Professor David Mackey AO
Congratulations to Professor David Mackey, Head of the Genetics and Epidemiology Research Group at the Lions Eye Institute, who has been awarded two prestigious grants to continue his world-leading research into myopia and glaucoma.
Stan Perron Charitable Foundation Grant
Over a period of three years, funding from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation will support Professor Mackey’s critical research into the genetic and environmental factors interacting to cause myopia and glaucoma.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Myopia is a risk factor for glaucoma and increasing levels of myopia will greatly increase glaucoma. Professor Mackey said the research will involve two of Western Australia’s outstanding cohort studies: the Raine Study, which commenced in 1989, and the Origins Project, which commenced in 2017.
“Our myopia focus is now on the primary school-aged children in the Origins Project and the Raine Study generation-3, where we will analyse genetic data to predict high risk children.”
“We will monitor children for early signs of eye growth and biometric change that precedes the onset of myopia. We will then look at interventions such as increased time outdoors or low-concentration atropine eye drops to decrease the risk of myopia in childhood, adolescence and early adult life.”
Glaucoma Australia Quinlivan Research Grant
Glaucoma Australia recently awarded its Quinlivan Research Grant to Professor Mackey, who will use the grant to determine the normal range of intraocular pressure (IOP) in children and young adults, and if this can predict glaucoma in later life.
The main risk factors for glaucoma are family history, genetics and elevated eye pressure. According to Professor Mackey, there is surprisingly little information on eye pressure in young adults and children.
“We lack data on the normal range of IOP in children and have presumed it is the same as for adults,” he said.
“We will collect and analyse data from young participants in the Raine Study, whose parents have been followed by researchers for their entire lives. This will enable never-before possible research into the genetic, lifestyle and intergenerational aspects of IOP, as well as the creation of an IOP reference range for children.”
The team will also use new technology to more easily, and less invasively measure eye pressure in children, with minimal discomfort or the need for stinging anaesthetic eye drops.
Thank you to the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Glaucoma Australia and our donors for supporting Professor Mackey’s vital research into myopia and glaucoma.
