 The Centre for Vision Research
The Centre for Vision Research (CVisR) represents an active research team, widely collaborating with a multidisciplinary body of scientists from a number of Australian and international universities.
Through collaborative research the Centre has described the patterns of eye diseases and causes of vision loss in Australians, as well as other sensory impairment, in both older and younger age groups. The Centre has also identified risk factors for common eye diseases and vision loss, particularly modifiable factors that could prevent eye disease and reduce the burden of visual impairment. With genetic and environmental factors already identified for a major eye condition in older persons, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the Centre will further investigate gene-environment interactions on AMD pathogenesis.
Sensory impairment has a major impact on the ability of older people to live independently. The Centre has shown that visual impairment triples the use of community support services, quadruples the rate of falls and increases hip fractures by almost 10-fold.
The Centre has also shown in the Blue Mountains Eye Study that vision loss has a substantial effect on general health and increases the need for nursing home admission and that visual impairment is associated with increased mortality by around 70%.
Work on the fourth phase on the Blue Mountain Eye Study commenced in 2007. Eye diseases targeted include:
- age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in Australia)
- cataract (which leads to one of the most frequent surgical procedures)
- glaucoma (currently the second most frequent cause of blindness)
- visual impairment and refractive error.
The Centre is also examining the risk factors for hearing loss, one of the most frequent age-related disabilities. Many of the risk factors already identified for common eye diseases and hearing loss are potentially modifiable, by relatively simple measures, such as appropriate diet and smoking cessation.
Recent studies at the Centre are also examining the links between retinal vessel signs assessed from retinal photographs and systemic conditions, particularly hypertension, diabetes and vascular problems like stroke and coronary heart disease in older persons. Other data collected from Sydney school children has shown evidence of possible links between retinal vessel calibre and some dietary factors, such as fish, and birth parameters. This research direction will identify whether, and which, retinal vessel signs are markers of future development of systemic conditions.
Other research projects currently being conducted in the Centre are addressing issues of vision and eye health in children and possible links between cataract surgery and subsequent development of AMD.
Professor Paul Mitchell is the Director for the Centre for Vision. For more information please visit the Centre for Vision Research website.
Contact Details
Professor Paul Mitchell
T +61 2
9845 7960
F +61
2 9845 8345
E paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au
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