Flinders University is building on its already impressive record in eye and vision research with a new department of optometry and vision science.

The first intake of students for the inaugural five-year optometry course occurred in 2010. The department is headed by one of Australia’s leading vision and health researchers, Professor Konrad Pesudovs, and is linked with the Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research, one of Flinders University’s Research Centres.

Under the direction of Professor Pesudovs, the department is pursuing areas of research that are of international significance.

Measuring vision-specific quality of life

Loss of eyesight affects 500,000 Australians and costs the country nearly $10 billion a year in health and community support.

But while eye disease is the focus of considerable clinical research, the overall impact of the disease and treatment on the patient’s quality of life is often a matter of conjecture.

The Flinders team is now leading world research to develop more effective ways of evaluating medical treatments from the patient’s perspective.

The project is using new technology to develop an internet-based measurement system that is adaptable and far more accurate than current questionnaire programs. The aim is to make it valid for use across the English-speaking world.

"There is a dearth of accurate information on how eye disease and treatment impacts on the quality of life of people. By gaining a better understanding of this we can improve treatment options."

Professor Konrad Pesudovs
Foundation Chair
Optometry and Vision Science