“As it’s my first grant, I was delighted to receive the news and am very grateful to both organisations for their generosity,” Dr Hui said.

The award will fund Dr Hui’s research in 2018, during which time she will validate novel clinical tools for the accurate detection of short-term changes in glaucoma.

“Glaucoma is a chronic condition that causes progressive loss of nerve cells at the back of the eye and the way we fight it is by lowering eye pressure, with drops, laser or surgery,” Dr Hui said.

‘One of the key challenges is finding definitive markers that can identify the progression of the disease. During clinical trials, for example, it can take more than a year to ascertain if a new therapy is working or not.

“My goal is to shorten the ‘diagnosis gap’ from years, to possibly months,” Dr Hui said.

Tools that can accurately assess disease progression could have profound effects on patient treatment and after-care.

“I will be using hyperspectral imaging and the electroretinogram, which can give clues to changes in the structure of the retina and how it’s working,” Dr Hui said.

The Jack Brockhoff Foundation seeks to help support early-career researchers to demonstrate their scientific originality and their capacity to complete, relatively independently, a discrete study for publication in scientific literature.

The aim of this program is to strengthen research capability in Victoria to conduct world-class research in health and well-being by helping establish the careers of talented young scientists.

The Marian and E.H. Flack Trust is an independent philanthropic trust that supports a variety of charitable institutions and diverse causes throughout Australia.