A new global myopia survey that involved Australian participants has revealed optometrists are comfortable with fitting children with contact lenses from 9-years-old while for parents the average age is 12. Read more
Regional eye surgeon saves teen’s sight after wire pierces eye
A Queensland ophthalmologist who saved a teen’s sight in one eye after small gauge wire lacerated his retina in a stockyard accident says the case highlights the importance of having specialists based in regional areas, particularly during the era of COVID-19. Read more
Vale Emeritus Professor Barry Cole
The optometric profession has lost one of its giants with the passing of Emeritus Professor Barry Cole. Read more
Ophthalmic sector backs First Nations voice to parliament
The Fred Hollows Foundation, RANZCO and Australia’s first Aboriginal ophthalmologist Associate Professor Kris Rallah-Baker have formed an alliance to call for a First Nations Voice to Parliament to be enshrined in the Australian Constitution. Read more
Aussie IRD study taps into gene therapy perceptions
Researchers from the Centre for Eye Research Australia and University of Melbourne have developed a world-first survey to gather the views of Australians with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) on potential gene therapies. Read more
Brand names banished under new prescribing regulations
New regulations come into force from 1 February requiring doctors to prescribe PBS drugs by their active ingredient instead of their brand name, in a bid to encourage greater uptake of generic medicines and reduce medication errors. Read more
Eyecare professionals recognised in Australia Day Honours
Nine people from the ophthalmic sector have featured in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List. Read more
Stopgap solution for Tamworth’s precarious ophthalmology situation
Tamworth and its surrounding region have narrowly avoided an ophthalmology care crisis after the health department granted a six-month extension for an ophthalmologist who was about to leave due to a “flawed policy” controlling workforce distribution. Read more
OBA calls for applications to join board
The Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) has this month advertised vacancies for its nine-person board, including the position of board chair. Read more
Local study finds keratoconus ‘extremely common’ in Down syndrome
A new study conducted in New Zealand has revealed keratoconus is prevalent in 30% to 38% of people with Down syndrome, suggesting that screening may be worthwhile for people with the genetic disorder. Read more