National Diabetes Week runs from 14–21 July this year. To mark this important annual awareness campaign, we turned to members of the eye health community to contribute stories that provide an insight into both the impact of this disease on quality of life and the impact that health care and technology can have on its management.

Contributors

Research published in the journal Cell, by a team including Queensland University of Technology computational biologist Associate Professor Luis Pedro Coelho, has used machine learning to identify 863,498 promising antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) – small molecules that can kill or inhibit the growth of infectious microbes, some of which may impact ocular health.

Researchers have developed a novel contact lens that contains lubricant-producing bacteria, offering a potential solution for the dry eye issues that plague many contact lens wearers.

Westmead Hospital has become home to the latest ophthalmic surgical training technology with the installation of an EyeSi cataract surgery simulator – the first of its kind outside the major training hubs of Prince of Wales Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Contrary to the stereotype of Generation Z not wanting to work, new research has shown most Gen Z employees are reporting working longer hours and worsening eye health as a result.1

This year marks four decades since George Nasser, at the time an unhappy independent optometrist, took matters into his own hands and founded Opticare – a true underdog to take on the corporate giants of the Australian optical industry.

Japanese researchers have used polarisationsensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) to reveal unprecedented insights into the structure of the sclera.

mivision is partnering with students studying Optometry at University of New South Wales to enhance their educational experience and support their learning.

Opthea Limited, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has achieved a significant milestone by completing patient enrolment in its two pivotal Phase 3 trials, COAST and ShORe, evaluating sozinibercept for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

Guide dogs nsw/act has launched a new digital platform called navigate your journey (nyj). The platform aims to support people newly diagnosed with an eye condition causing low vision or moderate vision loss.

Researchers from the united kingdom have developed a novel resin, suitable for 3d printing intraocular devices. They say the resin has the potential to revolutionise the production of eye implants and that the proofof-concept material would allow for “unlimited design iterations”.

Medicare is now in its 50th year, and much has changed since rebates were first made available for eye care consultations via the federal government’s health department.

Swiss-based researcher Dr Christian Burri has been awarded the prestigious Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award for his work leveraging the high-resolution imaging and multi-modal functionality of Heidelberg Engineering’s Spectralis device.

Merck, also known as MSD, is set to expand its presence in ophthalmology, spending up to US$3 billion to acquire the ophthalmology-focussed biotechnology company, EyeBio.

The University of New South Wales School of Optometry and Vision Sciences has presented its annual awards to high achieving students from the 2023 class of Master of Clinical Optometry.

Speckles, a new children’s vision care brand founded by australian orthoptist madeleine scavone, has launched an exciting new range of eye patches featuring disney princess and marvel characters.

A new specialist ophthalmic clinical trials centre in melbourne will bring more international trials to victoria and give people living with vision loss and blindness early access to sight-saving therapies.

SILMO Paris – the most exciting international optics and eyewear trade fair in Paris – will take place at the exhibition centre Paris Nord Villepinte from 20–23 September 2024.

ODMA Fair is set to return to the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct from 27–29 June 2025.

Researchers have developed a prototype ‘smart’ contact lens that can accurately measure eye pressure regardless of temperature, according to a study published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. This advancement could lead to improved detection and monitoring of glaucoma.

In a world where adults spend over 13 hours each day looking at digital screens,1 Johnson and Johnson Vision has launched its latest innovation –

Bausch and Lomb has completed a national roadshow for its new daily disposable multifocal contact lens, describing it as “the most complete daily disposable multifocal lens on the market”.

O-Show, the boutique eyewear and eye care event hosted by the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) in Sydney, has been heralded an industry success, having attracted attendees numbering 1,320 including visitors, industry members, and exhibitors.

A new Australian study has found low dose aspirin does not affect the incidence or progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The united states optometric industry has grown, and in-person purchasing of eyewear and contact lenses has increased, according to a survey of 12,063 adults in the united states undertaken by the vision council in the first quarter of 2024.

Navigating the intricate landscape of diabetic ocular care demands a holistic approach that integrates clinical acumen with cutting-edge technology.

Amira was just eight years old when she was diagnosed with diabetes type 1.

As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise globally, managing the medical condition and its potential complications becomes increasingly crucial. One area that demands particular attention is eye health, as diabetes can lead to vision-threatening conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. However, many patients lack awareness about this connection and the importance of regular eye exams.

Managing patients with diabetic retinopathy and treating their ophthalmic conditions before and during pregnancy, can be challenging but highly rewarding, as Drs Dov Hersh and Brighu Swamy explain with a case study.

miophthalmology products

Since the initial recognition of optometrists to be able to prescribe topical agents, there have been several changes to this legislation in Australian states. Whatever the occasional changes that have been made, one clear message has always remained: Therapeutic endorsement in optometry has changed the scope of clinical practice in a positive manner. The ripple effect has been a much-needed contribution towards co-management with ophthalmology. In fact, as Dr Christolyn Raj writes, many clinicians will attest that having prescribing rights has made them more passionate about their work and helped to establish valuable connections with peers that previously did not exist.

Geographic atrophy (GA) is one of two forms of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that can cause irreversible vision loss.1 Unlike its counterpart – neovascular AMD (nAMD) – until now there has been a huge unmet need for treatment for this potentially blinding condition.

Www.anatomyoftheeye.com

Visual snow (VS) is a recently accepted and increasingly researched condition where children and adults see pixelated dots in all of their vision; like an old TV screen with static. It may be present from a very early age, or it can be acquired at any age, sometimes in association with concussion or a health issue, but often there is no obvious reason for the onset of constant visual dots. Until recently, the symptoms were confused with migraine aura, but the conditions are separate.

Choroidal folds can be an intriguing clinical finding as they may be associated with a plethora of ocular and extraocular diseases, and thus require further investigation to identify the underlying cause. In this article, Carol Chu explores the clinical characteristics of choroidal folds to understand how and why they form, and investigates some of the disease associations.

Building on its success in integrating the KeepSight patient support program into the optometric community, Diabetes Australia now has its sight set on understanding how to provide a continuation of support for people with diabetes once they are referred to an ophthalmologist.

Intravitreal injections are a vital treatment for various sight-threatening conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. Around 900,000 intravitreal injections are delivered in Australia/New Zealand each year, a number that continues to grow.1

Conceived and developed in Melbourne, Eyeonic’s online visual field testing app is drawing international academic attention and achieving great success beyond this continent. With the guidance of Professor Simon Skalicky, Vietnamese ophthalmologist Dr Tung Hoang recently completed a study demonstrating Eyeonic’s potential to help manage the growing burden of glaucoma in his homeland.

Our knowledge of diabetes has expanded in recent years. But what do we need to consider when managing the eye health of people with diabetes? Dr Margaret Lam spoke to Gonzalo Jacome from Centre for Eye Health Australia (CFEH) to find out.

From working as a fitter and turner to owning an optometry practice and delivering eye services to remote australia, jo murphy is living his best life while making life so much better for others as well.

Optometry tasmania is gearing up for a busy events season, with its flagship conference – the tasmanian lifestyle congress (tlc) – returning to hobart next month.

The super sunday conference – a standout event in the nsw optometry calendar – returned for its 12th year, truly living up to its “super” reputation for a spectacular sunday full of super captivating presentations, super food, and super views.

Fostering diversity and inclusion in healthcare practices isn’t merely a moral obligation but also a strategic business imperative. With a focus on diabetic eye disease, this article delves into the critical importance of creating a diverse and inclusive environment in ophthalmic and optometric practices. By making patients with chronic conditions – specifically patients with diabetes – feel comfortable and valued, healthcare professionals can enhance patient outcomes, build

Australia is renowned for its booming mining industry, its agriculture, and its constant cycles of construction. Our country relies on workers in these industries who face numerous hazards dayto-day, some of which can pose a risk to their ocular health. This means the importance of promoting eye protection to workers cannot be overstated.

The Eyres Safety Optics brand has been a pioneering force in engineering high performance protective eyewear for more than a quarter of a century.

In a world where workplace hazards and safety risks are all too common, quality eye protection is paramount. One company setting a new standard for safety eyewear, through a powerful combination of expertise and cutting-edge innovation, is Shamir Optical Industry Ltd.

mifashion news

The 2024 ODMA Awards have been announced, highlighting the highest quality, most eye-catching products that have significantly contributed to the industry’s advancement and consumer satisfaction this year.

Optimel’s Manuka+ range helps restore eye comfort and reduce inflammation. Made with Manuka honey, Optimel’s treatments aid eye lid-margin hygiene, with a low pH environment limiting bacterial growth.

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