to build peer connections.

It was a wonderful day of discussions & insights 🌟

17/11/2025

Missed our 13th Annual Community Information Day last 25th October 2025? We've got you covered— highlights are now up on our YouTube channel!

A big thank you to Quantum RLV, NextSense, Guide Dogs Australia, Cure Blindness Australia, SeeWay and Braille by Luca for joining us at Info Day and sharing your expertise in supporting the low vision community 🙏

Watch the exhibitor showcase and other talks through the link in the comments below!
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10/11/2025

For the past 13 years, the annual Community Information Day has been a highlight of our event calendar at the Save Sight Institute 🗓️

This year’s focused on the theme of navigating key life transitions, from school to work and beyond, with the support of a strong and connected community 🤝 Attendees heard from:

🎨 Olivia Chapman, a double-degree university student, who shared how visualising and expressing her emotions through art helped her navigate the challenges of vision loss in high school
💼 Corporate professionals Salonee Goyal-Devaraj and Simran Goyal, who reflected on how their Eye Empower mentorship initiative has helped them build an empowering community that leads by example
🧠 Dr Chrissy Antonopoulos, a psychologist, who shared how being guided by her values helped her adapt to adulthood after being diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease

Jacqui Donnelly, Cathie Wiltshire, Dr Sue Silveira and Natalie Shearer also offered valuable perspectives on creating more inclusive learning environments—from training the next generation of specialist teachers to encouraging students with vision impairment to explore creative passions such as music.

On the research front, Professor John Grigg, Professor Robyn Jamieson, Associate Professor Elisa Cornish and Dr Alan Ma shared the latest updates in inherited retinal disease research and ongoing clinical trials.

By bringing together people, families, carers, educators and researchers committed to supporting those with vision impairment, we strengthen the connections that make navigating through life transitions possible.

Here’s to another year of learning from and celebrating this incredible community 💙 Video recordings will be posted soon!
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06/11/2025

Two weeks to go—learn about the power of language at Eye Empower this November 💬

Eye Empower is a peer-led group for young people aged 12–25 who live with or are impacted by vision-related conditions. Supported by the Save Sight Institute (SSI), the group is co-led by Salonee Goyal-Devaraj and Simran Goyal—two young professionals passionate about creating equal opportunities for people of all abilities 💪

Hear from activist and motivator, Daniel Searle, on how words shape and impact our identities. The first in a series of powerful conversations, learn about how language and the way we speak about ourselves has the ability to shape and transform our experiences. Daniel’s presentation will be followed by a Q&A with the session participants.

Session details:
Title: The Power of Language
Date: 21 November 2025 (Friday)
Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Online | Teams

Registration link below! 👇
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06/11/2025

Less than one week to go before the KeraClub 2025 ! Register through the link in the comments ⬇️

Two weeks to go until the 10th annual KeraClub webinar, a community event for patients with keratoconus and their carers, to be held on Wednesday, 12th November 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (AEDT), just days after World Keratoconus Day on 10th November.

Co-hosted by The University of Sydney and Keratoconus Australia, KeraClub 2025 will bring together patients, researchers, and clinicians for discussions on the latest advancements in keratoconus management.

The speakers include ophthalmologists, invited optometrists, researchers and patients with lived experience of keratoconus.

Speakers and topics:
💡 Dr Himal Kandel Kandel: Latest insights from the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry
💡 Martin Robinson: Practical tips and advice on contact lens wear for keratoconus
💡 Larry Kornhauser OAM: 25 years of Keratoconus Australia: Reflections and impact
💡 Ruby Chan: Social determinants in keratoconus
💡 Tiffney Nesakumar: UV exposure and its impact on keratoconus
💡 Ethan Wilkinson: Novel applications of artificial intelligence in corneal graft outcomes
💡 Clare Smith: Living with keratoconus: A patient’s perspective
💡 Professor Stephanie Watson OAM: New knowledge and resources for keratoconus patients
💡 Amanda Craze: Supporting keratoconus research: How you can make a difference

Registration is free but essential. Click the link below or scan the QR code to register 👇
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Keratoconus Australia

05/11/2025

Last Wednesday, 22nd October, the Save Sight Institute held the first-ever Corneal Stem Cell Club webinar! 🌟

The webinar brought together leading corneal stem cell research experts and clinicians to explain corneal stem cells, challenges and opportunities in corneal stem cell research as well as provide valuable patient perspectives on corneal stem cell therapy.

Speakers included:
💡 Professor Neil Lagali from Linköping University, Sweden
💡 Professor Stephanie Watson OAM FARVO, Head of Ophthalmology and Head of Corneal Research Group, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, and Head Corneal Unit Sydney Eye Hospital
💡 Professor Nick Di Girolamo PhD FARVO, Director Ocular Diseases Research, UNSW
💡 Dr Mojdeh Abbasi, Sydney Medical School
💡 Dr Maria Cabrera Aguas from the Sydney Medical School

Watch (or rewatch!) the inaugural Corneal Stem Cell Club through the link in the comments ⬇️
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29/10/2025

Two weeks to go until the 10th annual KeraClub webinar, a community event for patients with keratoconus and their carers, to be held on Wednesday, 12th November 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (AEDT), just days after World Keratoconus Day on 10th November.

Co-hosted by The University of Sydney and Keratoconus Australia, KeraClub 2025 will bring together patients, researchers, and clinicians for discussions on the latest advancements in keratoconus management.

The speakers include ophthalmologists, invited optometrists, researchers and patients with lived experience of keratoconus.

Speakers and topics:
💡 Dr Himal Kandel Kandel: Latest insights from the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry
💡 Martin Robinson: Practical tips and advice on contact lens wear for keratoconus
💡 Larry Kornhauser OAM: 25 years of Keratoconus Australia: Reflections and impact
💡 Ruby Chan: Social determinants in keratoconus
💡 Tiffney Nesakumar: UV exposure and its impact on keratoconus
💡 Ethan Wilkinson: Novel applications of artificial intelligence in corneal graft outcomes
💡 Clare Smith: Living with keratoconus: A patient’s perspective
💡 Professor Stephanie Watson OAM: New knowledge and resources for keratoconus patients
💡 Amanda Craze: Supporting keratoconus research: How you can make a difference

Registration is free but essential. Click the link below or scan the QR code to register 👇
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Keratoconus Australia

23/10/2025

Less than one month to go until the 10th annual KeraClub webinar, a community event for patients with keratoconus and their carers, to be held on Wednesday, 12th November 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (AEDT), just days after World Keratoconus Day on 10th November.

Co-hosted by The University of Sydney and Keratoconus Australia, KeraClub 2025 will bring together patients, researchers, and clinicians for discussions on the latest advancements in keratoconus management.

The speakers include Professor Stephanie Watson OAM, Dr Himal Kandel, Larry Kornhauser OAM, and Michelle Pritchard. Other speakers include invited optometrists and patients with lived experience of keratoconus.

Registration is free but essential. Click the link below or scan the QR code to register 👇
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22/10/2025

🗓️ Mark your calendars for the next Eye Empower on 21 November!

Hear from activist and motivator, Daniel Searle, on how words shape and impact our identities 💬

The first in a series of powerful conversations, learn about how language and the way we speak about ourselves has the ability to shape and transform our experiences. Daniel’s presentation will be followed by a Q&A with the session participants.

About Daniel:
Dan Searle is a passionate advocate for inclusion and social change. After losing much of his vision at 16, Dan rebuilt his independence with the support of Guide Dogs and assistive technology, and went on to complete a degree in Physiotherapy. He has work in a variety of settings including running his own private practice and working in an acute mental health unit.

Dan has also worked as a lived experience presenter with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and is now working in the social change team with Guide Dogs helping to remove systemic barriers to access and inclusion.

A guide dog user for over 17 years, Dan is now partnered with Quinlan, his third guide dog, and brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his advocacy. Beyond work, he’s represented Australia in blind cricket, competed in paratriathlon and paracycling, and is an active community member.

Register through the link in the comments! ⬇️
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20/10/2025

T-2 days until the first-ever Corneal Stem Cell Club webinar on Wednesday 22nd October 2025, 5:00 – 6:00 PM AEDT!

Hear from leading corneal stem cell research experts and clinicians, including:

💡 Professor Neil Lagali from Linköping University, Sweden
💡 Professor Stephanie Watson OAM FARVO, Head of Ophthalmology and Head of Corneal Research Group, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, and Head Corneal Unit Sydney Eye Hospital
💡 Professor Nick Di Girolamo PhD FARVO, Director Ocular Diseases Research, UNSW
💡 Dr Mojdeh Abbasi, Sydney Medical School
💡 Dr Maria Cabrera Aguas from the Sydney Medical School

Speakers will share on their knowledge on the following topics
🤔 Corneal stem cells explained
🤔 Challenges in corneal stem cell therapy
🤔 Advances in corneal stem cell research
🤔 Patient perspectives on corneal stem cell therapy

This webinar will be hosted by Professor Stephanie Watson.

Scan the QR code or register through the link in the comments. See you there!
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12/10/2025

One hundred years ago, pioneering blind and deaf advocate Helen Keller challenged the Lions Clubs International to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”

Last month, we were honoured to welcome Lions Clubs International President A.P. Singh and fellow Lions to the Save Sight Institute. Hosted by co-director Professor John Grigg, the group toured the Institute’s laboratories and learned about our work in:

👁️ Bioengineering human corneal tissue
🔬Advancing visual neuroscience through confocal microscopy
🤔 Investigating ocular tumours
💡Enabling vision testing through our innovative maze room

We’re grateful to the Lions for championing Helen Keller’s legacy through their steadfast support of vision care and research—a mission we proudly share at the Save Sight Institute.
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