Dr Alyssa Lie has received the inaugural ARVO award

University of Auckland research fellow and lecturer Dr Alyssa Lie has been awarded one of two inaugural Catalyst Awards by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) to advance her research into age-related eye diseases. Established in 2023, the US$30,000 awards support an initial project for "a superb research idea by an investigator beginning their career or returning to the workforce after an extended leave", said ARVO.

Receiving the award signifies support for the work she is passionate about, said Dr Lie. "It provides affirmation that peers, experts and institutions acknowledge the value and impact of my research endeavours. It has boosted my drive to continue exploring new avenues of inquiry and make meaningful contributions to the scientific community and society at large."

Thanks to ARVO’s support, Dr Lie can further her research into the long-term effects of Vuity eye drops (pilocarpine hydrochloride 1.25%) for treatment of presbyopia, particularly within the retina and choroid tissue layers.

Dr Lie said she is looking forward to the upcoming ARVO meeting in Seattle (5-9 May 2024), where she will be presenting her research, ‘Presbyopia treatment with 1.25% pilocarpine alters free-water distribution in the human lens’.