Optogenetics and Functional Restoration

• Loss of photoreceptors is the final common pathway to vision loss in inherited retinal disease and advanced macular degeneration. We are developing optogenetic approaches to restore light sensitivity to surviving inner retinal neurons using microbial and animal opsins. This work is complemented by advanced functional testing, including psychophysical measures, to quantify restoration of meaningful vision.
• Supported by the NHMRC, Macular Disease Foundation Australia, and Australian Vision Research.

Retinal Explants and Progenitor Biology

• Loss of photoreceptors is the final common pathway to vision loss in inherited retinal disease and advanced macular degeneration. We are developing optogenetic approaches to restore light sensitivity to surviving inner retinal neurons using microbial and animal opsins. This work is complemented by advanced functional testing, including psychophysical measures, to quantify restoration of meaningful vision.
• Supported by the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation and the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Retinal Bioglue and Surgical Repair Platforms

• Retinal detachment is a common indication for emergency surgery, with current approaches relying on gas or oil tamponade which are associated with significant ocular & visual morbidity. We are developing a novel light-activated bioglue to seal retinal breaks intraoperatively, with the potential to eliminate the need for intraocular gas or oil and reduce proliferative vitreoretinopathy. This work sits within a broader program of surgical innovation and therapeutic delivery, including investigator-initiated trials of subretinal injection techniques and first-in-human studies of novel intraocular devices.
• Supported by the Macula Society (USA) and the Australian Economic Accelerator (AEA Ignite).

Clinical Trials and First-in-Human Studies

• We lead and contribute to early-phase and investigator-initiated clinical trials in retinal disease, spanning pharmacologic, surgical, and device-based therapies. This includes the 1,2-SIT randomised trial of subretinal injection techniques (ANZCTR ACTRN12619001121156), the ONL1204 phase I neuroprotection study in retinal detachment (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03780972), and first-in-human evaluation of the LongBridge (LensOne) prosthetic capsular bag (ANZCTR ACTRN12623000305628).
• We are also Principal Investigator for PRIMAlia (subretinal neural prosthesis; NCT07266584) and have extensive experience in implantable and sustained-delivery therapies, including Renexus (NT-501; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03316300) and the Velodrome port delivery system study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04657289), for which our centre has led implantation volumes in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Key publications arising from this work include the 1,2-SIT randomised controlled trial (American Journal of Ophthalmology, 2025) and first-in-human outcomes of the prosthetic capsular bag (Ophthalmology, 2026).

• Professor Matthew Simunovic
• Dr Jing Jing You
• Dr Lay Khoon Too
• Dr Dario Protti

Visual Function in Retinal Disease 

• We use psychophysical techniques, including selective perimetry, threshold versus intensity testing, colour vision assessment and dark adaptation to explore clinical phenotypes and to design appropriate tests for characterising and monitoring function in patients with retinal disease. 
• We also seek to explain clinical observations through hypothesis driven psychophysical testing. Results are correlated with advanced imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography. Ultimately, we hope to predict function based upon structure. 
• This work is supported by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and the Global Ophthalmology Awards program. 

Sub-retinal injection randomised controlled trial

• Sub-retinal injection is a surgical approach used to deliver novel therapies – such as gene and cell therapy – to the retina. We have recently completed a randomised controlled trial which investigated the optimal method of delivering treatment via sub-retinal injection (ACTRN12619001121156). 

LensOne Phase I Trial

• Dislocation of implanted lenses during or following cataract surgery can occur in 0.2-3% of cases and may require the insertion of secondary intraocular lenses. The latter are frequently associated with slow recovery and uncorrected refractive error. The lens one device is a novel platform which functionally replaces the lens capsule (ACTRN12623000305628) which is designed to facilitate faster recovery and which is compatible with most types of implantable intraocular lenses. 

Fight Inherited Retinal Blindness!

• This is a new Save Sight Registry module directed at tracking the natural history – and uniquely – treatment outcomes following retinal gene therapy (voretigene neparvovec/Luxturna) in patients with inherited retinal disease.

• Professor Matthew Simunovic
• Dr Dong An
• Dr Charbel Vinolo
• Dr Lay Khoon Too
• Ms Catherine Le