Preventing injuries and promoting health, safety and mobility for older people with age-related eye disease | Research Capability & Technology Portfolio

Eye health is a critical enabler of wellbeing. A multitude of factors contribute to age-related deterioration in eye health. Demonstrated ability to assemble multi-disciplinary teams to address priority issues in injury prevention and eye health, innovate and build capacity in this sector. Research has been translated through engagement with legislators, government programs, industry, consumers and the scientific community.

Competitive advantage

Developed 'In-vehicle' monitoring for road safety and accelerometers for investigating activity in older people at risk of falls are new research methods. Both of these technologies have been used in large scale interventional trials
Established networks in the eye health sector and government to design studies which have the capacity to translate into policy and practice

Impact

Addresses the two major causes of injuries (falls and road traffic injuries) which increase dramatically with older age and in visually impaired populations.
Better understanding of mechanisms of injury risk
Better value eyecare which will aid in early diagnosis and appropriate referral to appropriate care for diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration
Timely access to healthy ageing programs and rehabilitation services to enhance the independence of older people living with vision impairment
Promotion of safe mobility for older people through falls prevention and road traffic injury prevention
Evaluation of promising solutions to these issues including streamlining of cataract surgical services, targeted falls prevention and novel solutions for older driver safety

Successful outcomes

Template for cataract surgery referrals developed at NSW Health for State-wide implementation in 2019.
Investigation is proposed into the cost-effectiveness of timely cataract surgery.
Comprehensive review of the licensing regime.
Investigaton of semi-autonomous vehicle technology and the driver-vehicle interface.
NSW Health Model of Care for community management of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, 2019.

Capabilities and facilities

Expertise in community based clinical trials of complex interventions
Patient reported outcomes, economic evaluations, discrete choice modelling and co-design

Our partners

NSW Health Agency for Clinical Innovation
Transport for NSW
Centre for Road Safety
Local Health Districts: Western Sydney, South East Sydney, Mid North Coast, Northern Sydney, South-West Sydney
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Optometrists Association
Vision2020
Glaucoma Australia