Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Research interests range from clinical trials in glaucoma, retina and cornea; through to oculoplastic & orbital surgery; through to blindness prevention research in SE Asia. The Discipline is also actively involved in both undergraduate and postgraduate education.

We are a centre of excellence in eye care in Australia and incorporates all ophthalmic subspecialty services. It is the largest provider of ophthalmic care to the people of South Australia and sees over 45,000 outpatients and performs over 3000 procedures per year.

Research

We have a very active and successful research program encompassing basic science, clinical and epidemiological studies. Since 2005 we have generated over $9.7million in grant funding and published over 600 papers in peer reviewed journals.

Ophthalmic Research Laboratory (ORL)

ORL has achieved great success in ground breaking research on aspects of retinal cell biology and glaucoma, using both in vitro and in vivo systems and state of the art molecular biology techniques. Some of its work has already been translated into further study in clinical trials.

Projects include understanding the pathogenesis of glaucoma and developing a new neuroprotective agent to treat this disease; getting a better understanding of retinal/photoreceptor metabolism; and researching alternative laser treatment for retinal diseases.

Clinical research

Oculoplastic and Orbital Division

The Department which is located at the Royal Adelaide Hospital is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery. Its Fellowship program is one of the most sought after world-wide.  Areas of research include the management of skin malignancy in the periocular region, orbital oncology and the development of new surgical techniques in orbital surgery and eyelid reconstruction.

Cataract and refractive surgery

The main focus of research at TQEH Department of Ophthalmology is the vision and refractive outcome of cataract surgery.  New intra-ocular lens designs are trialled and assessed.  New methods of calculating intraocular lens power are developed and assessed.  There is a particular focus on the surgical management of astigmatism and presbyopia.  New projects are progressed by the Fellow in Cataract and Refractive Surgery under the supervision of Associate Professor Michael Goggin.  Fellows have the facility not only to publish their findings but also to submit theses from their work for Masters and Doctoral degrees. 

Clinical trials

Our Eye departments at both Royal Adelaide Hospital & Queen Elizabeth Hospital are highly sought after in sponsored multi-centre clinical trials, studying new treatments for a range of ophthalmic conditions and diseases. Our clinical researchers are also proactive in conducting in-house clinical trials and research, including studies and audits of Age Related Macular Degeneration treatment, glaucoma, cataracts and orbital tumours. 

Public health/epidemiology studies

The Discipline of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has completed several studies of the prevalence of trachoma, refractive error and diabetic retinopathy among the indigenous communities of South Australia. In addition, through its affiliation with the Sight For All Foundation, regular field research is conducted in developing countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, to determine the magnitude and causes of blindness in those countries.

Teaching

The Discipline has ongoing teaching commitments to medical undergraduate students.  This includes clinical placements and university lectures/tutes and hands-on practical sessions. Honours projects are available for students interested in research.

A Master of Philosophy (Ophthalmology) degree is available for eligible candidates.  This degree is research only (2 years full time) with no course work requirement. The degree may involve any aspect of ophthalmology including laboratory-based ophthalmic science, clinical research or epidemiology.

Postgraduate ophthalmology training/fellowships

Our campuses at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital are accredited by Royal Australian New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (RANZCO) for the ophthalmology training programme.  Supervised clinical and surgical training sessions, as well as a fully functional Wet Lab are available for Trainees.

In addition, a number of 12 month Fellowships are available in a range of ophthalmology sub-specialties:  Senior Registrar, Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Oculoplastics, Medical Retina and Surgical Retina. 

See the Discipline of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences fellowship opportunities brochure for more information. Enquiries can be directed to: eye@health.sa.gov.au.

Contact us