COVID-19 Archives

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. Read More

pcm_adminApril 7, 2022, 11:05 amAugust 9, 2023

Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne chief orthoptist CATHY LEWIS

A pandemic-influenced care model – Cathy Lewis

COVID-19 has forced the eyecare sector to establish new care models that give equal consideration to timely access and safety, as Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne chief orthoptist CATHY LEWIS writes.
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Myles HumeMarch 21, 2022, 9:10 amMarch 21, 2022

Louise Brennan: Caring for COVID kids in New South Wales

Westmead senior paediatric orthoptist LOUISE BRENNAN was redeployed to a COVID response team at the peak of the Sydney outbreak last year. She recounts the opportunity to support isolating households.
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pcm_adminFebruary 9, 2022, 9:04 amFebruary 9, 2022

The impact of COVID lockdowns on primary eyecare in Vic and NSW

New data paints a worrying picture of how difficult it was for patients in Australia’s most locked-down states to access optometry services in the past 18 months, writes Specsavers ANZ director of optometry DR BEN ASHBY. Read More

pcm_adminFebruary 9, 2022, 8:47 amFebruary 9, 2022

2021: Year in Review

From lockdowns and vaccines to major acquisitions and breakthrough technology, Insight reflects on the major developments across the Australian and global ophthalmic sector in 2021.
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rhiannon bowmanDecember 16, 2021, 5:59 amDecember 16, 2021

No masks needed – further relaxation of NSW COVID restrictions

The NSW Government has announced a further easing of restrictions, with masks no longer required in retail and clinical spaces and the end of compulsory QR codes in retail settings, including optometry.
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pcm_adminDecember 14, 2021, 11:04 amDecember 16, 2021

ACCC cautions health funds over COVID-19 profit calculations

Australia’s competition watchdog has warned private health insurers they must fulfil their commitment to return all profits due to COVID-19 to policyholders, raising concerns over conservative calculations put forward by some health funds.
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Myles HumeDecember 14, 2021, 6:00 amDecember 14, 2021

Everything optometrists need to know about their registration renewal

The Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) has set a 30 November deadline for optometrists to renew their registration and provided further clarity around its advertising audit and CPD requirements for those who have struggled to meet the standard due to COVID-19.
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Myles HumeOctober 26, 2021, 7:00 amOctober 25, 2021

The show must go on – planning on the run

Operating a health practice in the current environment is fraught with uncertainty. KAREN CROUCH explains how to prepare tactically and strategically for the year ahead.
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pcm_adminSeptember 27, 2021, 3:41 pmSeptember 28, 2021

Optometrists asked to join national COVID-19 surge workforce

Optometrists are among 12 regulated health professions that authorities have recently approved to expand the nation’s COVID-19 response workforce, which includes administering vaccines.
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Myles HumeSeptember 27, 2021, 8:05 amJuly 21, 2023

COVID-19