
Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, 2018
Life Fellow, British College of Optometrists, 2019
Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, American Academy of Optometry, 2015
Fellow, Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia. 2012
Fellow, British Contact Lens Association, 2009
GradCertOcTher (University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2008)
PhD, Thesis entitled ‘The pathogenesis and epidemiology of contact lens related disease’ (City University, London, England, 1991)
MSc (by research), Thesis entitled ‘The investigation of spectral sensitivity in diabetes’ (University of Manchester, England, 1988)
BSc (Hons, Optometry) (University of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, 1985)
Scientia Professor, School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney
Professor Fiona Stapleton was awarded her PhD from City University and Moorfields Eye Hospital in London for her research on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of contact lens-related disease and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at University College London. Fiona is a clinical scientist with expertise in epidemiology, basic and clinical research in the fields of corneal infection, dry eye and contact lens related disease.
She holds numerous memberships and executive affiliations with scientific organisations, is a regular reviewer for a range of journals, belongs to the international editorial board of three journals, has over 300 peer-reviewed publications, has contributed 20 chapters to textbooks and published one book.
She is currently President of the International Society for Contact Lens Research and is Academic Lead of the Sage Athena Swan initiative at UNSW. She was awarded Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science and Technology in 2018
OPTM5151/52151 - Clinical Ocular Therapeutics
OPTM7213 - Ocular Therapy 1
OPTM7117 - Ocular Therapy 2
Contact lenses
This research focuses on the development of antimicrobial contact lenses and ways of controlling microbial colonisation of contact lens cases during use to prevent keratitis during lens wear. In order for the contact lens market to grow, infections that occur during wear, and comfort for the wearer must be addressed. These projects also involve collaborations with international industry partners. (Willcox, Stapleton)
Epidemiology of contact lens-related infection
Contact lens-related infection is a rare but severe disease and the only complication of contact lens wear to result in loss in vision. This group has established international collaborations to determine the risks of disease, health outcomes, and community costs of eye infections, visual loss and morbidity. Recent areas of interest include epidemiological studies to establish risks associated with contemporary lens wear modalities, studies of virulence characteristics of causative organisms and disease outcomes and understanding host factors in corneal infection. (Stapleton)
Dry eye and contact lens discomfort
Dry eye affects up to 50% of Asian populations and is associated with significant cost and morbidity. This group is exploring the epidemiology, natural history, pathophysiology and genetic determinants of dry eye in Australia and response to treatment in conjunction with our national and international partners. Basic research projects include exploring lipid production by Meibomian gland cells in culture.
For more detail on specifics on Professor Stapleton’s research please see http://www.optometry.unsw.edu.au/research/current-research
Microbiological profile and drug resistance in corneal infections
The role of oestrogen in dry eye
Risk factors in contact lens related disease
Antimicrobial contact lenses and storage cases - efficacy and safety
The significance of corneal responses to rubbing-related ocular trauma in keratoconus
A study on Infectious Keratitis in Asia
Improving outcomes by biosampling ocular surface disease: metabolites expression in corneal infiltrative events associated with contact lens wear
Corneal neural markers and dendritic cells in ocular allergy and dry eye
The effect of age and contact lens wear on the inflammatory status of the cornea
Investigation of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antimicrobials and contact lens disinfectants to explore survival of organisms in contact lens storage cases
Examining new ways of visualising tear film lipids using optical properties of quantum dots
iCare Track: measuring the appropriateness of eye care delivery in Australia
Pathogenic traits of S. aureus associated with keratitis
Ocular surface sensitivity
Development and characterisation of a 3D biofabricated meibomian gland
Please contact Professor Stapleton to find out more about research opportunities.
Research Groups