ISSUE MAY 2026 222

I have really enjoyed the first few months of this year, with several events and conferences providing opportunities to catch up with old friends and reflect on how fortunate I am to work in such a fantastic industry.

Professor Robyn Guymer AM is a Deputy Director and the Head of Macular Research at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, and Professor of Ophthalmology at The University of Melbourne. She is a clinician scientist who leads a team of researchers primarily investigating age-related macular degeneration.

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Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) has celebrated 25 years of changing the landscape of macular disease care in Australia.

A national committee has been established by the Australian Digital Health Agency to strengthen clinical oversight of digital health.

Scientists in Europe have identified genetic pathways and compounds capable of protecting cone photoreceptors from the degeneration that underlies conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Researchers have discovered an early-stage, experimental “living eye drop” that uses naturally occurring eye bacteria to support corneal wound healing.

A French study has found nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) appears to elevate the risk of needing cataract surgery, especially among people living in urban areas.

Australia’s 1001 Optometry has launched a world-first tool to scan a parent’s camera phone photos for early signs of myopia in their children.

A new three-year study is strengthening the case for repeated low-level red light (RLRL) therapy in myopia management, with researchers reporting sustained effectiveness alongside strong safety outcomes.

Angela Aaraj, a recent graduate of University of New South Wales School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, has been awarded the 2026 mivision prize in recognition of excellence in social engagement.

Chis Beer will transition from his role as Chief Executive Officer of George & Matilda to become Executive Chairman, effective 25 May 2026.

A new state-of-the-art training facility in Sydney is set to transform how health care professionals (HCPs) across Australia and New Zealand learn, collaborate, and adopt emerging medical technologies.

South Australian clinician-scientist Professor Jamie Craig has been named in The Ophthalmologist Power List for 2026.

Accurate clinical documentation has become one of the most time-consuming aspects of modern ophthalmic practice, with multiple measurements, imaging findings, medications, and management decisions critical for patient care.

TSK Laboratory International, a global manufacturer of premium needles and cannulas, has launched direct operations in Australia and New Zealand.

The Asia-Pacific Vitreo-Retina Society (APVRS) will hold its 19th Annual Congress, one of the most important vitreoretinal meetings in the world, from 28–30 August 2026, at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Two of the ophthalmic equipment industry’s most experienced figures have joined forces with Polish manufacturer Optopol to create a dedicated, Australian-owned distribution entity, bringing the company’s Revo optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual field perimeter range under specialist management.

The Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) will host a two-day conference in Brisbane from 20–21 June.

Specsavers Clinical Conference (SCC) will celebrate its 15th year when the event returns to the Gold Coast for a weekend of learning, connection, and hands-on clinical development in September.

Universities across Australia and New Zealand are integrating advanced dry eye therapies into their optometry courses, and providing students with practical experience by investing in light modulation low-level light therapy (LLLT).

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have expanded their artificial intelligence (AI) glasses portfolio, introducing Ray-Ban Meta’s new line of optical-first styles designed for prescription wearers, including Ray-Ban Meta Blayzer Optics (Gen 2) and Scriber Optics (Gen 2).

A research team led by the University of East London (UEL) has developed a multilingual, voice-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot designed to help people understand retinal detachment.

A survey of optometrists conducted by the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) has revealed that 55% are seeking to develop therapeutic skills, either at the current-practice standard, or at an advanced level, exploring topics currently outside Australian optometry endorsement.1 At the same time, Optometry Board Australia (OBA) is reviewing current scheduled medicines available for prescription by optometrists.

Thomas Ford, an early career rural optometrist, has been appointed President of Optometry NSW/ ACT, taking on the role at what he describes as a pivotal moment in the profession’s history.

Biogen will acquire Apellis Pharmaceuticals for approximately US$5.6 billion.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has arrived in ophthalmology in waves, like most professions across Australia, not as a distant promise. The question is no longer whether AI will change the way ophthalmologists work, because it already has.

The MACULAR DISEASE ISSUE

In Search of Cures for Macular Disease

MDFA Celebrates 25 Years

For many people diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetes-related eye conditions, the clinical pathway is clear. The lived experience is not. Between appointments, patients are often left to process complex information, manage anxiety about vision loss, and navigate practical changes to daily life with limited support. In 2024, Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) launched Eye Connect to address this gap. Victoria Heaton provides an update on t

There are now two approved treatments available in Australia for foveal-sparing geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), evidenced by progression. This article explores what this means for clinicians and patients.

BOC Instruments has released AutoFusion – Optovue’s latest optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. This dual modality integrated OCT and fundus camera is simple to use, with a fully automated, streamlined operation and 3D auto tracking. It automatically aligns, focuses, tracks and captures with a single tap. The AutoFusion OCT is compact with an integrated PC and a tiltable LCD touch screen. It delivers high-resolution OCT images and 12-megapixel true colour retinal photos

The MACULAR DISEASE ISSUE

With the recent approval in Australia of two drugs for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the Australian clinical community can now actively manage – rather than simply monitor – the disease in their patients. In this article, Professor Robyn Guymer and Associate Professor Zhichao Wu discuss how clinicians can best identify those patients who will benefit most from GA treatments.

While there is no established treatment currently available for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), we now have treatments in Australia for geographic atrophy (GA). Optometrists, as primary eye health providers, play a crucial role in the diagnosis of patients with these two diseases, providing them with education, support, and ongoing monitoring under shared care relationships with ophthalmology. To prepare this CPD article, optometrist Tina Huynh interviewed Associa

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in Australia and the Western world.1-4The Australian National Eye Health Survey conducted in 2016 found that 0.96% of non-indigenous Australians over 50 years of age have late-stage AMD, and 10.5% have intermediate-stage AMD.1 More recently, the Australian Eye and Ear Health Survey (AEEHS), released in July 2025, found that AMD was the leading cause of bilateral blindness in

The MACULAR DISEASE ISSUE

The MACULAR DISEASE ISSUE

The MACULAR DISEASE ISSUE

Over the past decade, researchers have explored new therapeutic strategies to address the underlying cellular damage associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). One emerging treatment is photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT). This non-invasive treatment uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular processes within the retina, potentially improving retinal metabolism and slowing disease progression. PBMT

For busy medical retina specialists, every minute in the consultation room counts. Sydney-based ophthalmologist Dr Peter Heydon explains how Optos optomap ultra-widefield imaging has become the cornerstone of his practice – accelerating diagnosis, strengthening the optometrist-ophthalmologist relationship, and involving patients in their own care.

Geographic atrophy (GA) is a late stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) defined by progressive loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), photoreceptors, and the underlying choriocapillaris. Because central visual acuity can remain relatively preserved until the fovea is involved, longitudinal imaging – especially lesion area and growth – has become the core objective measure for prognosis and therapeutic monitoring.1 In this article, Adam Hamilton summarises how mod

Over 20 years, Nasen Udayan has transformed a half-week practice into a bustling three-room operation that turns over nine times its original revenue. His philosophy? Invest in cutting-edge technology, design an inviting space, and hire a fantastic team that loves coming to work.

As Queensland State Lead at Optometry Australia, Prajna Vidaysagar finds she does a lot of listening.

The inaugural Women with Vision Festival has taken place in Melbourne, inspiring women from right across the ophthalmic community to connect, and helping them find more clarity around their strengths, powers, and potential.

If you’re investing in marketing your practice, Paul Sallaway urges you to “do the math” to work out the lifetime value of acquiring a new patient.

As CR Labs celebrates its 50-year anniversary, Adam Fletcher and Todd Spencer reflect on the company’s history, and the role local manufacturing and trusted partnerships have played in supporting independent optometry across Australia. Over five decades, the optical industry has evolved significantly, yet one constant has remained: the importance of reliability, security, and continuity of service.

Walk into any optical practice today and you’ll see just how much choice patients are faced with. Frames, lens designs, coatings, and add-ons can quickly become overwhelming. Behind the scenes, practices are managing just as much complexity – dealing with multiple suppliers, tracking orders, managing freight, and trying to maintain efficient turnaround times while protecting margins.

LINDBERG was founded four decades ago by Paul-Jørn Lindberg, an optician by training. Conceived from the start to bridge the gap between lifestyle and medical use, Henrik Lindberg, son of Poul-Jørn , says the company’s strength has, and continues to rest on three pillars: design, innovation, and personalisation.

Kering Eyewear – home of luxury brands such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Cartier, St Laurent, and Maui Jim – has made a splash with the release of its 2026 European spring/summer collections at a launch event at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney earlier this year.

The 10980 Series, LOOK’s latest interpretation of minimalist design applied to rimless eyewear, features eight lens shapes and eight colour options that strike a balance between comfort, technical performance, and style. Every component is engineered to visually disappear. The lenses are mounted using a quick, secure pressure-fit system, while the ultra-light Xinox structure achieves a total weight of just 3.73 grams. All materials are hypoallergenic with phthalate-free nose

Sunmatic III (LEFT) Opticare has announced the launch of Sunmatic III, the latest advancement in its photochromic lens range, as well as the introduction of its new Sunmatic MyLife colour series. Building on the established Sunmatic range, Sunmatic III introduces improved activation speed, faster fade-back, and a cleaner indoor appearance.

May 1–2, Australian & New Zealand Strabismus Society (ANZSS) Meeting, Aerial Function Centre UTS, Sydney, NSW. Info: Kathleen Poon kath@kathpoonevents.com.au