Dr Ajay Kumar Vijay

About Me:

Ajay Vijay is an Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW.  I specialize in ocular microbiology, with particular interests in animals models of corneal infections, development of new therapies for keratitis, contact lens and contact lens disinfecting agents. I actively collaborate with industry to test and develop disinfectant agents, evaluate novel antimicrobial agents and study the clinical efficacy of antimicrobial agents.

Education

PhD in Optometry (University of New South Wales, 2007)

BSc in Optometry (Birla Institute of Technology, 1993)

Research Goals

• Improving the safety and efficacy of contact lens related products such as multi-purpose disinfecting solutions and contact lens storage devices.

• To understand the effects of contact lenses on the defence systems of the eye.

• Research into contact lens related corneal infection and inflammations using animal models.

• Development of novel antimicrobial therapies to help combat ocular infections and inflammation.

Professional affiliations

Member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry

Member of the International Society of Contact Lens Research

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
• Tear film biochemistry, ocular homeostasis and pathology