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Sunday / November 3.
HomeminewsQuinlivan Funds Precision Medicine Focus for Glaucoma 

Quinlivan Funds Precision Medicine Focus for Glaucoma 

Associate Professor Andrew White from the Centre for Vision Research at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) has been awarded the 2024 Glaucoma Australia Quinlivan research grant. 

Associate Professor Andrew White

Assoc Prof White, a clinical scientist ophthalmologist specialising in glaucoma, has extensive clinical trial experience and leadership in vision research. His innovative work in glaucoma detection, treatment, and various clinical trials, including depot latanoprost and a novel neuroprotective agent, retinal photography for disease diagnosis in emergency departments (FOTO-ED) underscores his expertise. 

Presenting the award, the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn, described Assoc Prof White’s many decades dedicated to advocacy and clinical research as “an act of care and commitment that represents the very best of our nation”. 

This research is about the 20% of people who can get worse with the current glaucoma treatments and progress to lifelong blindness

Exploring Irbesartan  

For Assoc Prof White, the aim is simply to keep people seeing for as long as possible because “When people can’t see, especially as they get older, they can’t work, they’re a risk of falls, their quality of life suffers, and they need a lot of looking after”.  

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Australia, and although, “We’ve got a lot of fairly effective treatments that revolve around reducing pressure in the eye”, Assoc Prof White said they don’t work for about one in five people with glaucoma.  

“This research is about the 20% of people who can get worse with the current glaucoma treatments and progress to lifelong blindness.”   

With this in mind, his research focusses not just on reducing intraocular pressure but also on neuroprotection for retinal ganglion cells, for which no pharmacological therapies currently exist. This dual approach could significantly enhance treatment outcomes for glaucoma patients, particularly those unresponsive to current IOP-lowering therapies alone. 

Assoc Prof White will put the Quinlivan Grant to good use, exploring the development of Irbesartan as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment and management of glaucoma. 

“Over the next five years, our research vision focusses on revolutionising the management of open-angle glaucoma through precision medicine,” he explained. “This drug has been on the market since 1998. It’s a really good anti-inflammatory which has the potential to protect important retinal eye cells from dying. That could go a long way towards preserving sight in a lot of glaucoma cases.”  

Aim to be Free from Glaucoma Blindness 

Presenting the award, the Governor-General said, “Sight is precious, and an Australia free from glaucoma blindness is an important goal. Glaucoma Australia’s support of innovative research is a hand of hope to everyone affected by glaucoma. Andrew has made his mark as a passionate advocate for the glaucoma community. He has devoted decades of research to identifying safer and more effective treatments for glaucoma – and improving outcomes for glaucoma patients. His work is an act of care and commitment that represents the very best of our nation”, the Governor-General said. 

Glaucoma Australia CEO Adam Check said “Associate Professor White has long been a passionate advocate for the glaucoma community underpinned by his empathetic and innovative pursuit to advance glaucoma treatments for patients. As a staunch champion for the services delivered by Glaucoma Australia, it is a privilege to award this grant, on behalf of the glaucoma community. I congratulate him wholeheartedly”. 

The Glaucoma Australia ‘Quinlivan’ research grants are awarded following rigorous evaluation, based largely on the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) process, along with peer review, to ensure that the successful applicants meet the highest standards. Submissions are reviewed by the Glaucoma Australia Independent Research Panel consisting of internationally recognised experts in glaucoma research including the fields of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Pharmacy.   

The research funds would not be possible without the generous gifts of donors who support Glaucoma Australia’s William A. Quinlivan Research Fund.  

For over 20 years, this research has played an integral role in developing improvements in eye health and glaucoma treatments. Contributions to this ongoing research are welcomed by making a tax-deductible donation to Glaucoma Australia.

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