Cataract research

Age-related cataracts affect a large proportion of the late middle-age and elderly populations. Animal models are a useful way to examine the effects of genetics and external factors, such as ultra-violet light exposure and other common environmental variants, on the development of these opacifications of the eye.

Congenital cataracts can lead to visual loss and other ocular complications in very young children. Identifying the genetic factors that play a role in the prevalence of this class of disorder helps in understanding the populations most at risk, identifying potential comorbidities that may be observed or indicate increased cataract likelihood, and enable development of future novel treatments.

Funding is provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council:

• The role of EphA2 signalling and environment modifiers in cataract.