Home - Vision Research Foundation

Improving Lives
Through Visionary Research

Empowering bright researchers to transform human health through bold, paradigm-shifting discoveries in vision science.

People across the world have visual impairment

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of vision impairment worldwide is curable

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of the brain is dedicated to visual processing

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of all learning happens through our eyes

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Giving Researchers The
Wings to Preserve Vision For Generations to Come

Vision Research Foundation is dedicated to fostering vision research that expands the frontiers of science. We support bold projects pursuing visionary ideas that shape the future of vision and health. We identify bright, dynamic vision researchers who are committed to working across disciplines in pursuit of paradigm-shifting scientific achievements that will lead to transformative discoveries in vision science.

Our Research

Oculomics

Unlike anywhere else in the body, the eye offers a unique opportunity to observe nerve and blood vessel systems. Many diseases show changes within the eye, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, inflammatory diseases, kidney disease and neurological conditions. Sometimes the changes in the eye are the first signs of disease.

The ability to uncover such manifestations has significantly improved with the development of high resolution, non-invasive ophthalmic imaging, and a growing ability to link large-scale health data across different organ systems.

‘Oculomics’ is the association of biomarkers within the eye with systemic health and disease. Vision Research Foundation seeks to use the eye’s unique position as a window to the brain and body to further our understanding of eye-body relationships and support the development of new diagnostic and prognostic tools through non-invasive means.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in NZ. Glaucoma describes a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve – the delicate structure at the back of the eye, which transmits visual impulses from the eye to the brain. Damage to the optic nerve can lead to loss of vision or even complete blindness. Often called the ‘sneak thief of sight’, most people with glaucoma experience no symptoms in the early stages, because vision loss is gradual and affects the peripheral (side) vision. Glaucoma is usually detected through an eye examination. When treated at an early stage, the vast majority of patients with glaucoma will avoid going blind.

Glaucoma research at Vision Research Foundation uses many novel techniques and approaches to improve glaucoma care and treatment options, and to speed progress toward a cure.

Neurological Disease

Neurological diseases are diseases in which cells and nervous system connections stop working or die. These connections are essential for mobility, coordination, strength, sensation, and cognition. In NZ, stroke, concussion, traumatic brain injury, migraine multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, Huntington’s and schizophrenia are some of the major neurological conditions in NZ. Neurological conditions often get worse over time and (often) have no cure. They may be genetic or be caused by a tumour or stroke. Vision Research Foundation aims to use novel approaches to identify the genetic, cellular, and chemical basis of these diseases to develop and assess new treatment strategies.

Community Engagement

Significant and unacceptable health inequities exist in NZ, across a range of areas. Māori and Pacific people are also under-represented in the science, medical and health workforce. Vision Research Foundation is committed to reducing these inequities through our scholarships and mentorship.
Vision Research Foundation works in schools, universities and has set up scholarships and fellowships to empower underserved communities and maximise their potential in the vision research field. Vision Research Foundation will work with key Māori stakeholders to conduct research in underserved communities to provide evidence for community, health, and policy interventions to address health inequities.