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Dr. John Males is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney and Director of Ophthalmology Training at Sydney Eye Hospital. His clinical and research expertise focuses on corneal surgery, cataract surgery, and laser vision correction. He pioneered Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) in Australia and is conducting clinical trials on Collagen Cross-Linking for keratoconus. His research spans corneal transplantation techniques, refractive error management, and ocular surface regeneration. Dr. Males holds roles as a consultant at major hospitals and serves as an examiner for the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. Research interests include corneal biomechanics, surgical innovation for keratoconus, and outcomes analysis of cross-linking therapies. He leads studies on corneal densitometry, dry eye correlations, and long-term efficacy of surgical interventions. His work bridges clinical practice with translational research in regenerative medicine and ocular surface engineering. Publications span over 20 years, emphasizing corneal transplantation advancements, keratoconus management, and surgical complication resolution. His contributions to global consensus guidelines for endothelial keratoplasty highlight leadership in standardizing surgical practices.

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery
• Laser Vision Correction
• +3 more

Professor Gerard Sutton is an Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, affiliated with the Save Sight Institute and Vision Eye Institute. He specializes in corneal and refractive surgery, combining clinical practice with research in keratoconus, corneal bioengineering, and global eye care. His work includes developing the Australian Corneal Bioengineering Centre and pioneering innovations like the Corneal Biopen for treating corneal defects. Research interests span clinical and laboratory-based studies, focusing on corneal transplantation, bioengineered treatments, and refractive surgery outcomes. Current projects include corneal bioengineering, keratoconus pathogenesis, and SMILE surgery clinical outcomes. He holds memberships in prominent ophthalmology societies like RANZCO and APPO. Awards: 2019 RANZCO John C. Parr Medal Lecture Award 2017 Sydney Research Centre ‘Big Idea’ Innovation Award 2015 XOVA Excellence in International Ophthalmology 2014 Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award Grants & Funding: AU$35M BIENCO consortium (2023) for corneal blindness therapies AU$1.1M Corneal Biopen commercialization (2018) NHMRC Ideas Grant for bioengineered corneal layers (2019) His research group collaborates internationally, with projects addressing corneal transplantation equity, bioink development, and regenerative solutions for ocular surface diseases. Clinical affiliations include Sydney Eye Hospital and the Lions NSW Eye Bank.

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Diseases
• Keratoconus
• +3 more

Professor Stephanie Watson OAM is a corneal surgeon and academic at the University of Sydney, leading the Corneal Research Group and serving as Head of the Corneal Unit at Sydney Eye Hospital. She holds leadership roles in Sydney Nano as co-Deputy Director for Industry, Innovation, and Commercialisation, and chairs key professional organizations including the Australian Vision Research Committee and the Asia Pacific Ophthalmic Trauma Society. Her clinical practice focuses on corneal and cataract surgery, with appointments at Sydney Eye Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospital, and Prince of Wales Hospital. She is a RANZCO trainer and actively contributes to policy advocacy through roles in ARVO and other global bodies. Her research spans corneal therapies, keratoconus treatment via corneal cross-linking, dry eye disease management, and nanotechnology applications in ophthalmology. She leads the Save Sight Keratoconus and Dry Eye Registries, analyzing real-world patient outcomes and informing clinical guidelines. Her work bridges basic science (e.g., stem cell therapies) and clinical innovation (e.g., chitosan-based surgical adhesives), with notable contributions to antimicrobial resistance strategies in ocular infections and ocular trauma epidemiology. Professor Watson has been recognized with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM), the 2019 NSW Premier’s Prize for Science & Engineering, and global accolades including being named among the top 100 female ophthalmologists. Her research has driven advancements in corneal cross-linking techniques, dry eye quality-of-life metrics, and nanoparticle drug delivery systems. She actively engages in public education through media appearances, patient webinars (e.g., KeraClub series), and policy advocacy to address ocular health disparities. Her grants include projects on breast cancer chemotherapy’s ocular impact, AI-driven diagnosis of infectious keratitis, and high-throughput nanoparticle synthesis systems. She collaborates with industry partners like Brandon Capital and the Sydney Nano Institute, translating research into clinical solutions. Her leadership in international trauma registries (e.g., IGATES) advances global understanding of ocular injury patterns and preventive strategies.

• Corneal Therapies
• Keratoconus Treatment
• Dry Eye Disease
• +4 more

Scott A. Read is a Professor in the School of Optometry at Queensland University of Technology's Faculty of Health. He is a leading researcher in the field of myopia development and control, with extensive expertise in ocular biometry, choroidal thickness measurements, and optical coherence tomography applications. His work bridges basic vision science and clinical optometry, focusing on understanding the mechanisms of eye growth and developing strategies for myopia management. Dr. Read's research program centers on myopia development and control, with particular emphasis on choroidal thickness dynamics, ocular biometry changes during visual tasks, and the effects of light exposure on eye growth. His work reveals that the choroid plays a critical role as an optical signal transducer in eye growth regulation, with significant diurnal variations and responses to visual stimuli. He has extensively documented how myopic defocus, accommodation, and light exposure patterns influence choroidal thickness and axial elongation in children and young adults. His research has established important links between outdoor light exposure and reduced myopia progression, contributing significantly to evidence-based myopia control strategies. Analysis of Dr. Read's recent publications shows a strong focus on advanced imaging techniques, particularly optical coherence tomography and its applications in measuring choroidal thickness, vascular changes, and biomechanical properties of the eye. His work increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence methods for image analysis while maintaining a strong clinical orientation toward understanding myopia mechanisms and developing effective control strategies. His research spans from fundamental investigations of visual processing pathways to clinical trials of myopia control interventions like atropine therapy. Dr. Read has been instrumental in several major collaborative efforts, including the International Myopia Institute reports that have shaped global understanding of myopia mechanisms and control strategies. His work has been foundational in establishing the choroid's role as a key tissue in eye growth regulation and myopia development. Through his laboratory at QUT, Dr. Read mentors numerous PhD students and early-career researchers, fostering the next generation of vision scientists. His research team employs a multidisciplinary approach combining optometry, ophthalmology, biomedical engineering, and data science to address critical questions in myopia research. Current projects focus on understanding the mechanisms of atropine's myopia control effects, developing advanced imaging biomarkers for myopia progression, and investigating the impact of modern visual environments on eye development.

• Myopia Development and Control
• Choroidal Thickness and Eye Growth
• Optical Coherence Tomography
• +5 more

Dr. Jingjing You is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedicine and Lead Tutor in Pathogenesis at the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences and Save Sight Institute. She leads the Innovative Biomedicine Research Group and holds a Sydney Horizon Fellowship. Affiliated with UNSW's School of Optometry, the NSW Tissue Bank, and iFix Medical Pty Ltd, her work focuses on biomaterials, 3D bioprinting, and regenerative medicine. Her research addresses corneal diseases, collagen-based therapies, and machine learning applications in healthcare. Major grants include $35M from MRFF (2023) and NHMRC funding (2020). Awards include the Global Development Award (2022). She supervises PhD/Master’s students in collagen engineering and ocular bioengineering. International collaborations span institutions in China, Germany, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S., particularly in corneal bioengineering and AI-driven diagnostics. Research interests include advanced manufacturing of biomaterials, collagen applications, and integrating machine learning for disease diagnosis. Current projects explore collagen's role in tissues, bioengineered eye tissues, and machine learning platforms for medical monitoring. Her lab develops transparent bioinks, platelet-based adhesives, and AI models for keratoconus classification. Collaborations with Harvard Medical School and Fudan University highlight her global impact in biomedical innovation. Awards: MRFF Frontier Health 2023 ($35M), NHMRC Idea Grant 2020, NSW Medical Device Fund 2018 Grants: Sydney Horizon Fellowship (biomanufacturing), BIENCO (corneal bioengineering) Clinical Focus: Corneal diseases, regenerative therapies, ocular surface disorders Industry Links: iFix Medical (biomedical devices), Retina Repair International Publications span biomaterials, corneal bioengineering, and AI applications, with recent work in Acta Biomaterialia , Materials Horizons , and Translational Vision Science and Technology .

• Biomaterials
• 3D Bioprinting
• Tissue Engineering
• +5 more

Kristin Bailey is a Lecturer at Flinders University, specializing in advanced contact lens fitting and optometry education. She works at the Flinders Eye Centre within Flinders Medical Centre, providing clinical expertise in soft, rigid gas permeable (RGP), scleral, and orthokeratology lenses for complex medical cases such as keratoconus, post-graft, aphakia, and congenital ocular conditions. Her role includes supervising optometry students and developing contact lens teaching content. Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry from Flinders University Bachelor of Biology from Oakland University Therapeutically endorsed optometrist Certificate in Advanced Contact Lenses from Australian College of Optometry Kristin focuses on orthokeratology, corneal RGP lenses, corneoscleral lenses, scleral lenses, prosthetic lenses, and soft contact lenses. She is a member of Optometry Australia and the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia (CCLSA), where she previously served on the committee. Lecturer for OPTO8004 Optometry 1 Topic Coordinator for OPTO2003 Communication for the Consulting Room Co-facilitator of the Interprofessional Education Community of Practice

• Contact Lens Fitting
• Optometry
• Keratoconus Management
• +2 more

Dr. Zahra Tajbakhsh is a Lecturer at the Department of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia. She holds a PhD in Optometry and Vision Science (2022) from UNSW Sydney, focusing on dendritic cells in ocular allergy, and earned her BOptom and MSc from Iran. Her research spans ocular surface disease, myopia control, contact lenses, and AI in retinal diagnostics, with over 28 publications and an h-index of 8. PhD, UNSW Sydney (2022): Dendritic cells in ocular allergy MSc in Optometry, Iran BOptom, Iran Dr. Tajbakhsh’s work integrates in vivo confocal microscopy with immunological studies to investigate conditions like allergic conjunctivitis, keratoconus, and LASIK recovery. Recent projects include AI-driven inherited retinal disease analysis and improving eye health literacy in Western Australia. She actively collaborates on ocular pressure dynamics, corneal structure, and pediatric vision research. Her publications highlight applications of AI in retinal diseases, keratoconus treatment, dendritic cell profiling, and pediatric ocular norms. Awards include recognition as an inaugural PhD Champion for UNSW Women in Math and Science. Current projects involve grants from the Perth Eye Foundation (2024–2027) to address eye health disparities. Inaugural PhD Champion, UNSW Women in Math and Science Dr. Tajbakhsh contributes to clinical research, teaching, and outreach, emphasizing diversity in STEM and advancing diagnostics for ocular conditions through interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Ocular Surface Disease
• Myopia Control
• In Vivo Confocal Microscopy
• +10 more

Professor David Mackey is Professor of Ophthalmology and Scientific Director at the Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia. His research focuses on genetic ophthalmology, particularly hereditary optic neuropathies and glaucoma, aiming to reduce blindness through genetic discovery and clinical translation. He established the Glaucoma Inheritance Study in Tasmania and Twins Eye Study, identifying genetic factors in eye diseases. His work enables predictive DNA testing and early intervention for high-risk individuals. Professor Mackey leads international consortia including the International Glaucoma Genetics Consortium and contributes to gene therapy development. Research examines genetic-environmental interactions in myopia development and mitochondrial disorders affecting vision. His NHMRC-funded projects investigate polygenic risk profiling, mitochondrial donation therapies, and childhood myopia prevention. Professional roles: Chair, Professors Special Interest Group (RANZCO) Council Member, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Board Member, Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia

• Ophthalmic Genetics
• Glaucoma
• Hereditary Optic Atrophy
• +2 more

Andrea Curatolo is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the School of Engineering, University of Western Australia, specializing in Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering. He holds a PhD from the same university, focusing on improving optical coherence tomography (OCT) and elastography through optical beam shaping and simulations. His research emphasizes biomedical applications, particularly in ophthalmology and cancer diagnostics, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals in health and innovation. Key areas include corneal biomechanics, retinal imaging, and telehealth technologies like smartphone-based optical palpation for skin and breast tissue analysis. Collaborations span global institutions, advancing non-invasive diagnostic methods. Education: PhD in Optical Imaging Technologies (UWA, 2017); BSc and MSc from Polytechnic of Milan. Research interests integrate OCT, elastography, and machine learning to address challenges in ophthalmic surgery, cancer margin assessment, and telemedicine. His work bridges engineering and clinical needs, with over 46 publications and 1503 citations, reflecting contributions to high-resolution imaging and biomechanical analysis. Recent articles highlight advancements in spatio-temporal OCT (STOC-T) for retinal hemodynamics, chirped flicker optoretinography, and cross-meridian air-puff OCT for keratoconus detection. Innovations in low-cost imaging systems and robotic tool tracking aim to democratize medical diagnostics. His lab develops handheld elastography probes and smartphone-integrated palpation tools, advancing point-of-care solutions. Awards: While no specific honors are listed, his high citation count and h-index (21) underscore peer recognition. Supervised work includes mentoring students on biomechanical and imaging projects.

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Optical Coherence Tomography
• +3 more

Professor Kathryn Burdon is Deputy Director of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania. She holds a Professorial Research Fellowship and leads the Genetics and Cancer Theme. Her research focuses on identifying genetic factors underlying eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and keratoconus, with a particular emphasis on pediatric cases. She also investigates genetic contributions to multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular conditions. Education: PhD (2004) in pediatric cataract genetics from University of Tasmania; BSc(Hons) in albinism genetics (1999). Postdoctoral training at Wake Forest University. Research Interests Gene discovery for blinding eye diseases using whole genome sequencing and supercomputing analysis Role of genetic and environmental factors in treatment response (e.g., anti-VEGF therapy for macular degeneration) Utilization of the Tasmanian Ophthalmic Biobank and population records for genetic studies Development of zebrafish models to study disease mechanisms Article Trends Recent work focuses on pediatric cataract genetics, diabetic maculopathy GWAS, and polygenic risk scores for glaucoma. Emphasis on translating genetic findings into clinical care through predictive testing and personalized therapies. Awards Menzies Institute Academic Mentoring Award (2022) NHMRC Fellowships (Peter Doherty, Senior Research) Invited lectures at major ophthalmology and genetics conferences Grants & Supervision $2M+ in NHMRC and international grants for gene discovery projects Supervised over 20 PhD/Masters students on topics like EBV-MS links and pediatric cataract genetics Labs & Collaborations Leads the Tasmanian Ophthalmic Biobank and collaborates with global groups (Flinders University, Harvard, University of Melbourne) on multi-ethnic genetic studies.

• Medical Genetics
• Ophthalmology
• Genomics
• +6 more

Domit Azar is a Clinical Senior Lecturer affiliated with the Concord Clinical School at the University of Sydney. Their work focuses on ophthalmology and eye health, with expertise in clinical diagnostics and case studies involving ocular injuries, infections, and surgical outcomes. Research Interests: Domit Azar's research spans ophthalmology, medical science, and clinical diagnostics, with a focus on conditions like keratoconus, uveitis, glaucoma, and drug-induced ocular complications. Their studies often involve case reports and surgical outcome analyses. Ophthalmology Clinical Medicine Medical Research Eye Health Pharmacology Neurology Publications Trends: Recent works highlight ophthalmic complications from cosmetic procedures, vascular disorders, and surgical innovations. Earlier research includes infectious diseases, drug side effects, and pediatric ocular cancer epidemiology. Contact: Email domit.azar@sydney.edu.au or call +61 2 9718 3448 for inquiries.

• Ophthalmology
• Eye Health
• Clinical Medicine
• +3 more

Chris Hodge is a Senior Research Fellow and clinical senior lecturer at the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences, affiliated with the Save Sight Institute. He holds roles as lecturer and tutor in the Cataract & Refractive Surgery Diploma and supervises medical students at other universities. His research focuses on corneal diseases, cataract surgery, IOL technology, laser refractive surgery, and concussion-related visual disturbances. He has published over 120 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with notable contributions to keratoconus research and corneal bioengineering. Education: PhD in keratoconus epidemiology (Australian population). Research Interests: Cataract surgery innovations, intraocular lens power calculations, laser refractive techniques, corneal disease mechanisms (keratoconus, bioengineering), and concussion's visual impacts. Active in translational research, including biomaterial development for corneal injuries and contamination reduction in tissue banking. Grants & Projects: 2022: Future Vision Foundation grant for using discarded surgical tissue in transparent endothelium fabrication. 2019: NHMRC Ideas Grant for a collagen-based ocular healing material. Labs & Teams: Collaborates with the Save Sight Institute and Vision Eye Institute as clinical research coordinator. Engages in multidisciplinary projects combining surgical innovation and biomaterial science.

• Cataract Surgery
• Intraocular Lens (IOL) Technology
• Laser Refractive Surgery
• +5 more

Dr. Vincent Daien is a Clinical Professor at the Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health. His research focuses on ophthalmic conditions including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal imaging. Key areas of investigation include anti-VEGF therapies, retinal microcirculation, and clinical registry data analysis. He has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications since 2016, with recent work emphasizing real-world evidence for anti-VEGF treatments in age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. His studies often involve large observational datasets like the Fight Retinal Blindness! Project and Save Sight Registries. Dr. Daien's work bridges clinical practice and research, addressing treatment efficacy, patient outcomes, and healthcare delivery optimization. Notable contributions include evaluations of cyclophotocoagulation for glaucoma, keratoconus risk factors, and quality-of-life impacts of eye diseases. His research collaborations span institutions globally, with a focus on translational studies that inform clinical guidelines and improve patient management strategies.

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma
• Macular Degeneration
• +7 more

Dr. Colin Chan is a Clinical Associate Professor in Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health at the University of Sydney's Central Clinical School. He also holds adjunct roles as Professor at the University of Canberra and Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is a corneal and refractive surgeon at Vision Eye Institute, Chatswood. His research focuses on laser eye surgery, corneal diseases, dry eye management, and medical education. He has coordinated major programs like the Cataract and Refractive Diploma at Sydney University and serves on multiple professional committees. Education: MBBS(Hons) from the University of Sydney. Awards include the APAO Achievement Award (2015), APAO Leadership Development Program (2011-2012), and multiple academic prizes from his medical and secondary education. Teaching: Leads the Ophthalmology CPD short course and contributes to other universities' programs. Current projects include a clinical trial on non-autologous serum for dry eye treatment. Awards section highlights his recognition in ophthalmology and academic excellence. His publications span corneal crosslinking, femtosecond surgery, and dry eye management, reflecting his clinical and research expertise.

• Ophthalmology
• Laser Eye Surgery
• Corneal Disease
• +6 more

Himal Kandel is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Save Sight Institute , affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney . His work focuses on measuring and improving clinical and patient-reported outcomes in ophthalmology and optometry through initiatives like the Save Sight Keratoconus and Dry Eye Registries. Graduate in Optometry from Tribhuvan University, Nepal (2011) MSc in Public Health for Eye Care from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2013) PhD in Optometry from Flinders University, Australia (2018) Kandel’s research spans corneal crosslinking , dry eye disease , and refractive error epidemiology , often leveraging clinical registries to analyze real-world outcomes. His recent work includes longitudinal studies on keratoconus treatment and global burden analyses for conditions like appendicitis and sickle cell disease. Notable awards include the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for Doctoral Thesis Excellence (2018) , International Student of the Year (2018) , and multiple ARVO travel grants . He has received competitive scholarships and grants from Flinders University and the Australian Government. Kandel collaborates on translational research projects, including the FMH Bright Ideas Grant (2023) and federal funding for stem cell-based therapies in corneal diseases. His publications emphasize quality-of-life metrics and public health interventions in eye care.

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Patient-Reported Outcomes
• +7 more