Natalie Eshow

Research Title: Developing highly translatable tools to assist optometrist in identifying individuals with high risk of vision loss from age-related macular degeneration

Supervisor: Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith

Co-supervisors: Professor Isabelle Jalbert, Dr Daisy Shu, Associate Professor Steven Most

Research

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision loss worldwide and is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries, particularly affecting the older population. In the early stages of AMD, several changes occur within the retina including the formation of drusen and pigmentary abnormalities. However, in these early stages vision is generally preserved. It is in the late stages of AMD that central vision is lost due to atrophy in the retinal layers and has devastating effects on patients' health, independence and general quality of life.

Although a number of structural biomarkers and signs have been found to be associated with a higher risk of AMD progression and a poorer prognosis, identifying them in clinical practice remains challenging. Thus, my research focuses on improving the identification of patients at high risk of vision loss from AMD through the development of clinical decision aids. My work aims to improve the identification of a structural marker for AMD progression, reticular pseudodrusen, through the development of a computational technique that identifies the marker across multiple patient images; a task which is generally time-consuming and highly subjective in clinical practice. My research also aims to improve home monitoring of AMD by improving patient adherence with Amsler grid testing and thus, improving the detection of the functional marker for AMD progression, Amsler grid 

Biography

I am a current PhD candidate and Associate Lecturer in the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW. My research interests lie in improving detection, diagnosis and monitoring of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with my current doctoral studies focusing on improving the identification of patients at highest risk of vision loss from AMD through improved prognostic biomarker assessment and home monitoring. Before embarking on my research career, I started in the field of Medical Science with majors in Anatomy and Pathology at UNSW Medicine.

Along with research, I have a particular passion for teaching and sharing knowledge to students in ways that are understandable and engaging. I have taught a variety of courses across both the faculties of Medicine and Science at UNSW, and am also involved as an educator in Pathology at the Museum of Human Disease at UNSW.

Education

PhD Candidate in Vision Science (UNSW) 

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Vision Science (UNSW), 2021

Bachelor of Science (Anatomy, Pathology) (UNSW), 2020