Peter McGauran MP, Australian Government Minister for Science

Media Release

THE EYES HAVE IT WITH NEW CRC

30 October 2003

A new $387 million research centre will tackle major vision and eye-care problems, including short-sightedness.

The Vision Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), one of the largest vision correction research centres in the world, was launched today by Australian Government Science Minister Peter McGauran.

Mr McGauran said the CRC is supported by $32 million from the Australian Government and brings together universities, government and industry partners to focus on this vital area of healthcare.

“More than three billion people in the world need vision correction, and this number is growing rapidly,” Mr McGauran said.

“The CRC will tackle the biggest problems now facing the world in vision and eye-care, especially short-sightedness (myopia) and age-related difficulty of near focus (presbyopia).

“Visual impairment prevents healthy ageing, with the amount of visual impairment and blindness increasing threefold with every decade of age.

“The ageing of the population will lead to a doubling in the amount of eye disease in Australia and aged care screening shows 35% of our elderly have poor vision.

“The Vision CRC aims to make Australia a global centre for all aspects of vision correction research, education and eye-care delivery, creating opportunities for Australian industry and helping to ensure the visual welfare of all Australians,” Mr McGauran concluded.

The CRC has attracted strong industry support and input from a range of Australian and international companies including links with organisations from India, China, Canada, the UK and the USA.

Further information on the CRC Programme can be found at www.crc.gov.au.

Further information:
Jodie Naismith (Minister McGauran’s office) 03 9639 3199 or 0419 622 915