The Victorian Government has recognised the work of Victoria’s emerging leaders in health and medical research, with the announcement of the 2025–2026 Premier’s Awards for Health and Medical Research.
One of the recipients, Dr Catherine Jan, who received the Health Services Research Award, was recognised for her work with the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) investigating how artificial intelligence (AI) could support earlier detection of glaucoma in primary care.
Dr Jan’s ongoing study has estimated that national adoption of AI-assisted glaucoma screening could result in significant savings for the Australian healthcare system.
“This recognition is not just mine – it reflects the trust, platform, and support I received from CERA and the team,” Dr Jan said,
The AI‑assisted screening tool was developed to support primary care clinicians in earlier identification of people at risk of glaucoma, before referral to a specialist for further investigation and treatment.
The research has translated into real‑world settings, with two AI‑enabled screening systems trialled in different types of clinics across Australia
“The screening tool has been developed to assist the clinician,” Dr Jan said. “It doesn’t give the final diagnosis because only an eye care provider can make that call.”
Screening in clinics
The research has been translated into real‑world settings, with two AI‑enabled screening systems trialled in different types of clinics across Australia.
The first is designed for optometry clinics and works with their existing cameras, which capture detailed images of the light‑sensing retina at the back of the eye.
This model has now been deployed in more than 200 optometry practices.
The second is a self‑contained kiosk for GP clinics that uses AI and a built‑in retinal camera. It is the first published AI‑assisted glaucoma screening trial conducted in GP clinics anywhere in the world.1
The kiosk uses automated voice instructions to guide patients through the imaging process.
“The patient is advised to place their head on the chin rest, lean forward against the forehead bar and then the camera automatically takes a retinal image,” Dr Jan explained.
“Within seconds, it produces a report for the patient as well as for the GP to interpret.”
The report clearly displays results into three categories depending on glaucoma risk. This helps clinicians to decide whether referral to a specialist for further investigation or treatment is needed.
Other award winners were:
- Dr Brooke Patterson, Clinical Researcher Award and Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research Excellence,
- Dr Karyn Ferguson, Aboriginal Researcher Award,
- Dr Ebony Monson, Basic Science Researcher Award, and
- Dr Hannah Jarman, Public Health Researcher Award.
Their work focused on virology, maternal and child health within Aboriginal communities, advances in treating orthopaedic injuries, and the impact of social media on body image and eating disorders.
Reference
- Jan CL, Joseph S, Vingrys AJ. et al. Prospective pragmatic trial of automated retinal photography and AI glaucoma screening in Australian primary care. npj Digit. Med. 2025;8:386. Doi: 10.1038/s41746-025-01768-y.
