Melbourne will host the first ocular oncology research day, bringing together leading experts from Australia, New Zealand, and the US to advance innovation in ocular cancer treatment.
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) and the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) have announced the inaugural ocular oncology research day, a landmark event set to take place on Friday, 14 November.
Designed to foster collaboration and innovation in ocular cancer treatment, the multidisciplinary forum will bring together more than 40 participants from all major ocular oncology centres across Australia and New Zealand, as well as an internationally recognised expert from the United States.
“This event is a unique opportunity to bring together experts from all professional areas of ocular oncology under one roof,” said Dr Rod O’Day, head of ocular oncology research at CERA and RVEEH ophthalmologist.
“Our goal is to strengthen research partnerships, share best practices, and raise the profile of ocular oncology research in our region.”
The ocular oncology research day will feature a full-day program of research presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities. It will also highlight the collaborative approach developed in Victoria, where multidisciplinary teams of ophthalmologists, radiation physicists, and oncologists have been working together for several years to improve patient outcomes and drive research excellence.
A key focus of the day will be on innovation, data-driven approaches, and international collaboration, reflecting the growing importance of multidisciplinary partnerships in advancing ocular oncology care.
The keynote presentation, ‘Clinical Outcomes and the Use of Radiation Planning’, will be delivered by Professor Melvin Astrahan, a distinguished medical physicist from the United States and CEO of Eye Physics, LLC. Professor Astrahan is renowned for his pioneering work in developing 3D treatment simulation software and delivery devices used in brachytherapy for ocular tumours.
Other highlights in the program include:
- Using hyperspectral retinal imaging to better characterise choroidal naevi and melanomas, presented by Dr Xavier Hadoux, head of ophthalmic neuroscience at CERA.
- Fast pre-insertion source verification and dosimetry for Ru-106 / I-125 ophthalmic plaque brachytherapy using a 2D pixelated semiconductor detector, presented by Mr Ilia Filipev, an expert in medical radiation physics and nuclear education. This session will explore rapid verification and dosimetry techniques for radioactive sources used in eye cancer treatment.
Event details
Date: Friday, 14 November
Location: Martin Family Auditorium, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
