An eye donation from Robert Van der Heiden who lived with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) will give CERA researchers a unique opportunity to advance the study the mitochondrial genetic disease that causes blindness.
When Robert died earlier this year from an unrelated illness, his family wanted to donate his eyes to support research and create a legacy. Robert’s consultant ophthalmologist Professor David Mackey linked the family with CERA, where orthoptist Lisa Kearns helped make this wish come true.
The donation to the Mitochondria and Neurodegeneration Group at CERA will provide researchers there and at partner Duke University, Singapore, with an extremely rare and valuable opportunity to study the eye tissue of a patient with the disease.
To register to become an eye donor, go to https://donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today
