Staff profile

Dr Meri Vukicevic

Lecturer

Faculty of Health Sciences

School of Allied Health
Department of Clinical Vision Sciences

HS2-309, Melbourne (Bundoora)

 

Qualifications

PhD. B.Orth La Trobe, AOBR MOAA

Membership of professional Associations

Member: Orthoptics Australia, Registered with the Australian Orthoptic Board (Certificate of Currency)

Area of study

Orthoptics

Brief Profile

Meri Vukicevic is a lecturer in the Department of Clinical Vision Sciences and has completed a doctoral degree within the department. Meri has considerable experience as an orthoptic clinician and has established a private practice specialising in vision rehabilitation. As of late 2007, she has also established a low vision clinic in the Department of Clinical Vision Sciences.

Meri sits on the Human Ethics Committee for the Faculty of Health Sciences. In addition, she is on the editorial board of the Australian Orthoptic Journal, the official and peer-reviewed journal of Orthoptics Australia and was a Managing Editor of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (the official peer-reviewed journal of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists) in 2011.

Meri is an active member of Orthoptics Australia and is involved with the executive committee (Victorian Branch), is a member of the Federal Council and Public Relations Committee Convenor. Part of this involvement includes assisting newly graduated orthoptists in order to ease the transition from university life to a career as an orthoptist.

As part of her commitment to working with people with vision impairment, Meri has taken on a volunteer role with the Australian Paralympic Committee and is a qualified certifier of vision impaired athletes.

 

Research interests

Clinical Vision Sciences

- Ocular disease and vision impairment

Teaching Units

  • Ocular Physiology
  • Vision Science
  • Retinal imaging
  • Visual field testing
  • Colour vision
  • Ophthalmic Disorders
  • Low Vision Rehabilitation
  • Ophthalmic Pharmacology
  • Ocular Investigation and Diagnosis
  • Models of Eye Service Delivery

Recent Publications

Vukicevic M, Le A & Baglin J. 2012. A simplified method of identifying the Trained Retinal Locus for the purpose of eccentric viewing training. Journal of Vision Impairment and Blindness. In print.

Price AO & Vukicevic M. 2012. Effect of Vertical Interline Spacing on Word Recognition and Reading Speed using the Peripheral Retina. Australian Orthoptic Journal. Vol 43(2) 16-20.  

Vukicevic M, Gin T & Al-Qureshi S. 2012. Prevalence of optical coherence tomography-diagnosed postoperative cystoid macular oedema in patients following uncomplicated phaco-emulsification cataract surgery. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. Vol 40(3) 282-287. (Article first published online: 2 SEP 2011 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2011.02638.x)

Casson RJ, Al-Qureshi S & Vukicevic M. 2012. Ophthalmic research in Australasia. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. Vol 40(1)1-2.  

Vukicevic M, Koklanis K & Rose K. 2012. Orthoptics: meeting the challenge of the 21st century. Insight News. April: p35.

Vukicevic M. 2010. Frightening visual hallucinations: atypical presentation of Charles Bonnet syndrome triggered by the Black Saturday bushfires. Medical Journal of Australia. Vol 193(3): 181-182.

Elderman IE & Vukicevic M. 2009. Why are males with compressive optic neuropathy predisposed to developing cranial nerve palsy and binocular vision problems? Australian Orthoptic Journal. Vol 41(2): 12-16.

Elderman IE & Vukicevic M. 2009. Myopia, near work, atropine and bifocals: critical reflections of the key literature examining the influence of several factors on the progression of myopia. Australian Orthoptic Journal. Vol 41(1): 20-25.

Vukicevic M & Fitzmaurice, K. 2009. Eccentric Viewing training in the home environment: can it improve the performance of activities of daily living? Journal of Vision Impairment and Blindness Vol 103(5): 277-290.

Vukicevic M & Heriot W. 2008. Phototoxic maculopathy associated with arc welding: clinical findings and associated functional vision impairment. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. Vol 36(7): 695-697.

Vukicevic M & Fitzmaurice K. 2008. Butterflies and black lacy patterns: the prevalence and characteristics of Charles Bonnet hallucinations in an Australian population. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. Vol 36(7): 659-665.

Vukicevic M. 2008. Functional vision assessment: looking beyond clinical measures of ocular function. Australian Orthoptic Journal. Vol 40 (2): 26-30.

Vukicevic M & Fitzmaurice K. 2008. Vision rehabilitation and the development of eccentric viewing training: a historical overview. Australian Orthoptic Journal Vol 40(1): 13-18.

Vukicevic M & Fitzmaurice K. 2008. The impact of magnification and eccentric viewing training on reading parameters. Vision 2008 - Proceedings of the International Congress held between 7-11 July 2008 in Montreal, Canada.

Vukicevic M & Fitzmaurice K. 2008. Eccentric viewing training: Can it improve performance of activities of daily living? Vision 2008 - Proceedings of the International Congress held between 7-11 July 2008 in Montreal, Canada.

Fitzmaurice K, Kolic M, Vukicevic M. 2008. Impact of Amblyopia on Eccentric Viewing Training. Proceedings of the International Orthoptic Association Congress held between 28 and 31 May 2008 in Antwerp, Belgium.

Vukicevic, M & Fitzmaurice, K. 2005. Impact of Eccentric Viewing and Magnification Interventions on the Performance of Activities of Daily Living. International Congress Series, Special issue edited by Jones, S., 1282C, pp 544-548.  

Vukicevic, M & Fitzmaurice, K. 2005. Rehabilitation Strategies used to Ameloriate the Impact of Centre Field Loss. Visual Impairment Research, Vol 7:2-3 (Aug-Dec):79-84.

Vukicevic M, Fitzmaurice K. 2004. The Prevalence of Charles Bonnet Syndrome in Persons with Low Vision. Global Perspectives Converge Downunder: Transactions of the Xth International Orthoptic Congress. Verlohr, D & Georgievski, Z (eds).

Vukicevic M, Fitzmaurice K. 2004. Eccentric Viewing: A Strategy to Ameliorate the Impact of Age-related Macular Degeneration on Activities of Daily Living. 2004. Abstracts and Proceedings of Emerging Researchers in Ageing. Underwood M, Suridge K (eds) 192-196.

Vukicevic M, Fitzmaurice K, Abel, L. 2004. A Comparison of Vision Rehabilitation Strategies used to Ameliorate the Impact of Centre Field Loss: Preliminary Results. Global Perspectives Converge Downunder: Transactions of the Xth International Orthoptic Congress. Verlohr, D & Georgievski, Z (eds).

Vukicevic M, Fitzmaurice K. 2002. The Effect of Eccentric Viewing on the Visual Function of Persons with Age-related Macular Degeneration. Orthoptic Journal of Australia 36:8-11.

Curavic (Vukicevic) M. 1999. Children's Low Vision Services. Vision Australia Foundation Report.

Conference Presentations

Vukicevic M, Baglin E, Ayton L & Luu CD. The effect of interline spacing on reading speed in patients with AMD. Orthoptics Australia 68th Annual Scientific Conference. Canberra 20-22 November 2011.

Vukicevic M. Charles Bonnet Visual Hallucinations: The good, the bad and the ugly. 26th Asia Pacific Academy of Ophtalmology Congress. Sydney 20-24 March 2011.

Price A & Vukicevic M. Vertical interline spacing and word recognition using the peripheral retina. Orthoptics Australia 67th Annual Scientific Conference. Adelaide 21-24 November 2010.

Vukicevic M & Koklanis K.  Low Vision Meets Strabismus: An Unlikely Love Story. Orthoptics Australia July Scientific Meeting. Victoria, July 2011.

Gin T, Qureshi S & Vukicevic M. The prevalence of OCT-diagnosed post-operative cystoid macular oedema in patients following uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery.42nd Annual Scientific Congress of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. Adelaide, 20-24 November 2010.

Vukicevic M & Elderman I. Why are Males with Compressive Optic Neuropathy more likely to develop binocular vision problems? Orthoptic Association of Australia 67th Annual Scientific Conference. Brisbane, November 2009.

Vukicevic M, Lane CM, Wong EYH, Haynes B, Keeffe JE. The New Secondary Level Low Vision Clinic at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital: an overview of current developments. Orthoptic Association of Australia, 65th Annual Scientific Conference. Melbourne, November 2008.

Vukicevic M & Fitzmaurice K. The impact of magnification and eccentric viewing training on reading parameters. Vision 2008 – The 9th International Conference on Low Vision. Montreal, 7-11 July 2008.

Vukicevic M & Fitzmaurice K. Meal Preparation, Shopping and Mobility: can eccentric viewing improve the performance of dynamic activities of daily living?" Vision 2008 – The 9th International Conference on Low Vision. Montreal, 7-11 July 2008. Invited paper presented on behalf of the International Orthoptic Association.

Vukicevic M & Fitzmaurice K. Eccentric viewing training: can it improve performance of activities of daily living? Vision 2008 – The 9th International Conference on Low Vision. Montreal, 7-11 July 2008 (poster presentation).

Fitzmaurice K, Kolic M, Vukicevic M. 2008. Impact of Amblyopia on Eccentric Viewing Training. International Orthoptic Association Congress, Antwerp, Belgium, 28-31 May 2008.

Vukicevic, M & Stylianou, S. Current Management Options for AMD. Orthoptic Association of Australia 64 th Annual Scientific Conference. Perth, November 2007. (Invited presentation).

Vukicevic, M. Phototoxic Maculopathy Associated with Welding: A Case Study. Orthoptic Association of Australia 64 th Annual Scientific Conference. Perth, November 2007.

Vukicevic, M & Freijah, L. Improvements in Visual Function Following Cataract Surgery. Orthoptic Association of Australia 64 th Annual Scientific Conference. Perth, November 2007.

Vukicevic, M. Vision Rehabilitation for People with Age-related Macular Degeneration. La Trobe University Faculty of Health Sciences Research Conference. Melbourne, December 2006.

Vukicevic M, Bierens B & Stylianou, S. The Clinical Application of Optical Coherence Tomography: an Orthoptist’s Perspective. Orthoptic Association of Australia 63 rd Annual Scientific Conference. Sydney, November 2006.

Vukicevic M & Fitzmaurice K. A Comparison of Rehabilitation Strategies Used to Ameliorate the Impact of Macular Vision Loss: Final Results. Orthoptic Association of Australia 63 rd Annual Scientific Conference. Sydney, November 2006.

Fitzmaurice K & Vukicevic M. How Much Eccentric Viewing is Enough? Orthoptic Association of Australia 63 rd Annual Scientific Conference. Sydney, November 2006.

Vukicevic, M & Fitzmaurice, K. Impact of Eccentric Viewing and Magnification Interventions on the Performance of Activities of Daily Living, International Conference on Low Vision, London, April 2005.

Vukicevic, M & Fitzmaurice, K. A Comparative Study of Eccentric Viewing and Magnification as Rehabilitation Strategies. Australasian Ophthalmic and Vision Sciences Meeting, Melbourne, December 2005.  

Vukicevic, M & Fitzmaurice, K , Eccentric Viewing : A Strategy to Ameliorate The Impact Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration On Activities Of Daily Living , in Mair Underwood, Kate Suridge (ed/s), Contributing To An Ageing Agenda ( Australasian Centre on Ageing, The University of Queensland : Queensland, Australia , 2004 ) 192-196.

Vukicevic M, Fitzmaurice K. Eccentric Viewing: A Strategy to Ameliorate the Impact of Age-related Macular Degeneration on Activities of Daily Living. Xth International Orthoptic Congress, Melbourne Australia, November 2004.

Vukicevic M, Fitzmaurice K. The Prevalence of Charles Bonnet Syndrome in Persons with Low Vision. Xth International Orthoptic Congress, Melbourne Australia, November 2004.

Vukicevic M, Fitzmaurice K. Eccentric Viewing: A Strategy to Ameliorate the Impact of Age-related Macular Degeneration on Activities of Daily Living. 3rd National Conference for Emerging Researchers in Ageing, Brisbane Australia, December 2004.

Fitzmaurice K, Vukicevic M. Eccentric Viewing Technique Clinical Data. British Orthoptic Society and Irish Association of Orthoptists Conference. Dublin, July 2003 Vukicevic M, Fitzmaurice K. The Prevalence of Charles Bonnet Syndrome in Visually Impaired Persons. Australian Ophthalmological and Vision Sciences Conference, Canberra Australia, October 2002.

Fitzmaurice K, Vukicevic M. The Clinical Application of Eccentric Viewing Technique. SERI-ARVO Conference, Singapore, February 2002.

Curavic (Vukicevic) M, Fitzmaurice K. The Effectiveness of Eccentric Viewing on the Visual Function of Persons with Age-related Macular Degeneration (A Pilot Study). Orthoptic Association of Australia Conference, Sydney Australia, 2000.  

Research projects

2007: The impact of cataract surgery upon visual functioning: a pilot study  

2008: Mapping residual retinal function in patients with macular disease: A comparison between the Eccentric viewing resource kit and the Bjerrum tangent screen  

2010: The effect of vertical interline spacing on word recognition using normal peripheral retina  

2011: The effect of interline spacing on reading speed in patients with age-related macular degeneration