Translational Vision Research in the Department of Ophthalmology

The Ocular Surface Laboratory (OSL) comprises a team of clinician scientists and research students lead by Professor Jennifer Craig. We are united by the overarching aim of improving patient outcomes through developing a better understanding of ocular surface and dry eye disease. We seek to answer clinical questions by establishing the evidence needed to effect changes in clinical practice.

Our approach is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, and includes strong partnerships within The University of Auckland, research institutions in Australia, Canada, China and the UK, as well as with global industry partners. We maintain a strong presence at clinical and scientific conferences across the world and publish in a range of international peer-reviewed journals.

Our research focuses on ocular surface disease, and dry eye disease in particular.  The translational research we undertake ranges from scientific explorations of fundamental theories in the basic science laboratory through to clinical research, including randomised controlled clinical trials. Our interests span four main areas:

• Epidemiology
• Pathophysiology
• Diagnostics
• Therapeutics
  

Examples of recent work include:

• Study of the natural history of dry eye disease showed increasing interethnic differences in ocular surface health that aggravate with age.
• Randomised controlled trials showing that Manuka honey eye cream and pure Castor oil offer safe and clinically efficacious options for the treatment of blepharitis.
• Randomised controlled trial providing evidence for the use of intense pulsed light (IPL) in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
  

Our team members have published over 200 articles in the peer-reviewed scientific literature and professional press.

We support research at Honours, Masters and Doctoral level, for developing clinician scientists with a particular interest in dry eye and corneal disease. Since 2008, the OSL has hosted over 60 local and international optometry and medical students.

Many researchers are currently involved with the OSL. Department of Ophthalmology team members are:

• Professor Jennifer Craig
  
• Dr Ally Xue, Research fellow
  
• Dr Sanjay Marasini, Research fellow
  
• Dr Alex Müntz, Research fellow
  
• Dr Michael Wang, Doctoral student
  

• OSL supports launch of the School of Optometry and Vision Science’s Dry Eye Clinic.
  
• Professor Jennifer Craig serves as vice-chair for the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s Dry Eye Workshop II (TFOS DEWS II) global consensus-building effort.
• Professor Jennifer Craig is awarded fellowship of the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) in Dry Eye, to help design and establish a modular based dry eye course for clinical optometrists to offer dedicated dry eye services within their practices and set up specialist dry eye centres.
• Professor Jennifer Craig receives Life Fellowship, the UK College of Optometrists’ highest award, for her contribution to the development of the profession through teaching and education, especially in the area of ocular surface disease.