Macular Research Unit

A functional predictive test of AMD: Recruit AMD cases and controls for testing

The aim is to develop a visual function test that looks at how the retina functions in early AMD. These tests will be used to assess the risk of progression of visually devastating complications of AMD. Tests were also performed on patients with glomerulonephirits and drusen and in Sorsby’s fundus dystrophy.

Bionic Eye

CERA collaborates with the Bionic Ear Institute, NICTA (National Information Communications Technology Australia) and Universities of Melbourne and New South Wales in the Bionic Vision Australia (BVA) partnership to develop the first advanced bionic eye prototype ready for the human implant three-four years.

Biomarkers in age-related macular degeneration

To identify biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration through proteomic analysis of serum/plasma/urine samples.

Biomarkers of AMD. A proteomic approach

To identify diagnostic proteins in bodily fluids for AMD and develop a simple biochemical test that can predict AMD development and monitor its progression.

Cardiovascular Health and Age related Maculopathy (CHARM) study

The CHARM study looks at the associations between cardiovascular disease and age-related maculopathy.

C-02-60: Alcon

A retrospective analysis to evaluate the efficiency and treatment rationales of Lucentis (ranibizumab) in clinical practice in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to AMD.

Delaying the progression of AMD: Age-related maculopathy statin study

The study aims to determine whether statin (cholesterol-lowering drugs) treatment for three years, to people with high risk characteristics can slow the progression of AMD. We are not only determining progression by traditional fundus but also by conducting a range of novel visual function tests.

Diet and age-related macular degeneration

Investigation of associations between diet, weight and genotype and AMD, through the Health 2000 cohort.

Determining the genetic components of AMD: AMD inheritance study

This study uses a database of AMD cases and their families as one of the largest in the world. The database is used to study genes that might influence AMD.

Drug Trails in AMD

Alcon AMD prophylactic study
(Anecortave Acetate)

This trial aims to demonstrate that Anecortave Acetate Depot Suspension is superior to Placebo after 60 months in preventing the development of choroidal neovascularisation, or causes a decrease of three or more lines of visual acuity as compared to baseline in the study eye.

Exposure to Chlamydia pneumonia infection and incidence of AMD: the Blue Mountain Eye Study

A collaboration between three research groups in Australia and USA to test C pneumonia antibody titers in the plasma from the participants of the 5-year follow up Blue Mountain Eye Study. The Blue Mountain samples have been collected, analysed and no association was found in this cohort.

Fight Retinal Blindness project

A collaboration between members of the Save Sight Institute, CERA and Lions Eye Institute. The primary purpose and goals of the collaboration is to investigate and evaluate the clinical effectiveness; cost effectiveness and safety of the emerging therapies for treatment of AMD, with the collection aim of developing strategies to reduce retinal blindness within Australia.

Genetic analysis in age-related macular degeneration

To undertake association studies of genes in AMD. Genetic analysis of CFH, BF, C2, PRSS, LOC. PLEK and CFHR1-5 has allowed us to better identify important SNPs in these genes and better refine their association with AMD.

Genetic involvement in age-related macular degeneration

To perform copy number variant studies in AMD. A number of SNPs and copy number variants have been identified associated with AMD and its subtypes.

Genetics of AMD

To investigate the determinants of treatment outcomes in AMD by examining wet AMD.

Genomewide association studies GWAS on Blue Mountains Eye Study

GWAS is being undertaken on individuals from the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) to identify SNPs associated with myopia.

GSK AMD

A double-masked, randomised, parallel-group study to investigate the pharmacodynamics, safety and systemic pharmacokinetics of pazopanib eye drops, administered for 28 days to adult subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Macular telangiectasis: National Eye Institute collaboration. Understanding the natural history of type 2 macular telangiectasis

This work seeks to understand the natural history of type 2 macular telangiectasis. Researchers are consulting family members for genetic studies. The study will be the first centre in Australia to begin looking at the genetics of this disease.

Novartis anti VEGF study

All excite and sustain patients have been offered enrolment in the secure study which aims to follow patients who have had several doses of an anti vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment.

GAP Study

To study the Natural History of Geographic Atrophy Progression (GAP) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Identification of variants in discordant twins

A small number of discordant monozygotic twins for weight are undergoing genome wide analysis at the Wellcome Trust to identify changes in methylation status. If successful then this will also be applied to study discordant eye disease including myopia.

Identification of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the macular tissue from the eyes affected by AMD

Exposure to Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been associated with AMD progression. This study aims to examine AMD-affected and non-affected macular tissue from donor eyes for the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae.

"LEAP study" Novartis: Investigator initiated drug trials in AMD

A retrospective analysis to evaluate the efficiency and treatment rationales of Lucentis (ranibizumab) in clinical practice in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Possurdex AMD study

A six month, single-masked, multicenter, randomised, controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of 700ug Dexamethasone Posterior Segment drug delivery system applicator system as adjunctive therapy to Lucentis compared with Lucentis alone in the treatment of patients with choroidal neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Retinal regeneration laser treatment in early age-related maculopathy

This study is in collaboration with Ellex and investigates the use of laser as a prophylactic treatment for early AMD. The Ellex 2RT (retinal regeneration) laser uses nanosecond duration pulses which unlike all previous retinal lasers, produce no damage to photoreceptors in the retina.

Small interfering RNA treatment for AMD Allergan

An assessment of the safety and efficiency of multiple intravitreal injections of AGN 211745 in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Understanding epidemiological risk factors in AMD, Health 2000. The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS)

The project aims to investigate simultaneously dietary genetic and other potential risk factors for age-related macular degeneration in a large cohort of elderly participants of the Health 2000 study.

View 2 study

A randomised, double masked, active controlled, phase 3 study of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of repeated doses of intravitreal VEGF Trap-Eye in subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Whole genome SNP analysis of a case control population

Whole genome SNP analysis using the Illumina platform of samples has begun in the Blue Mountains Eye Study and individuals with myopia will also be screened.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) collaboration

Collaboration with Professor Greg Hageman at the University of Iowa in the USA. To standardise the clinical grading of the cases included in the genetic association studies and to subtype end stage disease to further characterise the genetics of AMD across two different cohorts.

In-vivo confocal imaging of ocular inflammatory disease

The study involves the imaging of keratic precipitates with the HRT II and Rostock Corneal Module in various ocular inflammatory diseases, with the premise that the images obtained will have diagnostic significance. Recruitment and imaging has commenced with preliminary results expected mid-2008.

Genetics of uveitis

This study aims to investigate the genes associated with various ocular inflammatory diseases through an international collaboration with the Casey Eye Institute. Preliminary results from blood sample analysis are promising, with the emergence of a possible candidate gene for anterior uveitis and sarcoidosis related uveitis.

Investigation of inflammatory biomarkers of progression in AMD

This project aims to investigate the association between systemic markers of inflammation and the prediction of progression and overall prognosis in those with AMD. Recruitment has commenced with samples being collected for batch analysis for inflammatory marker assays.

Intravitreal Avastin in macular oedema and uveitis

To investigate the effect of intravitreal Avastin (Bevacizumab) in the treatment of macular oedema secondary to diabetic retinopathy and uveitis; and in the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation secondary to uveitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis and uveitis

To investigate a possible relationship between uveitis and autoimmune hepatitis.