ISSUE 210

This issue is all about improvement.

Dr Robert McDonald is the Director of Clinical Training and the Head of the Department of Cataract Surgery at Sydney Eye Hospital, and holds academic appointments at both the University of Sydney and the University of Notre Dame. He is in private practice at Sydney Eye Surgeons.

New research, based on real-world data from the international Save Sight Dry Eye Registry, has revealed fresh insights on both the quality-of-life burden of dry eye disease (DED), and the need for individualised treatment strategies.

A growing number of Australians are investing in health insurance so they can receive fast, highquality healthcare with their choice of doctor in the private system, new data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) shows.

Australia has been ranked as a world leader in a global academic study evaluating the eHealth frameworks of nine countries. Undertaken by Sweden’s Uppsala University, the study evaluated each countries’ eHealth vision, objectives, methods of implementation, and follow-up protocols.

Vabysmo (faricimab, Roche) has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of approximately 20,000 Australians living with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), where a blockage in a retinal vein leads to fluid build-up in the macula.1,2

A five-year research and innovation project has been established in France to better understand the clinical and biological mechanisms behind myopia progression. The aim is to enable the delivery of advanced, personalised ophthalmic solutions tailored to individual needs.

Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) is calling on the federal government to extend bulk billing to Australian pension card holders who require eye injections for treatable macular diseases, including neovascular agerelated macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular oedema, and retinal vein occlusion.

Australia’s Seonix Bio has announced the launch in the United States of SightScore, the first commercially available clinical polygenic risk score testing service for primary open-angle glaucoma.

Google, Apple, and Microsoft search engines are transitioning into ‘recommendation engines’, placing practitioners at increasing risk of inadvertently breaching Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) guidelines, the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, and the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).

Honouring the legacy of the late Sydney ophthalmologist Dr Raf Ghabrial, his friends and family have launched a fundraising drive for the charity he established, Friends of Nias.

In a historic announcement, the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has appointed a woman – Katrina Ronne – to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

New research has identified an underlying molecular mechanism of age-related degeneration in the meibomian glands essential to normal eye function.

CooperVision is intensifying efforts in myopia and cornea disease management, promoting Jennifer Lambert from Senior Director, Global Myopia Management to Vice President, Myopia Management and Cornea Care and charging her with a broadened remit.

Long-term variability in blood pressure may be associated with visual field (VF) progression in glaucoma patients, suggesting new considerations for managing this sight-threatening condition.

SeeWay has launched a new mental wellbeing service, designed to address the emotional and psychological impact of low vision.

A growing interest in mini-scleral lenses has prompted the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) to expand its Certificate in Advanced Contact Lenses offering with a new lecture on troubleshooting and fine-tuning mini-scleral lens fits.

Toy company Mattel will be presented with the prestigious Helen Keller Achievement Award later this month, in recognition of the global impact of Blind Barbie.

ODMAFair25, from 27–29 June in Sydney, will present a series of educational sessions and hands-on workshops designed to arm delegates with new knowledge and skills to immediately elevate their optometric practice.

Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and orthoptists are invited to expand their paediatric eye care expertise and refine their clinical approaches at the upcoming 3rd Asia-Pacific Strabismus and Paediatric Ophthalmology Society (APSPOS) Congress.

Japanese scientists have unveiled a portable screening device that could be used to detect early signs of glaucoma in non-traditional settings such as supermarkets, train stations or shopping malls.

Future plumbers, builders, and carpenters learn their trade through apprenticeships, combining hands-on experience with guided instruction. While at first glance, these trades seem far removed from ophthalmology, the training of ophthalmic surgeons has traditionally followed this very same model, with their practical experience in the operating room forming the foundation and development of their skills and education.

Standing out within a highly competitive optometric world requires more than just providing basic eye care products and services. Leading practitioners across Australia and New Zealand are finding bold and innovative ways to differentiate their practices while maintaining high standards of patient care. Through conversations with successful practice owners and industry leaders, several key strategies emerge for creating a distinctive presence in the market.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most powerful technologies we’ve ever seen. And it’s one of the easiest tools to start using... so, why isn’t everyone taking advantage of it? Innovation expert Inbal Rodnay breaks down the barriers by asking optometry practitioners using AI and an AI developer for some practical examples of how this technology can streamline operations, enhance patient care, and transform marketing efforts in practice.

The recent development and uptake of extended depth of focus intraocular lenses (EDOF IOLs) have improved the refractive options available to both patients and clinicians. Drs Robert McDonald and Alex Hamilton describe the evolution of this technology and the patients most likely to benefit from it.

For the past 43 years, the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has served as a voice for ophthalmologists and their patients – but that is not all it does, as ASO President Dr Peter Sumich explains.

In the second article of a series encapsulating significant conclusions from the BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia publications, Dr Daddi Fadel and Dr David Berkow reinforce the evidence by investigating several approaches to the detection, monitoring, assessment, and diagnosis of presbyopia progression.

Impaired central corneal epithelial cell density can have clinical implications including reduced corneal integrity, delayed healing, increased risk of infections, visual disturbances, and contact lens intolerance. In this article, Dr Pradipta Bharracharyya and Associate Professors Katie Edwards and Katrina Schmid describe the appearance of the epithelial cells with in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM ), their regional density, and factors that affect this.

Topical corticosteroids represent one of the most potent and efficacious treatments for anterior segment ocular inflammation.11,,22 Possessing variable therapeutic effect, dependent upon active drug potency and penetrance, topical anti-inflammatory preparations elicit therapeutic effect by directly targeting ocular structures.22,,33

Dry eye disease (DED) is on the rise, with many of our adult and paediatric patients presenting either asymptomatically, or with symptoms that negatively affect their lifestyle. Having access to diagnostic software to determine the type of dry eye a patient is experiencing, as well as to assist with the best management plan to treat them, is imperative for providing the best care for our patients.

Professor Paul McMenamin has drawn on his extensive experience as a tertiary educator and eye researcher for over 45 years to develop a high-quality eye chart that presents:

The Personal, the Professional

Specsavers Dry Eye Pilot Programme

UWA's Commitment to Collaborative Care

In healthcare, ongoing training extends beyond the need to meet regulatory requirements; it’s a key strategy for improving both patient outcomes and staff performance. In optometry and ophthalmology practices, where advancements in technology and patient care are constant, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Kasia Groves explores practical steps that ophthalmology and optometry practices can take to build a culture of continuous learning that benefits both staff and patien

Why do so many eye care professionals focus on Facebook or Instagram while overlooking LinkedIn? The truth is, LinkedIn is a networking powerhouse designed for making professional connections. For optometrists and ophthalmologists, it offers an opportunity to build relationships with each other, but also with general practitioners, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals who can become valuable sources of patient referrals. It’s where conversations between medical pro

Finding the right niche might be the perfect antidote to career dissatisfaction, Alan Saks muses.

Ever wondered how far an optometry degree can take you? Amanda Duffy shares her journey from growing up in her father’s practices to owning her own.

Optometry Australia is collaborating with industry to raise awareness about myopia and drive change; the ultimate goal being to save sight for generations to come.

One of the most universal coatings in our industry is the ever-popular antireflective coating. Nicole Grasso reviews the benefits of this – and other premium lens features – that will enhance your patients’ visual experiences.

Satin+ Coating by CR Labs is an advanced lens coating designed to enhance vision clarity, durability, and eye comfort. It offers superior resistance to smudges, scratches, and reflections, ensuring long-lasting performance and easy maintenance. With exceptional anti-reflective properties, Satin+ reduces glare from screens and artificial lighting, minimising digital eye strain and enhancing visual comfort in all environments. Its advanced hydrophobic and oleophobic layers repe

Swiss Precision, Japanese Artistry

Discussing makeup with patients can add an uplifting element to frame selection or eye health consultations. Understanding how makeup interacts with glasses can enhance confidence and comfort. By offering practical tips, optometrists and ophthalmologists can support their patients in looking and feeling their best while maintaining eye health.

Maui Jim’s new global advertising campaign, Colour You Can Feel 2, invites consumers to experience the world with even more vivid and vibrant details. Set against breathtaking natural landscapes, the campaign reaffirms the brand’s commitment to enriching outdoor experiences and human connection.

ProSocial, an innovative social media platform exclusively available to ProVision members, has amassed more than 170 practice users and 20 supplier contributors since its launch in November 2024.

The theme for the 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting is ‘i3: imagining innovation and intelligence in vision science’. The meeting will address how vision research is continually being transformed by new information and technologies, including improved artificial intelligence and big data, increasingly sensitive and elegant molecular techniques, sophisticated imaging modalities, virtual reality, and breakthroughs in gene therapy.

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