iFixPen

BREAKTHROUGH – the eye-repair “pen” that can go anywhere

Sydney Eye Hospital is on the verge of a breakthrough with the Corneal iFixPen and iFixInk. We need your support to help it happen.

The iFixPen holds the promise of instant corneal repair, out in the field, anywhere, anytime. When an eye suffers a surface injury, the corneal iFixPen will not only seal the wound but promote active healing of the wound site by reducing scarring and creating a biological barrier to ongoing damage. That barrier is iFixInk, which covers and protects the surface of the eye.

The Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation has adopted iFixPen as our next significant project.

The funds will go to the next phase of testing iFixPen and improving the technology in the lab and out and about. There are so many potential uses, for injuries in industry, the military, after surgery, and in remote areas where follow-up can be difficult.

If somebody sustains an eye injury iFixPen
is used to drop iFixInk into the eye to protect
and promote wound healing in the cornea.

We are on the verge of a BREAKTHROUGH!

With this discovery, we can bring quick, simple treatment to thousands of Australians.

Eye injuries can happen in the home, in traffic accidents, anywhere. In Australia alone, some 50,000 cases are reported annually of corneal injuries ranging from abrasions and ulcers to corneal melting and laser surgery complications. Corneal surgery is the world’s  most  performed  operation.  We already know that iFixInk works wonders on some human cells. If this oversized “pen” filled with iFixInk can be perfected, it could be a real game changer.

The iFixPen and iFixInk are joint projects of the  Sydney  Eye  Hospital,  the  Lions  Eye  Bank, Save Sight Institute, the University of Sydney and the University of Wollongong. Medical breakthroughs are built out of collaborations and those collaborators include people like you  and your generosity.

Please join us in this exciting venture. Donate today to make the technology a reality

We’re launching our appeal now, near the End Of Financial Year, full of hope and dreaming of future eyesight saved. With your help, we can achieve this extraordinary dream.

Sincerely,

Kevin Gardner

Kevin Gardner
Chief Executive Officer

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60 minutes eye surgery video

60 Minutes broadcasts tooth/eye operation at Sydney Hospital

Viewers across the nation held their breath on Sunday, 16 April as current affairs program 60 Minutes aired the moment that oculoplastic surgeon Dr Gregory Moloney, Staff Specialist, Sydney Eye Hospital, carefully placed a tooth into the eye of patient John Ings to restore the 72-year-old’s sight after years of blindness.

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Sydney Eye Hospital Orthoptic Department

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Melanie Lai (Head Orthoptist), Maria Tran (Orthoptist), Jodie Attard (Acting Orthoptic Student Educator), Sally Steenbeek (Orthoptist)

Orthoptists play a key role in assessing children and adults that approach the Sydney Eye Hospital with eye turns and disorders affecting the eye movements.)

We are university trained allied health professionals that specialise in providing thorough assessments of alignment of the eyes, movement of the eyes, and the ability of the eyes to work together. Orthoptists conservatively manage symptoms of double vision or eye strain that patients may experience from disorders affecting the function of their eye muscles or ability of their eyes to work together. By working with patients and understanding their needs, Orthoptists are able to help patients manage their symptoms and minimise the impact symptoms have on their daily activities and general wellbeing.

Orthoptists are also highly skilled in the area of treating amblyopia (or lazy eye) in children. Up until the age of 8 years, the visual system of a child is still developing. It is crucial that any reduction in vision is detected and treated as soon as possible to help the child’s vision and visual system to develop normally. If a vision defect is not found until later in childhood, it reduces the potential for normal vision following treatment. When a vision defect is found, the orthoptist and ophthalmologist work together with the child and their parents to treat and improve the child’s vision.

The Sydney Eye Orthoptists have a clinic dedicated to screening children to promote early detection of vision defects, eye turns, and eye muscle disorders that may impact a child’s vision and visual development. We also take part in the NSW Health State-wide preschool vision screening program that aims to provide all 4 year olds with a free vision screening and access to care when vision defects are found.

Orthoptists also have expertise in using specialty diagnostic equipment for assessment of chronic and age related eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, retinal conditions, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease.

The Sydney Eye Hospital Orthoptic department accepts referrals from optometrists, family doctors, and private ophthalmology clinics.

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How Sydney Eye Hospital changed Sarah’s life

Sarah is a 13 year old girl from Coffs Harbour who first came to the Sydney Eye Hospital when she was 12 years old.

She was born with a large eye turn which worsened as she grew older and had seen an eye specialist close to home. Surgery was recommended to correct her eye turn, however, due to financial pressures this was not a possibility.

When Sarah started high school, she was bullied because of her eye turn. She was later diagnosed with depression as a result of the bullying she was subjected to.

Sarah’s mother was desperate to be able to do something to help her daughter. A friend of hers recommended that she contact the Sydney Eye Hospital to see if they could help.

After receiving the referral from Sarah’s family doctor, Sarah was given an appointment at our paediatric and strabismus ophthalmology clinic. Sarah’s mother was thrilled to hear that not only would she have the opportunity to have Sarah seen at the Sydney Eye Hospital, but also if surgery was recommended, it would be at no cost to her.

In January 2016, Sarah and her mother came for their first visit to the Sydney Eye Hospital. At the appointment, Orthoptists assessed Sarah’s eyes to help determine the type of eye turn Sarah had, the range of movement of her eye muscles, and whether her eyes were able to work together.

“Sarah’s eye condition was having a significant impact on her wellbeing and recommended that surgery was an ideal option.”

Following her assessment with the Orthoptist, Sarah was then seen by Dr Michael Jones. He recognised that Sarah’s eye condition was having a significant impact on her wellbeing and recommended that surgery was an ideal option for her at this point in time.

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Within 6 months of her first appointment at the Sydney Eye Hospital, Sarah had eye surgery to straighten her eyes.

Ten days following her operation, Sarah and her mother returned for review so the Orthoptists could assess the positioning of her eyes post-surgery.

“Sarah’s mother shed tears of joy when she saw the smile on her daughter’s face with her eyes now straightened.”

Sarah and her mother were extremely happy with the outcome, with Sarah’s eye turn almost completely straightened. Following her surgery, it was clear to see the impact this had on Sarah’s general wellbeing. She was visibly happier, constantly chatting and smiling, and engaging with others.

Sarah’s mother shed tears of joy when she saw the smile on her daughter’s face with her eyes now straightened. When Sarah attends the Sydney Eye Hospital for eye reviews, she now enjoys sharing stories with the Orthoptists explaining how she now feels confident to stand up to the people that used to bully her.

Sarah will be returning to the Sydney Eye Hospital for her next review in a two months’ time and we are looking forward to hearing of her progress. (Name has been changed to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality)

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NEW RETINA CAMERA SAVES SIGHT

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NEW RETINA CAMERA SAVES SIGHT

A new ultra-widefield retinal camera can save sight by improving early detection of common causes of vision loss.

This latest advance in technology takes photographs of a large span of the retina’s outer edges, leading to a better understanding of how different conditions affect all parts of the retina. Some of the first signs of eye disease and systemic disease can be seen in the retina before they cause other symptoms, including vision loss.

The Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation (SEHF) is raising funds to purchase an Optos California ultra-widefield retinal camera for the hospital, to help ophthalmologists to see and diagnose these early, subtle changes – which previously went undetected – so they can be treated before sight loss occurs.

Demand for excellent eye care, including for conditions that affect the retina, is growing, says Kevin Gardner, the SEHF Chief Executive Officer.

“One of the main drivers of this growth in demand is Australia’s ageing population,” he explains. More than 85% of vision loss occurs in people aged over fifty. Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are two of the most common causes of vision loss worldwide and the risk for both conditions rises with age. Early stages of both of these conditions can be detected in the periphery of the retina.

“Early detection can have a significant impact on reducing sight loss. Research tells us that up to 90% of vision loss can be prevented with regular, accurate eye tests.”

The Optos camera system has an important role to play in early detection. Existing imaging cameras capture only 15% of the retina in each photo. Scattered light and obstructions such as cataracts, corneal pathology and astigmatism can reduce the quality of the photo. Patient’s pupils are dilated with eye drops in an attempt to improve the images, causing the discomfort of blurred vision and light sensitivity for some time after the examination.

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“ EXISTING IMAGING CAMERAS CAPTURE ONLY 15% OF THE RETINA IN EACH PHOTO. IN CONTRAST, THE OPTOS CAMERA CAN CAPTURE UP TO 80% OF THE RETINA IN ONE PHOTO, WITHOUT DILATING THE PUPIL.”

In contrast, the Optos camera can capture up to 80% of the retina in one photo, without dilating the pupil. Photos are quick, painless and do not cause any discomfort to the patient. A bonus for patients is that we dramatically cut the time they have to spend in the clinic as they don’t have to wait for the pupil-dilating eye drops to work.

Photos are immediately available so patients can see exactly what the doctor sees when examining the eye through a high-powered lens and provide objective documentation of clinical findings. The photos can be saved for future comparisons to help monitor the eye disease and effectiveness of treatment.

With this, patients are better able to learn about their eye condition and treatment options and to make informed decisions about their eye care.

“At $155,000 for the Optos camera system, we think it’s a great investment that will benefit the 10,000 people with retinal conditions that the hospital sees each year,” Mr Gardner said.
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A Bequest in your Will is a gift that keeps giving after you pass on

It’s a way of ensuring that the assets (money, property, shares or valuables) that you need now will eventually be used to help the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation save sight. It’s something that you can arrange in addition to –
or instead of – giving cash right now.

By making a Bequest, you will be in good company. Bequests from donors, like Neville G who has provided $600,000 towards the equipment for the new Bicentennial Clinic that was opened earlier this year, have made a significant difference to our patient outcomes, with the ability to make earlier diagnoses with state of the art equipment.

Bequests are a major source of income that help the Foundation provide much needed research and advanced equipment to help in the diagnosis of Macular and Corneal diseases.

The main advantage of the Bequest system is that it allows donors of all means to make a valuable donation to the Foundation in the knowledge that their generosity will help save the sight of thousands of adults and children who come to the Hospital for help each day.

Should you decide to make a Bequest to Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation, clear instructions in your Will are necessary to ensure your wishes are carried out.

If you would like more information, please contact the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kevin Gardner, on (02) 9382 7408 or email: kevin.gardner@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au

He will be pleased to assist.

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Consider a Monthly Donation

Monthly giving can make a significant difference to our fundraising capabilities and planning for future projects,
as we know we have these pre-committed funds. By giving up a cup of coffee or tea once a week or even monthly, you could contribute $5 to $10 a month.

It may only be small but the accumulation makes a significant difference to what we as a Foundation can do for eye disease and research.

If you would like to become a Monthly Donor, please tick the appropriate box on the enclosed coupon.

Alternatively, for more information please contact Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation on (02) 9382 7408.

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Dr Steve Levasseur – Graham Lovett Vitreoretinal Fellow

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Dr Steve Levasseur began his Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery at the Sydney Eye Hospital after having completed his ophthalmology training in Vancouver, Canada.

He is very excited to have the opportunity to learn from and work alongside some of the world leaders in the field of
vitreoretinal surgery.

After completing his fellowship, he plans to return to Canada to work as a consultant in a tertiary care centre.

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Dr Aida Mohd Zahidin – Corneal Fellow

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Aida completed her ophthalmology training in Malaysia.

She hopes that this fellowship will enable her to further polish her surgical skills and enhance her knowledge to provide good cornea and anterior segment services for the patients back home.

She looks forward to learning from other renowned experts in the field at Sydney Eye Hospital and will be returning back to Malaysia in July 2015 to work in a University Hospital in KL.

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