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
Expansion plans for Specsavers store network
Specsavers has announced it is ramping up its store opening program across all Australian states and territories, with five new locations expected to be the first of many over the coming months. Read more
RANZCO ushers in new president, launches new scholarship for women
Outgoing RANZCO president Associate Professor Heather Mack has announced a new scholarship in her namesake for young female ophthalmologists and trainees at a recent council meeting that also featured approval of the college’s first-ever Sustainability Charter. Read more
Macular disease funding bequest opens doors for blue sky thinking
A new stream of funding for ‘blue sky’ macular disease research is now available for early-career researchers after a woman who cared for her visually impaired father bequeathed a major sum to the Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA). Read more
Report finds Topcon is the #1 OCT provider
Topcon Healthcare has secured the number one position in the global optical coherence tomography (OCT) market, according to a major analysis of diagnostic ophthalmic devices. Read more
New active ingredient prescribing regulations
New prescribing regulations come into force early next year designed to encourage greater use of generic and biosimilar medicines and improve patient awareness. Find out what these changes are and how they will be embedded in to practice management software.
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‘Largest ever’ business incentives unveiled in Federal Budget
A 50% wage subsidy for practices that employ and train new optical dispensers, an immediate asset write-off on the full value of new equipment and a hiring credit of up to $200 per week are among measures the ophthalmic sector is set to benefit from in the Federal Budget. Read more
Prominent Specsavers figure returns to Australia
Mr Peter Larsen, who was instrumental in bringing Specsavers to Australia 13 years ago, has returned to Melbourne after moving to the company’s UK headquarters to serve as its first-ever group eye health strategy director. Read more