Research Themes
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Retinal imaging to enhance understanding of visual neurophysiology in health and disease
We have expertise in obtaining ultra-high-resolution images in the living eye, allowing individual cells in the retina to be visualised in both humans and animals.
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Functional neuroscience of the retina/visual pathway
The Department has well-established methods for measuring visual capacity in terms of visual performance and electrophysiology of the early visual pathways (retina to cortical (V1)).
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Cortical visual neuroscience
We study higher order (arising from brain processing) visual function and behaviour from several multidisciplinary perspectives (engineering, visual neuroscience, psychology, optometry).
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Ocular motor control mechanisms
We examine a range of eye movement control functions, in both reflexive and volitional eye movements, as well as eye movements involved in stabilizing and tracking moving objects in the world.
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Clinical Industry Research
Our department specialises in the undertaking of Phase III and IV clinical trials, particularly in the areas of dry eye disease and contact lens wear as well as diagnostic instrument trials and development.
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Ocular Immunology
Our department has expertise in assessing the biochemical mechanisms that underpin immunological and inflammatory responses in the eye (e.g. corneal and retinal) and on the eye's surface (e.g. in conditions of dry eye and contact lens wear), both in humans and in animal models of disease and injury.
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Translation of research into practice
We have expertise in surveying practice strategies within the optometric profession for presentation in the peer-reviewed literature, and to assist in providing targeted, evidence-based education to the profession.
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Prevention, Identification and Management of Vision Disorders
We have expertise in large collaborative epidemiological research whose themes include diabetes and cardiovascular disease, what we can do to detect and manage them better, and how these impact society more broadly.
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The role of visual attention in reading development and dyslexia
The basic cause of specific reading disability, commonly known as dyslexia, has been a matter of intense debate for decades.
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Bionic Eye
The research is aimed at building visual prosthetic devices, or bionic eyes, to return sight to the profoundly blind.