Ƶ

Suki Jaiswal

Suki Jaiswal

PhD Candidate
Supervisor: A/Prof Blanka Golebiowski and Prof Isabelle Jalbert Co-supervisors: Prof Fay Johnston
Impact of bushfire smoke on eye surface

Research

11 million Australians were exposed to bushfire smoke and hazardous air quality during Black Summer. In a survey of residents exposed to bushfire smoke in the Hunter/New England region of NSW in December 2019, 45% experienced eye irritation and this increased to 60% in those with pre-existing respiratory illness.

Bushfire smoke comprises of hazardous and particulate matter. Exposure to bushfire smoke is known to adversely affect human health including increased respiratory distress and cardiovascular events. In bronchial airways exposed to bushfire smoke, an inflammatory response with increased immune cells such as dendritic cells, eosinophils and neutrophils is observed. Similar to the mucosal surface of lungs, the ocular surface is also constantly exposed to the ambient air. Dendritic cells are naturally found at the ocular surface in the cornea and conjunctiva. Levels of dendritic cells at the ocular surface have been shown to increase in response to an inflammatory stimulus, such as with dry eye disease.

Despite the significant risk to ocular surface and reports of ocular symptoms with exposure to smoke, little research is available on the effect of exposure to smoke on the ocular surface. Furthermore, the potential for increased risk to certain demographics such as those with pre-existing eye disease or respiratory disease and the best preventative and treatment options to halt and manage smoke induced ocular surface changes, respectively, are not known.

This PhD project will determine the impact of bushfire smoke on ocular surface. This includes the ocular signs and symptoms experienced after bushfire smoke exposure, the effect of chronic repeated smoke exposure and the mechanism of action through which ocular surface response occurs.

Biography

Suki Jaiswal completed the Bachelor of Optometry/Vision Science course with Honours in 2013. She has since worked in Canberra, Sydney and regional NSW in corporate practices in full time, part time and locum roles. She completed the Masters of Optometry course in 2020 and is currently pursuing a PhD at School of Optometry and Vision Science. Along with research she is also involved in teaching undergraduate optometry at UNSW, supervising at the UNSW Optometry teaching clinic and leading the Faculty of Medicine’s Candidates for Higher Degree Committee.

Education

Now        PhD Candidate (Ocular surface disease)  |     |   Due for Submission 2024

2020       Master of Optometry   |   UNSW

               Awarded with Excellence

2013       Bachelor of Optometry Bachelor of Science (Honours)   |   UNSW

               Therapeutically Endorsed

Email
Twitter

@SukiJaiswal

Publications

  1. Jaiswal, Sukanya, et al. “Smoke and eyes: A Review of the Detrimental Effects of Wildfire Smoke and Air Pollution on the Ocular Surface”, (2022) Environmental Pollution, 309(15): 119732
  2. Jaiswal, Sukanya, et al. "A doubling in the occurrence of dry eye symptoms during extreme smoke from wildfires surrounding Sydney, Australia." Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 62.8 (2021): 1219-1219.
  3. Jaiswal S, Asper L, Long J, Lee A, Harrison K, Golebiowski B. (2019) 'Ocular and visual discomfort associated with smartphones, tablets and computers: what we do and do not know'. Clin Exp Optom. September 102 (5): 463 - 477
  4. Madigan MC, Van Den Berg C, Moreland A, Liang J, Lord S, Demir A, Jaiswal S, Jager MJ. (2012) Macrophage markers and C3d in the central & peripheral choroid of young, aged and AMD eyes Acta Ophthalmologica. 90:s249 (0)

Periodical publications

  1. S Jaiswal. Digital Devices Impact: The Great Unknown. Mivision July 2019.
  2. S Jaiswal, B Golebiowski, I Jalbert. Mask associated dry eye. Mivision March 2021
  3. S Jaiswal, B Golebiowski, I Jalbert. Dry eye in Clinical Practice: Filling in the Gaps. Mivision April 2021
  4. S Jaiswal, B Golebiowski, I Jalbert. Black Summer: Igniting Dry Eye. Mivision. November 2021

Awards

  1. 2023       Top-up PhD scholarship Natural Hazards Research Australia
  2. 2022       Fellowship of American Academy of Optometry
  3. 2022       Barbara Hall Fellowship, Australian Graduate Women
  4. 2022       Term 1 & Term 2 Development & Research Training Grant, UNSW
  5. 2022       IAWF Needs Based Scholarship for Fire & Climate Conference 2022
  6. 2021       Foster Ocular Immunology Society Travel Grant, Association for Research in Vision &                    Ophthalmology (ARVO)
  7. 2021       Women in Maths and Science Champion, UNSW
  8. 2021       Mentee, Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS)
  9. 2020       University Postgraduate Award (Stipend for 2020 - 2024), UNSW

Affiliations and Memberships

  1. CCLSA – Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia
  2. GWIS – Graduate Women in Science
  3. AGW – Australian Graduate Women

Conference Attendance

  1. Jaiswal S, Golebiowski B, Jalbert I. Smoke in your eyes: Impact of Bushfire smoke on eyes. Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand: Adelaide. 10 September 2022
  2. Jaiswal S, Golebiowski B, Burnett A, Jalbert I. Eye irritation in Australian wildland firefighters. Poster Presentation. Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC): Adelaide. 23 – 25 August 2022
  3. Jaiswal S, Golebiowski B, Jalbert I. Eye irritation in Australian wildland firefighters. Poster Presentation. Fire & Climate 2022: International Association for Wildland Fire (IAWF): Melbourne. 6- 9 June 2022
  4. Jaiswal S, Golebiowski B, Tein N, Wang S, Jalbert I. The doubling in occurrence of dry eye symptoms during extreme smoke from wildfires surrounding Sydney Australia. Paper presentation ARVO 2021, 3rd May 2021
  5. Jaiswal S. Smoke in your eyes: Impact of bushfire smoke on eyes. Presentation at Environmental Health Workshop, University of Tasmania Invited presentation. 29th June 2021
  6. Jaiswal S. Future Research: Impact of bushfire smoke on surface of eyes. Presentation. Future Research: Landscape Fire Symposium by Centre for Air Pollution, Energy and Health Research. 8th September 2020.