Laima Brazionis

• 
  Group Leader
  Dr Laima Brazionis

  laimab@unimelb.edu.au

  +61 3 9288 3032

Research Overview

WHO ARE WE?

The Diabetic Retinopathy Research Group comprises academic, clinical and technical staff brought together to address the multidisciplinary challenges associated with chronic disease diagnosis and management. The group comprises medical and information scientists from the fields of endocrinology, epidemiology, eye care, nutrition and technology with research nodes at The University of Melbourne, University of Sydney and La Trobe University.

WHY DO WE EXIST?

There is growing evidence of multiple associations between chronic diseases and behavioural, biomedical and dietary risk factors across academic disciplines.

Increased quantities and granularity of data and improved communication technologies represent a paradigm shift in patient information management and knowledge sharing. As holistic approaches and technology become more integral to health service delivery, it is critical that we apply the same rigour and evidence-based assessment to these new interventions that we do to traditional practices.

WHAT DO WE DO?

We conduct clinician-initiated research to produce evidence-based research development, implementation processes and tools to assist the health sector in the areas of:

• Diabetic Retinopathy Assessment
• Nutritional Epidemiology (inc. dietary interventions)
• Health literacy, education & lifestyle assessment

With a focus on regional/remote communities and Indigenous Health.

The Diabetic Retinopathy Research Group is the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Core of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre of Research Excellence in Diabetic Retinopathy administered by the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney.

Staff

• Dr Laima Brazionis, Group Leader, Department of Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital
• Sharon Atkinson-Briggs, PhD Student, Department of Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital

Collaborators

• Prof Alicia Jenkins & Prof Anthony Keech, The University of Sydney, NH&MRC Clinical Trials Centre.
• Dr Tim Henderson, Flinders University, Department of Ophthalmology.
• Prof Sven-Erik Bursell, University of Hawaii.
• Prof Catherine Itsiopoulos, La Trobe University, Dietetics and human nutrition.
• Prof Michael Berk & Prof Felice Jacka, Deakin University, Food and Mood Centre.
• Mr Chris Ryan, Digital Health Lead, The University of Melbourne

Funding

• NH&MRC Centre for Research Excellence in Diabetic Retinopathy (2014-2019) – Informatics Core
• Telehealth Facilitation of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Care in Australia. NHMRC Partnership Grant. 2012-2015
• Comparison of diagnostic accuracy in the clinical assessment of diabetic retinopathy of two (ultra-portable low-cost) digital non-mydriatic retinal cameras aimed at improving access to eye care for Australians with diabetes. Awarded by the Australian Diabetes Society 2013 – 2014
• Diet as a therapeutic target in depression: A randomised controlled trial. NHMRC Project 2012 - 2014

Research Outcomes

Research Publications

• Brazionis L, Jenkins A, Keech A, Ryan C, Bursell SE, TEAMSnet Study Group. An evaluation of the telehealth facilitation of diabetes and cardiovascular care in remote Australian Indigenous communities: - protocol for the telehealth eye and associated medical services network [TEAMSnet] project, a pre-post study design BMC Health Serv Res 2017 17 1 -13.
• Keel S, Itsiopoulos C, Koklanis C, Vukicevic M, Brazionis L. Retinal Vascular Calibre and Kidney Function in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Ophthalmic Epidemiology 2017 – Accepted for publication: P13729682
• Brazionis L, Golley R, Mittinty M, Smithers L, Emmett P, Northstone K, Lynch J. Diet spanning infancy and toddlerhood is associated with child blood pressure at age 7.5 years.  AJCN 2013 1375-1386
• Bursell S, Brazionis L, Jenkins, A. Telemedicine and ocular health in diabetes mellitus. Clinical and Experimental Optometry 2012 95(3) 311-327.