Kimberley Ngu

Our 3rd and final Optometry Educational dinner has been approved for OA Institute of Excellence Quality Assurance by Optometry Australia for 2.5Ti CPD hours. Chris will be discussing Optometric diagnosis and management in the era of the LiGHT trial. A little bit about the topic: By most definitions now, glaucoma is a surgical disease with a wide range of options providing good control at various stages of the disease. Selective laser trabeculoplasty was cemented as the preferred first line therapy in the LiGHT trial published in the lancet, and initially problematic minimally invasive filtering devices have become safer in their 2nd and 3rd generations. Minimally invasive surgical options for glaucoma now include a range of laser treatments, trabecular meshwork bypass prostheses such as the iStent and hydrus stents, canaloplasty procedures such as the Ab Interno canaloplasty (ABiC) which have the added advantage of dilating the collector channels, and angle bypass procedures creating drainage in the subconjunctival (Xen) or suprachoroidal space (the temporarily recalled cypass graft). Future options could include intracameral excimer laser drainage and suprachoroidal biotissue implants. Spots are filling up. To secure your seat book your ticket now https://lnkd.in/gWhYbksd

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Optometry Australia members this week received the latest edition of Optometry Connection. In this edition, CFEH's Clinic Operations Manager, Pauline Xu wrote a fascinating article that looks at retinal microvascular and ischaemic signs associated with cardiovascular disease. As Optometrists, we can identify these signs using imaging equipment such as fundus photography, OCT and OCT angiography, meaning as a profession, we are well placed to contribute to integrative health and the early detection of cardiovascular disease in the future. Congratulations Pauline on a great evidence-based and future-focused article! And many thanks to A/Prof Hessom Razavi from the Lions Institute for reviewing the article.

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Slit lamp examination is the foundation of all eye consultations – but mastering this complex skill remains a challenge. Learn how the Eyesi Slit Lamp high-end VR simulator helps to shorten the learning curve. #haagstreit #eyesislitlamp #ophthalmology #medicalsimulation #medicaltraining #eyesi #vrmagic

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The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists call to establish a Private Health Commission The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has launched an e-petition through the Parliament of Australia website — stating a commission is required to regulate the private health insurance and private hospital landscape to ensure the survival of Australia's world-class egalitarian health system. The ASO is calling on the community for its support to campaign the Federal Government to establish a private health commission.  You can add to the growing chorus of voices and sign ASO's e-petition — EN6877 — on the Parliament of Australia website now. The ePetition closes on 25 December 2024.  Background A strong private health system is essential for the sustainability of Australia’s overall healthcare landscape. Private hospitals not only provide critical services and reduce pressure on the public system, but they also offer ‘competition’ to public health services and patients more choices and access to high levels of specialised care. In recent years Australia has experienced ongoing and unresolved disputes between health insurers and the private hospital sector, and the closure of private hospitals. Last month, Healthscope — Australia’s second-largest private hospital provider — announced it would terminate its hospital contracts with Bupa and the Australian Health Services Alliance. Without appropriate funding, private hospitals may face significant challenges that threaten the safety and quality of care they provide.  To ensure that private hospitals, which includes day surgeries, can continue to meet the needs of Australians, it is crucial to address the current and ongoing funding gaps — which are forcing private hospital doors to close forever. This can be achieved not only through public-private partnerships, government incentives, and policies that support both private health insurance and direct funding for private healthcare providers, but also through the fail-safe of an Independent Private Health Commission. With a well-supported, stable, and fair private hospital system, Australia’s healthcare landscape can continue to deliver comprehensive safe, efficient, and high-quality care for all citizens through this unique balance. The Commonwealth Ombudsman already has the responsibility to oversight and resolve issues within private health, but it is clear that this process is not working. Private health is critically important in Australia. It needs its own Commission and presiding Commissioner.  You can access and sign the ePetition here https://lnkd.in/gQMq6QcS

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CERA Senior Clinical Research Coordinator and optometrist Lisa Lombardi has been awarded a competitive LOOK travel scholarship from Optometry Australia! 👀 As part of the CERA Bionic Eye team, Lisa has been integral to developing a new multisensory functional assessment tool that can assess functional vision in people with low vision. The tool can also potentially be used in clinical trials, such as bionic eye trials, to assess how well potential new therapies work in people with very low vision. 👁️ Supported by the LOOK scholarship, Lisa travelled to the USA where she presented at an orientation and mobility conference and visited leading low vision centres to study the latest low vision rehabilitation research and share information about the new tool. “An estimated 575,000 Australians are blind or vision impaired and with our aging population these figures are set to rise. The everyday impacts on people living with a vision impairment are profound, affecting independence, confidence, mental health, social engagement and wellbeing," Lisa says. "Low vision service provision is central to improving patient quality of life and an aspect of optometry practice, which sets us apart from other eyecare professionals.”

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BE WEARY OF PRODUCTS YOU BUY Companies who make products for dentistry, particularly chemicals, state that they are “Made in Australia”, but they are really NOT made here. They import the concentration chemicals from overseas such as China and Germany and they just water them down at their facilities. Begs the question: how much are they “really” worth to begin with? Practically nothing. What kind of quality can you get with extremely low cost concentrated chemicals? Nothing fantastic. And then you pay x10 or x20 their actual value. Not to mention, many of them don’t even do the job, regardless how many associations and organisations give them the tick of approval. They simply FAIL miserably when it comes to doing what they are supposed to do such as remove blood from surgical instruments, or kill bacteria on surfaces whilst protecting the end user and not causing damage to the surface. NCA LABS chemicals are 100% made in Australia. The compounds, the enzymes, the solvents, the bottles, the lids and even the labels. All formulated and constructed by REAL biochemists who are all graduates of recognised Australian universities. So when you are told to “keep jobs in Australia”, make sure nothing comes from overseas. Partner with NCA LABS. Have the number quality and innovated products in your practice and TRULY support the REAL Australian Made products! [email protected] Protect Your Practice!

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Have you checked out our updated Clinical Practice Guide for age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? This guide was developed in consultation with 11 experienced practitioners who work extensively in the area of AMD assessment and management. It offers evidence-based information on the latest best practices in AMD care, covering: ✅ risk factors ✅ clinical diagnosis and management for optometrists ✅ a discussion on current and emerging AMD therapeutic options, as of early 2024 ✅ and more Download the guide here: https://lnkd.in/dgS7kmH

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NEW ARTICLE – MYOPIA PROFILE    Corneal topography is an incredibly useful tool in myopia management in guiding our direction not only when it comes to selecting a treatment option, but also diagnostically with regard to the ocular surface.     In this article, optometrists Dominique Côté-Assaf and Nick Lee based in Perth, Australia, talk about how they use corneal topography in their practice.    Read the full article here – https://lnkd.in/gf52xSN7     #myopia #myopiamanagement #cornea #topography #topconmyah 

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NEW ARTICLE – MYOPIA PROFILE Corneal topography is an incredibly useful tool in myopia management in guiding our direction not only when it comes to selecting a treatment option, but also diagnostically with regard to the ocular surface. In this article, optometrists Dominique Cote-Assaf and Nick Lee based in Perth, Australia, talk about how they use corneal topography in their practice. Read the full article here – https://shorturl.at/moEJ6 #myopia #myopiamanagement #cornea #topography#hbl #hblmedicalequipment

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Two Australian optometrists in two very different markets share one important thing in common: the support of a global company that helps them succeed as independents. For Derek Posniak Optometrist and Central Coast Eyecare, that’s exactly what they’ve got in their primary contact lens supplier, CooperVision. That and a great deal more. Because sometimes, it’s the little things that are important as well.  #contacts #optometry #vision

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Why Optometrists Are Among the Fastest Growing Careers As technology advances and screen time skyrockets, optometrists are seeing a clear surge in demand. Whether it’s managing myopia, treating dry eyes, or prescribing the latest blue-light-blocking lenses, their expertise is needed more than ever. This career is growing faster than you can say “20/20 vision.” Why? Aging populations need more eye care, kids are glued to screens, and innovation in treatments means optometrists are critical players in healthcare. For hiring managers, finding optometrists in this high-demand market can feel like looking for a contact lens in a carpeted room. Don’t let the search blur your focus—partner with Broady Search Partners! Let us help you find the perfect fit for your team. We’ll make your recruiting process as smooth as a pair of polarized sunglasses. #OptometryRecruiting #EyeCareCareers #HealthcareStaffing #BroadySearchPartners

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The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) is “strongly opposed to the emerging indications” that the Federal Government may remove the power of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and other medical colleges when vetting and approving overseas-trained specialists to practise in Australia. The call comes as the government considered 28 recommendations from the ‘Independent review of Australia’s regulatory settings relating to overseas health practitioners’ – conducted by Ms Robyn Kruk – aiming to remove “unnecessary regulatory barriers” faced by internationally qualified health professionals. It’s hoped cutting red tape will make Australia a more attractive destination for foreign health professionals and alleviate workforce pressures, leading to better healthcare for the population.  https://lnkd.in/gfp7mMby

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[🚨 Refreshing Optometry 2040] In 2018, OA launched the Optometry 2040 project, which identified plausible, and the preferred, futures for optometry, optometrists and community eye health in 2040. Fast forward to 2023, and we recognised that the scenarios needed to be refreshed if they were to remain relevant and useful. Introducing the refreshed, new preferred future for 2040, based on a vision of: • optometrists’ participation in collaborative multidisciplinary health services • an expanded scope of practice working in partnership with other specialists, validated, shareable data on workforce supply and demand, and on patients and health outcomes • full uptake of digital technology and training • a more diverse and culturally trained workforce • optometrists as key players in eye health research ⏭️ Find out more and see our full report here: https://lnkd.in/gPapAxM9

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Register now for RL Castillo and Dr Gidon Fixler's September course on the management of worn dentition! Limited seats. 12 CPD. https://lnkd.in/gYgYSXXW LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Master diagnosis of tooth wear, recognising contributing factors and assessing the extent of damage. • Understand preventative strategies for your patients to achieve long-term stability. • Develop individualised treatment plans for patients, considering patient-specific factors and objectives, and incorporating a multidisciplinary approach when necessary. • Acquire hands-on experience with a range of restorative techniques, including direct and indirect restorations, to effectively repair the dentition and enhance aesthetics. • Understand the importance of balancing functional restoration with aesthetic outcomes, incorporating principles of smile design and color matching for patient satisfaction. • Long-term Maintenance: Develop strategies for long-term maintenance and monitoring of restored dentition, ensuring the sustained success of the restorative interventions.

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[Good Vision for Life] Good vision for life is an Optometry Australia initiative to drive awareness of eye health and the role optometrists play in general health. We regularly create or generate media content for consumers and we encourage you to share this via your own channels as you wish. Myopia Awareness Week 2024 (13th – 19th May) kicked off yesterday! A Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) and a Review of Myopia Management initiative, #MAW2024 is a timely reminder that understanding myopia and its implications is crucial for parents to safeguard their children's eye health. Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, is a prevalent vision condition that affects 6.3 million Australians and experts predict that more than half of us will be myopic by 2050. Now, with almost five percent of children diagnosed with the condition by the age of 14, research also shows that myopia is occurring earlier in life. So, to support Myopia Awareness Week, we've delved into what myopia is, its causes, potential risks and, most importantly, how parents can support their children in preventing and managing this condition.

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If you suspect you might have keratoconus, the best thing to do is see your GP or eye doctor for an eye examination. There are various methods to test for and diagnose keratoconus – your eye doctor will determine which is best for you.  The most common methods of diagnosis are: 🔷A refraction test  A refraction test requires you to look through a machine – called a phoropter – and read letters from a chart. A specialised light is then shone into your eyeball to measure its refraction. 🔷 A slit lamp test  A slit lamp test uses a special microscope with a bright light to look at different parts of the eye. While painless, your eye doctor will likely dilate your pupils to perform this test, so you won’t be able to drive afterwards. 🔷 A corneal topography test  Corneal topography is a non-invasive eye test that charts the landscape of your cornea, including thickness and curvature, thus identifying irregularities of the corneal surface. 🔷 A tonometry test  Tonometry measures the pressure inside the eye by very gently and transiently flattening the cornea. Unless your eye doctor is performing air-puff tonometry, an instrument will gently touch your eye. You’ll be given numbing eye drops so you won’t feel anything. Taken together, results from these various tests will enable a diagnosis to be made. #eyehealth #keratoconus

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