Capital Vision Research Trust is a Registered Charitable Trust with a mission "To undertake world-class scientific research to develop and enhance methods of treating and avoiding blindness." Capital Vision funds are used for the development of improved eye disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatments, aiming to raise the standard of eye care throughout the world.
The wonderful gift of sight is something we all take for granted but something none of us would ever wish to loose.
There are many charities and orgainisations out there working for people that have already developed a serious eye condition, such as glaucoma, blindness and macular degeneration, but what research provides is the opportunity to one day make breakthroughs that stop eye disease reaching that stage, or developing in the first place.
In the words of the founder of Capital Vision, Prof Tony Wells; "even a great surgeon can only treat so many patients in one day...but a single research breakthrough can save vision for many people merely by communicating a new piece of information to the world"
This is why your support is vital to the continuing work of Capital Vision - your financial support allows us to keep working to achieve these breakthrough's.
In the last 13 years since its founding, Capital Vision has developed a proud track record of achievements:
-
Published over 60 articles and textbook chapters in leading publications;
-
given many lectures at international conferences;
-
supported 7 research & clinical fellows;
-
helped multiple young doctors pursue ophthalmology as a speciality;
-
presented local optometrists and nurses with the annual Optometry Education Series involving several Seminar's throughout the year to support the very high standard of our local front line eye care professionals;
-
undertaking the world-first Wellington Keratoconus Study (WELKS), operating out of a mobile laboratory, screening secondary aged students in schools throughout the Greater Wellington Region.
Trustees
- Dr Keith Small, Chairperson, founding trustee
Consultant Ophthalmologist. Dr Small has subspecialty training in retinal surgery with Professor David McLeod, one of Europe's leading retinal surgery specialists at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.
- Dr Andrew Logan, founding trustee
Consultant Ophthalmologist. Dr Logan has a subspecialty practise in cornea, anterior segment and refractive surgery.
- Dr Reece Hall
Consultant Ophthalmologist. Dr Hall is a graduate of Otago Medical School and completed his specialist ophthalmology training in Wellington. He has completed a one year full time fellowship in Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Surgery with Professor Graham Barrett at the Lions Eye Institute in Perth and a one year full time fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery with Professor Donald Tan in Singapore. He has published research in the area of corneal and refractive surgery. His special interests are micro incision cataract surgery (MICS), refractive surgery (LASIK), and the surgical and medical treatment of corneal disease. Dr Hall has responsibility for the world-first Wellington Keratoconus Study and the annual Optometry Education Lecture Series.
- Dr Jesse Gale
Consultant Ophthalmologist. Jesse returned home to Wellington from overseas fellowships in 2015 as a consultant ophthalmologist, with specialist training in glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology. Jesse also has training in manual cataract surgery and continues outreach work in the Pacific. This interest extends to managing eye disease across populations, with a focus on community management of glaucoma.
Patron
- Kerry Prendergast, CNZM
Kerry Prendergast, CNZM, JP, spent 24 years serving in local government, including six years as Deputy Mayor of Wellington and culminating in nine years as the 33rd Mayor of Wellington (2001–2010). Kerry's professional background is in the health sector as a registered nurse and then, for twenty five years, a midwife. Kerry continued her midwifery role alongside her local government work until 2001. Kerry has also been a voluntary grief counsellor. Kerry holds an MBA degree from Victoria University of Wellington. In 2011 Kerry became chair of the Environmental Protection Authority and of Tourism New Zealand, and sits on the board of WorkSafe NZ, Phoenix Football Club, NZCT, Kirkaldie and Stains, and several advisory boards. Kerry has been executive chair of the New Zealand Festival since 2011, was a director of Wellington International Airport Limited and the Wellington Region Association of Midwives until 2010. Kerry is an honorary life member of the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society and of Plunket. Kerry is patron of a number of Wellington organisations. In the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours, Kerry was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
