Essilor Australia has announced Ms Tegan Martin, former Miss Universe Australia and 2019 Melbourne Cup style ambassador, as style ambassador for its ‘Transitions Style Academy’ campaign. Read more
Empathetic approach nets international award for health watchdog
Australian health regulators at the coalface of the practitioner complaint notification process have received global recognition for their work. Read more
Shampoo bottles recycled into glasses
Australian eyewear manufacturer Dresden Vision is making further advances in environmental sustainability, with the company set to debut what it claims to be the first frames created entirely from recycled shampoo bottles. Read more
Bungling of atropine dispensing prompts second warning
New cases of incorrectly dispensed atropine formulations have prompted calls for eyecare professionals to make annotations to scripts in order to prevent further misunderstandings among pharmacists. Read more
New genes connected to rare macular disease uncovered
An international consortium involving Australian researchers has identified two genes that cause the rare ocular condition macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel 2). Read more
Optical Dispensing workshops go nationwide in 2020
The Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD) will next year offer Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing HLT47815 workshops throughout Australia, with face-to-face sessions now planned for every Australian capital city except Darwin.
As well as the current workshops on offer in Sydney, Hobart, Canberra, Perth and Auckland, in 2020 face-to-face ACOD sessions are planned for Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, pending student numbers.
According to Mr James Gibbins, director and co-founder of ACOD, interest rains high in regionally delivered dispensing training with a student-focussed model. Also, local state subsidies are increasing student numbers while also decreasing both the time out of store and the costs of training.
ACOD offers the Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing HLT47815 course predominantly online, but training is reinforced by several workshops throughout the year. Students also undertake at least 100 hours of work experience in a retail optical dispensary with the support of a workplace supervisor.
The announcement follows the success this year of ACOD’s partnership with the University of Canberra to offer the first locally facilitated dispensing workshops for students ployed in the capital city and its surrounding areas. The local training addressed the frustrations of Canberra-based students, who were forced to travel to Sydney or further to attend workshops.
LEI research unit walks away with acclaimed Eureka prize
Lions Eye Institute (LEI) scientists have trumped leading-edge research into electric fields and quantum mechanics to claim the coveted Eureka Prize for Scientific Research. Read more
UNSW celebrates strong showing at international contact lens event
Researchers from University of New South Wales (UNSW) have featured prominently at a recent International Society for Contact Lens Research (ISCLR) conference, as the Sydney optometry school also welcomes the appointment of a new deputy head. Read more
Glaucoma Australia announces new president
Associate professor Simon Skalicky has been announced as Glaucoma Australia’s (GA) new president as the organisation aims to continue its recent success of reaching the country’s glaucoma patients. Read more
Fred Hollows makes largest contribution to Indigenous eye health
Expansion of the Indigenous eye health workforce and greater provision of eyecare in Aboriginal-controlled health services will be possible under a new $40 million plan announced by The Fred Hollows Foundation. Read more