Vitreo-Retinal

We conduct a range of clinical trials, studies, and laboratory research into age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular oedema and macular holes and other conditions involving the retina, macula and vitreous fluid that require surgeries.

Our research is connected with Sydney Retina and Day Surgery, which is an ophthalmic practice in central Sydney, primarily focussed on the care of patients with vitreo-retinal conditions.

Research areas

Clinical trials false
Donor eye program false
Patterns of macular function impairment false

Clinical trials

Research such as clinical trials are essential for advancing treatments and understanding vitreo-retinal eye conditions, such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment.

These conditions are leading causes of blindness and vision impairment, and many of them currently have limited treatment options or impose significant burdens to patients.

Through clinical trials, researchers can test new therapies, refine existing treatments, and discover innovative ways to prevent or slow disease progression. Research also helps identify biomarkers for early diagnosis and improve patient outcomes by personalising treatments.

Additionally, clinical trials contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these conditions, which is crucial for developing more effective, targeted interventions.

Intravitreal Aflibercept for the Treatment of Previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment resistant AMD (Eylea study)

The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of intravitreal Aflibercept for patients with exudative AMD that have responded poorly to previous anti -VEGF therapies.
The study recruited 50 patients for 24 month treatment and follow-up.

The effectiveness of Aflibercept through individualised treatment on exudative AMD patients

This is an observational study of patients receiving aflibercept for AMD. § Patients are given three initial loading does, then followed monthly and treated with an “as need” regime based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and vision criteria.

Saffron and atrophic AMD. A clinical trial investigating the effect of saffron on the progression of atrophic AMD

In conjunction with Sydney Retina and Day Surgery, we are conducting a clinical trial investigating the effect of saffron on the progression of atrophic AMD.
This is a 6-month prospective, double blind, placebo controlled crossover study, with a further 12-month extension phase.
Outcomes will primarily be measured by visual acuity, flicker perimetry, electrophysiology (mfERG and pERG) and adverse event monitoring. Secondary measures include OCT, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and retinal examination findings.

Intravitreal aflibercept for the treatment of treatment resistant diabetic macular oedema

This is a prospective, non randomised clinical trial with 24 month treatment and follow up period.
The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of intravitreal Aflibercept in the treatment of macular oedema with central involvement secondary to diabetes that resistant to the previous

Professor Andrew Chang
Dr Bobak Bahrami
Dr Geoffrey Broadhead
Dr Haitao Li
Dr Thomas Hong
Dr Timothy Schlub
Dr Kimberly Spooner
Dr Meidong Zhu
Ms Wijeyanthy Wijeyakumar

Donor eye program

Correlating clinical data with histopathological findings (clinicopathological correlation) provide new insights into retinal diseases.

Unfortunately, such research is hampered by lack of human ocular tissues to study pathological processes that are not adequately replicated by cell culture or animal models. It is therefore vital to collect human ocular tissues in quantities to facilitate medical research in this area.

Clinicopathological correlation studies in retinal diseases

A donor eye program has been established at in Sydney Vitreo-Retinal Research Group in collaboration with the Lions NSW Eye Bank, providing an opportunity for patients to bequeath their eyes for both corneal transplantation and ocular disease research purposes. Eye donation consent, retrieval and processing procedure are followed TGA approved NSW Tissue Bank protocol.
Over 350 patients have been enrolled in this program. 14 patients had donated their eyes in the past 2 years, resulting 26 corneal transplantation and 28 poterior eye cups for retinal research.
The obtained research tissues have been studying to better understand the mechanisms underlying of AMD, which would allow for more focused therapeutic design and improve patient care.

Professor Andrew Chang
Dr Jamie Chew
Dr Thomas Hong
Dr Adil Syed
Dr Meidong Zhu

Patterns of macular function impairment

Assessing vision from a standard eye test can provide a broad indication of visual function, however macular function assessment provides a more detailed picture of central visual function.

Research in macular function impairment can provide detailed insights into specific areas of underlying anatomic dysfunction and how it relates to visual problems in retinal conditions such as macular holes and epiretinal membranes.

This can aid in monitoring disease progression, how it affects visual function and may facilitate earlier intervention as well as assessing the efficacy of treatment over time.

Correlation of Macular Structure and Function Using Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA) and Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) on patients with macular hole and macular epiretinal membranes

This study is to systematically describe patterns of impairment of macular function in patients with focal macular disease including macular hole and epiretinal macular membrane using MAIA micro perimeter.
It will also methodically correlate macular function impairment with structural pathology identified on ocular coherence tomography (OCT) and digital fundus photography.

Professor Andrew Chang
Dr Nicholas Chow
Dr Geoffrey Broadhead
Dr Thomas Hong
Dr Kimberly Spooner
Dr Adil Syed
Dr Meidong Zhu

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Mailing address
South Block, Sydney Eye Hospital
8 Macquarie Street
Sydney, NSW 2000

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