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Further recognition for Professor Hugh Taylor

Professor Hugh Taylor, Ringland Anderson Professor and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, and Managing Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), is one of Australia's leading ophthalmologists. His outstanding contribution to the profession has recently been recognised in Australia and internationally.

Professor Hugh Taylor In the Queen's Birthday Honours, Professor Taylor was awarded an AC for his renowned work in the prevention of river blindness in the third world, for his service to academia through research and education related to the prevention of eye disease, and to the development of policy on eye health in indigenous communities. In 1997 he undertook a comprehensive review of Aboriginal eye health whose recommendations have been adopted by the Federal Government.

Later in the year, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the world's largest organisation of ophthalmologists, honoured Hugh with their 2001 International Blindness Prevention Award. He will also receive the prestigious Mildred Weisenfeld Award for 2002 in recognition of his contribution to visual science and ophthalmology. This award is made by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the world's leading eye research society.

Hugh Taylor was educated at Scotch College from 1954 to 1964 and the University of Melbourne where from 1967 - 1977 he completed his medical and ophthalmology training. With a keen interest in public health, he worked closely with the late Fred Hollows as Associate Director of the National Trachoma and Eye Health programme in the late 1970s. His work in this area led him to complete a Doctorate of Medicine on the 'Vision of Australian Aborigines'. From 1977 - 1990, he worked at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore where he held Chairs in the Schools of Medicine and Hygiene & Public Health.

His principal research interest centres around public eye health, including the adverse effects of UV light on the eye, and the delivery of eye care to under-developed areas.

His population-based studies in Australia have defined the agenda for eye research and for the development of eye care delivery programmes in Australia. Since 1992 he has been closely involved with the creation and development of the Fred Hollows Foundation and its work, particularly in the Australian Aboriginal community, and in Nepal, Vietnam and Eritrea.

CERA is a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Blindness. Professor Taylor has served as either a consultant or member of numerous WHO advisory panels and steering committees. He has been an adviser to several governments, international and national organisations and is a trustee of a number of foundations working to eradicate blindness. Since its establishment in 1999, he has been Regional Chairman for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

Among his numerous earlier awards are the National Health & Medical Research Council's Sir John Eccles Award, the Alcon Research Institute Award and the 1994 Perelberg Award.

Hugh is married to Associate Professor Elizabeth Dax and they have four children.

In a remarkable family achievement, also in the Queen's Birthday Honours, Elizabeth was awarded an AM for service to medical research, particularly in the fields of public health, HIV/AIDS, and drug addiction.

Updated: Monday 24 June 2013