Ophthalmology

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  Clinical Associate Professor Elaine Chong

  ewtchong@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

Research Overview

Associate Professor Elaine Chong MBBS (Melb), MEpi, PhD, FAMS, FRANZCO is the head of ophthalmology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and consultant ophthalmologist in both the corneal & retinal units at the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital. She was awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence at the RANZCO Advanced Clinical Exams and has received various international awards for her work in corneal & retinal research.

Descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty (DWEK)
A New Treatment for Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy - This study evaluates the possibility of removing a section of Descemet’s membrane along with its diseased endothelial cells, without corneal transplantation, and simply leaving the cornea to heal on its own, as a new treatment for Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy (FED). This procedure is known as ‘Descemetorhexis Without Endothelial Keratoplasty (DWEK)’ or ‘Descemet’s stripping only (DSO)’.  DWEK/DSO may improve vision in persons with FED without the need for traditional corneal transplantation.

Keratoconus International Consortium (KIC)
International collaborative study to evaluate keratoconus

RMH Ophthalmology Clinical Trials
Industry trials e.g.

IONIS: A Phase 2, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Masked Study to Assess Safety and Efficacy of Multiple Doses of IONIS-FB-LRX, an Antisense Inhibitor of Complement Factor B, in Patients with Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Medical Doctorate research projects
MD student research projects e.g.

Chen H, Tan MH, Pomerleau D, Chong E.W., Lim LL, Symons RCA. Optical coherence tomography analysis of patients with untreated diabetic macular edema. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2019 Dec 26

Retroillumination photo of descemetorhexis with corneal clearance.

Opportunities for MD research projects are available

Research Publications

View Dr Elaine Chong's latest PubMed publications here

1. Chong EW, Bandeira F, Finn P, Mehta JS, Chan E. Evaluation of Total Donor Endothelial Viability After Endothelium-Inward Versus Endothelium-Outward Loading and Insertion in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty. Cornea. 2020 Jan;39(1):104-109
2. Chong EW, Abell RG, Chan E. Novel Unassisted Pterygium Excision Technique. Cornea. 2019 Apr;38(4)
3. Okada M, Kandasamy R, Chong EW, McGuiness M, Guymer RH. The Treat-and-Extend Injection Regimen Versus Alternate Dosing Strategies in Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2018 Aug;192:184-197.
4. Olivo Payne A., Chong E.W. Bee Sting versus Cornea: Toxic Effects and Management. Medical Journal of Australia, 2018 Aug 20;209(4):155.
5. Chong EW, Al-Qureshi SH. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials 5 year outcomes and implication for clinical practice. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2017 May;45(4):333-335.