Southern Low Vision

08/10/2026

Back in beautiful Barwon Heads, doing my bit towards helping those with uncorrectable vision loss have access to low vision aids, this World Sight Day! 👁

01/10/2026

Barwon Heads is a charming place to visit, whatever the weather.

Today, l had the privilege of visiting to help another person with low vision aids and strategies, to maintain independence, despite significant vision loss from an eye condition.

Focussed on Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast, Victoria, our Low Vision Rehabilitation Orthoptist might just be able to help you, too. 👁

28/09/2026

Out and about on an orthoptic visit in sunny Highton, Geelong to see 'Miss K' today.

She has advanced Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration in one eye and moderate vision loss from Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration in the other eye.

Injections from her ophthalmologist are helping to stabilise her vision and we explored magnifying aids to help her to best use her remaining sight for reading.

For most stages of vision loss (from a variety of eye conditions), there is usually an aid and/or strategies to enhance your independence.

Talk to your health professional or us directly, if you'd like an orthoptic assessment at Southern Low Vision. 👁

10/09/2026

R U OK?Day 2026 is Thursday 10 September, but life happens every day.

If you're worried about someone, or you've noticed a change in their behaviour, ask R U OK? on any day! For tips on how to have supportive conversations, visit: ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

04/09/2026

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Joining Eye Connect is easy and it's FREE.

Receiving a diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration can be challenging. Our team is here to help you understand your diagnosis and the support available, plus help with questions to ask your our eye health professional.

Join Eye Connect Check today - https://bit.ly/4fE9P3W

01/08/2026

It was great to meet up with 'Ms L' this week, for an orthoptic assessment of her remaining vision, in the presence of Early Stage Age Related Macular Degeneration.

A result of "close to normal vision" on a standard black and white near or distance visual acuity chart doesn't always mean smooth sailing in other tasks.

Ms L needed help, as she still struggled with newsprint in her best glasses, due to poor contrast sensitivity.

Early referral has been proven to be associated with a better chance of accepting new strategies in low vision rehabilitation and this was a perfect example of that! 👁

30/06/2026

'Magda' the Magnifier Mobile is sporting a new recent makeover! She doesn't want to be missed on Geelong's roads as her Orthoptist: Julie goes about her daily business.
Well done, Magda and
Dbm Signs.
👁🚘👁

04/06/2026

This week, we celebrate Orthoptics Awareness Week

As orthoptists, they lead with compassion, provide expert support, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of people living with macular disease.

Meet some of the faces behind Eye Connect who are also orthoptists. Our orthoptists play a vital role in helping people understand their diagnosis, stay on track with treatment, and adapt to changing vision with practical, everyday support. They are also at the forefront of ensuring community members are aware of the different sorts of non-clinical support that MDFA offers.

03/06/2026

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I love the mileage l get from this classic photo! 😄
Happy Orthoptics Awareness Week.

01/06/2026

👁 Happy World Orthoptic Day and Orthoptic Awareness Week from Yours Truly: Julie Fitzpatrick of Southern Low Vision!
http://www.southernlowvision.com.au

Because I am an Orthoptist, I am in a privileged position to offer patients lots of life-changing information, aids and/or rehabilitation strategies to help them make the most of remaining vision, in the presence of a diagnosed eye condition.

My role involves offering innovative orthoptic private practice on an ‘as-needed’ basis, always striving to offer the best value to clients who may (otherwise) not be able to afford low vision aids. This is done with the help of funding from affiliates of My Aged Care, or from TAC, DVA, NDIS or by supplying more affordable low vision aids.

Eccentric Viewing and post-stroke scanning for reading are two examples of training I offer.

I can go above and beyond vision testing because I am an Orthoptist!
After years of also working in ophthalmic clinics, I was so happy to discover what we can offer clients in our unique platform of low vision rehabilitation.

This has been such a great marriage of my university-based theory, experience and practical skills, making huge differences to the lives of many clients, both young and old.

The person-centered perspective and broader determinants of health also tie into my teaching roles. I am well positioned for this because I am an Orthoptist and I also hold a separate Master of Public Health.

👁 What will Orthoptics allow you to offer? 👀

Southern Low Vision provides adaptive equipment, advice and rehabilitation for reading to people of all ages with ‘low vision’ in Geelong, Surf Coast and surrounding regions, Colac and Inner to Western parts of Melbourne, Victoria.