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 is committed to reducing this serious threat to the quality of life of millions of Australians.

Our aim is to achieve optimum results in the vision sciences and to

• provide the latest and best treatment for our patients
• respond quickly to new research opportunities
• ultimately our main aim is to find cures

Currently our major research focus is in 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 MBBS Hons (Qld) MD (Qld) MPH (Hopkins) DO (Melb) FRANZCO, FRACS, Cert.Am.Bd.Ophth

Research studies in progress

• Cosmetic grading of pterygium
• Paecilomyces endophthalmitis
• New instruments for corneal transplantation
• Tissue manipulator
• Lens immortaliser

Books in progress

• Ocular surface squamous neoplasis.

Professor Traian Chirila PhD

Research studies in progress

• Development of a polymer matrix as substrate and depot for the attachment, spreading and long-term maintenance of corneal stem cells.
• Investigation of interaction between high energy laser radiation and acrylic hydrogels.
• Effect of high energy laser ablation on the biological properties of the surface of acrylic hydrogels.
• Development of biodegradable hydrophilic porous scaffolds.
• Synthesis of hema-based linear polymers by controlled living radical polymerisation techniques and investigation of their biodegradability.
• Controlling the spontaneous calcification of acrylic hydrogels by manipulating the interchain free space in the polymer network.

Professor Ivan Schwab MD, FACS.

Research studies in progress

• The use of an autologous adhesive in ophthalmic surgery.
• The use of an autologous adhesive as matrix carrier for ex-vivo expanded corneal epithelial stem cells as bioengineered ocular surface.
• The preparation of cell growth techniques and matrix carriers that have less risk than current methodologies
• Histologic examination and comparative review of retinal vasculature of the fruit bat (Pteropus spp).
• In vivo ocular refraction and ocular dimensions of the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor).
• Histology description of Leatherback Marine Turtle Eyes (Dermochelys coriacea).

Research presentations at International meetings

• Evolution's Witness. 11th Scientific and 5th Education Meeting in Optometry QUT School of Optometry Sept 2005.

Poster presentations at International meetings

• Age-adjusted rates of Corneal Transplantation during the last 15 years. Cornea Society presentation October 2005 Jason Darlington presentation.
• Pterygium surgery with tissue adhesive presentation. Cornea Society October 2005.
• AAO presentation Evolution's Witness October 2005
• AAO presentation Natural Festival of Light and Color October 2005.

Articles Published

• Schwab IR. An icy stare.Br J Ophthalmol. 2005 Oct;89(10):1236.
• Salehi-Had H, Alvarenga LS, Isseroff R, Schwab IR. Factors Modulating p63 Expression in Cultured Limbal Epithelial Cells. Cornea. 2005,24(7):845-852.
• Lee WB, Darlington JK, Mannis MJ, Schwab IR. Dendritic keratopathy in ocular rosacea.Cornea. 2005;24(5):632-3.
• Schwab IR. Mirror, mirror, on the wall . . .Br J Ophthalmol. 2005 May;89(5):528
• Lee WB, Hamilton SM, Harris JP, Schwab IR. Ocular complications of hypovitaminosis a after bariatric surgery. Ophthalmology. 2005;112(6):1031-4.
• Schwab IR; No end in sight. Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89: 1978
• Schwab IR, O'Connor GR. The lonely eye. Br J Ophthalmol. 2005;89(3):256.
• Schwab IR, McMenanmin P. How do I fit in? Br J Ophthalmol. 2005 Feb;89(2):129.
• Schwab IR. In answer to "Who is Ivan Schwab?" Br J Ophthalmol. 2005;89(2):249.
• Schwab IR, Collin SP, Pettigrew JD. Chameleon of the sea. Br J Ophthalmol. 2005;89(1):4.
• Schwab IR, Pettigrew J. A choroidal sleight of hand. Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89; 1398.
• Schwab IR. With a little help from my friends… Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:935.
• Schwab IR. Can you keep a secret? Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:795.
• Schwab IR. Are you for real? Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:651.
• Schwab IR, Arrese CA; Colour me ultraviolet. Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:399.

Articles accepted

• Schwab IR Fritsches K; Superlatives. Br J Ophthalmol.
• Schwab IR, Collin S; Are you calling me primitive? Br. J Ophthalmol
• Schwab IR, Pettigrew J; With just a quiver. Br. J Ophthalmol
• Schwab IR, Hart N; More than black and white. Br J Ophthalmol
• Schwab IR, Jackson R: …deceived with ornament. Br J Ophthalmol

Chapters accepted

• Lee WB & Schwab IR: Allergy & Medication-Induced Ocular Surface Disease
• Lee WB & Schwab IR: Limbal Stem Cell Disease and Management Hussein N & Schwab: Inflammatory Lid Disease. Duane's Clinical Ophthalmology

Articles in preparation

• Schwab IR, Johnson N, Harkin D: Evaluation of Inherent Risk in the preparation of ex-vivo bioengineered tissue for ocular surface reconstruction.

Chapters in preparation

• Lee WB & Schwab IR. Corneal epithelial stem cell disease and management.

Awards received

• Secretariat Award form American Academy of Ophthalmology October 2005
• Cited as one of the 28 best achievements during the last 14 years (2 per year) from NIH funding in the application of Bioengineered tissue to the ocular surface by the Association of American Medical Colleges

Dr Anthony Pane MBBS Hons (Qld) MMedSc, FRANZCO

Research presentations at International meetings

• Treatable optic neuropathies. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Neuro-Ophthalmology Symposium, Gold Coast, August 2005.
• Third nerve palsy: what you need to know. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Neuro-Ophthalmology Symposium, Gold Coast, August 2005.
• The case of the deadly dentist. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Neuro-Ophthalmology Symposium, Gold Coast, August 2005.
• Finally something we can fix! Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Neuro-Ophthalmology Symposium, Gold Coast, August 2005.
• Approach to Optic Neuropathy. UK National Neuro-Ophthalmology Symposium, Birmingham, November 2005.

Poster presentations at International meetings

• Electrophysiologic correlation of optic tract Uhthoff's phenomenon in multiple sclerosis. Pane AR, Bracewell MA, Anderson IRC, Matthews TD. Accepted for presentation at World Congress of Neurology, Sydney, Nov 2005.
• Causes of arcuate visual field defects. Pherwani A, Denniston A, Pane AR, Matthews TD. Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Congress, Birmingham, July 2005.

Articles submitted

• Designing a practical protocol for the clinical assessment and investigation of patients with optic neuropathy and optic neuritis. Paper 1 of the Birmingham optic neuropathy study. Pane AR, Burdon MA, Matthews TD, Jacks AS. Submitted to British Journal of Ophthalmology, Sept 2005.
• Final diagnoses and efficacy of a practical protocol for the clinical assessment and investigation of optic neuropathy and optic neuritis, demonstrated in 100 consecutive patients. Paper 2 of the Birmingham optic neuropathy study. Pane AR, Burdon MA, Matthews TD, Jacks AS. Submitted to British Journal of Ophthalmology, Sept 2005.
• Clinical characteristics of patients with new-onset optic neuropathy, evaluated with a standard clinical protocol. Paper 3 of the Birmingham optic neuropathy study. Pane AR, Burdon MA, Matthews TD, Jacks AS. Submitted to British Journal of Ophthalmology, Sept 2005.
• Accuracy of clinical diagnosis, investigations ordered, and time to referral in patients with optic neuropathy evaluated by non-neuro-ophthalmologists. Paper 4 of the Birmingham optic neuropathy study. Pane AR, Burdon MA, Matthews TD, Jacks AS. Submitted to British Journal of Ophthalmology, Sept 2005.
• Yield of neuro-imaging and laboratory investigations in evaluating clinically-undiagnosable optic neuropathies. Paper 5 of the Birmingham optic neuropathy study. Pane AR, Burdon MA, Matthews TD, Jacks AS. Submitted to British Journal of Ophthalmology, Sept 2005.
• Visual outcomes of 100 consecutive patients with new-onset optic neuropathy, evaluated with a standard protocol. Paper 6 of the Birmingham optic neuropathy study. Pane AR, Burdon MA, Matthews TD, Jacks AS. Submitted to British Journal of Ophthalmology, Sept 2005.
• Steroid-responsive idiopathic optic neuropathy (SRION): a useful clinical concept. Paper 7 of the Birmingham optic neuropathy study. Pane AR, Burdon MA, Matthews TD, Jacks AS. Submitted to British Journal of Ophthalmology, Sept 2005.
• A practical protocol for the initial assessment and investigation of optic neuropathies, for ophthalmologists without advanced neuro-ophthalmic training. Pane AR, Burdon MA, Matthews TD, Jacks AS. Submitted to Archives of Ophthalmology, October 2005.

Published Books

• A practical protocol for the initial assessment and investigation of optic neuropathies, for ophthalmologists without Practical Ophthalmology: A Survival Guide for Doctors and Optometrists.Pane AR, Simcock PR. Elsevier (Churchill Livingstone), Edinburgh, 2005. ISBN 0-0443-10112-4
• The Neuro-Ophthalmology Survival Guide. Pane AR, Burdon MA, Miller NR. Elsevier (Mosby), Edinburgh, 2005. (in press)
• Fast Facts: Ophthalmology. Pane AR, Simcock PR. Health Press, Oxford, 2005. (in press)

Books are available from:
Medical Bookshop
University of Queensland Medical School
Herston

Ph: (07) 3365 5275

Dr Zainuddin Zainuddin, PhD

Dr Zainuddin has a PhD in polymer chemistry and has a primary research interest in natural and synthetic polymers for ophthalmic application. He is a visiting academic with the Department of Chemistry at the University of Queensland and is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with the School of Medicine at the University of Queensland. He has spent a number of years as a senior researcher for BATAN in Indonesia.

Dr Peter Madden, Senior Scientist

Dr Madden is the Scientific Director of the Queensland Eye Bank. Dr Madden
specialises in research into freezing corneas for corneal transplants.