Research Groups
Our department has 13 principal research groups that investigate a vast range of topics related to vision science and optometry, including clinic-based research and laboratory-based research on the eye and brain in health and disease. Our research groups commonly collaborate across other disciplines such as Anatomy, Engineering, Psychology, Physics, and Ophthalmology, as well as with industry partners.
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Optological Laboratory
The Optological Laboratory non-invasively investigates how the human eye and brain function, both in normal observers and those with eye disease.
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Ocular Physiology Laboratory
Our laboratory is interested in electrophysiology, imaging and developing novel methods for analysis and its application to understanding the risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma.
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Clinical Psychophysics Unit
Our research aims to better understand normal visual processing and damage due to disease.
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Retinal Structure and Function Laboratory
The Retinal Structure and Function Laboratory (RSFL) aims to increase our understanding of the link between structural and functional measures of damage in disease.
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Visual and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory
Our laboratory is interested in understanding the neural basis of visual perception, attention and memory.
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Corneal and Ocular Immunology Unit
The mouse and human cornea contains populations of resident immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells. These cells play an important role in generating innate inflammatory responses against microbial pathogens and sterile injurious stimuli.
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Anterior Eye, Clinical Trials and Research Translation Unit
The Anterior Eye, Clinical Trials and Research Translation unit adopts an integrated approach to research in ocular disease, combining clinical, laboratory and behavioural science as a foundation for evidence-based practice to improve clinical outcomes.
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Ocular Biomarker Laboratory
The Ocular Biomarker Laboratory is interested in ways in which we can utilise the unique attributes of the eye to inform us about cortical disease and drug development.
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Eye Movement Laboratory
The Eye Movement Laboratory addresses a range of problems relating to eye movement control in both clinical populations as well as in normal subjects.
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Imaging Retinal Cells Human Unit
Our broad research aim is to understand the fundamental workings of the living retina on the microscopic scale, and how this becomes compromised in sight-debilitating diseases such as diabetes and glaucoma.
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Learning and Teaching Laboratory
Our research is directed at identifying and implementing best practice innovative teaching strategies to enhance learning and teaching across all programs within the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, and externally through collaborative projects.
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National Vision Research Institute
The National Vision Research Institute is dedicated to research aimed at better understanding the complexities of vision and its disorders. Our goals are preventing blindness and restoring sight.
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Visual Functions Laboratory
This laboratory develops and applies behavioural and electrophysiological methods to better understand vision during development and ageing, as well as in the detection and monitoring of eye or systemic disease.
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Vision Optimisation Unit
The Vision Optimisation Unit aims to improve the vision of people with eye disease (particularly retinal disease), through medical vision restoration therapies, low vision aids, sensory substitution, and low vision rehabilitation