School of Medicine  > Ophthalmology  > Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research

Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research

Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research

 

The Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research aims to improve outcomes for patients with blinding eye conditions affecting our community.

This multidisciplinary group is based in the Flinders University/Flinders Medical Centre Department of Ophthalmology. Its members include clinicians, researchers, and nurses. Our focus is on the nexus between vision and health, a major issue in Australia with its ageing population. Our approaches include programs in basic biomedical science, applied research, clinical research, translational research, and health services management research. One of our strategies is to train the next generation of clinician/researchers, and we have a particular interest in industry-related student projects.

 

 

Eye Bank sets its sights on Mount Gambier


The Eye Bank of South Australia will start receiving corneas from donors in Mount Gambier as it expands its service beyond the traditional city limits.
Based at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC), the Eye Bank last year had 73 cornea donors, with nine coming from country locations, including Mount Gambier.
Eye Bank Coordinator Margaret Philpott said Mount Gambier was earmarked for the service because it was the only country centre to have resident Ophthalmologists – doctors Trevor Hodson, Michael Bailey and Archie Mackillop.

'DonateLife invited me to go to a public forum in Mt Gambier as there are people down there who have been organ recipients – even corneal recipients,’ Margaret said. ‘Mount Gambier has an eye centre and resident ophthalmologists, whereas other country centres have visiting ophthalmologists who fly in and run their service.’

She said there was an approximate 12-hour window to retrieve the corneas once the donor had died.
‘The other coordinators at the Eye Bank and I do the retrievals if there’s a donor.’
‘It would be impossible to drive up to Mount Gambier and back in the 12-hour window period so it’s lucky they have flights to and from Mount Gambier.’

Once the corneas are retrieved, they are flown back to FMC where they are assessed and stored safely for up to seven days. They are then sent out for a transplant.

Margaret said corneas were often retrieved from donors in major public hospitals, from funeral homes and the coordinators had previously travelled as far as Port Pirie, Naracoorte and Yorketown at a family’s request. ‘Our aim is to provide a service as wide-reaching as possible.’

Dr Hodson said the centre was pleased to be able to make a contribution the Eye Bank program. ‘To be in a position to help is just another part of putting something back into the community,’ he said.

 

Mount Gambier Ophthlmologist Trevor Hodson with Eye Bank of SA Coordinator Margaret Philpott. (Ascribe to News@FMC)

 

 

  

News

 Flinders Clinical and Molecular Medicine (FCMM) seminar  
 
We will have two PhD candidate’s presenting their progress seminars. 

 

Alpana Dave, PhD Candidate, Department of Ophthalmology

"Molecular genetics and molecular biology of cataract"

and

Yazad Irani, PhD Candidate, Department of Ophthalmology

"Porous silicon materials for transfer of cells and drugs to the eye"

 

Wednesday, 2nd November, 12.00pm

Lecture Theatre 1, level 5, Flinders Medical Centre

Light refreshments provided

Winning photographer in Ophthalmology

 

Our Ophthalmic Photographer Angela Chappell who has worked for the Ophthalmology Department since 1993 has won first prize in the European Vision Institute’s 2011 Picture Competition in Vision Research and Ophthalmology.

Angela’s photo (right) is of an eye detailing the condition Iridocorneal Endothelial (ICE) Syndrome which is a rare eye unilateral condition in which the pupil becomes displaced and the iris atrophic, resulting in the severe appearance shown. The cause is unknown but one theory is that it is caused by viral infection.

The international competition which had entries from 13 different countries highlights the best photo in vision research and ophthalmology and is judged by members from the private and public sector, clinicians and basic researchers.

Angela is very excited about winning this international competition, and our congratulations go out to her.

 

 

 

 

 

NHMRC Centre for Clinical Eye Research

presents

EVIDENCE BASED OPHTHALMOLOGY WORKSHOP

 

Evidence based medicine influences clinical practice and policy.  Knowledge of evidence based medicine and what it means for ophthalmology will be useful for all health care professionals involved in eye care.

The Evidence Based Ophthalmology Workshop 2011 will concentrate on how to apply evidence into practice.

This year we are fortunate to have three distinguished keynote speakers.  Professor Ravi Thomas of the Queensland Eye Institute will enlighten us on what constitutes evidence.  He will discuss Baye’s theorum and its applications in clinical decision and diagnostic testing. Dr. Salmaan Qureshi, editor for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, will discuss critical appraisal of literature and evidence for treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Stephanie Watson, editor for the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group, International Centre for Eye Health, will discuss evidences for treating common cornea and external diseases such as recurrent corneal erosion syndrome, blepharitis and herpetic keratitis.

The sessions are designed to be interactive as well as informative and will discuss topics in several areas of ophthalmology. Please see the program overview for further information. Program Overview (PDF 11KB)

We look forward to you joining us.

Dr. Celia Chen
NHMRC National Institute of Clinical Studies Betty-Cuthbert Fellow
NHMRC Centre for Clinical Eye Research

Who Should Attend?

Clinicians, registrars, scientists, optometrists, students, managers, industry members and educators looking for practical and applied instruction on the principles of Evidence Based Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology.

*2010 EBO Workshop received RANZCO CPD Accreditation and is being sought for 2011*

 Registration Fees

The registration fee (see registration form (PDF 15KB) for categories) entitles the registrant to participate in all sessions of the EBO Workshop however numbers are limited for the Searching the Literature Workshop and acceptance will be by order of registration receipt.

All fees include GST of 10% and are inclusive of all course materials and refreshments, including lunch both days.

CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATIONS - MONDAY 25th July 2011

For further information please contact:  Deb Sullivan – Manager, NHMRC Centre for Clinical Eye Research:
phn 08) 8204 5737; email sull0085@flinders.edu.au

 

World-first glaucoma gene discovery by Flinders-led team

 

An Australian research team led by Flinders University researchers has discovered two new genes that could open the way to new treatments for blinding glaucoma.

Their findings are published online in the prestigious international science journal, Nature Genetics.

The study established that 18 per cent of the population carry risk variants at these two genes, making them up to three times more likely to develop severe glaucoma than those that don’t.

Other unknown factors also influence the overall risk for an individual.

The team, headed by Associate Professor Jamie Craig and Research Fellow Dr Kathryn Burdon from the Department of Ophthalmology at Flinders University, involved groups from five other Australian universities on the ground-breaking survey of 4500 patients from every state in Australia and New Zealand... (read more)

YouTube - Nine Network Glaucoma breakthrough

inspiring achievement