Credit: My Happy Birthday Wishes

The National Vision Research Institute (NVRI) welcomed past and present researchers, collaborators and supporters to its Australian College of Optometry (ACO) base in Carlton to celebrate its 50th anniversary. 

The November celebration was an opportunity for former researchers who helped shape the research arm of the ACO, including former NVRI directors Professors Robert Augusteyn and Paul Martin, to exchange stories with the current team.  

Under current director Professor Michael Ibbotson, the NVRI has in recent years updated its equipment, labs’ configuration and expanded its research scope to include quantitative eye charts, developmental vision disorders, retinal development, visual impairment, lens biochemistry, comparative visual neuroscience, colour vision, understanding the visual brain, prosthetic vision devices, neurotechnology and visual perception.  

“The NVRI continues to drive vision research and has expanded to include clinical research in partnership with the ACO and industry, working together to develop novel technologies to support those with vision loss. Strengthened by other collaborations and exceptional research talent, the NVRI is engaged in truly exciting work, including linking with computer science to really understand how the brain makes its computations,” said Prof Ibbotson. 

An NVRI statement said philanthropy has been essential to its funding model, with notable support from Lions International and donors such as the Schultz family. To become an NVRI member or to donate, visit https://bit.ly/3EUSKjB