Southern Low Vision

03/04/2026

Dry eye can be a chronic and vision-compromising condition. It requires proper diagnosis and selective patient-tailored management.

Just introducing this new Dry Eye Clinic in Geelong.

🎉 Exciting news — Geelong Eye Health is officially open!

After years of caring for patients, Optometrist: Leigh Plowman is thrilled to introduce something different for Geelong — a practice built around you, with the time and technology you deserve.

Here's what makes us special:

👁️ We take our time with you. Your initial appointment is 45 minutes to 1 hour — because your eyes (and your story) deserve more than a rushed consult.

💧 Advanced Dry Eye Care — we're proud to offer:

📸 Advanced Infrared Camera — one of only 3 in all of Australia — giving us a level of insight into dry eye causes that simply isn't available elsewhere in Geelong

💡Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy — one of only 2 practices in Geelong to offer this proven treatment for dry eye and lid disease

🏥 We also care for:

* General eye testing & eye health

* Chalazia & Styes (hordeola)

* Foreign bodies in the eye

* Recurrent corneal erosions

* Ocular rosacea

Private Billing Clinic- Medicare and Private Health Rebates are available

👋 A special welcome to Monique Costa, who joins us as our Practice Manager! Monique brings invaluable medical administration experience. Monique's enthusiasm and strategic mindset is already helping shape Geelong Eye Health into something exceptional. Thanks Monique!

To my Optometry Friends in Geelong/Melbourne, let me know if you're keen to co-manage your dry eye patients.

👏We'd love to see you — whether you've been struggling with dry, irritated eyes for years, or it's simply time for a new eye test.

📍 Geelong Eye Health
🧭 219 Pakington Street, Geelong West, Vic 3218
📅 Book online: geelongeyehealth.com.au
📞 03 4243 3344

We can't wait to welcome you! 🙌

Ever have itchy, watery or dry eyes? There is so much hope for you. Book a virtual appointment today. Get your mojo back again!

01/04/2026

Wishing you all a very happy and safe Easter!
🥚🥳🐰🥳🥚
From our family to you all.

We will be back next Tuesday, April 7th.



Geelong, Victoria: AUSTRALIA! 🌏

27/03/2026

👁

You don’t have to navigate glaucoma alone 💙

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with glaucoma, connecting with others who truly understand can make a real difference.

Our Glaucoma Australia Facebook Support Groups provide a safe, welcoming space to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from others on a similar journey. It’s a place where support, understanding and practical advice come together.

Moderated by our Orthoptist Patient Educators, these groups offer trusted guidance alongside peer support - because sometimes, simply knowing you’re not alone can be powerful.

👥 Join our community or share with someone who may benefit
👉 Visit and join the groups here: https://www.facebook.com/glaucoma.australia/groups

11/03/2026

👁 lt is World Glaucoma Week. Often referred to as 'the sneak thief of eyesight', glaucoma can go undetected in many people without regular eye testing, as the most common form of it has no symptoms. Read on here, about some new research which is being conducted by Centre for Eye Research, Australia, for supplementary co-management approaches to possibly add to required ongoing traditional medical control.

It's World Glaucoma Week, and we’re highlighting the important work of Dr Flora Hui, whose research is helping uncover new ways to prevent vision loss caused by glaucoma.

Dr Hui co-leads world‑first international clinical trials with Professor Pete Williams exploring how nicotinamide – a form of vitamin B3 – may help power the cells in the eye and support current treatments like eye drops and surgery.

“We have known for a long time now that eye pressure is not the final story in glaucoma,” says Dr Hui.

People can develop glaucoma even when their eye pressure isn’t high. And even when pressure is lowered, up to a third of people still continue to progress towards blindness.

Earlier work at CERA suggested that insufficient energy supply to the retina may be a key factor in glaucoma, showing that mitochondria – the energy source for nerve cells – don’t work as they should.

This research led to CERA’s first clinical trial into vitamin B3 supplementation, which produced positive results. Independent studies overseas have since supported these findings, and a longer international trial is now underway across Australia, Singapore, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Your support today helps accelerate breakthroughs in our clinical trials and drive the next generation of treatments.

Donate today to support our groundbreaking research (link in comments) 👇

11/03/2026

👁

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness across the world, with only 50% of people with glaucoma aware they have it.

Having regular eye tests are crucial tool in providing an early diagnosis.

Don’t wait for symptoms – have your eyes tested!

03/03/2026

Research opportunity for families of kids affected by cataract. Note, you don't have to have embarked on genetic testing in order to be eligible for this study!! Researchers are keen to find out why people HAVEN'T as well as why they HAVE!

23/02/2026

Sharing some information about an upcoming Geelong-based swimming classification session, run by Swimming Victoria, for people with disabilities. Read on!
🏊‍♂️

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxwtByVUbrqnPSDHjyr9EYh6ZTI0Usx4OayI9ffiQlTNtZ8g/viewform?pli=1

Norlane Aquatic and Recreation Centre are excited to be hosting Swimming Victoria's next classification weekend for swimmers with disability in Geelong (the first to be held in a regional area).

As part of the weekend they will also be facilitating an info session for coaches, learn to swim providers, schools and allied health professionals; all of whom play an important role in engaging people with disability in the sport of swimming.

Allied health teams provide the reports and assessments needed to obtain classification and form a basis for the individual's classification process.

They wish to invite you to this info session and ask can you please also share amongst your networks. They hope to have as many attend as possible.

Date: 14 March
Time: 12.30 - 2.30pm
Venue: Norlane ARC, Cox Rd Norlane
Cost: FREE

Registrations can occur using the above LINK.

The session will include presentations from Jeremy O'Sullivan Swimming Australia Para Swimming Development Manager and Travis Zimmer Leisure Networks Disability Inclusion Sport Coordinator. An opportunity to learn about the pathways available for people with disability, what classification means and the inclusive behaviours that will support people with disability to participate in the sport of swimming.

If you require further info please don't hesitate to reach out to Jess, via the details below.

Jess O'Brien
Sport Development Officer, Monday to Thursday

T +61 (03) 9230 9400 or 0422 152 802
E jessica.obrien@vic.swimming.org.au

Swimming is one of the few sports that requires minimal adjustments for people with disability to take part. Learn more about the swimming pathways available, what classification means and the inclusive behaviours required to support people with disability to participate in the sport of swimming. As...

08/01/2026

A great time was had delivering the low vision service presentations and aid displays at Deakin University's School of Optometry today. 👁

01/01/2026

As the new year has commenced, we'd like to thank you again for your ongoing support and wish you all the best in whatever you hope to do this year. Southern Low Vision is looking forward to another year of helping you reach some of those goals!
👁🎉👁

21/12/2025

Final low vision assessment outcome for the year!

Another happy client, who will be able to return to her favourite hobby: watercolour painting.

'Mrs V' has advanced Age Related Macular Degeneration in one eye but only early vision loss in the other.

A simple solution here, when Your's Truly: our Orthoptist matched this type of aid to her needs and remaining eyesight. This means lots more painting fun for 'Mrs V' before and after Christmas!

That's it for us for the year, but thanks so much again for your support and Merry Christmas! 🎅

*Back in 2026 to do it all again from January 9th!
👁🎄👁

16/12/2025

At this point in time, as we are all booked up and nearly at the end of our 10th year in action, we'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone for yet another great year of support!

We've made more differences to quite a few more individuals with our Orthoptist: Julie assessing their remaining eyesight and recommending strategies for using remaining vision, and/or providing reading or distance vision aids, in the presence of 'uncorrectable' vision loss. 👁🔍

Wishing you all a wonderful, safe and relaxing Christmas break. We'll see you in 2026. We are starting back with bookings from January 9th.
🎉🌲🎉
Merry Christmas and enjoy your time with family and friends! 🎅

04/12/2025

It is International Day of People With a Disability. Working with people who have vision impairment(s), l am constantly reminded of the fact that this type of disability is often not visible to others. So many may not quite understand what the person is experiencing.

Most of the people l assess have some remaining vision which l can work with, hence often won't present the way people might expect: with a Guide Dog or white cane. (Even those with Guide Dogs or white canes will often have some vision remaining).

'Mrs T' (whom l saw this week) is an example of someone who doesn't appear 'vision impaired' but still needed some help. Aged 99, plus being supported at home by family, she was struggling to read newsprint due to moderate Age Related Macular Degeneration.

A simple Orthoptic Low Vision Assessment helped determine she could read again with the right aid, to be used in addition to her newest glasses. A great Christmas present for her. 🎁

P.s. On my journey, l was also lucky enough to see the latest colourful upgrade of the Moriac General Store (built in 1925)! 🥧