Dr Gauri Shrestha

Dr Gauri Shrestha

Casual Academic

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), UNSW Sydney, Australia, 2022

Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), 2021

Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Public Health, UNSW Sydney Australia, 2021

Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), 2020    

Master of Optometry (M.Optom), Bharati Vidyapeeth University, India, 2007

Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom), Institute of Medicine, Nepal, 2002

Medicine & Health
School of Optometry and Vision Science

Associate Lecturer, School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney

Gauri was awarded his PhD from the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia for his research on the characterisation of tear metabolite expression in bacterial keratitis with a highly prestigious scientia PhD scholarship. 

Gauri is an academic and clinical scientist, with experience in the higher education industry and hospital optometry practice. Gauri has expertise in clinical and laboratory research, particularly in tear metabolomics, cell culture and a wide range of anterior and posterior segment eye diseases, including cornea, glaucoma, keratoconus, and diabetic retinopathy.

Gauri has a research interest in investigating tear metabolite biomarkers associated with microbial keratitis and gene expression – immunometabolite association analysis in dry eye disease.

Location
Rupert Myers Building (M15), Southern Dr, UNSW, Kensington NSW 2052
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Rayamajhee B; Willcox M; Henriquez FL; Vijay AK; Petsoglou C; Shrestha GS; Peguda HK; Carnt N, 2024, 'The role of naturally acquired intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the development of Acanthamoeba keratitis in an animal model', PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 18, pp. e0011878, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011878
    Journal articles | 2023
    Sapkota A; Sitaula S; Shrestha GS; Joshi ND; Koirala B; Paudel N, 2023, 'Agreement between Lea Symbols and Patti Pics visual acuity in children and adults', Journal of Optometry, 16, pp. 229 - 235, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optom.2023.01.004
    Journal articles | 2023
    Shrestha GS; Vijay AK; Stapleton F; White A; Pickford R; Carnt N, 2023, 'Human tear metabolites associated with nucleoside-signalling pathways in bacterial keratitis', Experimental Eye Research, 228, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2023.109409
    Journal articles | 2023
    Suwal R; Singh B; Adhikari S; Khadka D; Suwal B; Khatri B; Shrestha GS, 2023, 'Kaleidos-based binocular vision analyzer for the estimation of refractive errors and horizontal ocular deviation in children', Clinical and Experimental Optometry, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2023.2281481
    Journal articles | 2022
    Rayamajhee B; Sharma S; Willcox M; Henriquez FL; Rajagopal RN; Shrestha GS; Subedi D; Bagga B; Carnt N, 2022, 'Assessment of genotypes, endosymbionts and clinical characteristics of Acanthamoeba recovered from ocular infection', BMC Infectious Diseases, 22, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-022-07741-4
    Journal articles | 2022
    Stapleton F; Shrestha GS; Vijay AK; Carnt N, 2022, 'Epidemiology, Microbiology, and Genetics of Contact Lens–Related and Non–Contact Lens-Related Infectious Keratitis', Eye and Contact Lens, 48, pp. 127 - 133, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/ICL.0000000000000884
    Journal articles | 2021
    Shrestha GS; Vijay AK; Stapleton F; Henriquez FL; Carnt N, 2021, 'Understanding clinical and immunological features associated with Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus keratitis', Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 44, pp. 3 - 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2020.11.014
    Journal articles | 2021
    Shrestha JB; Adhikari PG; Shrestha GS, 2021, 'Causes of Blindness and Visual Impairment Among Children Studying in Schools for the Blind in Central Development Region of Nepal', Nepalese Medical Journal, 5, pp. 542 - 545, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nmj.v5i1.42151
    Journal articles | 2020
    Bhaila S; Joshi SN; Thapa M; Shrestha GS, 2020, 'Effect of high myopia on optic nerve head by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in nepalese eyes', Korean Journal of Ophthalmology, 33, pp. 181 - 188, http://dx.doi.org/10.3341/KJO.2018.0098
    Journal articles | 2020
    Kharal A; Khanal S; Shrestha JB; Shrestha GS; Paudel N, 2020, 'Flash VEP in clinically stable pre-term and full-term infants', Documenta Ophthalmologica, 141, pp. 259 - 267, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10633-020-09773-0
    Journal articles | 2019
    Pradhan A; Pradhan KR; Shrestha GS; Dhunganga P; Kaiti R, 2019, 'Contrast sensitivity before and after small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis', Asian Journal of Ophthalmology, 16, pp. 284 - 292
    Journal articles | 2018
    Shrestha G; Sigdel R; Shrestha J; Sharma A; Shrestha R; Mishra S; Joshi S, 2018, 'Awareness of eye health and diseases among the population of the hilly region of Nepal', Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research, 13, pp. 461 - 469, http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/jovr.jovr_41_17
    Journal articles | 2017
    Dhungel D; Shrestha GS, 2017, 'Visual symptoms associated with refractive errors among Thangka artists of Kathmandu valley', BMC Ophthalmology, 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12886-017-0659-0
    Journal articles | 2017
    Gnyawali S; Shrestha GS; Khanal S; Dennis T; Spencer JC, 2017, 'Ocular morbidity among porters at high altitudes', NEPALESE JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, 9, pp. 30 - 36, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v9i1.17529
    Journal articles | 2017
    Gnyawali S; Shrestha GS; Khanal S; Dennis T; Spencer JC, 2017, 'Ocular morbidity among porters at high altitudes.', Nepal J Ophthalmol, 9, pp. 30 - 36, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v9i1.17529
    Journal articles | 2017
    Puri LR; Shrestha GS, 2017, 'Microbial keratitis: A five years retrospective clinical study in tertiary eye hospital of eastern region of Nepal', Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, 4, pp. 118 - 125, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v4i4.18252
    Journal articles | 2017
    Puri LR; Shrestha GS, 2017, 'Visual outcome of cataract surgery with IOL implantation in traumatic cataract among 189 children: The Lahan experience', Journal of Chitwan Medical College, 5, pp. 1 - 10, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v5i3.16519
    Journal articles | 2017
    Shrestha RK; Shrestha GS, 2017, 'Ocular morbidity among children of government schools of kathmandu valley: A follow-up study', Journal of the Nepal Medical Association, 56, pp. 243 - 247, http://dx.doi.org/10.31729/jnma.3170
    Journal articles | 2017
    Uprety S; Morjaria P; Shrestha JB; Shrestha GS; Khanal S, 2017, 'Refractive Status in Nepalese Pre-Term and Full-Term Infants Early in Life', Optometry and Vision Science, 94, pp. 957 - 964, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000001118
    Journal articles | 2016
    Pokharel A; Shrestha GS; Shrestha JB, 2016, 'Macular thickness and macular volume measurements using spectral domain optical coherence tomography in normal nepalese eyes', Clinical Ophthalmology, 10, pp. 511 - 519, http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S95956
    Journal articles | 2015
    Gautam P; Shrestha GS; Sharma AK, 2015, 'Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis among children in the tertiary eye hospital of Kathmandu, Nepal', Oman Journal of Ophthalmology, 8, pp. 147 - 150, http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0974-620X.169884
    Journal articles | 2015
    Gautam V; Chaudhary M; Sharma AK; Shrestha GS; Rai PG, 2015, 'Topographic corneal changes in children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis: A report from Kathmandu, Nepal', Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 38, pp. 461 - 465, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2015.05.013
    Journal articles | 2015
    Shrestha RK; Shrestha GS, 2015, 'Assessment of Color Vision Among School Children: A Comparative Study Between The Ishihara Test and The Farnsworth D-15 Test', JOURNAL OF NEPAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 53, pp. 266 - 269, http://dx.doi.org/10.31729/jnma.2743
    Journal articles | 2015
    Shrestha RK; Shrestha GS, 2015, 'Assessment of color vision among school children: A comparative study between the ishihara test and the farnsworth D-15 test', Journal of the Nepal Medical Association, 53, pp. 266 - 269, http://dx.doi.org/10.31729/jnma.2743
    Journal articles | 2014
    Khadka D; Sharma AK; Shrestha JK; Shrestha GS; Shrestha PN; Pant SR; Pant BP, 2014, 'Ocular manifestations of childhood acute leukemia in a tertiiary level eye centre of Kathmandu, Nepal', Nepalese journal of ophthalmology : a biannual peer-reviewed academic journal of the Nepal Ophthalmic Society : NEPJOPH, 6, pp. 197 - 204, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v6i2.11678
    Journal articles | 2014
    Khanal S; Thapa M; Racette L; Johnson R; Davey PG; Joshi MR; Shrestha GS, 2014, 'Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in glaucomatous Nepalese eyes and its relation with visual field sensitivity', Journal of Optometry, 7, pp. 217 - 224, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optom.2014.05.002
    Journal articles | 2014
    Mishra SK; Shrestha GS; Korani H, 2014, 'Effectiveness of measuring the central field with the Berkeley field test', Nepalese journal of ophthalmology : a biannual peer-reviewed academic journal of the Nepal Ophthalmic Society : NEPJOPH, 6, pp. 170 - 176, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v6i2.11701
    Journal articles | 2014
    Pant M; Shrestha GS; Joshi ND, 2014, 'Ocular morbidity among street children in Kathmandu Valley', Ophthalmic Epidemiology, 21, pp. 356 - 361, http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09286586.2014.964035
    Journal articles | 2014
    Sharma AK; Shah DN; Shrestha JK; Thapa M; Shrestha GS, 2014, 'Ocular injuries in the people's uprising of April 2006 in Kathmandu, Nepal', NEPALESE JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, 6, pp. 71 - 79, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000216581300010&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Journal articles | 2014
    Sharma AK; Shah DN; Shrestha JK; Thapa M; Shrestha GS, 2014, 'Ocular injuries in the people's uprising of April 2006 in Kathmandu, Nepal.', Nepal J Ophthalmol, 6, pp. 71 - 79, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v6i1.10775
    Journal articles | 2014
    Sharma AK; Thapa M; Shrestha GB; Sitaula S; Shrestha GS, 2014, 'Outcome of horizontal strabismus surgery and parents' satisfaction', Nepalese journal of ophthalmology : a biannual peer-reviewed academic journal of the Nepal Ophthalmic Society : NEPJOPH, 6, pp. 162 - 169, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v6i2.11704
    Journal articles | 2014
    Shrestha GS; Kaiti R, 2014, 'Visual functions and disability in diabetic retinopathy patients', Journal of Optometry, 7, pp. 37 - 43, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optom.2013.03.003
    Journal articles | 2013
    Shrestha GS; Manandhar S; Joshi ND; Shrestha JK, 2013, 'Ocular morbidity among the children of squatter settlements in kathmandu', Optometry and Vision Science, 90, pp. 1012 - 1018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0b013e31829d8e51
    Journal articles | 2013
    Shrestha GS; Sujakhu D; Shrestha JB; Shrestha JK, 2013, 'Tear Film Evaluation in Contact Lens Wearers and Non Wearers', Journal of Institute of Medicine, 34, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/joim.v34i2.9045
    Journal articles | 2012
    Dev MK; Shrestha GS; Paudel N; Joshi ND; Thapa M; Shah DN, 2012, 'Visual status and ocular morbidity in older adults living in residential care', Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 250, pp. 1387 - 1393, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00417-012-2056-y
    Journal articles | 2012
    Kandel H; Adhikari P; Shrestha GS; Ruokonen EL; Shah DN, 2012, 'Visual function in patients on ethambutol therapy for tuberculosis', Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 28, pp. 174 - 178, http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/jop.2011.0095
    Journal articles | 2012
    Shrestha GS; Sharma AK, 2012, 'Duane's retraction syndrome: A retrospective review from Kathmandu, Nepal', Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 95, pp. 19 - 27, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1444-0938.2011.00635.x
    Journal articles | 2012
    Shrestha GS; Upadhyaya S; Sharma AK; Gajurel BP, 2012, 'Ocular-visual defect and visual neglect in stroke patients - A report from Kathmandu, Nepal', Journal of Optometry, 5, pp. 43 - 49, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optom.2011.11.001
    Journal articles | 2012
    Shrestha JB; Shrestha GS; Joshi N; Karmacharya PC, 2012, 'Congenital isolated bilateral upper lid coloboma.', Nepalese journal of ophthalmology : a biannual peer-reviewed academic journal of the Nepal Ophthalmic Society : NEPJOPH, 4, pp. 194 - 196, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v4i1.5877
    Journal articles | 2011
    Shankar GS; Sujakhu D; Joshi P, 2011, 'Refractive error among school children in Jhapa, Nepal', Journal of Optometry, 4, pp. 49 - 55, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1888-4296(11)70041-3
    Journal articles | 2011
    Shrestha GS; Mohamed FN; Shaha DN, 2011, 'Visual problems among video display terminal (VDT) users in Nepal', Journal of Optometry, 4, pp. 56 - 62, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1888-4296(11)70042-5
    Journal articles | 2011
    Shrestha GS; Wagh S; Darak A, 2011, 'Evaluation of tear film stability before and after laser in situ keratomileusis.', Nepalese journal of ophthalmology : a biannual peer-reviewed academic journal of the Nepal Ophthalmic Society : NEPJOPH, 3, pp. 140 - 145, http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v3i2.5266
  • Conference Abstracts | 2021
    Shrestha G; Vijay A; Stapleton F; White AJ; Pickford R; Carnt N, 2021, 'Tear metabolites expression in bacterial keratitis: Outcomes of an untargeted approach', Virtual, presented at ARVO, Virtual
    Preprints | 2021
    Shrestha GS; Vijay AK; Stapleton F; Pickford R; Carnt N, 2021, Human Tear Metabolomics Using Liquid Chromatography-Q Exactive-HF Mass Spectrometry, , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.18.424378
    Conference Papers | 2019
    Shrestha G; Vijay A; Stapleton F; Carnt N, 2019, 'The effect of collection method on tear interleukin-6 levels in healthy individuals: A Pilot Study', Vancouver, presented at ARVO, Vancouver
    Conference Abstracts | 2019
    Shrestha GS; Vijay AK; Stapleton F; Carnt NA, 2019, 'The effect of collection method on tear interleukin-6 levels in healthy individuals: A pilot study', 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:000488800704313&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

2021 - The PluS Alliance Seed Collaborative Grant, UNSW Sydney, Australia (Co-investigator)

2016 - The Small Research Development and Innovation Grant, University Grants Commission, Nepal (PI)

2013 – Research Fellowship, World Council of Optometry and World Optometry Foundation, USA (PI)

2009 - The University Research Grant, Institute of Medicine, Nepal (Co-investigator)

2022                              The AAO 2022 Student Travel Award, San Diago, USA

                                       The ISCLR 2022 Student grant, Porto, Portugal

HDR Completion Scholarship, UNSW Sydney, Australia

2021                                  UNSW Medicine and Health Support Scholarship, UNSW Sydney, Australia

                                        International Travel Grant, ARVO 2021 Annual Meeting (virtual)

2020                                  Conference Registration Support, Gordon Research Conference, Italy

2018-2022                     The Scientia PhD Scholarship, UNSW Sydney, Australia

2005, 2011, 2013         Travel Grants, Asia Pacific Council of Optometry, Japan, Singapore and S. Korea, respectively

2012                               Travel Grant, Advancing Optometry Worldwide, World Council of Optometry, USA

Cornea

This research focuses on the identification of tear metabolite biomarkers in microbial keratitis and mapping the disease pathway to understand the pathogenesis of microbial keratitis. Microbial keratitis is the fifth leading cause of blindness worldwide. Determination of the association between bacterial virulence characteristics, host immune responses measured by inflammatory mediators and expression of metabolites may uncover the key regulatory networks associated with microbial keratitis, which may serve as useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Dry eye disease (DED)

Dry eye disease is a multi-factorial ocular surface disease, which develops as a result of the breakdown of immune homeostasis at the ocular surface. This research aims to identify the antigens involved with the up-regulation of certain inflammatory markers which are responsible for mediating severe inflammation in DED. This study includes a gene expression – immunometabolite association analysis particularly focusing on tear steroid and lipid metabolites to identify the antigens modulating the immune response for DED pathogenesis.

My Teaching

2022                       Associate Lecturer (Course: OPTM3133, OPTM2133)

2018 – 2022          Teaching Fellowships, School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney

                                (Course: OPTM7302, S1-2018; VISN1101, S2-2018; VISN1111, T2-2019; OPTM6423 T3-2020 and 2021)

2014 – 2018          Optometry Program Coordinator, Institute of Medicine, Nepal

2007 – 2018          Teaching assistant (2007 – 2013) and Lecturer (2013 – 2018), Institute of Medicine, Nepal