The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) teamed up with MDFA's webinar series to bring you the latest research updates on age-related macular degeneration – including how you can take part in vision research.
Did you know that one of the world's top five institutes for ophthalmology research is located right here in Australia?
The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) – an independent medical research institute affiliated with the University of Melbourne and based at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital – is a global leader in vision research.
CERA's macular research unit features world-leading researchers such as MDFA Research Grant recipients Professor Robyn Guymer, Associate Professor Chi Luu, Dr Luba Robman and Dr Zhichao Wu.
Dr Wu and clinical trial coordinator Tony Pham joined a recent MDFA webinar to discuss the latest research updates on age-related macular degeneration (AMD), such as CERA's Synergy High Risk AMD Study: a five-year project that aims to determine the causes and genetic associations of a high-risk form of AMD, reticular pseudodrusen (RPD).
Get involved in macular research clinical trials
As well as the latest on AMD research, the CERA team also explained how you can register your interest in being involved with vision research like the world-leading Synergy High Risk AMD Study.
"The optimum way to get yourself known to us is if you request a referral from your eye care practitioner," Tony told the MDFA webinar.
"The reason for that is because they [your eye care practitioner] are able to give us a detailed report as to the state of your eyes.
"More often than not they're able to also give us imaging of the macula particularly, which gives us more information about where we're looking for high risk features such as reticular pseudodrusen.
"That way we can look for the current studies that we are recruiting for and then marry them up and get them in contact with you."
Latest research updates on AMD: Watch this webinar on YouTube.
Learn more about macular research clinical trials
You can also register your interest in taking part in current or future clinical trials through CERA's website.
CERA's website provides more information about what to expect on your journey through a clinical trial as well as an up-to-date list of projects.
"If you can't get to an eye care practitioner, you can also self-register on our website as well: www.cera.org.au," Tony explained.
"The more information that you provide us, the easier it is for us to triage and put you into a study.
"We cannot do our research without our incredible patients… if you do decide to get involved, you'll be at the forefront of our AMD research."
MDFA's webinar series brings together expert guest speakers like CERA's Dr Zhichao Wu and Tony Pham – and it is completely free to attend all of these online education sessions.
You can view our upcoming webinars on our website, and catch up on the full CERA webinar on YouTube.