ISSUE 218 DEC 2025

Welcome to mivision’s final issue for 2025.

Dr Simon Chen is an experienced cataract and vitreoretinal surgeon based in Sydney. He provides a practical toolkit of analogies and conversation starters to enhance patient understanding of complex eye conditions.

“Optometrists already carry the responsibility for identification and diagnosis of eye conditions, and this reform gives them the authority to complete management”

Izervay intravitreal solution (avacincaptad pegol, Astellas) has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the treatment of adult patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with an intact fovea and when central vision is threatened by GA lesion growth.

Research has found that more than 40% of Australians believe the healthcare system isn’t doing enough to ensure access to new medical technologies (medtech) that could improve care or efficiency for Australians.1

A United States study has found children with dog bites are more likely to be injured in the head, neck, and periocular region than adults, recommending that health professionals should suspect injuries beyond eyelid laceration in any patient suffering from a dog bite to the periocular region.

Three Australian optometrists have been recognised as distinguished individuals by the American Academy of Optometry (AAO).

Bausch and Lomb will launch Blink Hygiene Daily Eyelid Wipes next month. Described by the company as a “breakthrough in ocular hygiene”, these sterile wipes are the first in market indicated for allergies, inflammation, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, and pre-and post-surgical eyelid hygiene.

Novartis has presented new data to demonstrate the effectiveness of ianalumab in treating Sjögren’s disease (previously called Sjögren’s syndrome).1 The complex, systemic autoimmune disease impacts the entire body, primarily affecting exocrine glands, leading to excessive dryness, with over 90% of patients experiencing dry eyes and dry mouth.2

The world’s first robotic cataract surgery has been performed in the United States.

www.zoomoptics.com.au

A Monash University researcher has been awarded a prestigious Viertel Fellowship, valued at AU$1.375 million over five years, to advance artificial intelligence (AI)-driven healthcare.

Chemist Warehouse Optometry is building momentum with a distinctive approach to practice acquisitions that prioritises clinical investment and local autonomy over standardisation. The group is on track to open its 10th practice in three states by the end of the month.

Good Optical Services, now under the ownership of Aaron McColl, CEO of The McColl Group, is returning to ProVision, Australia’s largest network of independent optometrists.

A large, population-based cohort study has found evidence for an association between migraine and an increased risk of glaucoma.

Optica Life Accessories has acquired KE Optical, a respected supplier of optometric accessories with strong industry relationships. Many of KE Optical’s products carry the Australian Made logo and the company partners with a local social enterprise that provides employment opportunities for people living with disabilities.

The CEO of the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association of Australia (ODMA) has issued a blunt warning to the optical industry about the proliferation of spin-off events that coincide with the association’s flagship trade fairs, ODMAFair and O-SHOW.

A Turkish study has found that cataract surgery not only improves vision but is also associated with improvements in female sexual function and wellbeing.

ProVision has developed a new Practice Value Calculator that it says helps overcome one of the major pain points for practice owners looking to sell: profitability trends.

Women in the optics industry are invited to a new Melbourne festival, marketed as an “anticonference… designed to fill your cups, spark creativity, and remind women of their power, purpose, and potential”.

The Order of Australia is a national honours system that recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.

16 Years of Impact

Why Independents Can Lead the Way...

Essential for all clinically focussed eye care professionals

In a busy clinic, explaining complex retinal conditions can be challenging. This article provides a practical toolkit of analogies and conversation starters to enhance patient understanding, build trust, and streamline co-management.

Oertli’s surgical platforms are designed to support ophthalmic surgeons, particularly vitreoretinal specialists, by enhancing their surgical experience.

Doctors are bearing the brunt of a health system that’s under pressure from private health insurers and government alike, argues Katrina Ronne.

In our continuing series, encapsulating the relevant practice conclusions from the BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia publications, Dr Sayantan Biswas and Professor Leon Davies provide an overview of the mechanism and optics associated with presbyopia.

Standard eye models assume we’re all average – but we’re not. When biometric outliers and anatomical scatter distort our normative data, every lens calculation inherits that error. In this article, Dr Grant Hannaford explores how cleaning datasets and conditioning models to actual prescriptions transforms the ‘textbook eye’ into a clinically useful, probabilistic tool for better optical outcomes.

Misdiagnosed as Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Superior Segmental Optic Nerve Hypoplasia

Affecting approximately 2–5% of the global population,¹ the implications of strabismus extend beyond visual function. Using case studies, Jessica Chi discusses how prosthetic contact lenses can help – visually, cosmetically, and emotionally.

Over the past year, many of our members have expressed concerns about our profession’s trajectory. These concerns are valid. They demand a concerted, considered, and collective response.

Never one to disappoint, Specsavers recent annual Clinical Conference brought together over 900 optometrists in person in Melbourne, as well as an online, for a comprehensive weekend of clinical education and professional development. The event showcased the network’s commitment to excellence in patient care, with presentations from leading ophthalmologists and optometrists covering critical areas from paediatric eye disease to advanced glaucoma management. In this article, m

Tim Thurn is a distinguished optometrist whose career evolved from clinical practice to international leadership roles within the optical industry. After graduating from University of New South Wales (UNSW), he became one of the first optometrists in Australia and New Zealand to transition from practice to the commercial sector, spending decades with Essilor working with practitioners worldwide before recently retiring.

I’ve met practice owners who deliver world-class service while less experienced competitors dominate search results, media mentions, and local conversations. It’s not a reflection of their skill – it’s simply a result of visibility.

Every customer is unique: not only when it comes to their style, but also when it comes to their vision needs. Explore your patient’s lifestyle needs to identify which Eyezen lenses are the most suitable for them:

Experience exceptional all-day comfort and clarity with Bausch and Lomb Ultra One Day contact lenses.

When it comes to stocking eyewear that will actually move off your shelves, the answer isn’t as simple as following Instagram trends or copying what’s in the window of your nearest competitor. We spoke with four industry veterans – Jacque Katsieris, founder of ProOptics Eyewear; Kumar Ponnusamy, founder and creative director at AM Eyewear; Angelina Chee, General Manager, De Rigo Eyewear Australia; and Lisa Cappuccio, Chief Operating Officer of Eyebenefit – to uncover what tru

Lady Primrose in a colour called Lions Tail (pictured) is a confident yet graceful statement piece from Bloom Eyewear. With soft sculpted edges and a feminine silhouette, it radiates quiet strength and elegance. The warm orange glows against every complexion, perfect for women who bloom boldly and beautifully.

WWW.THEELUSIVEMISSLOU.COM

Every year, Paris becomes the beating heart of the optical world. SILMO Paris is not just another trade fair; it’s a global meeting point where the business of vision meets the artistry of design. This year, the event drew more than 33,000 professionals from 130 countries, with more than half travelling from abroad. Across 75,000 square metres, more than 900 exhibitors presented their latest collections, cutting-edge technology, and ideas shaping the future of the industry.

Mondottica’s latest Christian Lacroix release is visionary in both colour and form. Bringing Lacroix’s haute couture artistry to the world of eyewear, this stunning collection captures the spirit of his iconic fashion, accessory, and home designs. Exclusive seasonal prints from Lacroix’s famed scarves are transformed into intricate marbled patterns, while organic silhouettes and hammered metal details express the craftsmanship and luxury synonymous with the Lacroix name.

The 18th Congress of the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-Retinal Society will be held in conjunction with the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Congress in Manila. With the theme ‘Retina 360: Learning, Application, Transformation, Synergy’, APVRS 2025 will bring together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners from across the globe to share insights, showcase innovations, and foster collaboration in the field of vitreoretinal care.

www.aco.org.au