Dr Cecilia Chao
Adjunct Senior Lecturer

Dr Cecilia Chao

Medicine & Health
School of Optometry and Vision Science

Dr Cecilia Chao is an Associate Lecturer at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney and is currently conducting her post-doctoral work at Tufts Medical Center in Boston USA. She was previously trained as a translational post-doctoral fellow in the State University of New York, College of Optometry with Associate Professor Kathryn Richdale.

Dr Chao's current research in Professor Pedram Hamrah’s lab in Boston focuses on corneal and lacrimal gland conventional dendritic cells morphology and kinetic properties in vivo after environmental dry eye exposure using multi-photon microscopy. She is also investigating the selective blockade of chemokine receptors and/or integrins from HSV-1 primed CD4 T cells on their homing to the cornea, which will lead to the development of the treatment for HSV-1 keratitis. Her other research expertise includes contact lens induced sub-clinical inflammatory responses on the ocular surface, post-LASIK induced neuropathic dry eye, corneal subbasal nerve regeneration and its association with corneal dendritic cells and tear neuropeptides.  

Dr Chao currently co-supervises research projects of PhD students in the fields of corneal antigen-presenting cell using in vivo confocal microscopy and tear cytokines during contact lens wear at UNSW in order to enhance the student experience and maximise learning whilst conducting their research. 

Location
School of Optometry and Vision Science
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Chao C; Skidmore K; Tomiyama ES; Wolffsohn JS; Richdale K, 2023, 'Soft toric contact lens wear improves digital performance and vision—A randomised clinical trial', Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, vol. 43, pp. 25 - 34, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/opo.13053
    Journal articles | 2023
    Qin G; Chao C; Lattery LJ; Lin H; Fu W; Richdale K; Cai C, 2023, 'Tear proteomic analysis of young glasses, orthokeratology, and soft contact lens wearers', Journal of Proteomics, vol. 270, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jprot.2022.104738
    Journal articles | 2022
    Chao C; Lattery L; Qin G; Kamat M; Basso K; Lakkis C; Hasan M; Richdale K, 2022, 'Tear Proteomics of Children and Young Adult Soft Contact Lens, Orthokeratology and Spectacle Wearers–A Pilot Study', Current Eye Research, vol. 47, pp. 832 - 842, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02713683.2022.2047206
    Journal articles | 2022
    Chao C; Lema C; Redfern R; Richdale K, 2022, 'Changes in tear glucose and insulin concentrations following an oral glucose tolerance test', Clinical and Experimental Optometry, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2022.2111204
    Journal articles | 2022
    Chao C; Tajbakhsh Z; Stapleton F; Mobeen R; Madigan M; Jalbert I; Golebiowski B, 2022, 'Corneal epithelial dendritic cells, tear neuropeptides and corneal nerves continue to be affected more than 12 months after LASIK', Acta Ophthalmologica, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aos.15270
    Journal articles | 2022
    Chao C; Zhou S; Stapleton F; Chen S; Zhou X; Golebiowski B, 2022, 'The structural and functional corneal reinnervation mechanism at different regions after LASIK—an in vivo confocal microscopy study', Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, vol. 260, pp. 163 - 172, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00417-021-05381-z
    Journal articles | 2022
    Lattery LJ; Chao C; Walline JJ; Bullimore MA; Ritchey ER; Skidmore K; Richdale K, 2022, 'Patient and parent perceptions of myopia modalities', Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2022.101772
    Journal articles | 2020
    Chao C; Lum E; Golebiowski B; Stapleton F, 2020, 'Alteration of the pattern of regenerative corneal subbasal nerves after laser in-situ keratomileusis surgery', Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, vol. 40, pp. 577 - 583, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/opo.12723
    Journal articles | 2020
    Chao C; Wang R; Jones M; Karson N; Jussel A; Smith J; Richdale K; Harrison W, 2020, 'The relationship between corneal nerve density and hemoglobin A1c in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes', Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, vol. 61, pp. 26, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/IOVS.61.12.26
    Journal articles | 2020
    Golebiowski B; Chao C; Bui KA; Lam W; Richdale K; Stapleton F, 2020, 'Effect of age and contact lens wear on corneal epithelial dendritic cell distribution, density, and morphology', Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, vol. 43, pp. 84 - 90, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2019.05.002
    Journal articles | 2020
    Jamali A; Seyed-Razavi Y; Chao C; Ortiz G; Kenyon B; Blanco T; Harris DL; Hamrah P, 2020, 'Intravital Multiphoton Microscopy of the Ocular Surface: Alterations in Conventional Dendritic Cell Morphology and Kinetics in Dry Eye Disease.', Front Immunol, vol. 11, pp. 742, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00742
    Journal articles | 2020
    Ortiz G; Chao C; Jamali A; Seyed-Razavi Y; Kenyon B; Harris DL; Zoukhri D; Hamrah P, 2020, 'Effect of Dry Eye Disease on the Kinetics of Lacrimal Gland Dendritic Cells as Visualized by Intravital Multi-Photon Microscopy.', Front Immunol, vol. 11, pp. 1713, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01713
    Journal articles | 2020
    Richdale K; Chao C; Hamilton M, 2020, 'Eye care providers' emerging roles in early detection of diabetes and management of diabetic changes to the ocular surface: A review', BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care, vol. 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-001094
    Journal articles | 2019
    Chao C; Richdale K; Willcox M, 2019, 'Absorption and Extraction of Inflammatory Mediators From Contact Lens Materials.', Eye Contact Lens, vol. 45, pp. 340 - 345, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/ICL.0000000000000576
    Journal articles | 2019
    Chao C; Richdale K; Willcox M, 2019, 'Absorption and Extraction of Inflammatory Mediators from Contact Lens Materials', Eye and Contact Lens, vol. 45, pp. 340 - 345, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/ICL.0000000000000576
    Journal articles | 2019
    Mobeen R; Stapleton F; Chao C; Madigan M; Briggs N; Golebiowski B, 2019, 'Corneal epithelial dendritic cell density in the healthy human cornea: A meta-analysis of in-vivo confocal microscopy data', Ocular Surface, vol. 17, pp. 753 - 762, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2019.07.001
    Journal articles | 2019
    Stapleton F; Chao C; Golebiowski B, 2019, 'Topical Review: Effects of Contact Lens Wear on Corneal, Conjunctival, and Lid Margin Sensitivity', Optometry and Vision Science, vol. 96, pp. 790 - 801, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/opx.0000000000001429
    Journal articles | 2018
    Ambaw YA; Chao C; Ji S; Raida M; Torta F; Wenk MR; Tong L, 2018, 'Tear eicosanoids in healthy people and ocular surface disease', Scientific Reports, vol. 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29568-3
    Journal articles | 2018
    Chao C; Akileswaran L; Bailey JNC; Willcox M; Van Gelder R; Lakkis C; Stapleton F; Richdale K, 2018, 'Potential role of ocular microbiome, host genotype, tear cytokines, and environmental factors in corneal infiltrative events in contact lens wearers', Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, vol. 59, pp. 5752 - 5761, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/iovs.18-24845
    Journal articles | 2018
    Chao C; Golebiowski B; Stapleton F; Zhao X; Chen S; Madigan M, 2018, 'Conjunctival MUC5AC+ Goblet Cell Index: relationship with corneal nerves and dry eye', Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol, vol. 256, pp. 2249 - 2257, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00417-018-4065-y
    Journal articles | 2018
    Chao C; Tong L, 2018, 'Tear lactoferrin and features of ocular allergy in different severities of meibomian gland dysfunction', Optometry and Vision Science, vol. 95, pp. 930 - 936, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000001285
    Journal articles | 2017
    Chao C; Richdale K; Jalbert I; Doung K; Gokhale M, 2017, 'Non-invasive objective and contemporary methods for measuring ocular surface inflammation in soft contact lens wearers – A review', Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, vol. 40, pp. 273 - 282, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2017.05.008
    Journal articles | 2017
    Chao C; Stapleton F; Golebiowski B; Willcox M; Richdale K, 2017, 'Pre-inflammatory Signs in Established Reusable and Disposable Contact Lens Wearers', Optometry and Vision Science, vol. 94, pp. 1003 - 1008, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000001129
    Journal articles | 2017
    Duong K; Chao C; Willcox M; Richdale K, 2017, 'Changes in Tear Cytokines Following a Short Period of Daily and Overnight Silicone Hydrogel Lens Wear', Journal of Contact lens Research and Science, vol. 1, pp. 3 - 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.22374/jclrs.v1i1.10
    Journal articles | 2017
    Golebiowski B; Chao C; Stapleton F; Jalbert I, 2017, 'Corneal Nerve Morphology, Sensitivity and Tear Neuropeptides in CL Wear', Optometry and Vision Science, vol. 94, pp. 534 - 542, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000001063
    Journal articles | 2016
    Chao C; Golebiowski B; Stapleton F; Richdale K, 2016, 'Changes in Tear Cytokine Concentrations Following Discontinuation of Soft Contact Lenses-A Pilot Study', Eye & contact lens, vol. 42, pp. 237 - 243, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/ICL.0000000000000182
    Journal articles | 2016
    Chao C; Golebiowski B; Zhao X; Chen S; Zhou S; Stapleton F, 2016, 'Long-term effects of LASIK on corneal innervation and tear neuropeptides and the associations with dry eye.', Journal of Refractive Surgery, vol. 32, pp. 518 - 524, http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/1081597X-20160603-01
    Journal articles | 2015
    Chao C; Stapleton F; Zhou X; Chen S; Zhou S; Golebiowski B, 2015, 'Structural and functional changes in corneal innervation after laser in situ keratomileusis and their relationship with dry eye', Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, vol. 253, pp. 2029 - 2039, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00417-015-3120-1
    Journal articles | 2015
    Golebiowski B; Chao C; Stapleton F; Richdale K, 2015, 'Changes in tear cytokine concentrations following discontinuation of soft contact lenses - a pilot study', Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice, vol. 42, pp. 1 - 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/ICL.0000000000000182
    Journal articles | 2015
    Lagali N; Poletti E; Patel DV; McGhee CNJ; Hamrah P; Kheirkhah A; Tavakoli M; Petropoulos IN; Malik RA; Utheim TP; Zhivov A; Stachs O; Falke K; Peschel S; Guthoff R; Chao C; Golebiowski B; Stapleton F; Ruggeri A, 2015, 'Focused tortuosity definitions based on expert clinical assessment of corneal subbasal nerves', Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, vol. 56, pp. 5102 - 5109, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/iovs.15-17284
    Journal articles | 2014
    Chao C; Golebiowski B; Cui Y; Stapleton F, 2014, 'Development of a Chinese version of the ocular comfort index', Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, vol. 55, pp. 3562 - 3571, http://dx.doi.org/10.1167/iovs.14-14276
    Journal articles | 2014
    Chao C; Golebiowski B; Stapleton F, 2014, 'The role of corneal innervation in lasik-induced neuropathic dry eye', Ocular Surface, vol. 12, pp. 32 - 45, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2013.09.001
    Journal articles | 2014
    Chao, C, Stapleton, F, Badarudin, N, Golebiowski, B. , 2014, 'Ocular Surface Sensitivity Repeatability with Cochet-Bonnet Esthesiometer', Optometry and Vision Science, vol. 92, pp. 183 - 189, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000000472
  • Conference Papers | 2020
    Chao C; Jalbert I; Stapleton F; Mobeen R; Tajbakhsh Z; Golebiowski B, 2020, 'Density and morphology of corneal epithelial dendritic cells in proximity to subbasal nerves and effects of contact lens wear – an in vivo confocal microscopic study', in Optometry and Vision Science, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, virtual, pp. 205287 - 205287, presented at American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, virtual
    Conference Papers | 2020
    Colonna A; Scarpa F; Zorzan R; Chao C; Mobeen R; Golebiowski B; Stapleton F; Ruggeri A, 2020, 'Automatic identification of corneal epithelial dendritic cell via deep learning.', in Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, virtual, pp. 4309 - 4309, presented at ARVO annual meeting, virtual
    Conference Abstracts | 2019
    Chao C; Ortiz G; Jamali A; Hamrah P, 2019, 'Chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR4 mediate corneal CD4(+) T cell homing during herpes simplex virus-1 keratitis', in INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, CANADA, Vancouver, Vol. 60, presented at Annual Meeting of the Association-for-Research-in-Vision-and-Ophthalmology (ARVO), CANADA, Vancouver, 28 April 2019 - 02 May 2019, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000488800702389&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Mobeen R; Chao C; Stapleton F; Madigan M; Golebiowski B, 2019, 'Corneal epithelial dendritic cell density in a healthy population and its relationship with age and sex: A Meta-Analysis of in vivo confocal microscope data', in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vancouver, presented at ARVO, Vancouver, 28 April 2019 - 02 May 2019
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Mobeen R; Lum E; Stapleton F; Chao C; Madigan M; Swarbrick H; Golebiowski B, 2019, 'The impact of orthokeratology and soft lens wear on corneal immune cells and nerves', in Optometry and Vision Science, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Orlando, USA, pp. 190043 - 190043, presented at American Academy of Optometry Annual meeting, Orlando, USA
    Conference Posters | 2019
    Tajbakhsh Z; Chao C; Mobeen R; Golebiowski B; Stapleton F; Jalbert I, 2019, 'Development of a novel corneal epithelial dendritic cell morphology grading scale', Vancounver, Canada, Vol. 60, pp. 888 - 888, presented at ARVO, Vancounver, Canada, 28 April 2019 - 02 May 2019
    Conference Papers | 2017
    Chao C; Richdale K; Willcox MDP, 2017, 'Inflammatory mediator uptake and release in contact lens materials - a preliminary experimental report', in INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, MD, Baltimore, presented at Annual Meeting of the Association-for-Research-in-Vision-and-Ophthalmology (ARVO), MD, Baltimore, 07 May 2017 - 11 May 2017, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000432176300061&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Chao C; Golebiowski B; Stapleton F; Richdale K, 2016, 'Conjunctival cell morphology and goblet cell density in soft contact lens wearers', in Conjunctival cell morphology and goblet cell density in soft contact lens wearers, American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, USA, pp. E-Abstract: 165084 - E-Abstract: 165084, presented at American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, USA, 09 November 2016 - 12 November 2016
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Golebiowski B; Bui K; Lam W; Chao C; Richdale K; Stapleton F, 2016, 'The effect of age and contact lens wear on corneal Langerhans cells', in Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, ARVO Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, pp. E - abstract 4734, presented at ARVO Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 01 May 2016 - 05 May 2016
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Richdale K; Chao C; Gokhale M; Duong K; Madigan M; Jalbert I; Golebiowski B; Willcox M, 2016, 'Sex, Tears and Contact Lenses', in Sex, Tears and Contact Lenses, 8th International Conference on the Tear Film & Ocular Surface: Basic Science and Clinical Relevance, Montpellier, France, presented at 8th International Conference on the Tear Film & Ocular Surface: Basic Science and Clinical Relevance, Montpellier, France, 07 September 2016 - 10 September 2016
    Conference Presentations | 2016
    Richdale K; Chao C; Gokhale M; Duong K; Madigan M; Jalbert I; Golebiowski B; Willcox M, 2016, 'Sex, Tears and Contact Lenses', presented at 8th International Conference on the Tear Film & Ocular Surface: Basic Science and Clinical Relevance, Montpellier, France, 07 September 2016 - 10 September 2016
    Conference Abstracts | 2016
    Stapleton F; Chao C; Jalbert I; Mandathara P; Kolanu S; Willcox M; Markoulli M; You JJ; Kim J; Lum E; Golebiowski B, 2016, 'Relationships between central corneal nerve parameters and tear neuropeptides', in Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, Seattle, WA, Vol. 57, pp. E - abstract 2796, presented at ARVO Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 01 May 2016 - 05 May 2016, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000394210605041&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a
    Conference Papers | 2016
    Stapleton F; Chao C; Jalbert I; Mandathara P; Kolanu S; Willcox M; Markoulli M; You JJ; Kim J; Lum E; Golebiowski B, 2016, 'Relationships between central corneal nerve parameters and tear neuropeptides', in Relationships between central corneal nerve parameters and tear neuropeptides, Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Seattle, WA, presented at Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Seattle, WA, 01 May 2016 - 05 May 2016
    Conference Papers | 2015
    Chao C; Golebiowski B; Zhou X; Chen S; Zhou S; Stapleton F, 2015, 'Tear CGRP and SP and corneal reinnervation after LASIK', in Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, ARVO Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, pp. E - abstract 722, presented at ARVO Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, 03 May 2015 - 07 May 2015
    Conference Abstracts | 2015
    Chao C; Golebiowski B; Zhou X; Chen S; Zhou S; Stapleton F, 2015, 'Tear CGRP and SP and corneal reinnervation after LASIK', in Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, Denver, CO, Vol. 56, presented at ARVO Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, 03 May 2015 - 07 May 2015, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000362882202061&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a
    Conference Abstracts | 2015
    Stapleton F; Badarudin N; You JJ; Hampel U; Eden J; Raisin L; Williams J; Chao C; Golebiowski B, 2015, 'Determinants of ocular symptoms in postmenopaual women with dry eye', in INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, CO, Denver, Vol. 56, presented at Annual Meeting of the Association-for-Research-in-Vision-and-Ophthalmology (ARVO), CO, Denver, 03 May 2015 - 07 May 2015, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000362891103255&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Papers | 2015
    Stapleton F; Badarudin N; You JJ; Hampel U; Eden J; Raisin L; Williams J; Chao C; Golebiowski B, 2015, 'Determinants of ocular symptoms in postmenopausal women with dry eye.', in Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, ARVO Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, pp. E - abstract 4473, presented at ARVO Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, 03 May 2015 - 07 May 2015