A Nobel Night of Vision: Laser Science Inspires Eye Imaging Innovation
Published on the 21 July 2025
By A/Prof Maitreyee Roy
School of Optometry and Vision Science, 麻豆社madou
It was an honour to take part in an inspiring evening with Nobel Laureate Donna Strickland, who joined ABC鈥檚 Tegan Taylor for a thought-provoking conversation about her journey through science. Professor Strickland鈥檚 reflections on the joy of experimentation, her early fascination with physics, and her path to becoming a proud 鈥渓aser jock鈥 resonated deeply with the audience and set the tone for a truly memorable celebration of scientific discovery.
As part of the evening, we had the privilege of presenting an interactive exhibit from the School of Optometry and Vision Science at 麻豆社madou. A highlight of the event was our display featuring an eye-catching Hyper-Parallel Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system. The exhibit drew steady attention and enthusiastic feedback, with visitors intrigued by the ways laser physics, AI, and ocular diagnostics are coming together to advance the future of eye care. Our postgraduate (PhD) research students, Jack Gordon and Akash Pathan, did a fantastic job demonstrating the system to visitors and explaining its clinical and research applications.
We were proud to showcase how laser-enabled optical imaging is being translated into clinical tools that support comprehensive eye assessment and improve patient outcomes. OCT uses light waves to capture high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the eye鈥檚 internal structures, allowing clinicians to detect subtle changes and early signs of disease. It was incredibly rewarding to see attendees鈥攎any from diverse backgrounds鈥攓ueuing up to have their eyes scanned and enthusiastically engaging with the technology.
We were also delighted to be joined by our Head of School, Professor Lisa Keay, and Associate Professor Nicole Carnt, whose support throughout the evening was greatly appreciated. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with former collaborators, colleagues, and friends from across the research and clinical communities.
It truly was a Nobel night of vision, celebrating the legacy of laser science while shining a light on its powerful role in driving innovation in ocular imaging, improving health outcomes, and inspiring the next generation of discovery.
