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Nur Amalina Md Isa

Nur Amalina Md Isa

PhD Candidate
Postgraduate Research Student
Medicine & Health School of Optometry and Vision Science

Biography: Amalina is a PhD candidate at the School of Optometry & Vision Science, UNSW and researcher at the Institute of Neurological Sciences of Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney. She was an optometrist and academician in Malaysia with over 10 years of clinical and teaching experience. Her research focuses on the ocular surface and its relation to systemic conditions, with parallel interest in understanding the quality-of-life aspects of the two.

Research Title: The ocular surface in migraine

Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Markoulli, Prof. Eric Papas, Dr. Katherine Spira, Prof. Arun Krishnan, Assoc. Prof. Alessandro S. Zagami

Research Abstract: Migraine is a common and debilitating neurological disorder that is affecting approximately 14% of the global population. It is usually characterised by 4-72 hours, moderate-to-severe, unilateral headache; with spectrum of associated symptoms involving sensory, visual, cognitive and motor disturbances. Despite the prevalence and significant impact to the quality of life, there are still many uncertainties relating to what triggers migraine and how it occurs (pathophysiology). These result to assessing and treating the disorder challenging. Currently, migraine is mainly evaluated through patient-reported measures, which could prone to recall bias.
Migraine presents many eye-related symptoms such as photophobia, disturbed vision, visual aura, and ocular pain. Recent findings also showed prevalent comorbidity of dry eyes and elevated levels of key neuropeptide of migraine pain in the tear film compared to serum in those with migraine. These findings suggest possible crosstalk between migraine and the eyes. Hence, this research focuses on investigating the relationship between them.
We aim to explore the influence of migraine on the eye, particularly the ocular surface, and vice-versa. We hope this research could provide deeper understanding on migraine pathophysiology and its connections to the eyes and enlighten the potential of the ocular surface in evaluating migraine disorder.

Education:
(1) PhD Candidate, UNSW (2022 – current).
(2) Master of Optometry, UNSW.
(3) Bachelor of Optometry (Honours), International Islamic University Malaysia.
Email

amalinaisa@unsw.edu.au

  • Md Isa NA, Tummanapalli S, Chiang JCB, et al. Neuropathic changes in corneal nerve endings – A potential objective biomarker for migraine frequency and response to treatment. Headache. 2023; 63: 1327-1329. Doi:10.1111/head.14630
  • Md Isa NA, Koh PY, Doraj P. The tear function in electronic cigarette smokers. Optom Vis Sci. 2019 Sep; 96(9):678-685. Doi:10.1097/OPX.0000000000001422
  • Markoulli M, Isa NA, Papas EB. Temporal characteristics of sodium fluorescein in the tear meniscus. Optom Vis Sci. 2017 Feb; 94(2):166-173. Doi:10.1097/OPX.0000000000001012
    • International Headache Society travel grant 2023.
    • Best poster in junior group for International Headache Congress 2023.
    • Tow Award 2023: PhD Top-Up Scholarship.
    • Md Isa NA, Tummanapalli S, Chiang JCB, et al. Corneal nerve morphology as a potential objective biomarker of migraine. Poster presentation at International Headache Congress: Seoul. 14 – 17 September 2023.
    •  Md Isa NA, Tummanapalli S, Chiang JCB, et al. Corneal nerve-associated changes in migraine disorder. Presentation at Scientific Education and Optometry Meeting: Melbourne. 11 September 2023
    • Member of Association of Malaysian Optometrist.
    • Member of Tear Film Ocular Society (TFOS).
    • Associate member of Australia New Zealand Headache Society.
    • Associate/junior member of International Headache Society.
    • Student member of Cornea & Contact Lens Society of Australia.