The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has appointed Associate Professor Dr Ashish Agar as its new president, with his predecessor Dr Peter Sumich stepping into the role of vice-president. Read more
Blue Sky postponed to account for travel and CPD concerns
Adelaide’s Blue Sky optometry conference planned for next month has been postponed until February. It’s hoped the new date will coincide with fewer interstate travel restrictions and allow the program to better align with new CPD requirements. Read more
New Specsavers website shares eye health data insights
Specsavers has launched its new HealthHub website to share updates on detection, referral and treatment progress for key eye conditions, as well as the use of optometry services in New Zealand and Australia. Read more
Quinlivan grant goes beyond ‘how and why’ of glaucoma research
An optometrist-turned-research fellow leading a world-first clinical trial investigating whether daily doses of vitamin B3 could prevent glaucoma blindness has been awarded Glaucoma Australia (GA)’s 2020 Quinlivan Research Grant. Read more
Long wait finally over for Melbourne optometrists
Melbourne optometrists have returned to provide the full scope of routine face-to-face services, ending a 10-week period of heavy operating restrictions. Read more
New online training to help patients quit smoking
Eye health professionals are being offered access to new resources to help them talk to patients about smoking and offer practical quitting advice. Read more
Magpie causes severe eye injuries after tormenting locals
Victoria’s main eye hospital has asked authorities to remove a juvenile magpie from a regional shopping centre where it has left people with severe eye injuries, as part of an apparent scare tactic to obtain food. Read more
New support for patients facing enucleation surgery
A health professional’s first-hand experience of having an eye removed has led to an international collaboration to educate patients about the anxiety-inducing procedure. Read more
Politicians weigh in on Adelaide eye hospital proposal
The opposition Labor party is pressuring the Liberal South Australian Government to consider a proposed $8 million eye hospital for Adelaide, however Labor has been accused of dragging its feet on similar proposals during its previous 16-year term in office.
Scramble to sign up to optical dispensing wage subsidy
One of Australia’s largest optical dispensing training providers has had more than 60 enrolments within six days from employers keen to capitalise on a new 50% wage subsidy, with one practice set to receive almost $200,000 towards seven staff salaries alone. Read more