Research: SERI and NTU collaboration in developing ocular imaging technologies

Today, the life expectancy in Singapore has risen to 85.4 years, from 76.1 years in 1990. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above. With Singapore’s rapid ageing population, there will be a significant increase in chronic eye diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, myopia and cataracts, which could lead to vision impairment affecting mobility and activities of daily living. 

It is in this context that Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) bring together the joint efforts – SERI-NTU Advanced Ocular Engineering (“STANCE”) Programme, in producing research and new technologies of translating technological advances into meaningful, robust and validated applications that are clinically useful and becoming an integral part of clinical eye care management in detecting and monitoring various ocular pathologies. 

“Eye diseases remain one of the key conditions that an ageing population in Singapore faces, which lead to vision impairment that affects mobility. The STANCE Programme will develop new imaging technologies to detect and diagnose eye conditions quickly, easily and conveniently.” Says Professor Leopold Schmetterer, Director of the STANCE Programme.

Leveraging on the internationally-recognised expertise and capabilities of SERI in eye research and NTU in engineering and technology, the STANCE Programme aims to develop highly-specialized advanced imaging technology that will allow for continuation of edge-cutting research in Singapore in the field of ocular engineering. This also holds promise for further strengthening the role of ocular imaging in clinical assessment and monitoring of the eye.

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From left to right: Professor James Best, Professor Louis Phee, Professor Ivy Ng, Professor Aung Tin, 

Professor Wong Tien Yin, Professor Leopold Schmetterer