Retina Australia

Home
Australia
Melbourne, VIC
Retina Australia

Retina Australia is a national charitable organisation dedicated to supporting Australians affected by inherited retinal disease.

02/06/2026

Meet the researchers driving progress in inherited retinal disease. 👩‍🔬

Dr Livia Carvalho is working on gene therapy approaches and understanding how retinal cells degenerate—research that is critical to developing future treatments for IRDs.

“For early career researchers, they can get a Retina Australia grant that encourages them to stay in IRD research, they can build their CV and keep their passions in the field. So I think if Retina Australia is able to expand those grant opportunities, that would be beneficial for future research.”

Retina Australia is proud to support this work through our Research Grants Program.

Your support helps make this work possible.

👉 Support IRD research: https://retinaaustralia.com.au/help-us/annual-appeal/

28/05/2026

Backing Progress. Accelerating Hope.

We're backing the researchers turning hope into sight

Our Vision: A world without inherited blindness

Today, there are more than 60 clinical trials underway globally. Behind each of these is years of research—driven by dedicated scientists working to better understand, treat, and ultimately cure these conditions.

As Dr Ceecee Britten-Jones, Senior Research Fellow – Ocular Genomics, University of Melbourne explains:

“𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.”

Since 1989, Retina Australia has invested $6.8 million in 150 projects, helping drive discoveries, shaping the future of inherited retinal disease treatment.

This year, Retina Australia’s Annual Appeal aims to raise $𝟭𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 to help continue investing in life-changing research, advocacy and support for Australians living with inherited retinal diseases.

Together, we can back progress and accelerate hope.

👉 Support IRD research: https://retinaaustralia.com.au/help-us/annual-appeal/

29/04/2026

Today, on International Guide Dog Day, we celebrate the extraordinary role that guide dogs — and the organisations behind them — play in supporting independence, mobility and confidence for people living with vision loss.
Across Australia, organisations such as Guide Dogs Australia, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Guide Dogs Victoria, Guide Dogs Queensland, Guide Dogs SA/NT, Guide Dogs Tasmania, Guide Dogs WA, Seeing Eye Dogs, Vision Australia, See Differently with the Royal Society for the Blind provide life-changing support every day.
For people living with inherited retinal diseases, including many in the Retina Australia community, guide dogs can represent not just practical support, but freedom, connection, and the ability to navigate the world with greater confidence.
These outcomes are only possible thanks to the dedication of trainers, staff, volunteers, puppy raisers, and of course the incredible dogs themselves.
On behalf of Retina Australia, we thank all guide dog providers across the country for the vital work you do and the difference you make in people’s lives every day.

24/04/2026

Retina Australia joins the community in honouring the service and sacrifice of all Australians and New Zealanders who have served.

We remember, and we thank them.
Lest we forget.

21/01/2026

Retina Australia appoints Jonathan Brookes as new CEO.

Retina Australia, the national organisation committed to progressing its vision of “a world without inherited blindness” is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan Brookes as its new Chief Executive Officer. Jonathan will commence in the role on 2 February 2026.

Jonathan brings extensive senior leadership across financial services, consumer goods, insurance, and the not-for-profit sector. He has a strong track record in driving sustainable growth through revenue diversification, market insight and leveraging organisational strengths. He also has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and collaboration with government, corporate partners and the broader community.

Jonathan will lead Retina Australia into its next phase of growth, strengthening advocacy and awareness of inherited retinal disease, continuing support of individuals and families affected, and advancing funding, collaboration and participation in impactful, high-quality research.

"I am honoured and excited to contribute to Retina Australia’s important work," said Jonathan Brookes. "Retina Australia has a profound impact on the inherited retinal disease community, and I welcome the opportunity to work with the Board to advance its strategic goals and extend its impact”.

Most recently Jonathan served as Director of Engagement at Eating Disorders Victoria, where he led the development of the organisation’s inaugural Income Diversity Strategy, expanded its education portfolio and launched key fundraising initiatives along with its brand ambassador program. He holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts and is a highly regarded leader in the not for profit sector.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jonathan Brookes as Chief Executive Officer," said Leighton Boyd, Chair of the Board of Directors. "His experience and vision align strongly with our strategic priorities. We are confident that under his leadership, Retina Australia will continue to grow its reach and impact".

This appointment follows a comprehensive national search process. The Board also extends its sincere gratitude to former CEO, Julia Hall, for her dedicated leadership and valued contributions over the past 3 years.

About Retina Australia

Founded in 1983, Retina Australia, is an independent, charitable organisation dedicated to supporting people affected by inherited retinal diseases. We are the only national membership organisation solely focused on inherited retinal diseases. For more than 40 years, Retina Australia has funded research to advance treatments and progress toward cures. We also support the inherited retinal disease community through information, education and peer support services, and collaborate with researchers, clinicians, government and global partners, including Retina International. For more information, visit our website at www.retinaaustralia.com.au.

Leighton Boyd AM
Chair
Retina Australia
21/01/2026

04/12/2025

Today is World Geographic Atrophy (GA) Day!

Retina Australia invites you to join us in raising awareness of GA, a progressive eye condition that causes irreversible central vision loss.

This year's campaign marks a significant milestone in eye health, with two newly approved treatments for GA now available in Australia. While they do not aim to restore vision, they focus on slowing progression, helping people maintain independence for longer. These treatments are not yet PBS-listed, so advocacy matters.

Here's how you can get involved:
- Learn more about GA
- Book regular eye exams
- Share your story to support PBS access

Together, we can make a difference.

To find out more, click here: https://retinaaustralia.com.au/world-geographic-atrophy-day-2025/

The World Geographic Atrophy Day 2025 campaign is kindly sponsored by Astellas.

13/11/2025

Advancing Vision Restoration – Retina Australia Research Grant 2026

Retina Australia is excited to announce that Associate Professor Mohit Shivdasani from the University of New South Wales is a 2026 Research Grant recipient.

He has been awarded $57,912 for his innovative project: “Selective Activation of Retinal Bipolar Cells Using Freeform Electrical Stimulation.” This research explores a new technique to restore vision in people with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) by selectively stimulating retinal bipolar cells, a promising step toward more effective vision prosthetics.

Congratulations, Associate Professor Shivdasani!

Read the news announcement here:https://retinaaustralia.com.au/2026-research-grants-awarded/

13/11/2025

Retina Australia Research Grant Announcement – 2026

We are proud to announce that Associate Professor Raymond Wong from the Centre for Eye Research Australia and the University of Melbourne, is one of our two 2026 Research Grant recipients.

He has been awarded $60,000 for his groundbreaking project: “Development of epigenetic reprogramming technology to treat retinal degeneration.” This research aims to deliver the first proof-of-concept for using epigenetic reprogramming to rejuvenate the retina, potentially paving the way for a novel gene therapy to treat blindness caused by photoreceptor loss.

Congratulations, Associate Professor Wong!

Read the news announcement here: https://retinaaustralia.com.au/2026-research-grants-awarded/

14/10/2025

Congratulations to Dr Sena Gocuk, the recipient of Retina Australia's Emerging Scientist Award for 2025.

An optometrist and postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Eye Research Australia and the The University of Melbourne, Dr Gocuk is leading vital research into female carriers of X-linked inherited retinal diseases (IRDs).

From pioneering a 10-year international study investigating changes in retinal characteristics among female choroideremia carriers, to advocating for female carriers of X-linked IRDs, her work is significantly contributing to progress in IRD research. Retina Australia is proud to support the next generation of vision science leaders.

Find out more about Dr Gocuk's achievements on our website - https://retinaaustralia.com.au/retina-australia-awards-2025/.

14/10/2025

Retina Australia is proud to announce that Professor Michael Kalloniatis is the recipient of the 2025 Hall of Fame Award, honouring his outstanding achievements that have made a positive impact on the lives of Australians affected by inherited retinal diseases.

With over 30 years of dedication to inherited retinal disease research, clinical practice, teaching, and mentoring, Professor Kalloniatis' impact has reached across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. From securing his first research grant of $6,000 from Retina Australia in 1992 to leading teams, advising internationally, and shaping future generations of optometrists, he has made a significant and sustained contribution to Retina Australia nationally and internationally.

Congratulations to Professor Michael Kalloniatis, the inaugural inductee into the Retina Australia Hall of Fame!

Find out more about Professor Kalloniatis' contributions, click the link in the bio.

.

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Telephone

+61396505088

Website

https://www.retinaaustralia.com.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Retina Australia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your business to be the top-listed Health & Beauty Business in Melbourne?