Optometry Australia

04/09/2026

Optometry Australia was pleased to join the Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health & Vision Care event at Parliament House, Tasmania.

Held on 20 August and organised by Optometry Australia and Vision 2020 Australia, the event brought together parliamentarians and representatives from across the eye health sector to highlight the importance of accessible eye care.

A team of optometrists conducted vision screenings for attending parliamentarians, including Marcus Vermey MP, providing an important opportunity to reinforce the value of routine eye examinations and optometry’s role as an accessible primary eye care profession.

OA was also pleased to work alongside Vision 2020 Australia, the Department of Health, RANZCO, Orthoptics Australia, Diabetes Australia, Guide Dogs Tasmania and VisAbility Tasmania.

Events like this help strengthen relationships across government and the eye health sector, while ensuring optometry continues to have a strong voice in shaping the future of eye health care in Tasmania.

03/09/2026

Brisbane, you were incredible. Adelaide, you’re next. 👀

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for Optometry Clinical Conference 2026 and made it such a memorable two days of learning, connection, collaboration and plenty of great moments in between.

If you were there, you know what made OCC so special. If you missed it, here’s your chance to make sure you don’t miss the next one.

📍 Optometry Clinical Conference 2027 is officially heading to Adelaide!
📅 7–8 August 2027
📍 Adelaide Convention Centre

Save the date, start making plans and get ready for another two days of outstanding education, connection and everything you love about Optometry Clinical Conference.

There’s plenty more to come. Adelaide, we’ll see you in 2027! 🧡

01/09/2026

Seeing more myopia patients in practice? 👀

The September issue of Optometry Connection puts the focus on myopia, with clinical updates and expert insights to support everyday practice.

Inside this issue:
✅ Special Focus on Myopia – five articles exploring myopia control and management, from pre-myopia and binocular vision to progression, complications and barriers to care from experts Rohan Hughes, Emily Woodman, Grace Hand, Elise Higginbotham, Zeinab Fakih, Nellie Deen, Pauline Kang & Sarah Liao
✅ Feature article - The therapeutic tightrope: balancing glaucoma management with ocular surface disease (Inez Hsing)
✅ Contact lens prescribing trends (Prof Emeritus Nathan Efron et. al)
✅ Plus more clinical updates, resources and member-focused content

A big thank you to all the authors and contributors who shared their expertise in this issue.

📚 Read the September issue and earn 5T clinical hours through the CPD course.
https://lms.optometry.org.au/course/view.php?id=1047

Log in to download your copy.
https://www.optometry.org.au/institute-of-excellence/publications/optometry-connection/issues/

01/09/2026

Are you, or someone in your professional network, an early-career researcher working in inherited retinal disease?

Retina Australia’s 2026 Emerging Scientist Award is now open, recognising promising researchers helping advance our understanding of inherited retinal disease.

Applications close 5.00pm Tuesday 8 September 2026. We encourage eligible researchers across the optometry and eye health community to apply, and invite our network to share this opportunity with colleagues who meet the eligibility criteria.

It's National Science Week 🔬 A great time to celebrate the researchers working on problems that matter, including right here in inherited retinal disease research.

Applications for our 2026 Emerging Scientist Award are open now.

Quick guide:

1️⃣ Who can apply: early-career IRD researchers based in Australia
2️⃣ What to submit: a short application, CV, and referee letter
3️⃣ How it's judged: research quality, leadership, and communication

Full guidelines 👉️https://retinaaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-Retina-Australia-Awards-1-1.pdf

Applications close 8 September. Know someone who should apply? Share this post!

29/08/2026

Tasmania’s Lifestyle Congress is bringing together practical clinical learning, real-world insights and the chance to reconnect with your optometry community in Hobart this September.

On the program:
👁️ Zoe Duexberry explores collaborative paediatric vision care, strabismus assessment and management
⚖️ Luke Arundel shares lessons from real patient complaints, Medicare investigations and practical ways to reduce professional risk
🥂 And when the sessions finish, the conversations continue with drinks, canapés and a social activity at Mövenpick, followed by an optional casual dinner in Hobart.

Come for the learning. Stay for the connections, conversations and a weekend in Hobart.
📍 Mövenpick Hotel Hobart
📅 19–20 September 2026

TLC is getting close. Are you coming?
Register now: www.tlc.optometry.org.au/register2026

28/08/2026

A unified Optometry Australia creates a stronger platform to represent and support the profession nationally.

In his latest update to members, CEO Mark Nevin reflects on the opportunities unification provides to better coordinate advocacy, research, member support and stakeholder engagement across the country.

While unification will not resolve the profession’s challenges overnight, it reduces duplication, strengthens Optometry Australia’s national voice and allows resources to be focused on members’ priorities.

With the transition now underway, the focus is on building a more coordinated organisation that can respond effectively to the issues shaping optometry and create greater impact for members and the profession.

OA members can read the full update by searching their inbox for “CEO update: Workforce pressures, funding reform and what comes next.”

26/08/2026

Optometry Australia’s National Professional Services Adviser Lyn Hsieh recently spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald about the rise in dry eye presentations and why choosing the right eye drops matters.

While over-the-counter drops can provide quick relief, Lyn cautions that some may cause a rebound effect and recommends seeing an optometrist for advice on the most suitable option.

OA’s Vision Index also found that, among Australians who had experienced dry or irritated eyes, 55% said the issue began in 2020 or more recently, highlighting how dry eye has become an increasingly common concern.

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/OA-SMH-DryEye

24/08/2026

Your September CPD lineup is here.
Save this post, choose your sessions, then register.

What’s coming up:
• 1 September: Regional Series, Wangaratta VIC – Dry Eye Disease: Updates and Practical Management Considerations (2Ti)
• 7 September: Regional Series, Modbury SA – From Clinical Prioritisation Criteria to Clinical Practice (2Ti)
• 8 September: Webinar | Therapeutics – The ABC’s of Treating Corneal Disease (1T)
• 18 September: Regional Series, Palm Cove QLD – Red Eye Rundown: The Squeeze-In Nightmare! (2Ti)
• 19–20 September: Tasmania’s Lifestyle Congress, Hobart TAS (up to 12 CPD hours - Quality Assurance TBC)
• 21 September: Regional Series, Canberra ACT – Interactive Ocular Disease Grand Rounds (2i, including 1.5Ti)

Save • Plan • Register
Find CPD events near you via our website:
https://www.optometry.org.au/institute-of-excellence/cpd-events/

22/08/2026

Future leaders took centre stage at the 2026 Optometry Clinical Conference (OCC), with Optometry Australia proud to host two key events for emerging leaders in the profession.

The Early Career Optometrist (ECO) Think Tank is OA’s annual forum where early-career optometrists come together to discuss industry challenges, advocate for their peers and help shape the future of optometry.

The OA Student Leadership Program, in partnership with the Australian School of Entrepreneurship (ASE), equips optometry students with essential soft skills, leadership training and professional networking opportunities beyond the clinic.

Congratulations to all 2026 participants. The future of our profession is in safe hands!

21/08/2026

A sustainable optometry workforce requires workplace pressures to be addressed and more. It also requires appropriate funding for professional services and recognition for the care optometrists provide.

In his latest update to members, Optometry Australia CEO Mark Nevin outlines the broader work needed to strengthen the profession’s future, including pursuing new funding pathways, continuing to advocate for Medicare reform and improving recognition of optometry across the health system.

This work will also be shaped by members. Optometry Australia’s first major consultation as a unified organisation will focus on workforce strategy, bringing together member perspectives with input from employers, universities, other health professions, policymakers and workforce stakeholders.

The aim is to develop coordinated measures that address workforce pressures while supporting a sustainable profession and access to quality eye care.

OA members can read the full update by searching their inbox for “CEO update: Workforce pressures, funding reform and what comes next.”