MAY 2025 ISSUE 211

Welcome to our eighth special macular disease issue.

An Australian study has warned eye health professionals about the potential for dystrophies to mimic age-related macular degeneration (AMD).1

The first drug to treat macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) – a neurodegenerative disease of the retina – has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Genetic testing is increasingly being used by healthcare professionals to more effectively identify and manage patients at risk or suspected of diseases such as glaucoma, as well as those with diagnosed disease.

Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) is now available via private prescription and can be ordered through Australian pharmaceutical distributor CH2.

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a 20% increase in the risk of refractive astigmatism, a Hong Kong study has found.

Researchers have developed eye drops that extend vision in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a group of degenerative eye diseases that leads to progressive vision loss in humans.

Cannabis users had a significantly increased risk for thyroid eye disease (TED), a United States study has found. The study, published in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,1 investigated the association between cannabis usage and TED in patients with autoimmune hyperthyroidism.

American scientists have successfully developed pig retinal organoids, opening new pathways for testing and advancing stem cell therapies for vision loss.

Specsavers Australia is partnering with recycling processor, Opticycle, to introduce the first end-to-end recycling solution for glasses and lens waste for the optical industry in Australia.

AUSCRS 2025 – the annual conference of the Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons – will take place in Darwin from 16 –19 July 2025.

The first international results of repeated lowlevel red-light therapy (RLRL) for myopia have recently been announced by Eyerising International, with the conclusion of the company’s 12-month randomised controlled trial at the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) in Melbourne.

Opthea has announced it has discontinued its COAST and ShORe trials, for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), after the failure of both studies.1

The 8th annual Ophthalmology Updates! conference will be held on the weekend of 30–31 August 2025 at the Fullerton Hotel, Sydney.

The Fred Hollows Foundation has appointed Ross Piper as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Toukan Labs has successfully rolled out its OpenEyes platform across the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), promising to significantly enhance the efficiency of research workflows and clinical trial management.

SILMO returns to Paris from 26– 29 September 2025 at Paris Nord Villepinte. Bringing together around 900 exhibitors, 1,500 exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors from 42 countries for four days, this annual trade show becomes the beating heart of the international optics and eyewear industry. SILMO Paris is an incubator of ideas and reflection, anticipating changes in the sector, with new collections, cutting-edge technologies, and visionary designs on show.

A new level of insight into therapy planning for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients is on the horizon with Heidelberg Engineering and deepeye Medical’s collaboration, following three years of joint development.

A comprehensive review of 70-year clinical studies has found ophthalmic manifestations may be the first sign of multiple myeloma (MM) or represent a relapse of the condition.

Ophthalmix – the Australian device company established in 2024 by Brad Grills – has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Oculus.

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) School of Optometry and Vision Science recently celebrated its graduating class of 2024 at its annual prize-giving ceremony, recognising outstanding achievements across clinical excellence, research, and community engagement.

ZEISS Australia New Zealand has now become the sole supplier of DORC (Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center) products in Australia. This transition follows the successful global acquisition of DORC by Carl Zeiss Meditec AG in April 2024.

www.zoomoptics.com.au

CR Labs has taken delivery of an automated, state-of-the-art lens coating machine.

Navigating Macular Disease with MDFA

May is Macula Month. As this issue of mivision is released, Australians will be voting in a federal election. In the lead-up to the election campaign, Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) released a clear agenda for our next Australian Government to save the sight of thousands of Australians. This agenda, Fight for Sight, contains clear and practical recommendations that have been endorsed by leading eye health organisations, including Royal Australian and New Zealand

Fitness to Drive

The fear – and implications – of stopping driving due to vision loss cannot be overstated, according to new research released by Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) as part of this year’s Macula Month awareness campaign.

Until recently there has been no treatment available for patients with geographic atrophy (GA), which can have a significant impact on the quality of life for patients. However, this changed earlier this year with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approving the first intravitreal injection for GA treatment, and more emerging therapies in the pipeline.

eyetek.com.au

The availability of Vabysmo (faricimab) is making a significant dent on the enormous backlog of patients in the United Kingdom awaiting anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is an ophthalmic emergency that requires urgent management to prevent or reduce permanent visual disability. This article aims to briefly review the basics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments and, additionally, provide updates from recent studies by Dr Rajeev Muni and colleagues that have enhanced our understanding of the condition and improve the visual outcomes for our patients.

Most Australians will undergo cataract surgery in their lifetime, and a significant number of these patients will also have ocular comorbidities such as macular disease and/or glaucoma. Historically, these patients would only be offered a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) due to the risk of poor patient satisfaction resulting from reduced optical quality and dysphotopsia.

The MACULAR DISEASE ISSUE

The MACULAR DISEASE ISSUE

The MACULAR DISEASE ISSUE

Current and Future Management

SeeWay, an initiative of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, has been established to provide free practical support for people navigating vision loss. Monica Lette, SeeWay’s Business Development Manager, explained the service to Dr Margaret Lam.

Who would have thought that a high school side hustle selling phone cases and cables would portend a passion for business development? Certainly not Thomas Do.

Anyone in any industry can get tired of their job. But when you embrace the tools and opportunities available to optometry, it’s possible to map out a career that delivers lifelong professional satisfaction, writes Andrew McKinnon.

The long-awaited ODMAFair is coming to the International Convention Centre in Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct.

IOACONGRESS.COM.AU

The economic burden of myopia continues to grow worldwide, with costs reaching into billions and affecting national gross domestic product figures, according to leading myopia researcher Professor Padmaja Sankaridurg from ZEISS.

The first OPSM opened in 1932 with a staff of five; a sixth employee (a 17-year-old trainee optical dispenser) started the following year. Even then, OPSM was investing and bringing advanced optical technology into Australia and New Zealand, both in the eye care and retail space. For example, OPSM was the first company to manufacture contact lenses in Australia in 1939. In the 1960s, OPSM designed the first customer in-store experience with the first walk-up displays, so cust

Making quality optical products requires several ingredients: we need the prescription, quality measurements, frames, and lenses.

Make the most of the Marchon Second Pair Offer (above left), a cost-saving programme designed to increase your margins and maintain your competitive edge, all while enjoying the conveniences and benefits of plugging into Marchon’s integrated supply chain.

VAANYARD was launched in Sydney just prior to the pandemic. The vision of an urban architect and a fashion marketer, the brand rapidly came to fruition and has already earned its place in the international market. mivision caught up with founder creatives Lee Kan and Paul Gilligan to talk about what they’ve learned along the way, how they’re travelling, and the markets they’re expanding into.

Toto, the third edition in the Mykita 032c collaboration, embodies the independent spirit of Berlin and attracts a global audience with its progressive approaches. The elongated oval shape with feminine tendencies has a unisex appeal. A straight front presents an elegant, versatile, and timeless style, while Mykita’s patented Endura hinge offers product longevity. The sunglass model is available in three tone-on-tone colourways, including misty green and euphos green, golden

www.ovc.optometry.org.au

Unlike traditional conferences, GenEye uses immersive learning to focus on the mind, body, and surgical skills required for exceptional care.