Supporting eye research in the Wellington region
Capital Vision Research Trust employs medical students and eye doctors as researchers, and supported several Advanced Training Glaucoma Fellows in clinical training and research activities. The Trust's laboratory and clinical examination equipment enables ongoing research.
The Trust has enabled the establishment of major research projects and leads the world in some facets of eye research. This research has been published in major ophthalmology journals with positive peer review and high citation rates.
Research publications supported by Capital Vision Research Trust include:
Lecture Series for Optometrists
This lecture series has been running since 2004. Lectures are given by local ophthalmologists, registrars, researchers, and fellows, and optometrists often present any interesting cases for discussion.
These meetings not only provide important support and networking opportunities for the eye community in central New Zealand, but support from attendees provides and important source of research funding.
Innovative Fundraising
Annually, on the anniversary of the Dominion Post, Capital Vision Research Trust and The Dominion Post have held a photograph exhibition and auction over the past three years. The special thing about this exhibition is that the images are chosen by the photographers themselves - five each of their favourite shots from a year of full-time professional photography. This runs over a week in July and has been a huge success.
Capital Vision Research Trust is already doing spectacularly well, especially given the limited budget and small resources. We expect to perform even better in the future as the Trust matures and fundraising improves. Who knows what we'll come up with in the future?
Alcon Glaucoma Fellow
Dr Brian (Ghee Soon) Ang has been appointed to this position for 2010.
Dr Ang will be continuing the important work undertaken by previous Fellows and, as a condition of his appointment, will be the primary researcher/author of papers to publication stage as well as initiating new research projects, participating in studies and continuing the task of seeking future grants.
Previous Fellows
Research Fellowships available from the Capital Vision Research Trust have been undertaken by Dr Nina Ashraff, Dr Wayne Birchall, Dr Laura Wakely, Dr Ali Poostchi and Dr Simon Nicholas.
The best virtual 3D model eye in the world (2005)
The Model Eye was developed in 2005 as a three dimensional computer video reconstruction of the eye, and the diseases that affect it. This is an invaluable resource for Ophthalmic Education as it illustrates eye anatomy and diseases far more clearly than text or static images.