The Federal Government has reversed its decision to restrict a major optical dispensing traineeship wage subsidy to new employees only, reinstating the original criteria that included longer term staff. Read more
Taxi driver left blind by flying rock relies on eye doctor advice in legal stoush
Ophthalmologists have played a central role in a dispute between an Australian insurance company and a taxi driver who won a $250,000 payout after becoming legally blind in one eye when a rock was thrown through his car window. Read more
Questions over funding as IRIS performs 500th cataract surgery
The Indigenous and Remote Eye Health Service (IRIS) has this week delivered on its two-year government contract to perform 500 cataract surgeries, as the organisation warns of the disastrous implications if the program loses funding. Read more
Health fund data shows allied health is back to pre-pandemic levels
New health fund data has revealed Australians are using their ancillary benefits at pre-COVID levels, while other statistics have shown the number of optical services jumped a staggering 49% once lockdown measures lapsed across the country. Read more
Finding a niche with preservative-free eye drops
In the space of 23 years AFT Pharmaceuticals has gone from a home-based business to a multinational company. Its eyecare business is also experiencing remarkable growth, and more therapies are in the pipeline, including one for glaucoma.
Study shows gene therapy potential to regenerate optic nerve, Aussie professor says
A Melbourne professor has helped lead new research using a gene therapy to regenerate damaged optic nerve fibres, in a discovery that could determine future glaucoma treatments. Read more
GrandVision strikes new partnership to pilot online vision testing
The world’s first CE-certified online eye test that allows customers to renew glasses and contact lens prescriptions online instead of in-store is being trialled in Finland and Poland. Read more
Atropine dose comparison shows a clear winner for myopia control
A concentration of 0.05% atropine slowed the rate of myopia progression in pre-teen children compared with two other concentrations of the drug, according to findings published in Ophthalmology. Read more
Retired federal minister appointed chair of Vision 2020 Australia
Former senior cabinet minister and Liberal Mr Christopher Pyne has been elected as chair of Vision 2020 Australia – the latest in a string of appointments since he retired from federal politics last year. Read more
Tax credit strengthens Opthea’s balance sheet; follows AU$175m IPO on US exchange
Melbourne biopharmaceutical company Opthea has received an $8.5 million research and development (R&D) tax credit from the Australian tax authority ahead of pivotal Phase 3 trials of its lead drug candidate. Read more