Centre for Eye Research Australia
The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) is Australia’s leading research institute, dedicated to eliminating the major eye diseases that cause vision loss and blindness and to reducing their impact on the community.
CERA’s comprehensive research program incorporates clinical, genetic and laboratory research into eye disease. Its population health research focuses on improving support and rehabilitation for people with vision loss.
Australia’s first Professor of Glaucoma and CERA Managing Director Professor Jonathan Crowston leads a team of 100 clinician-scientists, researchers and support staff. The research program is conducted by eight units.
CERA is affiliated with the University of Melbourne, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Vision Australia, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, CMB Australia, the Victorian Lions Foundation and the Ansell Ophthalmology Foundation.
CERA is a designated World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Blindness – the only such centre in Australia. It is also a member of the VISION 2020 global initiative and Vision 2020 Australia.
Through a series of reports prepared with Access Economics on the socioeconomic costs of eye diseases, CERA has developed a reputation for translational research and independent, authoritative advice.
CERA was recently awarded a Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) grant for its translational clinical research in major eye diseases by the National Health and Medical Research Council. One of only six Australian centres awarded a CCRE in 2009, the research team, led by Professor Wong, will receive $2.5 million in funding over five years.
Training opportunities for students in ophthalmology are provided at CERA through University of Melbourne undergraduate, post-graduate and research fellowship programs.