OUTCOMES OF CORNEAL ALLERGENIC INTRASTROMAL RING SEGMENT (CAIRS) SURGERY
Dr David Gunn, Ophthalmologist
Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon, Queensland Eye Institute
& Focus Vision Clinic in Brisbane, Queensland
RESEARCHER PROFILE (Filmed in Brisbane, Queensland, Australian | June 2024)
Dr David Gunn is an ophthalmologist specialising in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery at the Queensland Eye Institute and Focus Vision in Brisbane, Queensland. His journey into ophthalmology began during medical school, inspired by a mentor. He initially engaged in research on mouse glaucoma, exploring amacrine cells and their responses.
After completing his residency and gaining experience in eye casualty at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, David underwent four years of surgical training in the Queensland network. This was followed by a stint at the Bristol Eye Hospital in the UK, focusing on the cornea and anterior segment. Since returning to Queensland, he has concentrated on keratoconus research.
One of the pivotal moments in his career was the decision to specialise in cornea surgery, which included performing Australia’s first CAIRS procedure in May 2021. His current research examines outcomes for patients undergoing Corneal Allergenic Intrastromal Ring Segment (CAIRS) surgery.
Dr Gunn finds immense satisfaction in the immediate post-operative results he sees in patients, as visual acuity provides a tangible measure of success. He is passionate about introducing less invasive surgical techniques that lead to improvements in patients’ lives.
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Genetic alterations in prostate cancer initiation and progression
Watch Dr Kelsie Raspin, a dedicated Postdoctoral Research Fellow specialising in Cancer Genetics at Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, talk on bridging a critical knowledge gap in the understanding of genetic alterations implicated in prostate cancer initiation and its progression into metastatic forms.
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RESEARCH IMPACT: 35 years of kids’ health research
The Kids Research Institute Australia is one of the largest and most successful medical research institutes in Australia. The Institute has created a blueprint that brings together community, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funders, who share our vision to improve the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research. In November 2025, The Kids Research Institute Australia celebrated 35 years of bold ideas, groundbreaking research, and the people who find answers to the big questions about better health outcomes for children and families.
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Podiatric Research In Children, the workforce and the LGBTQIA+ community
Professor Williams holds the role of Deputy Head of School, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, and course coordinator of the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. She is a podiatrist, and has held professional roles in community health, acute and subacute services in child health care teams, research leadership and professional governance.
