Eye Infection and Contact Lenses

Competitive advantage

• A consortium of interdisciplinary local and international researchers committed to providing better health for wearers of contact lens medical devices, and other individuals prone to corneal infection
• Strong strategic partnerships with regulators, industry, basic scientists, mathematicians, clinicians and patients
• Expertise in epidemiological genomics, immunology, microbiology, tissue imaging, mathematical modelling

Impact

• Improved contact lens safety
• Understanding of patient genetic and immunological susceptibility and response to corneal infection

Successful outcomes

• Demonstrated that some contact lens wearers are genetically predisposed to corneal infection
• Identification of contact lens solution responsible for an outbreak of severe infection, leading to its subsequent withdrawal from market
• Co-design of “Patient Information” for severe infection with a consumer advocate
• Champion of consumer-designed imaging for healthy contact lens wear

Capabilities and facilities

• Proven patient recruitment and involvement in research
• Broad range of basic science, imaging and clinical data integration
• Translation of research into practice