Professor of Ophthalmology
Director of the Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research
Chair and Academic Head of the Department of Ophthalmology
Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health

Practising Consultant Ophthalmologist
NHMRC Senior Practitioner-Fellow

As Chair and Academic Head of the Department of Ophthalmology (ERA rank 5) at Flinders University and a Consultant Ophthalmologist, Professor Jamie Craig specialises in the care of patients with glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Professor Craig is a clinician-scientist and NHMRC Practitioner-Fellow, who translates laboratory-based research into clinical practice.

Having developed an exceptional track record in synergising clinical practice and laboratory-based research, Professor Craig's pioneering work establishing the Australian and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma has been critical to Australia leading the world in discovery and translation of glaucoma genetics. His clinical practice and ongoing leadership of the world's largest glaucoma progression study enable significant translational outcomes to be achieved by more rational use of available tools, coupled with innovative concepts.

Research interests include the genetic susceptibility to all forms of glaucoma, and other eye diseases. Professor Craig has made important discoveries on the genetic basis of glaucoma using a pioneering International Registry of cases of vision loss. This approach led to genome-wide association studies identifying multiple genes associated with glaucoma susceptibility. These discoveries are now moving into the clinic as risk profiling for individuals becomes a reality.

Other research areas of interest include congenital and adult onset cataract, and the successful establishment of animal models for cataract and corneal dystrophies. Pioneering work has been performed for the disease Pseudoexoliation syndrome (PEX), in which Professor Craig's team have used state of the art proteomic and imaging strategies to identify novel protein constituents. For PEX and cataract the team has established models exploring gene:environment interactions. Current research directions are exploring the translation of genetic risk profiles for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy into clinical practice.