What we do
Research
Retina Australia funds and facilitates the top medical research into inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) through a competitive annual Research Grants Program.
- Research we fund
- Impact reports of past research grants
- Strategy and governance of our Research Grants Program
- Apply for a grant
Information
We provide information about:
- Inherited retinal disease (IRD)
- Different types of inherited retinal diseases
- Other retinal dystrophies – AMD and GA
- Anatomy of the eye
- Inheritance patterns
- Genetic testing
- Participating in clinical trials
- An IRD Research Project and Clinical Trial Register
- Latest updates on emerging treatments
- Frequently asked questions
Support
Retina Australia also offers support via:
- Providing Guides for:
- The newly diagnosed
- Parents of children diagnosed with an inherited retinal disease
- Friends of the newly diagnosed
- Financial assistance supports
- Reference material in regard to:
- Peer Support Groups
- Phone support and referral guidance
Thanks to our generous donors, we have invested
over $6.5 million
in more than 140 projects
since 1989
Latest Retina Australia news
2025 Research Grants awarded
Retina Australia is delighted to announce two new Research Grants awarded for 2025. Both grant projects will be focusing on the discovery of potential new...
Top 10 Research Priorities for Inherited Retinal Disease
We are thrilled to share the Top 10 Research Priorities for Inherited Retinal Disease,...
Launch of the Geographic Atrophy Case for Action Report
The Parliamentary Friends for Eye Health and Vision Care The Geographic Atrophy Case for Action...
Latest blog posts
Cell therapy, genetic research and a patient’s perspective
This is a summary of the webinar that was presented on Saturday 19th October...
New Research: Comparison of Long Cane and Electronic Travel Aids for Mobility
The research study, "Functional performance comparison of long cane...
World Research Summary by Dr Catherine Civil
Hot Off The Press More updates on the latest research: CRISPR-Cas13 and RNA We have just about got our heads around the...
World Research Summary by Dr Catherine Civil
Hot Off The Press More updates on the latest research: Gene therapy is improving vision in Bothnia Dystrophy Bothnia dystrophy is a...
Research impact reports
Establishing novel AAV gene editing for Usher Syndrome
Dr Anai Gonzalez-Cordero - Children’s Medical Research Institute, Sydney
$55,774 (2023)
Using RNA-silencing to tackle neuroinflammation in retinal degeneration
Dr Adrian Cioanca - John Curtin School of Medical Research, Canberra
$59,869 (2023)
Improving real-world mobility and assessing long-term safety outcomes with a retinal prosthesis (“Bionic Eye”)
Associate Professor Penelope Allen - Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne
$39,862 (2022)
RNA base editing strategies as potential therapeutic of inherited retinal dystrophies
Associate Professor Guei-Sheung (Rick) Liu - Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne
$40,000 (2022)
Retina Australia supports innovative research that will bring hope of lifechanging therapies for all Australians affected by an inherited retinal disease.
Leighton Boyd AM
Chair of the Board of Directors