Research
We respond quickly to new opportunities as research is our only hope for a cure.

Vision loss is an escalating problem in Australia. Over half the population has at least one sight problem despite many eye diseases being treatable and avoidable. The Queensland Eye Institute, with the financial support of the Prevent Blindness Foundation, is committed to reducing this serious threat and to improve the quality of life of millions of Australians.

Currently, our scientist's major research focus is on cancer on the surface of the eye, treatment of pterygium, corneoscleral grafts, tissue adhesives, keratoprosthesis, optic nerve disease, ocular melanoma and corneal stem cell transplantation.

Professor Lawrence Hirst

Visit Profesor Lawrence Hirst's personal page.

Professor Lawrence Hirst has been undertaking epidemiologic research and conducting clinical trials on the management of pterygium for the past 15 years. Professor Hirst's clinical achievements are well-known and include:

Corneoscleral Grafts: used in patients with severe infections of the front of the eye. Many patients were referred to Professor Hirst for removal of the eye, but in some cases Professor Hirst has been able to stabilise the condition to the point of non-removal and in several cases has been able to retain the patient's vision by surgical replacement of the front of the eye.

Cancer of the eye surface: new diagnostic methods and treatments.

Tissue adhesive: new techniques for the application of tissue adhesives in perforated eyes have been introduced by Professor Hirst. This has saved eyes in elderly patients, who previously would have lost their eyes because of infection.

And most recently, Pterygium: new method for removal of pterygium which has resulted in only few recurrences and a good cosmetic appearance.

Professor Hirst has now restricted his clinical practice exclusively to the treatment of pterygium with the method he pioneered - P.E.R.F.E.C.T. for PTERYGIUM®

Please select choose a scientist from the 'Research' drop-down menu to learn more about our research endeavours at The Queensland Eye Institute, funded by The Prevent Blindness Foundation.