Meet one of our Principal Investigators.

Mark Hinds – BIO 2023
BScApp(Optom) (Queensland University of Technology) 
GradCertOcTher (Queensland University of Technology)
BScApp(HMS) (University of Queensland) 
P/G BscHons – Exercise Physiology (University of Queensland) 
FBCLA (Manchester)

FIAOMC (NZ)
CASA CO (Melbourne)

Mark leads Ophthalmic Trials Australia (OTA) as the principal investigator and has numerous publications on his team’s work in pharmacological interventions notably for dry eye disease. Mark is one of Australia’s leading practitioners in the space of specialty contact lenses and dry eye disease.

OTA was born out of a full scope private practice in Teneriffe, Brisbane Queensland with a clinical focus on specialty contact lenses for the complex cornea established in 2001.  Our clinic is referred patients for visual rehabilitation through specialty contact lenses for those with visual disability from corneal irregularity and ocular surface disease.

Mark is a QUT graduate (1999) and has completed the post-graduate certificate in ocular therapeutics (2004). Additionally, he has an undergraduate degree in Applied Science (1993) and postgraduate Bachelor of Science research honours in exercise physiology (1994) from the University of Queensland. 

He is a fellow of the British Contact Lens Association and the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control. Mark has been involved with QUT School of Optometry post graduate Master of Optometry program in the specialty contact lens clinics since 2004 and lectures to the 4^th year students in their advance contact lens program. He has received the QUT vice chancellor’s award for excellence for teaching in 2010 and 2013. 

The ongoing pursuit of clinical trials seeded from his post graduate exercise physiology research at the University of Queensland leading to his first publication as the principal investigator on creatine supplementation in elite cyclists back in 1995. Since 2003 he has been and is currently involved in optometry based clinical pharma, contact lens and product development trials.  In 2018, due the expansion in practice with onsite clinical trials, a purpose-built practice was completed in Teneriffe (Brisbane) to accommodate larger numbers of participants with a flexible working floor plan.  This was saw the inception of Ophthalmic Trials Australia. This has seen an explosion of pharmaceutical clinical trials working in collaboration with university, hospital and private sites nationally and internationally. The working relationships formed over the years provides our sponsors and CRO’s with a valuable, fast moving commodity and the ability to have a private lead site from which to stem their project.

From 2018 to current he oversees the Australian Professional Services and distribution for SynergEyes USA specialty hybrid contact lenses. 

He works in a consultant capacity with industry and pharmaceutical companies.