Luxottica has pledged to donate up to $150,000 and is offering free replacement spectacles and lubricating eye drops as Australians count the cost of the ongoing bushfire disaster. Read more
Australia-first eye clinic for Indigenous patients
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) has joined forces with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) to launch Australia’s first specialist eye clinic within a community-controlled organisation. Read more
Government pushes ocular projects for commercial development
Projects to develop decision support software for macular disease, sustained release ocular implants and a control sleeve for intravitreal injections are a step closer to commercial development, following the latest round of government research grants. Read more
Optometry Australia releases Federal Budget wish list
An additional $13.7 million could fund the reinstatement of more frequent eye exams for middle-aged patients and pave the way for future optometry service models, including virtual consultations and wearable technology, according to Optometry Australia (OA). Read more
Eyecare community chips in for bushfire response
Australia’s ophthalmic community has rallied around people hardest hit by the bushfire crisis, with practices offering free spectacle replacements and organisations pledging more than $100,000. Read more
Opthea hits recruitment target for diabetic study
Melbourne biopharmaceutical company Opthea has completed the patient recruitment phase for the latest trial of its novel therapy for diabetic macular edema (DME). Read more
Adopt a family: Optometrist launches bushfire initiative
A Queensland couple who operate an independent optometry practice have devised a novel plan to support people affected by the bushfire crisis and hope it will catch on in other parts of Australia. Read more
Prominent George & Matilda figure among changes to OA national board
George & Matilda Eyecare’s (GME) Dr Margaret Lam is one of two newly appointed national directors to the Optometry Australia (OA) board. Read more
French company to acquire Ellex assets in multi-million-dollar deal
Ellex Medical Lasers has agreed to sell its laser and ultrasound business segment to French company Lumibird Group for $100 million. Read more
Poor vision as detrimental to learning as poverty
New research from the World Bank and international charity organisation EYElliance has found that an unaddressed vision problem can be just as detrimental to a child’s learning as socio-economic disadvantage. Read more