Dr Ceecee Britten-Jones’ main research focus is on improving the diagnosis of inherited retinal diseases, which are rare genetic conditions that cause irreversible vision loss. She has also undertaken research in anterior eye diseases, diabetic neuropathy, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and ocular nutrition.
You can view a full list of Dr Alexis Ceecee Britten-Jones’ peer-reviewed publications via the links below:
Note: Dr Alexis Ceecee Britten-Jones formerly published as Alexis Ceecee Zhang
Inherited retinal diseases and ocular genetics
Investigating the progression of inherited retinal diseases and developing novel outcome measures
Dr Britten-Jones is a co-leading a research genome sequencing study developing a comprehensive patient dataset of inherited retinal diseases, along with A/Prof Lauren Ayton. This project aims to identify new genetic changes associated with inherited retinal diseases, providing new information to support the research and development of future therapies.
Selected related peer-reviewed publications
Dr Britten-Jones is focussed on driving the genetic sequencing components of this project, and her specific interest is understanding clinical characteristics associated with different DNA variants.
- Britten-Jones AC, Gocuk S, Goh KL, Huq A, Edwards TL, Ayton LN. The diagnostic yield of next generation sequencing in inherited retinal diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2023;249:57-73.
Identifying novel variants associated with inherited retinal diseases
Dr Britten-Jones is an investigator on the Victorian evolution of inherited retinal diseases (IRD) natural history registry (VENTURE), an Australian IRD registry that collects genotype and phenotype data to learn more about different IRDs. VENTURE is a collaborative project, co-led by A/Prof Lauren Ayton and Dr Thomas Edwards at the University of Melbourne and Centre for Eye Research Australia.
In this study, the team is also working on developing novel outcome measures for emerging gene and cell therapy clinical trials.
Selected related peer-reviewed publications
- Britten-Jones AC, O’Hare F, Edwards TL, Ayton LN, The VENTURE consortium. Victorian evolution of inherited retinal diseases natural history registry (VENTURE study): Rationale, methodology and initial participant characteristics. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2022.
- Britten-Jones AC, Thai L, Flanagan JPM, Bedggood PA, Edwards TL, Metha AB, Ayton LN. Adaptive optics imaging in inherited retinal diseases: A scoping review of the clinical literature. Surv Ophthalmol. 2024;69(1):51-66.
- Britten-Jones AC, Jin R, Gocuk SA, Cichello E, O’Hare F, Hickey DG, Edwards TL, Ayton LN. The safety and efficacy of gene therapy treatment for monogenic retinal and optic nerve diseases: A systematic review. Genet Med. 2022;24:521-534.
Understanding patient perspectives and improving diagnostic support for people with vision loss
This research project aims to identify ways to support people with inherited retinal diseases during their diagnosis, such as genetic counselling and low vision support. This project also includes improving the knowledge of primary eyecare clinicians on the diagnosis and management of IRDs.
Selected peer-reviewed publications – Patient perspectives
- Britten-Jones AC, McGuinness MM, Chen FK, Grigg JG, Mack HG, Ayton LN. A multinational survey of potential participant perspectives on ocular gene therapy. Gene Ther. 2024.
- Britten-Jones AC, Schultz J, Mack HG, Kearns LS, Huq AJ, Ruddle JB, Mackey DA, Hewitt AH, Edwards TE, Ayton LN. Patient experiences and perceived value of genetic testing in inherited retinal diseases: a cross-sectional survey. Sci Rep. 2024;14, 5403.
Selected peer-reviewed publications – Clinician education
- Britten-Jones AC, Mack HG, Vincent AL, Hill LJ, Edwards TL, Ayton LN. Genetic testing and gene therapy in retinal diseases: Knowledge and perceptions of optometrists in Australia and New Zealand. Clin Genet. 2023.
- Britten-Jones AC, Ayton LN, Graydon L, Boyce JO, Braden R, Dawkins R, Cham KM, and The Stickler Syndrome Awareness Study Group. Clinician awareness of Stickler Syndrome among Australian allied health care professionals. J Multidisciplinary Healthcare. 2024.
Other research projects
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Dr Britten-Jones has led and contributed to a number of systematic reviews, including Cochrane reviews. She has expertise in the methods used to synthesise evidence, both quantitative (meta-analyses) and qualitative (synthesis without meta-analysis).
- Britten-Jones AC, Calder G, Busija L, Kamel JT, Roberts LJ, MacIsaac RJ, Downie LE. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy in people with diabetes mellitus: Protocol for a systematic review. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
- Cote S, Zhang AC, Ahmadzai V, Maleken A, Li C, Oppedisano J, Nair K, Busija L, Downie LE. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3:CD013559.
- Zhang AC, De Silva MEH, MacIsaac RJ, Roberts L, Kamel J, Craig JP, Busija L, Downie LE. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid oral supplements for improving peripheral nerve health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2020 Apr 1;78(4):323-341
Anterior eye health and dry eye disease
Dr Britten-Jones was a member of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) global workshop: A Lifestyle Epidemic, and has contributed to a number of works on improving the diagnosis and management of ocular surface diseases.
- Galor A, Britten-Jones AC, Feng Y, Ferrari G, Goldblum D, Gupta PK. et al. TFOS Lifestyle: Impact of lifestyle challenges on the ocular surface. Ocul Surf. 2023 Apr 11;28:262-303.
- Downie LE, Britten-Jones AC, Hogg R, Jalbert I, Li T, Lingham G. et al. TFOS lifestyle – Evidence quality report: Advancing the evaluation and synthesis of research evidence. Ocul Surf. 2023 Apr 11;28:200-212.
- Zhang AC, Muntz A, Wang MTM, Craig JP, Downie LE. Ocular Demodex: a systematic review of the clinical literature. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2020;40:389-432.
Ocular nutrition and corneal neuropathy in diabetes
Dr Britten-Jones’ PhD research was on the role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in modulating peripheral nerve health in type 1 diabetes, using corneal nerve health as a surrogate marker.
- Britten-Jones AC, Kamel JT, Roberts LJ, Braat S, Craig JP, MacIsaac RJ, Downie LE. Investigating the Neuroprotective Effect of Oral Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Type 1 Diabetes (nPROOFS1): A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Diabetes. 2021;70:1794-1806.
- Britten-Jones AC, Craig JP, Anderson AJ, Downie LE. Association between systemic omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, and corneal nerve structure and function. Eye. 2022; 1-8.
- Zhang AC, Singh S, Craig JP, Downie LE. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Eye Health: Opinions and Self-Reported Practice Behaviors of Optometrists in Australia and New Zealand. Nutrients. 2020;12(4).
- Zhang AC, Downie LE. Preliminary Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake in Eye Care Practice. Nutrients. 2019;
