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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