ISSUE MAR 2025 209

World Glaucoma Week runs from 9–15 March 2025 and all eye care professionals are urged to build community awareness of this potentially debilitating “sneak thief of sight”.

Associate Professor Simon Skalicky is a Melbourne-based ophthalmologist specialising in glaucoma and cataract. He is the Founder and Director of Eyeonic, an online visual field assessment tool.

Syfovre (pegcetacoplan, Apellis) has become the first and only approved treatment for geographic atrophy (GA) in Australia.

Two new compounds may be able to treat retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a group of inherited eye diseases that cause blindness.

Injured optic nerves can regrow towards the brain if treated properly, according to scientists from the University of Connecticut.1

A New Zealand study has examined the frequency of recurrences, risk factors, and longterm clinical outcomes in subjects with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO).

New data shows children with myopia using 0.05% atropine eye drops had less myopia progression than those using placebo or 0.01% atropine.

A United Kingdom study of glaucoma patients has found ethnicity is strongly associated with differing perceptions about the health outcomes that matter.

Inadequate cybersecurity measures and a tendency for doctors to use their personal phones for medical purposes is increasing the risk of sensitive patient data being hacked or accidentally leaked, according to a study from La Trobe University.

The world’s first spiral intraocular lens (IOL) is now available to surgeons in Australia and New Zealand.

Flagged risks of consuming the vitamin B3 derivative nicotinamide have been overcome in the Australian developed nutraceutical Nutravision by using “the lowest effective clinical dose based on existing research”, according to co-founder and ophthalmologist Dr Brian Ang.

GenEye 2025 is a revolutionary educational event designed for health professionals dedicated to achieving excellence in eye health provision. Unlike traditional conferences, GenEye uses immersive learning to focus on the mind, body, and surgical skills required for exceptional care.

Researchers have discovered a vascular ‘fingerprint’ on the retina that can predict a person’s risk of stroke as accurately as traditional risk factors alone, but without the need for multiple invasive lab tests.

In the lead up to the 2025 federal election, Optometry Australia (OA) is urging optometrists to support its Eyes on Medicare campaign that aims to reinstate two-yearly Medicare subsidised eye examinations for asymptomatic Australians aged under 65.

Sling Therapeutics has announced positive data from clinical trials of a potential new treatment option for moderate to severe thyroid eye disease (TED).

Children who wore special contact lenses to slow the progression of myopia maintained the treatment benefit after they stopped wearing the contacts as older teens, new research has found.1

Optometry Australia (OA) has released a costs analysis, highlighting that tens of millions of dollars could be saved by government and patients, if optometrists’ prescribing rights expanded to include the ability to prescribe oral medications.

A new study has found a “clear association” between concentration problems and fatigue severity in patients with visual impairment (VI).

In the lead up to World Optometry Day on 23 March 2025, Diabetes Australia is calling for all eye care professionals to get on board with KeepSight – the free national programme that aims to save sight by ensuring people living with diabetes have timely eye checks.

SurgiVision has become the exclusive distributor of MedOne products in Australia. Previously distributed by Designs for Vision, MedOne manufactures single-use cannula products for retina surgery. The product range primarily comprises small gauge surgery, including 23 g, 25 g, and 27 g surgical platforms, for a wide variety of surgical cases.

A matched cohort study has found presbyopia patients treated with topical pilocarpine were at increased risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) when compared with those who received artificial tears. The greater risk was seen in patients with existing RRD risk factors.1

An award-winning start-up, co-founded by researchers from the University of Waterloo and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, aims to significantly speed up drug development with an “eye on a chip”.

Associate Professor Smita Agarwal has become the first ophthalmologist to engage mivision to produce patient facing videos to introduce her services and inform about specific ophthalmic procedures.

A systematic review published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology has examined the safety profile and risk-to-benefit ratio of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy as a treatment for slowing the progression of myopia in children and adolescents. 1

The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) has concluded in Las Vegas having brought contact lens professionals together from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in specialty lens technology, from myopia control and irregular cornea, to presbyopia management and emerging smart lens applications.

www.zoomoptics.com.au

Professor Lauren Ayton has been named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List in recognition of her significant service to optometry, to ophthalmology, and to public health as a clinician and researcher.

Glaucoma affects over 380,000 Australians and it is estimated it will cost our healthcare and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) systems a staggering AU$4.3 billion this year. 1

Navigating Congenital Glaucoma

Genetic testing is a new addition to the toolbox that’s being increasingly used by both optometrists and ophthalmologists to more effectively identify and manage patients at risk or suspected of glaucoma, as well as those with diagnosed disease.

A study has found that glaucoma is diagnosed relatively early in patients living on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. The study also found key predictive factors for late presentation and highlighted the need for regular eye examinations, to optimise early detection and timely referral, especially for older patients.

The landscape of glaucoma care in Australia faces significant challenges. With only 50% of people with glaucoma diagnosed and a mere 30% of these patients remaining compliant with monotherapy eye drops after two years, there is a pressing need for more effective care delivery models.1 Is collaborative care the answer?

Further development of collaborative models of eye healthcare are a key plank of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (RANZCO) Vision 2030 and beyond plan.1

‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ or, in the case of glaucoma, potentially multiple mmHg of intraocular pressure (IOP) control. Glaucoma touches over 200,000 Australians,1and costs us AU$4.3 billion per year.2However, despite the high prevalence and cost burden, glaucoma management often begins only after measurable disease progression, and often remains focussed on IOP control alone. Drs Daniel Liu and Brian Ang present an alternate, proactive model of glauco

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), referred to as glaucoma for the rest of the article, is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The goal of glaucoma treatment is to slow the progression of visual function deterioration and preserve the patient’s quality of life, all while managing treatment costs sustainably. Currently, the only proven approach to achieving this is by lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). Treatment begins with either topical medication or laser trabeculoplasty, with selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) now emerging as

Improv ing the Patient Experience

Helping Your Patients Adjust

Whether a patient is advised that they are a glaucoma suspect, or confirmed to have glaucoma, an appointment with an optometrist or an ophthalmologist can be overwhelming. But what happens next, when they leave your practice?

Ophthalmologists frequently ponder the most effective diagnostic examination for screening patients at risk of glaucoma. Professor Benedetto Falsini contends that the pattern electroretinogram (PERG) examination, which provides “non-invasive objective, quantitative measurement of central retinal function”,11 could serve as a key diagnostic tool in the early phase of the disease.

While there’s no doubt optical coherence tomography (OCT) has changed the game for eye disease diagnosis, Jessica Chi provides a case study demonstrating why it should not be solely relied upon for glaucoma diagnosis and management.

Growing up, Loreto Obias always knew she wanted to be in a career that involved providing care and support to those around her. But back then, she didn’t even know what an orthoptist was.

As Optometry Australia’s new State Lead of Queensland, Ann Webber’s primary goal is to support Queensland members and advocate for the future of the profession at a local level.

The CliftonStrengths assessment, developed by the late Donald O. Clifton, revolutionised how we understand human potential. At a time when psychology largely focussed on what was wrong with people, Mr Clifton asked a radical question: “What might be right with people?” He created a framework – now called the Gallup CliftonStrengths – that not only helps people understand who they are, but also who they can become. Business leadership coach Alison Schiena explains that these p

Let’s face it – getting on camera can be intimidating. Lighting, backgrounds, video editing... it’s enough to make anyone hesitate. But what if you knew a way to share your expertise without worrying about all of that? Paul Sallaway would like you to consider audio podcasting – a simpler, no-fuss way to intimately connect with your audience of patients.

The relentless march of technology has transformed our world, and our eyes are paying the price. The average person now spends nearly seven hours a day staring at screens,1 leading to a surge in digital eye strain (DES). This condition, characterised by symptoms like eye fatigue, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes, has become a significant concern for eye care professionals. But as Alycia Coupe explains, you can offer your patients relief from eye strain by prescribing p

The ZEISS Office lens portfolio provides solutions for almost all near and intermediate tasks. The design is optimised for a dynamic, multitasking digital lifestyle, ensuring a more natural body posture and relief from digital eye strain.

Offer your patients a comprehensive visual solution with lenses tailored to any activity throughout their day.

As optometrists and optical dispensers in Australia and New Zealand, recommending the perfect spectacle frames for professional patients requires a delicate balance of functionality, aesthetics, and workplace considerations. Understanding how to guide patients through this selection process is crucial for ensuring both satisfaction and practice success.

The Carrera range of optical frames has always catered for wearers who want to look professional and make a statement in the workplace.

The Black Series by Linda Farrow sees the release of a new masculine-focussed capsule collection featuring engineered pieces in all black. The subtle aesthetic with intricate layers and detailing is achieved in a selection of high-end materials.

3–6 April 2025

March 1–3, 100% Optical, Excel London. Info: 100percentoptical.com