Research in Detail

Contact lenses

This research focuses on the development of antimicrobial contact lenses and ways of controlling microbial colonisation of contact lens cases during use to prevent keratitis during lens wear. In order for the contact lens market to grow, infections that occur during wear, and comfort for the wearer must be addressed. These projects also involve collaborations with international industry partners. (Willcox, Stapleton)

Epidemiology of contact lens-related infection

Contact lens-related infection is a rare but severe disease and the only complication of contact lens wear to result in loss in vision. This group has established international collaborations to determine the risks of disease, health outcomes, and community costs of eye infections, visual loss and morbidity. Recent areas of interest include epidemiological studies to establish risks associated with contemporary lens wear modalities, studies of virulence characteristics of causative organisms and disease outcomes and understanding host factors in corneal infection. (Stapleton)

Dry eye and contact lens discomfort

Dry eye affects up to 50% of Asian populations and is associated with significant cost and morbidity. This group is exploring the epidemiology, natural history, pathophysiology and genetic determinants of dry eye in Australia and response to treatment in conjunction with our national and international partners. Basic research projects include exploring lipid production by Meibomian gland cells in culture.

For more detail on specifics on Professor Stapleton’s research please see http://www.optometry.unsw.edu.au/research/current-research

Current Student Projects (PhD, Masters and Honours)

• Microbiological profile and drug resistance in corneal infections

• The role of oestrogen in dry eye

• Risk factors in contact lens related disease

• Antimicrobial contact lenses and storage cases  - efficacy and safety

• The significance of corneal responses to rubbing-related ocular trauma in keratoconus

• A study on Infectious Keratitis in Asia

• Improving outcomes by biosampling ocular surface disease: metabolites expression in corneal infiltrative events associated with contact lens wear

• Corneal neural markers and dendritic cells in ocular allergy and dry eye

• The effect of age and contact lens wear on the inflammatory status of the cornea

• Investigation of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antimicrobials and contact lens disinfectants to explore survival of organisms in contact lens storage cases

• Examining new ways of visualising tear film lipids using optical properties of quantum dots

• iCare Track: measuring the appropriateness of eye care delivery in Australia

• Pathogenic traits of S. aureus associated with keratitis

• Ocular surface sensitivity

• Development and characterisation of a 3D biofabricated meibomian gland

Supervision Opportunities/Areas

Please contact Professor Stapleton to find out more about research opportunities.

Research Groups

• Eye Research Group
• Ocular Surface Research (Inc. Dry Eye and Contact Lenses)

Research Topics

• Contact lens related infection: epidemiology, microbiology and microbial pathogenesis, resistance to antimicrobials

• Dry eye: contact lens wear, innervation and symptoms, sex hormones

• Ocular surface disease: allergy, biomarkers, diabetes, keratoconus, obesity and nutrition

• Ocular therapeutics and drug delivery

• Tear film biochemistry, ocular homeostasis and pathology

• Functionalised nanoparticles as contrast agents for bio-imaging

• Quality of eye care, evidence-based practice, health systems research