Ocular Physiology Lab
Research Team
- Dr Bang Bui
- Ms Alice Brandli
- Ms Vickie Wong
- Dr Zheng He
- Ms Tina Tsai
- Dr George Kong
- Mr Daniel Adler
- Mr J Charng
- Ms Sze E Chin
National & International Collaborators
- Dr J Crowston – Centre for Eye Research Australia, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia
- Dr I Trounce - Department of Clinical Neurosciences, St Vincent’s Health, Melbourne
- Dr M Tolcos, Dr M Loeliger and Dr E Fletcher – Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Australia
- Dr J Armitage – Baker Heart Institute Melbourne, Australia
- Dr Burdon, Dr D Mackey and Dr J Craig – Flinders University, Australia
- Dr B Fortune and Dr L Wang - Discoveries in Sight, Portland, USA
- Dr M Kalloniatis – Department of Optometry and Vision Science, Auckland University, NZ
Retinal processing and non-invasive test for early disease detection
The electroretinogram remains the most commonly used measure of retinal integrity. We are applying a range of selective pharmacological tools to isolate inner retinal modulators of the waveform. In addition we hope to separate responses generated by neurons from those arising from non-neuronal elements (epithelia and/or glia).
Risk factors for neurodegeneration
There are many inconsistencies in the clinical presentation of glaucoma. One controversy is the role of intraocular pressure elevation. In order to clarify its role, we are assessing the contribution of ocular perfusion pressure to the development of glaucoma, by modulating either intraocular pressure or blood pressure, both independently and in concert. We also hope to clarify the role of repeated intraocular pressure “spikes” on ganglion cell integrity.
Age is a risk factor for both glaucoma and diabetes. Whether abnormalities in mitochondria underlie this age related susceptibility is being considered in collaboration with the Centre for Eye Research, Melbourne and St Vincent’s Health, Melbourne.
Recently a thinner central corneal thickness has been identified as a risk factor for glaucoma. In conjunction with the Department of Ophthalmology at Flinders University we will consider how this increased risk arises.
The presence of ganglion cell dysfunction might be the earliest signs of neuronal compromise in diabetes. Whether the presence of diabetes also predisposes eyes to glaucoma will also be considered.
top of pageRecent Publications
- Bui BV, Loeliger M, Thomas M, Vingrys AJ, Rees SM, Nguyen CTO, He Z, Tolcos M (2009) Investigating structural and biochemical correlates of ganglion cell dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Exp Eye Res. In press 20/01/09.
- Fortune B, Demirel S, Bui BV. (2009) Multifocal visual evoked potential responses to pattern-reversal, onset, offset, and sparse pulse stimuli. Visual Neurosci. In press 10/12/08.
- Jobling AI, Wan R, Gentle A, Bui BV, McBrien NA. (2009) Retinal and choroidal TGF-beta in the tree shrew model of myopia: isofrom expression, activation and effects on function. Exp Eye Res. In press 24/10/08.
- Kozaki, K., Vingrys, A.J., Bui, B.V. (2008). Early inner retinal dysfunction in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 49:3595-604.
- Nguyen, C.T.O., Vingrys, A.J., Bui, B.V. (2008). Dietary omega-3 fatty acids modify ganglion cell function. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 49:3586-94.
- Forte, J.D., Bui, B.V., Vingrys, A.J. (2008). Wavelet analysis reveals dynamics of rat oscillatory potentials. J Neurosci Methods 169:191-200.
- He, Z., Bui, B.V., Vingrys, A.J. (2008). Effect of repeated IOP challenge on rat retinal function. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 49:3026-34.
Contact:
Dr Bang V Bui
Ph: 9349 7521
Fx: 9349 7498
Em:
bvb@ unimelb.edu.au