Ophthalmology Updates! is returning for a ninth time with its most ambitious program yet, including a new cross-specialty session on pregnancy and ophthalmology. Alongside real-world case discussions, and an intimate atmosphere, it’s an ideal opportunity for ophthalmologists to brush up on vital practical knowledge.
As a practising vitreoretinal specialist, Professor Adrian Fung understands the relentless demands on ophthalmologists as well as anyone. The rapid pace of clinical work, administrative responsibilities, and technological change can leave little time to reflect on one’s own patch – let alone cross-specialty learning.
That’s why events like Ophthalmology Updates! exist.
“Ophthalmology is changing more rapidly than ever,” says Prof Fung, who founded the conference nine years ago and continues today as its convenor, juggling this alongside his academic commitments.
“It’s hard enough to keep up-to-date with one subspecialty, let alone talking about all of them. Yet, even for sub-specialists it’s important for us to have an understanding of what is changing outside our area of expertise so that we can make appropriate referrals and not miss important diagnoses.”
Set to return to the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney over the 30–31 August weekend, Ophthalmology Updates! continues its mission of delivering practical, current knowledge in a format that is both collegial and engaging. With more than 100 delegates already registered (at the time of writing with two months to go), interest remains high for what has become a staple in the ophthalmic calendar.
“The key elements that makes Ophthalmology Updates! successful are its combination of excellent speakers, interactive discussions and the feeling from delegates that they can take home important practical knowledge that will improve their patient care,” Fung says.
Since its 2016 inception, the event has grown from a modest gathering of local speakers and five sponsors into a renowned national event. The 2025 meeting boasts five international speakers and a record 12 sponsors – more than at any previous event. Delegates now consistently attend from every state and territory, with much of the event’s reputation built through word-of-mouth.
When designing the meeting’s structure, Prof Fung and his organising team are laser-focused on equipping both generalists and subspecialists with up-to-the-minute knowledge in areas often overlooked elsewhere.
“Ophthalmology Updates! specialises in rapidly updating general and subspecialty ophthalmologists in areas that they may not be familiar with,” he explains. “Each year we look to revise a common area that might not get the limelight at other meetings, as well as focussing on ‘what’s new’ in that subspecialty over the last year.”
Each subspecialty is allocated one hour, ensuring balanced coverage and allowing ample time for audience engagement.
“The addition of diagnostic or management case dilemmas lends a ‘real world’ perspective, free of any industry bias,” Fung adds.
This year, attendees can look forward to an innovative content schedule that includes a unique cross-specialty session on ‘Pregnancy and Ophthalmology’. This discussion will explore crucial clinical questions such as: How does pregnancy affect cataract surgery, uveitis, or thyroid eye disease? What glaucoma drops should be avoided? Are anti-VEGF injections safe in pregnancy?
“If you’re uncertain as to the answers to these questions, please attend the meeting,” Prof Fung says.
Among the most anticipated speakers in 2025 are Associate Professor Jay Sridhar and Associate Professor Richard Allen – both internationally recognised for their expertise and educational contributions.
“A/Prof Jay Sridhar is one of the best retinal speakers in the world,” says Prof Fung. “He is based in Los Angeles and runs the weekly podcast ‘Straight from the Cutter’s Mouth’, which discusses all issues related to medical and surgical retina. He has a wealth of knowledge and is able to stimulate his audience to view issues outside of just the clinical trials, from a real world experience.”
Meanwhile, A/Prof Allen will bring insights from Houston, Texas, where he is renowned for curating the world’s most comprehensive online oculoplastics surgical video archive. “He’s not only an expert in complex orbital disease, but can give practical advice on how to perform simple oculoplastic surgery for the general ophthalmologist,” says Fung.
Returning once again to the Fullerton Hotel, the venue plays an integral role in creating the intimate, interactive environment Ophthalmology Updates! is known for.
“There’s something about the Fullerton that makes it the ideal venue for our event. Like Goldilocks, it’s not too big and not too small – it’s just right,” Prof Fung says. “At Ophthalmology Updates! we strongly encourage audience participation. We’re all experts in our own right, and can learn from each other.”
More than just a conference, the event offers a chance for ophthalmologists to step out of their lanes and reconnect with peers.
“Ophthalmologists understand the importance of lifelong learning and attending this meeting is a fun and stimulating way to achieve that in one weekend. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with colleagues and share experiences outside of our usual ‘silos’.”
As the profession continues to evolve, Prof Fung has a final word for those still deciding whether to attend: “Sometimes at larger meetings there is insufficient time to ask questions or one can feel too intimidated to ask questions and share experiences. Ophthalmology Updates! is designed so that no delegate leaves feeling that they missed an opportunity to ask their burning question of a world-leading expert.”
Speakers
Retina (Diabetic cacular oedema; Photobiomodulation for AMD; Ocular Trauma; Proliferative vitreoretinopathy)
Associate Professor Jay Sridhar is chief of ophthalmology at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center and Associate Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). A former Bascom Palmer faculty member, he is vice-president of education for the Vit-Buckle Society and hosts two leading ophthalmology podcasts, including the award-winning Straight from the cutter’s mouth: A retina podcast, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Experts InSight.
Cornea (Cataract surgery in corneal patients; Paediatric corneal transplantation)
Associate Professor Simon Fung is a cornea and anterior segment specialist at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and the Francis I. Proctor Foundation. He trained at Moorfields (London) and SickKids (Toronto), and previously held roles at UCLA’s Stein Eye Institute.
Oculoplastics (Oculoplastics surgical videos; Medical therapies for thyroid eye disease)
Associate Professor Richard C. Allen is a tenured Professor of Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of ophthalmology at Ben Taub Hospital. A past-president of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), he is editor-in-chief of the journal Orbit, authored mor than 135 peer-reviewed publications and the creator of oculosurg.com featuring on-line oculoplastic surgery videos.
Neuro-ophthalmology (Ocular myasthenia gravis; Lifestyle interventions in neuro-ophthalmology)
Dr Sui Wong is a consultant neurologist and neuro-ophthalmologist at Moorfields and Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals. She leads one of the largest dedicated ocular myasthenia services internationally, as well as specialist services for idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pioneering innovative approaches to patient care including group consultations and lifestyle interventions.
Cataract (Astigmatism management; Real world experience with the latest IOL designs)
Dr Ben LaHood is a refractive and cataract surgeon at Adelaide Eye and Laser Centre and senior academic at the University of Adelaide. An expert in astigmatism, biometry and intraocular lens (IOL) calculations, he is a regular international speaker, podcaster and recognised researcher.
Glaucoma (A glaucomatologists Guide to NTG; WTF is MIBS?)
Dr Jennifer Fan Gaskin is a glaucoma specialist at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and leads the Ocular Fibrosis Research Unit at the Centre for Eye Research Australia. Her research focuses on novel treatment strategies for fibrotic eye diseases including post-operative fibrosis in glaucoma filtration surgery, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and macular fibrosis in age-related macular degeneration.
Medical retina (PAMM!; Macular telangiectasia type 2 and CNTF)
Dr Amy Cohn is head of medical retina at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and senior research fellow at the Centre for Eye Research Australia. Her work spans age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disease, central serous retinopathy, and inherited retinal disease. She co-chairs RANZCO’s Vision 2030 diabetic retinopathy working group.
Uveitis (Differentiating infectious from immune uveitis; Birdshot chorioretinopathy)
Dr Jo Sims is a uveitis and medical retina specialist in Auckland. She was New Zealand’s first ophthalmologist to have full sub-specialty training in uveitis and the management of ocular inflammatory disease. She set up the uveitis service for the Auckland region, which also provides tertiary care for complicated cases from across the country, and now runs a fellowship program.
Paediatrics (Nasolacrimal duct obstruction; Paediatric cataract surgery and IOLs)
Adjunct Associate Professor Parth Shah is a Canberra-based paediatric, cataract and strabismus surgeon who teaches at the University of Canberra and the University of Sydney.
More reading
Ophthalmology Updates! 2024 coverage – conference with twist doesn’t disappoint
Prof Adrian Fung: Now Australia has an approved therapy for GA, what’s next?
Prof Gerard Sutton helps kick off his last AUSCRS
