WRITER Katrina Ronne

In 2026, at the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO), the focus is on education with the newly launched ASO Academy and the upcoming Skills Expo.

One of the things I’m most proud of at the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists is our commitment to keeping members at the top of their game. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of clinical practice, but investing in our own professional development is what keeps us sharp, current, and ultimately helps our patients get the best care possible. With that in mind, 2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic year on the education front, and I wanted to give you a look at what’s ahead.

Many of you will have already heard about the ASO Academy, our new monthly webinar series that we’re incredibly excited to have launched. This has been a long time in the making, and I’m pleased to say it’s been worth the wait.

Held each month, every session is designed to be practical, relevant, and to fit around your busy schedule. We’re covering everything from clinical skills to practice management, to patient care, and even marketing. Every session earns you CPD points, and the interactive Q&A means you can engage directly with presenters, all without leaving your practice or the comfort of your home.

The response from members so far has been really encouraging. If you haven’t jumped on board yet, I’d strongly encourage you to give it a go.

ASO SKILLS EXPO

Now, for those of you who know me, you’ll know the Skills Expo is one of my favourite events on the calendar, and this year’s is shaping up to be something special.

The 11th ASO Skills Expo is heading to the Gold Coast on 6–7 June, and we’re especially keen to be bringing it back to Queensland for only the second time ever. If you haven’t been to a Skills Expo before, you’re in for a treat. It’s hands-on, it’s practical, and you walk away with skills you can take straight back to your clinic.

We’re also delighted to announce that Professor Joel Pearson (neuroscientist, author, and the world’s first neurofuturist) will be joining us as our keynote speaker at our Leaders’ Breakfast.

Aligning with this year’s theme, ‘AI and The Human Edge’, Prof Pearson will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we think, learn, and work. It’s a fascinating topic and one that’s becoming increasingly relevant to how we run our practices.

Beyond the workshops and keynote, the Skills Expo is a great opportunity to catch up with fellow members, meet the ASO team, and see what’s new from our industry partners.

Keep an eye on your inbox and our socials for program updates and registration details. You can find all the details on our website: asoeye. org/events. I hope to see as many of you there as possible.

It’s going to be a brilliant one.

Katrina Ronne is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists.