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Australia has a diverse population with around 30% of people born overseas. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, back in 2021, just over seven million of our population, which stood at 25.69 million, were born overseas, an increase from 6.1 million, or 26.3%, in 2016.1

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A comprehensive new study has provided updated estimates on blindness and vision loss caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), saying it ranked “second among the causes of irreversible blindness globally”

The world health organization (who) has introduced an online platform called medevis (medical devices information system), the first global open access clearing house for information on medical devices.

The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) is calling on optometrists across the country to help identify potential participants for a new clinical trial investigating a novel treatment for intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

A new study has found children with glaucoma had an average of 1.3 visual field (VF) tests per year, providing valuable data that could influence future paediatric patient management strategies.

Australia’s Professor Sharon Bentley has been selected to serve as the new Dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University College (UC) of Berkeley.

Drug repurposing shows promise in the treatment of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), according to a new study, published in Nature Communications.1

New research has suggested melatonin supplementation may significantly reduce both the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its progression.

The New Zealand government has sacked the Board of Health New Zealand, citing serious concerns around oversight, overspend, and a significant deterioration in financial outlook.

Two PhD students from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to optometry research with prestigious Ezell Fellowships from the United States.

New research from Germany has shown, for the first time, that certain early changes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to a measurable local loss of vision.

New research has shown people who experience partial vision loss in early childhood struggle more with accurately judging sound location compared with those who lose their sight later in life.

Telemedicine approaches to glaucoma diagnosis demonstrate moderate agreement with traditional in-person evaluations by ophthalmologists and optometrists.

A bespoke telehealth service, developed by Centre for Eye Health (CFEH), is now enabling community optometrists throughout Australia to contact CFEH senior staff optometrists to discuss patients diagnosed or suspected of having nonacute posterior eye disease.

Revo is re-entering the premium sunglass market in Australia and New Zealand, launching a new joint venture subsidiary known as Revo Asia Pacific Pty Ltd.

Professor Andrew Chang AM is one of 10 retina thought leaders from around the world to be appointed to Opthea’s new Medical Advisory Board (MAB).

Researchers have linked changes in patients’ tears with the pain that some people experience after laser procedures.

Prepare your clinic for the changing landscape of geographic atrophy (GA) management. Join leading Australian retinal ophthalmologists for a free live webinar on Tuesday 10 September, hosted by mivision, where they will discuss strategies for diagnosing, monitoring, and preparing your clinic to optimally manage patients with GA.

Claims by tech billionaire Elon Musk that Blindsight – an implant to restore vision – “may ultimately exceed normal human vision” are unrealistic at best, according to a study from the University of Washington (UW).

Administration (TGA) has approved the iStent infinite trabecular micro-bypass system, manufactured by Glaukos, for use in Australia.

Hoya Surgical Optics (HSO) has launched its Masters Video Library (MVL), a comprehensive digital platform designed to enhance learning for cataract and refractive surgeons at all career stages.

Leading lens manufacturer Shamir recently unveiled its groundbreaking Driver Intelligence lenses at a launch event held at the historic Royal Automobile Club in Sydney. The event, which attracted optometrists from across Australia, showcased Shamir’s latest innovation in driving vision technology.

A study by researchers in the United States has found meibomian gland morphology abnormalities are common in children, with unhealthy diets, reduced outdoor activity, and high body mass index (BMI) identified as risk factors.

Funds raised by an optometrist who walked the length of Aotearoa New Zealand have enabled the opening of a new eye clinic in a remote area of Tanzania.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered the source of dysfunction in the process whereby cells in the eye’s retina remove waste.

A powerful new tool developed in Australia will enable clinicians worldwide to assess an individual’s genetic risk for primary open angle glaucoma with unprecedented accuracy. Already in use in Australia and New Zealand, the polygenic risk score (PRS) analysis developed by Seonix Bio, represents a major leap forward in personalised medicine for eye care.

Growing up in south-western Sydney, an area known for its rich cultural diversity, has provided Helene Ly from the Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) with an interesting insight into optimising eye care for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Here, she provides mivision with a personal perspective, supported by relevant case studies.

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, cultural and linguistic diversity is becoming increasingly important. Kasia Groves provides a handy checklist of existing resources that optometrists and ophthalmologists can use to cultivate a culturally competent and linguistically diverse team.

The landscape of glaucoma management has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The introduction of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has revolutionised our approach to treating this sight-threatening disease, offering new options to patients and expanding the toolkit available to ophthalmologists.

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The third iteration of GenEye took place for the first time in the fabulous facilities of the world leading and newly created education precinct at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, overlooking St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and beyond to the Dandenong ranges.

Corneal-based refractive surgery is currently undergoing a transformation with the introduction of the first commercially available ray tracing-based procedure. Ray tracing represents a significant advancement over traditional techniques by offering a new level of personalisation for correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism, resulting in very high early visual results. Ray tracing represents a generational upgrade in laser eye surgery treatment and this article explores the background and progress that has led to the first ray tracing system being launched in Australia this year – the InnovEyes Sightmap device and Wavelight Plus treatment (Alcon, USA).

Childhood vision testing is an important task for all eye care practitioners, as good vision can sustain school achievement. Although there are few eye conditions to affect the sight of children, those that do can be serious. In this article, the authors explain how Melbourne Rapid Fields rapid vision test (MRF) software fills an important gap for child vision testing.

In Australia and New Zealand there is undoubtedly a trend towards fitting daily disposable contact lenses. However, a surprising number of patients have not followed that trend. In Australia and New Zealand, daily disposable lenses have the largest percentage in Australia and New Zealand by value, but when it comes to the number of boxes sold, 58% of patients are still wearing reusable lenses. That number has remained stable over the past five years.

The ocular surface is one of the most exposed mucous membranes in our body. Debris, allergens, makeup, biofilm, preservatives, and other pathogens can lodge on the ocular surface. This debris normally clears through the nasolacrimal system. In this article, Dr Leigh Plowman provides a detailed guide for optometrists on lacrimal lavage.

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Glaucoma, a group of progressive optic neuropathies, is characterised by the slow degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and their axons. This leads to a distinctive appearance of the optic disc and a corresponding pattern of visual loss. In this article, Dr Yvette Wang delves into major imaging modalities in glaucoma, and the current applications of artificial intelligence available to assist with effective screening and management of this sight-threatening disease.

Over the past 40 years, the pace of technological advancements has accelerated at an unprecedented rate. This rapid progression can be largely attributed to the exponential growth in computing power, which has enabled the development of increasingly sophisticated and powerful technologies.

Artificial intelligence (ai) is infiltrating every aspect of our lives. Should we be afraid? Alan saks ponders our future relationship with this all-pervading technology.

For Alem Catic, the path into optometry was less traditional than most. In fact, it wasn’t until late in his undergraduate studies that eye care even sparked his curiosity.

Away from the headlines, Optometry Australia is racking up wins for its members, writes Skye Cappuccio.

Themed ‘Patient and practice success’, the 2024 Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) Connect conference was an opportunity for members to connect models of visual development with vision therapy practice, connect behavioural optometry practice teams, as well as connecting with friends and colleagues in the world of behavioural optometry.

The Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) has recognised “the outstanding service to patients and the profession” of three members: Steve Leslie, Liz Wason, and Lesley Vedelago.

There’s no doubt about it, Australia is in the grip of a property crisis. As a finance broker with over 20 years’ experience, Paul McKinley has watched the property market evolve, noting how critical it is to stay informed about the best finance options available.

Eye care professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring optimal vision correction for patients, and sun protection is no exception. The world of sunwear is constantly evolving, with cutting-edge technologies offering solutions tailored to your patients’ specific needs.

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In the world of premium eyewear, few brands can boast a legacy as unique and technologically advanced as Revo. Born from NASA technology in 1985, Revo has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in sunglasses, combining cutting-edge lens technology with stylish designs that appeal to adventure seekers and fashion enthusiasts alike.

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