Confidence through evidence. That’s miyosmart.

Medicare – Australia’s taxpayer-funded universal health care scheme – notches up 50 years of operation this year. It’s an incredible milestone that deserves celebrating – after all it has enabled Australians to thrive with worldclass health care services delivered for free or at a subsidised rate.

Contributors

Researchers in the United States have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) technology that speeds up optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging 100-fold, while improving contrast 3.5-fold.

Pedestrians will soon be safer around quiet cars, trucks, and buses travelling at low speeds, with new regulations requiring electric vehicles to be fitted with Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS).

Redevelopment of The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Eye and Ear) in Melbourne has been completed, providing patients and staff with a more accessible, lighter, brighter, and more welcoming space that is expected to enhance patient experience and outcomes.

Bausch and Lomb has announced plans to launch a novel daily nutritional supplement for dry eye in the United States later this year, after a successful clinical study.

In an Australian first, NewVision Clinics in Melbourne has invested in Johnson and Johnson's next generation Elita femtosecond laser, which is used to perform the SILK (small incision lenticule keratomileusis) procedure – a lenticular surgery to treat myopia and compound myopic astigmatism by removing a thin lenticule of stromal tissue from the cornea.

The Australian-based Myopia Profile said a 50% increase in visitor engagement on its website signals “widespread and accelerating interest in myopia etiology, prevention, interventions, and clinical practices”.

Is there such a thing as a sustainable material? It’s not a trick question, but as Specsavers discovered, it’s a tricky question to answer.

The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) and the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) have collaborated to provide university-level instructors with direct access to CLI-developed research publications and practice tools.

Ophthalmologists from Nexus Hospital Group are collaborating with Young Optometrists (YO) to bring hands-on training to recent optometry graduates practising in regional New South Wales.

A visit to CR Labs by AttorneyGeneral, the Hon Mark Dreyfus, has highlighted the “pivotal role” of independent Australian optometrists in the nation’s eye care landscape.

VitroCap NEM (Ebiga Vision, Germany), a supplement for eye health, has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for sale in Australia.

Richard Wylie, Chief Executive Officer of Glaucoma Australia, has resigned after 21 months in the position.

Seven ophthalmologists from Australia and New Zealand have been named on The Ophthalmologist 2024 Power List, a prestigious ranking of “inspirational and influential clinicians, scientists, and leaders in ophthalmology” from around the globe.

Suitable Australian candidates are being sought for a real-world, Phase 4 diabetic macular oedema (DMO) trial.

The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) has announced its 2024 Board of Directors, reinforcing its commitment to raising awareness and promoting a greater understanding of, and action to deal with, childhood myopia as a treatable disease.

Optometry Queensland Northern Territory’s (OQNT’s) new continuing professional development event, Cairns Vision, will feature predominantly case-based sessions in a low-key, relaxed environment.

Rodenstock Australia is leading the way for its global company, having established state-of-theart edging and glazing facilities in Melbourne, Launceston, and Brisbane, to better meet its customers’ needs. The edge and fit facilities complement Rodenstock’s Sydney laboratory.

A new study has revealed glaucoma patients with a body mass index (BMI) classed as underweight had significantly faster rates of structural loss to the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL).

Clever bio-inks that sit inside the human body and restore damaged neurons could cure a whole swathe of eye diseases in the next 20 years, according to a researcher from the University of South Australia (UniSA).

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has partnered with CooperVision to introduce an interactive and educational resource for eye care practitioners worldwide.

EssilorLuxottica has launched a new partnership program, EssilorLuxottica 360 (EL360), which it says will give independent optometry practices more opportunity to grow.

Optometrists are invited to participate in a research project titled ‘Attitudes, barriers, and facilitators to telehealth in optometry’ being led by academics at the University of Melbourne, Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences.

Results from a cross-sectional study out of Boston Children’s Hospital suggest that genetic risk factors for esotropia are also the risk factors for exotropia.

Registrations are open for the seventh annual Ophthalmology Updates!, to be held from 24–25 August in Sydney. This year, three international keynote speakers will be flown in to join local expertise: ‘cataract coach’ Professor Uday Devgan from Los Angeles, artificial intelligence guru Professor Pearse Keane from Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, and retinal expert Associate Professor Rishi Gupta from Dalhousie University, Canada.

Providing people with a pair of reading glasses increases the earnings of people in low-income communities by 33%, new research has found.

Opticare has launched an entirely new collection of lenses “meticulously designed” and “catering to premium and costeffective needs, ensuring every customer finds their perfect fit”.

OpenEyes, an internationally awarded electronic patient record and referral system for eye care, developed by an Australian company, has been successfully rolled out across eight major hospitals in Scotland.

When she graduated nine years ago, Tamra Karolewicz planned to practise optometry with Eyre Eye Centre on the Eyre Peninsula in Port Lincoln in South Australia for two, maybe three years before moving interstate. Now she is a co-director, co-managing complex patients with ophthalmologists and looking forward to opportunities for practice expansion in her region.

One of the greatest challenges in our working lives is finding a career that aligns with our core values. For many health professionals, a driving factor is a deep-seated desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. In this article, Judy Nam shares her experiences working with the Centre for Eye Health and Eyes4Everest – two organisations in vastly different worlds, both dedicated to bridging the gap in eye care for vulnerable communities.

After 20 years, the “mystery” that initially lured Maria Williams into the field of clinical research at the Save Sight Institute (SSI) has long gone. It’s been replaced by a sense of pride at the contribution that SSI is making to improve the lives of people with visionthreatening eye conditions. Michelle Hauschild reports on a remarkable ‘behindthe-scenes’ contribution to ophthalmic research.

Laser-based corneal refractive surgery has transformed the landscape of ophthalmology, granting individuals the opportunity to eliminate their reliance on glasses or contact lenses. In this article, Dr Aanchal Gupta discusses screening methods, in particular ectasia screening, that can help determine a patient’s suitability and their treatment options.

Anterior and posterior segment surgeons recently came together to hear from profession leaders and discuss future directions for our patients, our industry, and our communities.

Most anterior segment reconstruction occurs following ocular trauma. Trauma is one of the most devastating causes of vision loss in both the developed and the developing world and leads to severe visual impairment if it is not properly managed.1 The impact of ocular trauma is not limited to loss of sight. Many cases can also lead to major cosmetic problems with the resultant significant psychological burden.

Keratoconus has a prevalence of up to one in 84 people in the Australian population. Understanding the tips for early diagnosis, the management required at diagnosis, appropriate information for a thorough referral, and the numerous treatments available is important for such a common disease.

Optometrists can make an enormous difference to longterm ocular health outcomes by using orthokeratology (OK) to slow myopia progression in children. In this article, Shonit Jagmohan explains why doing so has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his journey as an optometrist. And he provides his 10 top tips to get you on the OK journey with him.

The cornea’s role in maintaining visual acuity makes its structural integrity paramount in ocular health and disease management. Recent advancements in diagnostic technologies have propelled corneal biomechanics to the forefront of ophthalmic and optometric research and clinical practice. The Oculus Corvis ST has emerged as a pivotal tool in this realm, providing unprecedented insights into the dynamic mechanical behaviour of the cornea. This article aims to elucidate the role of corneal biomechanics, as assessed by the Oculus Corvis, in the diagnosis and management of anterior segment diseases, underscoring its significance in keratoconus, refractive surgery, and the burgeoning field of myopia management.

Refractive surgery demands the highest level of diagnostic accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency. Failure to adequately diagnose an underlying corneal ectasia, for example, can have terrible consequences for the patient, the surgeon, and the refractive business. Corneal topography, coupled with corneal and whole-eye wave-front analyses, are the cornerstone of refractive diagnostics.

miproducts

One of the best ways to eradicate career boredom and frustration – and to expand one’s scope – is to take on a speciality niche like advanced contact lens care, writes Alan Saks.

The opportunity to expand his optometric skill set is just one of the reasons that Hafi Khan has set his heart upon Tamworth… (but we still don’t know whether that passion extends to country music).

In the lead up to Queensland and Northern Territory (NT) state elections, optometry’s peak body is working to ensure improved access to eye care is on the agenda.

Themed ‘Sharpen Your Focus’, the Australian Vision Convention (AVC), hosted by Optometry Queensland Northern Territory, took place on the Gold Coast in early April.

In a first-time collaboration with Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA), Optometry Western Australia’s WAVE 2024 conference offered two full days of optometry lectures, a day of dispensing lectures hosted by ODA, and a full interactive supplier tradeshow at the Fremantle Esplanade Hotel in Perth.

It’s the 50th anniversary of Medicare in 2024, and next year marks 50 years since optometry’s introduction to what was formerly known as Medibank (now Medicare). As Simon Hanna writes, a lot has changed since eye care consultations commenced receiving rebates from the federal government’s Health Department.

Can your practice crack the success code to Facebook and Instagram?

Well-structured financial strategies are critical to ensure every business is well-positioned for success. In this article, Paul McKinley gives his top 10 finance tips, tailored specifically for Australian optometry practices, as they ready themselves for the upcoming end of financial year (EOFY).

In an era where sustainability and eco-consciousness are increasingly more important, the optical industry is embracing innovative ways to reduce its environmental footprint, as April Petrusma writes.

Earth-Friendly Eyewear Options

Award-winning sustainable eyewear brand, Project Green is designed for environmentally conscious individuals and practices. The collection blends high-quality bioacetates, compostable demonstration lenses, and innovative hinge designs to create sustainable eyewear that doesn’t compromise on quality or style. And it’s all brought together with a powerful initiative that supports environmental rejuvenation. mivisionspoke to Lisa Wymond, National Brands Manager at Project Green’s distributor Eyes Right Optical, to get the inside story on this increasingly popular brand.

mifashion News

Special promotion

Optometry australia’s leading online education conference, optometry virtually connected, is back by popular demand. This year’s keynote speaker is dr evgenia konstantakopoulou, an academic and research optometrist from the united kingdom, who will present on the expanding scope of optometry practice.

June 1–2, australian society of ophthalmologists skills 2024, sydney masonic centre, sydney.