Cooperative Research Centre for
Eye Research and Technology

section heading graphic   Overview

The Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology (CRCERT) is dedicated to developing better ways of correcting vision. Almost two thirds of the world’s population requires some form of vision correction, and through its dynamic integrated research program, and communication links with international research and industry, CRCERT hopes to contribute to eyecare and the ophthalmic industry in Australia and internationally.

section heading graphic   Competitive Advantages

CRCERT research is firmly based on the skills and expertise of its researchers, as they can be used to address specific market opportunities for the eyecare needs of the community.

The Ultimate Contact Lens

The ultimate contact lens is comfortable and biocompatible to the point where it may be left in the eye indefinitely. This lens would bring contact lenses into true competition with spectacles as the method of choice for vision correction. The highly oxygen permeable extended wear lenses developed by the collaboration of CRCERT and CIBA Vision have solved the problems of hypoxia. However there are still improvements to be made in the biocompatibility of such products.

CRCERT is investigating four areas which will contribute to the Ultimate Contact Lens -

  • Surface compatibility: The Project aims to create a highly biocompatible lens surface. This will address current issues of comfort and dryness, and may also reduce the incidence of biochemical and microbiological contamination.
  • Avoiding bacterial contamination: Bacterial contamination is a leading cause of infection and inflammation associated with contact lenses and other devices in contact with human tissues, and inflammation is one of major reasons for the discontinuation of contact lens wear. Anti-bacterial strategies which prevent contamination and colonisation of biomedical devices will therefore have enormous potential use within biomedicine. CRCERT has identified unique and promising anti-bacterial strategies.
  • Ocular comfort: Ocular discomfort affects a significant proportion of the population, and ocular dryness is the most common symptom associated with contact lens wear, which can lead to contact lens intolerance. The Project aims to determine the aetiology of ocular discomfort, and to develop rational strategies for modulating ocular sensations.
  • Clinical research: CRCERT clinical research is at the forefront of clinical science in the field, with state-of-the-art support for clinical studies, including direct data entry, digital image capture for all ocular conditions, instant data access, and effective systems for collecting, storing, analysing and transporting data on thousands of patients between participants and collaborators on four continents. The CRCERT clinic provides invaluable feedback to CRCERT contact lens and other projects.

Surgical Correction of Sight

The majority of patients who require vision correction are looking for a permanent means of correcting this disability. CRCERT is looking at two surgical methods to address this need -

  • The implantable contact lens: A corneal onlay, or implantable contact lens, would provide a treatment for moderate and high refractive errors attributable to high myopia or to aphakia as a consequence of cataract surgery, and would also be applicable to a partial thickness replacement of scarred or diseased corneal tissue. The Implantable Contact Lens would offer a number of advantages over refractive surgery, including reversibility, an in-office procedure requiring less surgical skill, and faster recovery for the patient.
  • Restoring accommodation: During close work such as reading, the eye must increase its refractive power to provide the close focus required. This involves a change in the shape and refractive index of the crystalline lens. The vision of the ageing eye is inevitably altered by two ocular changes - presbyopia and cataract - which affect this active focussing system. A ‘smart’ intraocular lens, which can change shape in response to the contraction and relaxation of the muscles of the eye, would provide normal active accommodation and restore normal vision to the enormous number of presbyopic and cataract patients worldwide.

Research Platforms

While the Projects of the Centre are product focussed, CRCERT and industry agree on the need to develop basic understanding in a range of areas. Research Platforms within CRCERT develop and maintain a core of exploratory and basic scientific research which is then applied in Projects or spun off. The Platforms include Optics and vision, Biological Sciences, Materials, Clinical Sciences, and Business strategies.

section heading graphic   Corporate Alliances/Partnerships

CRC Partners

  • University of New South Wales (Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit; School of Optometry; Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering; and Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital)
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Division of Molecular Science)
  • Queensland University of Technology (School of Optometry)
  • University of Western Sydney (School of Biological Sciences)
  • Victorian College of Optometry (National Vision Research Institute)
  • Optometric Vision Research Foundation.

Other partnerships

  • International Centre for Eyecare Education
  • International Association of Contact Lens Educators
  • Institute for Eye Research
  • LV Prasad Eye Institute
  • Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Contact Person Kylie Evans
Job Title Communications Manager
Address CRCERT,
The University of NSW
City/Suburb UNSW
NSW 2052 Australia
Email k.evans@crcert.unsw.edu.au
Phone +61 2 9385 7406
Fax +61 2 9385 7401
Website Address www.crcert.org

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