Through my training and career, I’ve worked in 10 public hospital eye departments across Australia and New Zealand where an arbitrary threshold decides which patients are given toric IOLs for their astigmatism. Read more
Understanding retinopathy of prematurity – Dr Jeremy Smith
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder of the premature retina that causes visual loss and blindness by the consequent effects of scarring and traction, creating macular displacement, macular distortion and retinal detachment.
Explaining Visual Snow Syndrome — A/Prof Clare Fraser
Imagine if your whole visual perception was like a poorly tuned television. This is what patients with visual snow syndrome (VSS), a relatively newly recognised syndrome will describe. Read more
Accelerating treatments for IRDs – A/Prof Fred Chen
Researchers, including myself, at Lions Eye Institute (LEI) are developing treatments for genetic eye diseases, including gene replacement therapies for Usher syndrome and novel drugs for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Stargardt disease. Read more
Poor public health planning no excuse – Dr Anton Van Heerden
The pandemic and our response to it has impacted all facets of life. In particular, the sweeping bans on elective surgery have had a devastating impact on community health, none more so than cataract surgery. As we know, this is a quick, highly effective means to reverse blindness.
Psychological strains of optometry
In my roles as an employer of optometrists and an academic, it seemed to me mental health issues and burnout in our industry have been increasing during the past 10 years. Read more
Where independent optometrists can succeed – Steven Johnston
After 10 extremely rewarding years leading the ProVision organisation, it is time for me to leave the wonderful industry of optometry that I’ve grown to love.
Issues around same day bilateral cataract surgery
Cataracts are the commonest operation in the world. With modern day surgical techniques, it’s also the safest. And better yet, advances in lens technology mean some patients may enjoy the best vision of their entire life post-surgery.
Bird-related eye injuries – swooping season a serious matter
When I first moved to Victoria and began working as an eye doctor in the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) Emergency Department, I was stunned by how often I saw patients with bird-related eye injuries.
Duty of care and urgency of referral
A medical practitioner’s duty of care to a patient is well entrenched in law.