News and Updates
24 February 2022
Do it in the Dark™ 2022 Fundraiser Launch
Do it in the Dark™ is back this March & April. Now in its second year, Do it in the Dark provides Retina Australia with a unique opportunity to engage new audiences, and share our cause with those who may be unfamiliar with inherited retinal diseases.
The concept of Do it in the Dark is simple – gather your family, friends, or co-workers and do an everyday activity like you normally would, while wearing our custom-made glasses which simulate tunnel vision. Tunnel vision is a common symptom that people living with an inherited retinal disease often have, and by wearing these glasses you will be able to better understand the daily lives of people who have debilitating vision issues.
You could have a meal together, watch movies, organise a morning tea, go for a walk (with a sighted guide) or even play some video games. Take some photos with your group while wearing the glasses ( make sure to upload your favourites to social media and tag Retina Australia), discuss the impact of inherited retinal diseases, and raise vital funds which will go towards medical research programs.
A one-hour event is all it takes to show your support, and a free fundraising kit will be mailed out when you sign up. There is currently no cure for those living with an inherited retinal disease, but we get closer every day because of the generous support of our donors.
View the clickable links below to learn more about this exciting fundraising event:
Registration Form
FAQ
Just Giving Fundraising Platform
Promotional Poster
Linktree Social Channels
2022 Research Grants
Thru My Eyes App
If you have any other questions about Do it in the Dark, you can phone 1800 999 870 or (03) 9650 5088. You can also email info@retinaaustralia.com.au anytime.
9 November 2021
Retina Australia 2022 Research Grant Recipients Announced
We are pleased to announce that the 2022 recipients of the Retina Australia medical research grants are Associate Professor Penny Allen (Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne), Dr Rabab Rashwan (Lions Eye Institute, Perth), and Associate Professor Guei-Sheung (Rick) Liu (Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne). These grants have a combined total value of $120,000.
Details of the projects are available in Word version here or PDF version here.
Congratulations to the successful researchers and their teams. We look forward to hearing about your progress over the next 12 to 18 months. Thanks to all our supporters across Australia – your generous donations allow us to fund these important programs.
25 September 2021
World Retina Day 2021
World Retina Day is taking place on September 25th, 2021. This year, Retina International is highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the inclusion and wellbeing of its global patient community, and focusing on how the community can “Build Back Better.”
View the full press release via Word here and via PDF here.
14 September 2021
Annual General Meeting 2021
Notice is hereby given that the 37th Annual General Meeting of Retina Australia will be held on Saturday 9th October via Zoom at 1.30pm AEDT. You can register your attendance here.
The full notice of meeting and agenda can be downloaded below in your chosen format:
2 September 2021
Free webinar series
The next webinar in our free series will take place on Saturday 9th October at 2pm (AEST). The topic is
Clinical genetics services helping with genetic information, counselling and access to clinical therapy, trials and research in the IRDs
For further information and to register, click here.
1 September 2021
Retina Australia Quarterly
The September edition of our quarterly newsletter is now available to download in your chosen format. Click here to access it.
11 June 2021
Our inaugural Giving Day
We are excited to announce our Inaugural Giving Day which will launch on Monday, 21 June 2021 at 10:00 am AEST.
This Giving Day, help us empower over 15,000 Australians living with an inherited retinal disease by supporting our medical research projects, which will change lives!
For 24 hours only, your gift will be DOUBLED thanks to our generous matchers. Please view www.charidy.com/retinaaustralia.
Get involved this Giving Day and help us create a brighter future for every single person living with inherited retinal disease. Spread the word amongst your family & friends and please like and share our Giving Day posts on Facebook.
12 March 2021
Do it in the Dark™ 2021 Fundraiser Launch
We are excited to announce the launch of our brand-new fundraising event taking place between March & April 2021, Do it in the Dark™.
The concept of Do it in the Dark is simple – gather your family, friends, or co-workers and do an everyday activity like you normally would, while wearing our custom-made glasses which simulate tunnel vision. Tunnel vision is a common symptom that people living with an inherited retinal disease often have, and by wearing these glasses you will be able to better understand the daily lives of people who have debilitating vision issues.
You could have a meal together, watch movies, organise a morning tea, go for a walk (with a sighted guide) or even play some video games. Take some photos (and upload your favourites to social media) with your group while wearing the glasses, discuss the impact of inherited retinal diseases and raise vital funds which will go towards medical research programs. A one-hour event is all it takes to show your support, and a free fundraising kit will be mailed out when you sign up. There is currently no cure for those living with an inherited retinal disease, but we get closer every day because of the generous support of our donors.
View the clickable links below to learn more about this exciting event:
Registrant Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Event Poster
Social Media Links
2021 Research Programs
If you have any other questions about Do it in the Dark, you can phone (03) 9650 5088 or email info@retinaaustralia.com.au.
19 November 2020
Retina Australia 2021 Grant Recipients Announced
We are pleased to announce that the 2021 recipients of the Retina Australia medical research grants are Dr Lauren Ayton (The University of Melbourne), Professor Alex Hewitt (The University of Tasmania), Dr Fred Chen (The University of Western Australia), Associate Professor Heather Mack (CERA/The University of Melbourne), and Dr Jennifer Thompson (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital). These grants have a combined total value of $160,000.
You can view a detailed breakdown of the research grants in Word version here or in PDF version here.
Congratulations to the researchers and their teams, we look forward to hearing about how things progress over the next twelve to eighteen months. Thank you to all of our supporters across the country, for without your generous donations, we would not be able to help fund these important programs.
1 October 2020
Webinar Event: Gene therapy, clinical trials and new developments in IRD research
The regulatory approval and commercialisation of Luxturna in 2017 has opened the floodgates for gene therapy, with numerous clinical trials underway or rapidly approaching. Dr Tom Edwards and Dr Lauren Ayton will update Retina Australia members on the national approach to identifying and characterising people who might be eligible for these trials (through the Inherited Retinal Disease Natural History Study), as well as describing the most promising developments in the field.
This webinar will take place on Saturday 17th October at 2:00pm EST. You can find a copy of the flyer in Word version here or in PDF version here
25 September 2020
Retina International announces the launch of Know Your Code – a genetic testing advocacy portal to mark WORLD RETINA DAY, September 26th, 2020.
Retina Australia Chairman, Leighton Boyd, provides his thoughts on the need for accessible and affordable genetic testing. You can view the official Retina International press release via Word option here and via PDF option here.
17 September 2020
I Spy, With My Bionic Eye – Herald Sun article featuring Retina Australia Chairman, Leighton Boyd
Retina Australia Chairman, Leighton Boyd, was recently featured in the Herald Sun article ‘I spy, with my bionic eye’. The article discusses a revolutionary device – an implant and camera headset – produced by Monash Vision Group that could help people who are blind to see again. Credit to Herald Sun, journalist Alanah Frost & photographer David Caird. View the Word option here and the PDF option here.
11 August 2020
Our Constitution
For any new or current members that wish to learn about how we operate, you can download a copy of our constitution here.
18 June 2020
Webinar Series 2020 – 2021
We are excited to bring you a series of informative online webinars over the next year. Members will have access to all events and non-members will be able to pay a casual fee for individual webinars. If you want to learn more about how you can access these webinars, you can send an email to info@retinaaustralia.com.au or phone (03) 9650 5088.
Our first webinar will take place on Thursday 13th August at 1:00pm EST and will discuss genetic analysis and how this can help patient management and the development of therapies for inherited retinal diseases.
You can find a copy of the flyer in Word version here and in PDF version here.
26 May 2020
2019 Annual Report and Chairman’s Report available for download
We are currently updating our website to include annual reports and other important documentation. For now, you can find a copy of the 2019 Annual Report here. You can also find the Annual Chairman’s Report here.