Lions Eye Institute - Research Activities

Research Activities

LEI's laboratory-based and clinical research teams investigate all major untreated causes of blindness including cataracts, diabetes related eye disease, glaucoma, retinal degenerations, corneal, and immune-based diseases. More than 70 scientists at LEI use a range of technologies to develop treatments for blinding diseases, including gene therapy and telemedicine. LEI has several major international collaborations and partnerships with a wide range of Australian and international institutions, and collaborates with industry in joint research and development projects. Among the international institutions that the LEI has been actively collaborating with are American Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Shanghai University, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, University of Missouri and the National Eye Institute (USA).

Groundbreaking research done by the Lions Eye Institute's research teams has led to the development of the first retinal vein bypass treatment for retinal vein blockages, and the development of the first transgenic mouse model for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in those aged over 55. With this model, they expect research to accelerate into the development of ARMD that may lead to an effective treatment of this disease. At LEI, the world’s first artificial cornea was developed and implanted into a human eye. This artificial cornea was named AlphaCor, and the institute currently owns its patent rights.