Congress Speakers
Prof Ben Hamer
Opening Lecture
Professor Ben Hamer is one of Australia’s few accredited futurists and is a global expert on the Future of Work. Ben has a Doctorate of Public Administration, which included time spent as a Visiting Scholar at Yale University, and is an Adjunct Professor with the Centre for Work and Wellbeing at Edith Cowan University.
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Presentation…
Ben Hamer
Professor Ben Hamer is one of Australia’s few accredited futurists and is a global expert on the Future of Work.
He heads up the Future of Work market for one of the world’s leading advisories and has worked at the World Economic Forum, where he led critical projects on the future of work, skills, and education. Ben is a Board Member for the Australian HR Institute, where he was appointed as the youngest Non-Executive Director in the organisation’s history and provides expert commentary across Australian media on a regular basis.
Ben has a Doctorate of Public Administration, which included time spent as a Visiting Scholar at Yale University, and is an Adjunct Professor with the Centre for Work and Wellbeing at Edith Cowan University. Coupled with his leading industry experience, Ben has advised ASX CEOs through to Government Ministers. He is a sought-after keynote speaker on the topic of life and work in the future, and what it all means for organisations, leaders, and workers.
Ben is the host of PwC Australia’s Future of Work podcast and author of iThe Kickass Career: How to succeed in the Future of Work, today.
Ben Hamer
To be advised
Prof Frank Martin
The Council Lecture
Frank Martin is a visiting ophthalmologist at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network at Westmead and at Sydney Eye Hospital. He is a Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney in the Departments of Paediatrics and Child Health and in Ophthalmology.
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Presentation…
Prof Frank Martin
Frank Martin is a visiting ophthalmologist at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network at Westmead and at Sydney Eye Hospital. He is a Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney in the Departments of Paediatrics and Child Health and in Ophthalmology. He is President of the Board of the Children’s Medical Research Institute and Chairman of the Asia Pacific Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the Asia Pacific Myopia Society and the Orthoptic Advisory Committee. He served as President of RANZCO from 1997-1998 and of the APAO from 2009-2013. He has also been President of the International Strabismological Association (ISA), the International Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Council (IPOSC) and a member of the Board of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Frank has received a number of Distinguished Awards including the RANZCO College Medal, the Jose Rizal Medal, the Michelle Beets Memorial Award, the ISO Mark Tso Golden Apple Award for teaching, a Secretariat Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, an Honour Award from the American Association of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the Linksz Medal from the ISA.
Frank has a special interest in strabismus and amblyopia and in paediatric eye disorders. He has been a strong advocate for preschool vision screening and was in the pivotal group that initiated the successful StEPS preschool vision screening program in NSW.
Frank has served the College in many ways throughout his career including being Editor of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology, Chairman of the Part II Court of Examiners, Treasurer and many years on the RANZCO NSW Branch Committee. Throughout his career he has played an active role in education and teaching of medical students, orthoptists and the next generation of ophthalmologists.
Prof Frank Martin
Towards a National Preschooler Vision Screening Program
The current status of preschooler vision screening in Australia will be reviewed. The development, implementation and independent evaluation of the Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening program (StEPS) will be described. The way forward to implement a national program will be addressed.
Vision screening of preschool children is appropriate because reduced vision can be reliability identified at that age and the child is within the critical period of visual development. This allows for intervention at an optimal time in order to reverse visual loss from amblyopia and correct refractive problems by the time of school entry.
Current vision screening programs vary between Australian states and territories. StEPS was implemented in 2008 in NSW with an outreach model providing the service at preschools, childcare centres and community health centres bringing vision screening to the child. Screeners included nurses, orthoptists, and lay-personnel. An independent evaluation of the StEPS program (2018) has endorsed the program as being cost-effective and universal, being offered to 96% of 4 year old pre-schoolers. There were high screening rates in rural and regional centres of NSW (84%) and increasingly accessed by the Indigenous population.
Vision 2020 established an early intervention committee (2021) to develop a national frame work for vision screening in 3.5 to 5.0 year olds based on StEPS protocol. Vision 2020 is advocating for this framework to become national.
RANZCO has included early detection of vision problems in childhood as one of the two pillars of its Vision 2030 plan and will play a major leadership role in implementing a National Preschooler Vision Screening Program.
Prof Helen Danesh-Meyer
The Dame Ida Mann Memorial Lecture
Helen Danesh-Meyer, MBChB, MD, PhD, FRANZCO is the first female Professor of Ophthalmology in New Zealand and holds the Sir William and Lady Stevenson Chair in Ophthalmology and Head of Academic Neuro-ophthalmology and Glaucoma. She was the youngest appointed professor at the University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and one of the few women who is professor in a surgical speciality.
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Presentation…
Prof Helen Danesh-Meyer
Helen Danesh-Meyer, MBChB, MD, PhD, FRANZCO is the first female Professor of Ophthalmology in New Zealand and holds the Sir William and Lady Stevenson Chair in Ophthalmology and Head of Academic Neuro-ophthalmology and Glaucoma. She was the youngest appointed professor at the University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and one of the few women who is professor in a surgical speciality. Helen is clinician-scientist that divides her time equally between patient care/surgery and research. She has published approximately 200 paper in glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and authored several textbooks and chapters and raised over $15M in grant funding. Several of her research findings have impacted clinical practice and her research has been featured in the New Scientist. She mentored over 20 clinical and research fellows. She is active teaching and education and regularly lectures nationally and internationally.
Her clinical expertise includes imaging modalities in neuro-ophthalmology, giant cell arteritis, ischaemic optic neuropathies, the role of astrocytes in optic neuropathies, and glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Several aspects of her clinical research have influenced and altered clinical management strategies in the international arena, in particular her work on imaging of the retinal nerve fibre layer in chiasmal compression. As a neuro-ophthalmologist she pioneered quantitative evaluation of the optic nerve and its morphological changes using optic nerve imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and scanning laser polarimetry. Over the last decades Professor Danesh-Meyer has established a basic science research unit which investigates mechanisms of injury and repair to the optic nerve and retina. In particular her research focusses on the temporal and spatial changes of connexin43(Cx43), a gap junction protein, following injury. This body of work has identified new therapeutic strategies of modulating Cx43 upregulation which results in neuronal rescue.
She has achieved numerous ‘firsts’ for NZ ophthalmologist: first NZ member of the international Glaucoma Research Society (membership determined by research contribution to the field), the first NZ ophthalmologist to be Visiting Professor at Harvard Fall Festival, first Australian or NZ to be appointed to the American Academy of Ophthalmology Basic Clinical Science Course and first NZ ophthalmologist to serve on the Editorial Board of American Journal of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology.
Helen is also an active contributor to the wider community. She is the only New Zealand Ophthalmologist to have been awarded the Paul Harris Award by Rotary for her service to the community. She is a Founding Trustee and Chair of Glaucoma New Zealand, a charitable trust to prevent blindness from glaucoma. She is also presently the Chair of Women in Ophthalmology for RANZCO.
Prof Helen Danesh-Meyer
An Eye on the Brain: Adding Insight to Injury
The convergence of technological advances opens opportunities for novel ocular biomarkers into brain function and disease. The retina and optic nerve share embryological, anatomical, immunologic responses and molecular findings to the brain. Furthermore, the complex white matter tract which coordinate eye movements provide insights into the brain in both health and disease. New technologies such as amplified MRI, eye tracking and optical visualisation provide exciting possibilities for paradigm shifts in our approach to neurological disease.
Prof Sarah Coupland
Oncology Update Lecture
Prof. Sarah Coupland is considered to be a trailblazer in the areas of Ophthalmic Pathology, Haematopathology, Molecular Pathology, and Biobanking. Originating from Australia, she is now living in UK where she is a senior Consultant Histopathologist at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (RLBUHT) and is also the ‘George Holt Chair of Pathology’ at the University of Liverpool, England.
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Presentation…
Prof Sarah Coupland
Prof. Sarah Coupland is considered to be a trailblazer in the areas of Ophthalmic Pathology, Haematopathology, Molecular Pathology, and Biobanking. Originating from Australia, she is now living in UK where she is a senior Consultant Histopathologist at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (RLBUHT) and is also the ‘George Holt Chair of Pathology’ at the University of Liverpool, England.
She leads the Supraregional Ophthalmic Pathology referral service at the RLBUHT. She is founder and head of the ‘Liverpool-Ocular-Oncology-Research-Group’ (www.loorg.org), which examines ocular melanomas and lymphomas. She was Director of the ‘North West Cancer Research Centre @UoL’ for 5 years (2014-2019).
Prof Coupland is current Vice President (Communications) of the UK’s Royal College of Pathologists, and General Secretary of ‘The Pathological Society’.
Internationally, she is President of the “International Society of Ophthalmic Pathology” (ISOP) and Vice-Chair of the ‘Ophthalmic Oncology Committee’ for the 8th TNM/AJCC Staging System. She contributed significantly to both the 7th and 8th Editions of the TNM/AJCC staging systems for Ophthalmic Tumours, and to the 4th Volume of the WHO Tumours of the Eye.
Previous posts have included: ARVO Vice-President 2017-8 and ARVO Trustee in ‘Anatomy-Pathology-Oncology’; Eye-Pathology Lead for the “European Society of Pathology” (ESP); and Past-President of the European “Ophthalmic-Oncology-Group” (OOG).
She has published ~330 scientific articles (H-index, 53, Scopus), has written ~75 Chapters, and has a significant grant income, including Horizon2020 European and NIH funding.
She has won several awards, including the International Council of Ophthalmology’s ‘Eye Pathology Award’ – given at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Barcelona, 2018 (https://icoph.org/about-the-ico/ico-awards-and-medals/) & the 2019 RCPath Excellence Award (https://www.rcpath.org/discover-pathology/news/rcpath-excellence-awards-winners-announced.html). She was included in the “Pathologist Power Lists” of 2019, 2020 and 2021. She was also listed amongst the ‘Top 100 Influential Women in Ophthalmology’ in 2021 (https://theophthalmologist.com/power-list/2021).
Prof. Coupland is very active in teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level and is a great proponent of academic pathology. She was amongst the Athena Swan Leadership committee of the University of Liverpool and has promoted academic female progression by other means.
Finally, she has given numerous Keynote lectures, organised symposia and courses, and regularly has Fellows from across the globe to receive training in molecular and ophthalmic pathology.
Prof Sarah Coupland
Update on Ocular Lymphomas: what’s new in the WHO
Ocular lymphomas can be divided into ocular adnexal lymphomas (OAL) and intraocular lymphomas. OAL (i.e., those affecting the orbit, eyelids, conjunctiva, lacrimal gland and lacrimal sac) account for approximately 10% of all extranodal lymphomas. Most are primary tumours and are usually NHL of B-cell type: the most common OAL subtypes are the low-grade malignant extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZL), followed by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphomas. Secondary involvement of the ocular adnexa by both systemic B- and T-NHL can occur.
Intraocular lymphomas are rare with the most common type being the vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL), which is usually a high-grade DLBCL occurring in the vitreous and retina, and with frequent involvement of the central nervous system. Other intraocular lymphomas are those arising as primary or secondary tumours in the uveal tract, with the most common being a choroidal EMZL.
In this lecture, I will present a brief overview of the upcoming 5th edition of the World Health Organization Classification (WHO) of Haematolymphoid Tumours focussing on lymphoid neoplasms, and how it relates to the above ocular lymphomas. I will highlight and explain pertinent changes from the revised 4th edition, including the reorganization of entities by a hierarchical system as adopted throughout the 5th edition of the WHO classification of tumours of all organ systems.
Prof Clare Gilbert
The Fred Hollows Lecture
Professor Clare Gilbert MB ChB., FRCOphth (Hons)., MD., MSc, trained in surgical retina and worked as a clinical ophthalmologist in the UK for 10 years. She has worked at the International Centre for Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK since 1990.
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Presentation…
Prof Clare Gilbert
Professor Clare Gilbert MB ChB., FRCOphth (Hons)., MD., MSc, trained in surgical retina and worked as a clinical ophthalmologist in the UK for 10 years. She has worked at the International Centre for Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK since 1990. Her main research interest is blindness in children in low and middle income countries, including refractive errors, ROP and cataract and primary eye care. Her other research interests are glaucoma in sub-Saharan Africa and primary eye care. She has undertaken studies in collaboration with colleagues in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Clare is a technical advisor to several non-government organizations including the Vision Impact Institute, Velux Stiftung, the USAID Child Blindness Program, and until recently, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust (the Trust). Between 2013 and 2019 she provided technical advice to two large scale programmes in India for ROP and diabetic retinopathy which were supported by The Trust.
Clare has facilitated over 30 workshops on ROP in Latin American countries, Vietnam, Central Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. She was a member of a group who contributed to PAHO’s Guidelines on ROP for South and Central America.
Clare is an author of 360 peer reviewed publications (more than 50 on ROP), and has co-authored 27 book chapters. She has received several international awards, including the Jules Francois Golden Award (ICO), the International Prevention of Blindness Award (AAO) and the Barrie Jones Award (Royal College of Ophthalmology).
Prof Clare Gilbert
Inequity in Eye Health
I have chosen this topic as it reflects Fred Hollow’s values, mission and passion yet inequity remains highly relevant to global eye health today. After defining inequity and eye health, regional data from the Global Burden of Diseases will be presented as well as data from national surveys and other studies in Africa and Asia, highlighting inequity in accesses to eye care services. Reasons for this will be outlined as well as current opportunities.
Prof Donald Tan
Cornea Update Lecture
Professor Donald Tan is a senior partner at the Eye & Cornea Surgeons division of Eye & Retina Surgeons (ERS), and Clinical Professor at the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program at Duke-National University of Singapore.
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Presentation…
Prof Donald Tan
MBBS FRCSG FRCSE FRCOphth FAMS
Professor Donald Tan is a senior partner at the Eye & Cornea Surgeons division of Eye & Retina Surgeons (ERS), and Clinical Professor at the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program at Duke-National University of Singapore. A founding doctor, and previous Medical Director of the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), Professor Tan is a global leader in the field of cornea and external disease and refractive surgery, with major contributions to the development of new techniques and devices in corneal transplantation and corneal refractive surgery. He has published over 430 peer-reviewed articles in the corneal, refractive and myopia fields, and is the recipient of over 30 international awards. He was a past president of the US-based Cornea Society and was inducted as a member of the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis in 2018. Dr Tan founded the Asia Cornea Society (ACS) and the Association of Eye Banks of Asia (AEBA), and is currently immediate past president and secretary general of ACS.
Prof Donald Tan
DMEK, the Artificial Iris, and the Virtual Cornea Clinic
Descemets membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) has come of age as the potentially ideal approach to corneal endothelial replacement but is fraught with technical challenges in complex cases with anterior segment co-morbidities such as aniridia, peripheral anterior synechiae, glaucoma drainage tubes, an absent or unstable lens iris diaphragm, and aphakia. A staged approach involving reconstruction of the anterior chamber (AC) with iris removal and placement of an artificial iris, followed by DMEK, is presented. A series of cases is presented, in which recreation of a normalized AC with the use of the artificial iris, allows for simpler and more predictable DMEK surgery, especially when the DMEK pull-through approach is utilized. Such patients require prolonged and close subspeciality and multisubspecialty follow-up, and in this COVID-19 era of lock-downs, and travel restrictions, the Virtual Cornea Clinic (VCC) was established between 2 Asian countries to monitor and look after such complex corneal cases.
Prof Ian McAllister
The Norman Gregg McAlister Lecture
Professor Ian McAllister is Professor of Ophthalmology at UWA, a consultant ophthalmologist at the LEI, an emeritus consultant at Royal Perth Hospital, and a member of the Board of Directors at the LEI. He specialises in the treatment and researching of vitreoretinal disorders and treatments.
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Presentation…
Prof Ian McAllister
MBBS, DM (UWA), FRANZCO, FRACS
Professor Ian McAllister is Professor of Ophthalmology at UWA, a consultant ophthalmologist at the LEI, an emeritus consultant at Royal Perth Hospital, and a member of the Board of Directors at the LEI. He specialises in the treatment and researching of vitreoretinal disorders and treatments.
Professor McAllister completed medical and ophthalmology post graduate training in Western Australia, before obtaining additional sub-specialty training in vitreoretinal disorders in the USA. He gained a doctorate in medicine from UWA after his return.
He is actively involved in research for cures for vitreoretinal disorders – especially retinal vascular disorders and macular degeneration – and developed the world’s only causal-based treatment for retinal venous occlusion. He has held multiple NHMRC and numerous minor grants in this field.
Professor McAllister has been involved for many years in State-wide diabetic retinopathy screening and treatment and was vice-chairman of the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia and chairman of the Research Board for many years.
He has published extensively with over 160 peer reviewed papers and is in constant demand as an invited speaker for national and international conferences.
Professor McAllister is the recipient several major international awards.
Prof Ian McAllister
Retinal Vein occlusion: Where are we and where are we going?
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) was originally described by Liebreich in 1855 using his newly invented stand ophthalmoscope. It remains troubling that in the subsequent 168 years, despite some advances in controlling sequelae, we are no closer to developing a lasting cure for this condition which remains a common cause of unilateral visual loss. Treatments have evolved from laser ablation to specific intravitreal cytokine antagonists. Whilst there have been considerable improvements in outcomes these are achieved at both significant expense and burdens of therapy.
These treatments address only some of the sequelae of the obstruction to venous outflow that exists in this condition and have no effect on either the underlying pathology or induced significant elevations in venous pressure. If we are going to maximise visual outcomes and reduce treatment burdens an effective method of relieving this obstruction needs to be also developed. We also need to understand more completely the sequence of cytokine upregulation that occurs to more appropriately target the induced dysregulation.
This presentation will examine the progress that has been made in both these areas. The relief of outflow obstruction has focused on both direct methods which have significant limitations and indirect ones with the development of the laser induced chorio-retinal bypass. Intra-retinal cytokine upregulation studies give us information on what is happening within the retina as a consequence of the RVO rather than relying on levels that leach into the aqueous and vitreous. This does have implications for timing of antagonists and preserving retinal neural elements.
Prof Graham Barrett AM
Cataract Update Lecture
Graham David Barrett is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Lions Eye Institute as well as Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth Western Australia and is a Clinical Professor in the University Department of Ophthalmology of Western Australia. His special areas of interest include cataract and implant surgery, as well as corneal and keratorefractive surgery.
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Presentation…
Prof Graham Barrett AM
Graham David Barrett is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Lions Eye Institute as well as Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth Western Australia and is a Clinical Professor in the University Department of Ophthalmology of Western Australia. His special areas of interest include cataract and implant surgery, as well as corneal and keratorefractive surgery.
Professor Barrett has been especially active in the field of small incision cataract surgery and phacoemulsification and has published many papers and is the author of several chapters in text books on related topics. He has produced several videos on cataract and refractive surgery, which have won awards at the ASCRS and ESCRS Annual Film Festivals. He is the recipient of the Harold Ridley Medal as well as the Binkhorst Medal.
His special areas of interests include, lens prediction formulae, new techniques in cataract surgery and intraocular lens implant surgery, intraocular lens implant design as well as refractive surgical techniques, including epikeratoplasty, synthetic refractive on-lays and in-lays and keratoscopic devices. He has developed innovative instruments for all cataract surgery as well as phacoemulsification equipment and intraocular implants, which are widely used by surgeons.
Professor Barrett has been on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, European Journal of Implant and Refractive Surgery and past international representative for the Asia Pacific Region of the International Society of Refractive Keratoplasty. He is currently a board member of the International Society of Refractive Surgeons, past President of the International Intraocular Implant Club, Past President of the Asia Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Editor of the EyeWorld Asia Pacific publication and is also the current and founding President of the Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.
Prof Graham Barrett AM
Intraocular Lens Selection – Optical Principle of Choice
Surgeons have many choices today when selecting an IOL. One of the most important factors to consider is the optical principle they think best addresses their patients need for unaided near vision following cataract surgery.
For many years Multifocal IOLs with more than one focal plane have been the most common type of IOL implanted for patients requesting spectacle independence. Diffractive IOLs are able to provide excellent unaided vision but the quality of vision may be compromised and associated dysphotopsia is not uncommon. Intraocular lenses which extend the depth of focus have become available and are based on several different optical principles which can avoid many of the issues encountered with multifocals.
These lenses can be used in conjunction with modest levels of monovision for additional spectacle independence. An understanding of the optical principles of the different lenses is important as well as familiarity with clinical data, patient outcomes and even an element of philosophy in choosing an appropriate lens.
The lecture will provide an update on the different type of so-called “Extended Depth of Focus” or “Monofocal Plus” lenses which are likely to challenge Multifocals as a preferred intraocular lens for cataract surgery.
Prof James Bainbridge
Retina Update Lecture
James Bainbridge is a Consultant Retinal Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital London and holds the Chair of Retinal Studies at University College London. He studied medicine at the University of Cambridge and trained in clinical ophthalmology at Moorfields.
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Presentation…
Prof James Bainbridge
James Bainbridge is a Consultant Retinal Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital London and holds the Chair of Retinal Studies at University College London. He studied medicine at the University of Cambridge and trained in clinical ophthalmology at Moorfields. His postgraduate academic training, PhD and postdoctoral research at UCL were supported by Wellcome Trust Fellowships and a UK National Institute for Health Research Research Professorship. As a surgeon-scientist his aim is to protect and restore sight by developing new treatments for diseases of the retina. His programme of translational research extends from the laboratory investigation of mechanisms of disease to clinical trials of new medical and surgical interventions. Awards for his achievements include the US Foundation Fighting Blindness Board of Directors’ Award and the 2018 Champalimaud Vision Award. In 2020 he was elected Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences.
Prof James Bainbridge
Gene Therapy – opportunities and challenges
The eye has key advantages as a target organ for gene therapy and has provided an examplar for applications in other organ systems Targeting of genes to the outer retina may be achieved by transvitreal or transchoroidal approaches to the subretinal space, or by intravitreal injection of vectors modified to traverse the inner retina. Supplementation of genes to surviving retinal cells can dramatically improve the outcome for specific genetic deficiencies. The successful amelioration of RPE65-deficiency in clinical trials and the licencing of voretigene neparvovec have been landmarks in the development of this novel technology. To realise the potential for treatment of other genetic retinal diseases, however, several specific challenges must be addressed. The supplementation of large genes will depend on the development of new vector systems that provide greater capacity. Optimal safety and efficacy will demand improved control of both genetic dosing and harmful inflammatory responses. While gene supplementation can help compensate for deficiencies, recent advances in gene editing offer the potential for lasting cure by permanent correction of gene defects. Trials to evaluate the impact of these novel approaches must be designed with reliable and relevant outcome measures that demonstrate improved quality of life.
Prof Debra Goldstein
Uveitis Update Lecture
Dr. Debra Anne Goldstein received her medical degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she subsequently completed an ophthalmology residency. She then pursued a fellowship in uveitis and ocular immunology at McGill followed by a second fellowship in uveitis at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Goldstein has published over 250 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, and has lectured widely all over the world.
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Prof Debra Goldstein
Dr. Debra Anne Goldstein received her medical degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she subsequently completed an ophthalmology residency. She then pursued a fellowship in uveitis and ocular immunology at McGill followed by a second fellowship in uveitis at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Goldstein has published over 250 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, and has lectured widely all over the world. She has conducted extensive investigator initiated and multicenter research projects. She has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Life Achievement Honor award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the AAO Secretariat Award for special contributions to the Academy, Unsung Hero recognition from the AAO, as well as an AOA clinical teaching award. She was twice awarded the Golden Apple Award for Best Teacher in Ophthalmology when she was a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In April of 2017 she was awarded the prestigious Magerstadt Professorship in Ophthalmology. In 2021 she became an ARVO Silver Fellow. Dr. Goldstein is currently the Magerstadt Professor of Ophthalmology as well as the Director of the Uveitis Service in the Department of Ophthalmology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
Dr Janey Wiggs
Glaucoma Update Lecture
Janey Wiggs, MD, PhD is the Paul Austin Chandler Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and is the Vice Chair for Clinical Research in Ophthalmology, Associate Director of the Ocular Genomics Institute, and the Director of the Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory at Mass. Eye and Ear.
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Presentation…
Dr Janey Wiggs
Janey Wiggs, MD, PhD is the Paul Austin Chandler Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and is the Vice Chair for Clinical Research in Ophthalmology, Associate Director of the Ocular Genomics Institute, and the Director of the Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory at Mass. Eye and Ear. Dr. Wiggs received her BA and PhD degrees in biochemistry from the University of California at Berkeley and her MD degree from Harvard. She completed an ophthalmology residency at Mass. Eye and Ear and fellowship training in glaucoma and in medical genetics and is board certified in both Ophthalmology and in Medical Genetics. Dr. Wiggs’ research program is focused on the discovery and characterization of genetic factors that contribute to the blinding eye disease glaucoma and is funded by the National Eye Institute. She currently serves on a number of editorial and scientific advisory boards, is a past member of the National Advisory Council of the National Eye Institute and is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Dr Janey Wiggs
Using genetics for glaucoma risk assessment and stratification
Early disease detection and treatment are necessary to preserve vision in glaucoma patients, yet current methods lack the ability to pre-symptomatically identify people at risk and many people affected by glaucoma are undiagnosed. Genes that contribute to glaucoma development can be used for genetic testing and risk stratification. A number of genes causing early-onset forms of glaucoma have been discovered, and many genetic risk variants influencing disease susceptibility have been identified using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Genetic testing using early-onset glaucoma genes can identify pre-symptomatic mutation carriers as well as inform risk assessment and genetic counseling. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) derived from genome-wide association studies are useful for risk stratification in adult populations, and high genetic burden as defined by the PRS can impact disease features as well as interaction with other risk factors. This lecture will review currently known glaucoma genes and genetic risk variants as well as the clinical utility of genetic testing in glaucoma patients.