Visual Functions Laboratory
Research Team
- Professor Algis J Vingrys
- Dr Zheng He (post-doc)
- Dr Christine Nguyen (post-doc)
- Dr Vickie Wong (post-doc)
RHD candidates
- Ms Tina Tsai
- Mr J Charng
- Ms Flora Hui
- Ms Bao Nguyen
- Ms Jia Jia Lek
- Mr Jeremiah Lim
National & International Collaborators
- Dr Bang Bui, Ocular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences
- Dr Allison McKendrick, Clinical Psychophysics Laboratory, Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences
- Dr Anne Weymouth, Lead Optometrist, Visual Function Services, Australian College of Optometry
- Professor Anne Fulton – Boston Children’s Hospital, Ophthalmology Department, Havard School of Medicine, Boston MA, USA
- Professors Robyn Guymer, Jonathan Crowston – Centre for Eye Research, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia
- Dr Ruth Hogg, Cambridge University, UK
- Dr Chris Johnson, Director, Visual Field Reading Centre, Department Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
- Dr Andrew Zele - School of Optometry, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Laboratory Information
This laboratory applies behavioural and electrophysiological methods to elucidate visual development, the normal ageing process as well as in detection and monitoring of eye disease. In particular we are interested in developing better understanding of diabetes, glaucoma, age-related maculopathy and the vision loss in migraine.
The lab collaborates with the Ocular Physiology and Clinical Psychophysics Laboratories within the Department on common research projects and with other laboratories in Melbourne University (Ophthalmology) and elsewhere (Baker Heart Institute).
Our human and animal work has defined the effect that normal ageing and the ocular diseases, ARMD, diabetes and glaucoma, can have on vision. In particular we are interested in developing tests that can detect these processes early.
Students in the Visual Functions Laboratory learn computing skills, modelling methods, and electrophysiological and/or psychophysical methods. Collaborative projects provide a broad experience in anatomy, system physiology, neuroscience and/or ocular biochemistry. Those interested in visiting or joining the lab should contact Prof. Vingrys.
About Algis Vingrys
Algis is a graduate of Department of Optometry at The University of Melbourne. He completed his doctoral research in Melbourne and was appointed to his first post-doctoral position in the School of Optometry at the University of Auckland. This was followed by a joint post-doctoral appointment in the Schools of Optometry and Ophthalmology, at The Ohio State University, working with Professors P. Ewen King-Smith PhD and Susan Benes MD, before gaining employment as a Lecturer in the Department of Optometry at The University of Melbourne. His interests are in ocular disease detection and developing a better understanding of how disease processes can impact on vision.
Selected Recent Publications
- Dimitrov, P. N., L. D. Robman, M VArsamidis, K.Z. Aung, G.A. Makayeva, R.H. Guymer, A.J. Vingrys. (2011). Visual function tests as potential biomarkers in age-related macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 52(13): 9457-9469.
- Dang, T. M., T. I. Tsai, et al. (2011). Post-receptoral contributions to the rat scotopic electroretinogram a-wave. Documenta Ophthalmologica, Advances in Ophthalmology 122(3): 149-156.
- He, Z., A. J. Vingrys, et al. (2011). The role of blood pressure in glaucoma. Clinical & Experimental Optometry 94(2): 133-149.
- Wong, V. H., B. V. Bui, et al. (2011). Clinical and experimental links between diabetes and glaucoma. Clinical & Experimental Optometry 94(1): 4-23.
- Yee, P., A. E. Weymouth, et al. (2010). A role for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements in diabetic neuropathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 51(3): 1755-1764.
- Weymouth, A. E. and A. J. Vingrys (2008). Rodent electroretinography: Methods for extraction and interpretation of rod and cone responses. Prog Retin Eye Res. 27: 1-44.
- Zele, A. J., T. M. Dang, R. K. O'Loughlin, R. H. Guymer, A. Harper and A. J. Vingrys (2008). Adaptation Mechanisms, Eccentricity Profiles, and Clinical Implementation of Red-on-White Perimetry. Optom Vis Sci. 85: 309-317.