ISSUE 219 JAN 2026

Welcome to the first printed issue of mivision for 2026. This year we will celebrate 20 years of being mivision – it’s an enormous milestone and one that causes us to reflect on how much our publication has changed and the industry has progressed in those 20 years – and how the future is shaping up.

Dr Rushmia Karim performs cataract, refractive lens, and strabismus surgery in both adults and children. She also has a special interest in neuroophthalmology and a fascination with the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on ophthalmology today, and into the future.

Australian researchers have, for the first time, pinpointed specific genetic changes that increase the risk of severe, sight-threatening forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

A new study published in PLOS One has identified potential associations between common environmental chemicals and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk, opening new avenues for understanding how everyday exposures may influence retinal health.1

Optometry Australia (OA) has commenced the new year with Mark Nevin as its Chief Executive Officer, following the departure of Skye Cappuccio.

Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) is urging eye care professionals to support advocacy efforts addressing Australia’s growing eye injection access crisis.

Rohto – recognised as the world’s leading eye care brand for five consecutive years1 – has introduced a preservative-free version of its Rohto Dry Aid with Tearshield technology.

Macular Disease Foundation1 Australia (MDFA) has appointed Professor Sanchia Aranda AM as its new Chair, following Graeme Head AO stepping down after four years in the role.

A landmark Spanish study1 has provided the strongest evidence to date of the efficacy of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) in European children, and that its combination with orthokeratology (OK), in particular, offers substantially greater myopia control than OK alone. Published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, the 12-month randomised controlled trial is the first fully Caucasian and European study of RLRL to be published, reinforcing findings of RLRL and OK combin

Sandoz has completed the acquisition of JustEvotec Biologics EU SAS (JEB SAS) from Evotec SE. The deal includes JEB SAS’s development and manufacturing site in Toulouse, France, and an indefinite licence to cutting-edge continuous-manufacturing technology for biosimilars.

Afqlir (aflibercept), a 2 mg pre-filled syringe for intravitreal injection developed by Sandoz, is now available in Australia. The biosimilar was approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the same indications in adult patients as the reference medicine Eylea,1 namely:

A survey has revealed that while medical trainees rate the quality of their training highly, unacceptable workplace behaviours remain unchanged.1

A comprehensive analysis of nearly 50,000 assessments has revealed significant deficiencies in vision and hearing care provision for frail older adults in New Zealand, with particularly concerning gaps in aged residential care facilities and among Indigenous (Māori) and Pacific Islander populations.

Registrations are now open for the O-Show26 Women in Optics Leaders’ Round Table event.

Melbourne Rapid Fields (MRF), an Australian online visual fields testing platform, is preparing for global growth with the appointment of interim CEO Dr Anabela Correia. Dr Correia is also the Director and CEO of Inner Maven, a company that specialises in commercialising technologies in the life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

WAVE – the annual optometry conference hosted by Optometry Western Australia – returns in Fremantle next month.

Over the last few months, the authors of this article have hosted a fortnightly show on the community radio station 91.4FM 3WBC.

Data from SeeWay has highlihted the critical importance of early, lifestyle-focussed support for patients adjusting to vision loss. In its first year of operation, more than 14,000 Australians with some level of vision loss connected with SeeWay to seek practical guidance, digital skills support, and emotional reassurance. Across more than 250 engagements with eye care professionals and community events nationwide, the organisation said one message emerged consistently: patie

The UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science has set an ambitious goal: to raise over AU$2 million by May 2026 to fund its optometry residency program and empower the next generation of eye care leaders. The critical funds will ensure that graduates receive advanced clinical training, preparing them to innovate and transform eye care across Australia and beyond.

www.zoomoptics.com.au

New protections for people making complaints against health practitioners came into effect on 1 December 2025, strengthening consumer safeguards under the National Law.

A mandatory microsurgical skills course for first-year ophthalmology trainees has demonstrated significant improvements in early cataract surgical performance and patient safety, according to research published recently.1

LASERSIGHT Australia, part of the SMS Healthcare network, has launched SmartSight NOVA, a next-generation, flap-free minimally invasive corneal procedure that sets a new benchmark for precision and personalisation in laser vision correction.

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to a machine-based system that attempts to replicate human cognitive function.1 In health care, the role of AI has gradually developed from attempting to replicate complex human decision making into making significant predictions for patient outcomes and management. In this article, Dr Jack Phu and Henrietta Wang consider areas where AI can take a role in eye health care – and where it shouldn’t.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly shifting the landscape of ophthalmology and optometry. From reshaping referral pathways and advancing research to improving diagnostics and patient communication, AI is turning once novel ideas into daily clinical reality. This article explores how AI is enhancing the continuum of eye care, and what it means for eye professionals on the frontline. But a warning: by the time you finish reading, the technology may be redundant and somethi

Will AI Enhance or Diminish Equitable Outcomes?

While laser refractive surgery is an extraordinarily common procedure, it is not suitable for everyone. Associate Professor Rob Paul reminds us that while medical professionals pledge to “do no harm”, this does not mean “do surgery on all patients”. Indeed, a very good surgeon knows when to operate – and when not to.

dfv.com.au

Attended by 2,700 attendees, the 56th Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) congress, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, was by all accounts, a resounding success.

In this final article from a series that captures the clinically relevant conclusions from the BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia publications, Dr Neema Ghorbani-Mojarrad and Professor Jennifer Craig provide an overview of corneal management approaches for presbyopia.

www.anatomyoftheeye.com

Selective keratoplasty has reshaped corneal surgery and with it, the way optometrists counsel, refer, and co-manage their patients. This CPD article reviews what has changed, why it matters in everyday practice, and how optometrists can help patients navigate the journey from diagnosis to visual recovery.

Behavioural vision care (BVC) is an often misunderstood yet fascinating field of optometry that can be used to manage patients of all ages with complex vision problems, such as deficits in oculomotor, binocular, and perceptual processing.

Passionate clinicians and researchers are looking to the future; harnessing the power of emerging drugs and technologies that will enable us to deliver ever better eye care to our patients. This is why we are here.

Anticipation is building and the groundwork is complete for WAVE 2026 in WA. After a sell-out in 2025, in partnership with Optical Dispensers Australia, this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever before.

In an era where environmental stewardship and social responsibility are no longer optional, Specsavers continues to make strides in embedding sustainability across its operations, partnerships, and product innovation.

A new generation of optometrists is establishing independent practices, embracing the opportunities that practice ownership offers. From the regions to the suburbs and cities, these practitioners are discovering the rewards of independence – clinical autonomy, personalised patient care, and the freedom to shape their own professional journey.

How do you feel when you hear the word Apple? What about Volvo? Nike?

Every optometry practice has one goal – great patient care – but not everyone’s taking the same route to get there. Human resources (HR) consultant Kasia Groves explains how aligning your team’s different perspectives can turn daily friction into smooth, shared momentum.

For professional men and women, eyewear is rarely just a functional purchase – it’s a daily statement of identity worn at every meeting, presentation, and client interaction. Yet, as one retail analyst recently observed, the ritual of buying glasses has largely remained “unchanged for two hundred years” – a sterile process of eye test, wall of frames, and polite transaction. For optometrists serving discerning professional patients, there’s a significant opportunity to transf

Luxury Meets Heritage & Innovation

Designed with the contemporary woman in mind, LOOK’s 4621 series presents frames with fluid shapes and bold colours that blend in modern harmony. The design integrates comfort and sophisticated wearability thanks to the combined use of patented NIL (natural injection light) and titanium materials with the iconic LHS hook, ensuring durability, flexibility and light weight. Signature LOOK red dots are engraved on the temples. Visit: lookocchiali.it/en

www.womenwithvision.com.au

February 5–8, 41st Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress in conjunction with 37th Annual Scientific Meeting Hong Kong Ophthalmological Symposium, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong. Info: 2026.apaophth.org