Therapeutic breakthroughs, workforce reckoning, and the rise of integrated sensory health – 2025 reshaped Australia’s eyecare landscape and shed new light on some longstanding issues.
The year 2025 will be remembered in many ways for Australia’s ophthalmic sector – as a time of long-awaited therapeutic breakthroughs, renewed scrutiny of workforce conditions, and bold steps toward more integrated models of care.
Clinically, it marked a historic shift with the first-ever approvals for geographic atrophy (GA) treatments, transforming hope into reality for patients living with advanced macular disease. At the same time, long-standing workforce pressures came into sharper focus. Data revealed widespread strain from rising KPIs and little time for follow up appointments, while a national survey placed optical dispenser pay and recognition firmly in the spotlight.
Corporate optometry continued its evolution, expanding into advanced dry eye treatment with light-based therapies and enhanced diagnostic capability. The year also saw the growing convergence of vision and hearing care, as audiology moved under Ahpra’s regulatory umbrella and another major optical chain introduced in-store hearing services nationwide.
January
The year began with historic clinical progress for Australian patients with GA, a late-stage form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted approval for Syfovre (pegcetacoplan), the first-ever treatment for GA to be made available in Australia.
Advocates and clinicians hailed the decision as a “historic moment” that provided long-awaited hope for patients previously without therapeutic options. The drug, developed by Apellis Pharmaceuticals, works by targeting excessive complement activation that leads to retinal cell death, with dosing flexibility expected to enhance patient adherence.
Meanwhile, academic excellence was recognised when Professor Lauren Ayton, an internationally respected
clinician-scientist from the University of Melbourne, was named in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list for her contributions to vision science and translational research.
February
February brought significant industry developments spanning technology, workforce pressures, and medical education. Ophthalmic industry heavyweight Alcon acquired the HP-OCT – with impressive anterior segment imaging capability – from Melbourne manufacturer Cylite. The fact this technology was acquired wasn’t as surprising as the news that Alcon would no longer commercialise the HP-OCT as a standalone machine.
Optometry Australia renewed its call for urgent workplace reform after a survey it commissioned lamented the “squeezing in” of follow up appointments and “moral distress” caused by KPIs and other pressures. The professional body said such pressures were contributing to burnout and reduced clinical autonomy, reinforcing the need for a sector-wide rethink on productivity expectations and work-life balance in optometry practice.
A separate report from the Medical Training Survey 2024 placed a spotlight on the working hours of RANZCO trainees. Results showed ophthalmology trainees worked among the highest weekly hours across medical specialties (52.2 hours). When asked to rate their workload, 58% said it was heavy (38% nationally), and 11% (9% nationally) very heavy, reigniting discussion around trainee wellbeing, supervision, and safe workload limits.
March
March was marked by major health system agreements and more developments in macular disease treatment.
The Australian Health Service Alliance and Healthscope announced a new agreement to maintain access to private hospital services across Australia, resolving concerns about potential disruptions for insured patients.
In research, a strong Australian link emerged in a global breakthrough for macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel). The US Food and Drug Administration approved ENCELTO, a novel treatment co-developed through decades of international collaboration that included key contributions from Australian researcher Professor Mark Gillies.
Policy discussions also intensified around the Federal Government’s decision to defer the reclassification of intravitreal injections within private health insurance. The move, welcomed by the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO), aimed to protect patients from potential out-of-pocket increases while allowing time for further consultation.
However, there was disappointment for Melbourne-based biotech Opthea after its Phase 3 trial for a wet AMD therapy failed to meet its primary endpoints, triggering solvency concerns.
The month concluded with a leadership milestone when the ASO appointed Ms Katrina Ronne as its first female CEO.
April
April’s headlines focused on workforce realities and professional recognition.
A new workforce projections report – undertaken by the Centre for the Business and Economics of Health at The University of Queensland and backed by Optometry Australia – fuelled the debate over whether Australia already has enough optometrists. It revealed that without targeted reform, supply-demand imbalances may emerge by 2040, with regional shortages. The findings highlighted the need for innovative workforce planning, including incentives for rural practice.
Meanwhile, new data showed complaints against Australian optometrists had reached a five-year high, though overall incidence remained low compared to other healthcare professions.
George & Matilda Eyecare continued to evolve, with a partnership with Eyescan in Toorak, Melbourne – an innovative practice known for its combination of ophthalmology, optometry, and optical dispensing, all under one roof.
On the recognition front, Melbourne’s Professor Keith Martin, Sydney’s Professor Jonathan Crowston, and Auckland’s Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer featured in the annual list of the world’s top 50 ophthalmologists, compiled by The Ophthalmologist magazine.
May
Workplace culture and political continuity dominated the conversation in May.
A grassroots movement dubbed “Phoropter-Free Fridays” emerged, representing a growing call to unionise the Australian optometry workforce.
At the political level, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s re-election had industry bodies anticipating continuity in Medicare reform, workforce policy, and support for preventive health initiatives.
His re-election may also signal the end of non-compete clauses that are standard in many optometry employment contracts, and restrict practitioners from working for nearby competing practices for periods of time.
Separately, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency announced major reforms that would see sexual misconduct findings permanently recorded on the national register. The change, aimed at increasing transparency and protecting patient safety, drew widespread support across health professions, including ophthalmology.
June
In June, the ASO responded strongly to the Grattan Institute’s report raising “red flags” over the way people access ophthalmology services. It drew the conclusion that patients who need to see an ophthalmologist often face “a painful dilemma” – pay privately out-of-pocket, sometimes double or triple the Medicare schedule fee, or join the queue for an appointment in the public sector.
While the report attempts to confront long-standing issues in the sector, the ASO said it missed some key points, potentially obscuring more fundamental problems within Australia’s healthcare system.
New research into orthoptic student placements found that negative behaviours and “acts of incivility” were significantly impacting training experiences, prompting calls for universities and workplaces to strengthen support and address cultural challenges.
As the month ended, Insight reported on growing concern around practitioner welfare. Allegations, investigations, and online commentary were taking a toll on mental health within the profession, reinforcing calls for greater institutional support and civility in professional discourse.
July
Education, innovation, and major events dominated July. A proposal to establish a new optometry school at James Cook University in Queensland drew both interest and opposition. Supporters cited workforce demand and regional service needs, while critics warned of oversupply and dilution of graduate opportunities without a clear national workforce strategy.
Pharmaceutical progress continued with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee recommending Tepezza (teprotumumab) for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for thyroid eye disease. The listing would make the high-cost biologic more accessible to patients, following strong advocacy from endocrinology and ophthalmology specialists.
The industry came together in Sydney for ODMAFair25, which exceeded attendance expectations and celebrated innovation across eyewear, equipment, and practice solutions.
Also that month in Darwin, prominent Sydney cataract surgeon Professor Gerard Sutton held his final meeting of the Australian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (AUSCRS) as co-president. Dr Jacqueline Beltz will stay on as president, with Dr Andrea Ang, a consultant ophthalmologist at Lions Eye Institute, named as vice-president.
August
August revealed deep concerns about pay and conditions across the optical dispensing workforce.
A national survey from Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) found widespread dissatisfaction among optical dispensers regarding wages, workload, and recognition. The survey – that garnered a significant 451 responses – revealed the most common wage bracket was $25-30 per hour (35%) for optical dispensers and other practice support staff, with 31% paid $30-35 per hour.
One of the most striking outcomes, according to ODA, was that more than 70% of dispensers felt they are not being fairly compensated.
Regulatory matters also featured prominently as the ophthalmic sector responded to candid remarks by the new Ahpra CEO, Mr Justin Untersteiner, about public trust and practitioner accountability. Industry representatives broadly welcomed the transparency and emphasis on constructive reform.
Meanwhile, Specsavers continued its upward trajectory as a major Australian employer, ranking fourth on the 2025 Best Workplaces list.
September
September saw significant leadership and regulatory announcements.
Optometry Australia announced CEO Ms Skye Cappuccio will step down from her role at the end of 2025 after more than a decade of service to the organisation, including the past three years as chief executive.
A major regulatory development followed, with confirmation that audiologists would be brought under Ahpra’s national registration scheme alongside optometrists. The move will be of interest to the eyecare sector, with optometry networks increasingly branching out into hearing care and employing audiologists within their practices.
The sector backed new calls for an immediate expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) and the inclusion of all allied health professions in the program, including training optometrists. The payment of $331.65 per week started on 1 July 2025 for eligible nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work students to recognise the significant unpaid workload of placements and the disproportionate impact that can have on many students.
Optometrists weren’t included even though students must buy their own clinical equipment for placements, costing around $7000.
October
This month was marked by technology, medical milestones, and further convergence between vision and hearing care.
Specsavers began rolling out its new advanced dry eye management strategy by introducing low-level light therapy (LLLT) across Australia and New Zealand, adding to its suite of in-store diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
In surgical innovation, the global ophthalmic community recorded its world-first cataract procedure using a fully robotic, AI-assisted platform. The milestone underscored the rapid integration of robotics and automation in ophthalmic surgery, positioning the specialty at the forefront of clinical technology.
The TGA approved a second treatment for geographic atrophy, IZERVAY (avacincaptad pegol) from Astellas Pharma Australia, further expanding therapeutic choice for patients with advanced AMD following the earlier approval of Syfovre.
Rounding out the month, OPSM announced that audiology services were now available in nine of its Australian stores, with more rollouts planned. The initiative reflected the growing alignment between optical and hearing services within major retail networks, highlighting a shift toward holistic sensory health offerings.
November
In November, several key industry developments shaped Australia’s optical sector.
Optometry Australia announced it is exploring a potential organisational restructure to strengthen national alignment and better serve members across its state divisions, with consultation now underway.
Melbourne-based wholesaler Good Optical Services rejoined the ProVision network after its acquisition by Aaron McColl, CEO of The McColl Group. The partnership will deliver exclusive product offers and promotions for independent optometrists.
In research, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Centre for Eye Research Australia revealed plans for the inaugural Collaborative Ocular Oncology Research Day in Melbourne, bringing together leading clinicians and scientists to advance eye cancer treatment.
Additionally, BOC Instruments became the exclusive Australian supplier of Frey diagnostic products, expanding access to advanced perimetry and visual field analysis technology for eyecare professionals.
