Policy & regulation Archives

Details of optometry complaints contained in 2022/23 board report

New figures show 57 optometrists were the subject of complaints during the past year, as the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) provided an update on a new standard in ocular therapeutics programs and the latest personnel movements on the board.
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Myles HumeNovember 21, 2023, 10:07 amNovember 21, 2023

Doubling of international health practitioners registered in Australia

The number of international health practitioners registered to work in Australia over the past year has almost doubled, according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (Ahpra) and National Boards’ 2022/23 annual report that also revealed a spike in optometry workforce numbers.
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pcm_adminNovember 14, 2023, 1:17 pmNovember 17, 2023

Australia-EU free trade breakdown another setback for eyewear importers

The Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) is disappointed free trade negotiations between Australia and the European Union (EU) have broken down, in another setback for eyewear wholesalers who were hopeful a deal could be struck to remove a new 5% border tax on frames imported from the bloc.
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Myles HumeNovember 7, 2023, 7:00 amNovember 6, 2023

FDA updates warning for contaminated eyedrop products

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued product warnings for an additional 27 over-the-counter eyedrop products due to the potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness.
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pcm_adminNovember 3, 2023, 3:00 pmNovember 3, 2023

More older Australians seeking private health first time amid longer wait times

New data has highlighted “a concerning new trend” of older Australians aged 75 to 84 taking out private health insurance (PHI) and hospital cover for the first time amid growing wait times for cataract surgery and other elective surgeries.
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pcm_adminOctober 31, 2023, 1:34 pmNovember 1, 2023

Registration deadline looms as optometry numbers continue to climb

Ahpra is asking practitioners to renew their general, specialist or non-practising registration before the end-of-year deadline, as new data shows there are currently 260 more optometrists than a year ago.
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pcm_adminOctober 10, 2023, 10:50 amOctober 11, 2023

Ophthalmologists now among few specialties that can use ‘surgeon’ title

The Queensland parliament has passed a new law restricting use of the title ‘surgeon’ to doctors registered in one of three recognised specialties of surgery, including ophthalmology.
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April HawksworthSeptember 26, 2023, 2:32 pmSeptember 26, 2023

Optometrists and ophthalmologists facing 2023/24 registration fee increases

Australian optometrists and ophthalmologists will face an increase in their registration fees for 2023/24, with eye doctors facing a $135 hike to cover greater regulatory demands on medical professionals.
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Myles HumeSeptember 26, 2023, 10:47 amSeptember 26, 2023

FDA warning to companies marketing unapproved ophthalmic drug products

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to eight firms marketing unapproved ophthalmic drug products.
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pcm_adminSeptember 19, 2023, 10:21 amSeptember 20, 2023

Tracing the contaminated eye drops saga

The outbreak of a lethal drug-resistant bacteria strain linked to an alleged eye drop manufacturing breakdown is one of the biggest health stories in 2023. A report from the American Society of Microbiology details how this complicated case came to light.
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Myles HumeSeptember 12, 2023, 3:32 pmSeptember 12, 2023

Policy & regulation