Australia honours eyecare professionals

Mitchell was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to ophthalmology, particularly in the managent of age-related macular degeneration, and his research into public health and ophthalmic epidiology.A co-author of more than 1,000 peer-review scientific papers, Mitchell is perhaps best known for being the principal investigator for the Blue Mountains Eye Study, which was the first in Australia to define the frequency of macular degeneration, its long-term incidence over time and its risk factors.{{quote-a:r-w:425-I:2-Q: The award reflects my research, but also the contributions from the people and organisations I’ve been fortunate to work with along the way. -WHO:Professor Paul Mitchell}}Following the announcent of the Australia Day Honour List, Mitchell told Insight he was surprised and delighted to be recognised in such a way.“The award reflects my research, but also the contributions from the people and organisations I’ve been fortunate to work with along the way,” he said.However, while pleased to receive the award, Mitchell pointed to the continuing treatment gap for atrophic macular degeneration and said he wasn’t planning on stopping any time soon.“I’m getting on and will be retiring at some time, but at the moment I’m still working full time and contributing I think. There’s still plenty to do and we can’t really rest at any point,” he said.“There is also still a big job to be done to ensure people with diabetes attend regularly and have optimal therapy when they do. These diseases rain a big challenge for us.”Meanwhile Western Australian ophthalmologists Dr Philip House and Dr Ross Littlewood were also recognised as Mbers of the Order of Australia (AMs). House was recognised for his work with eye surgery foundations, as well as for his charity work in Timor-Leste.Littlewood, was also recognised for his work in Timor-Leste, as well as his contributions to RANZCO as both a national director and chairman of the WA branch.Image courtesy: Flickr | Timothy Swinson