Optometry Australia

08/04/2026

OA members get 40% off their EOFY shop with VistaPrint.

Stay organised through the EOFY rush with custom office essentials made for your practice, including notebooks, notepads, stamps, roll labels and sheet stickers.

Use code EARLYEOFY before 30 April.
T&Cs apply. Maximum discount of $200 AUD.
Link: https://vistaprintanzvcsprogram.sjv.io/o4BdmE

07/04/2026

Join the Strategic Future National Town Hall
📅 Tuesday 14 April
🕐 7:30pm AEST

Hear the Strategic Future proposal overview, including the case for change, member benefits, governance model and pathway to voting, plus a live Q&A with leadership.

The session will be live streamed via Zoom, with State Division drop-in sessions to follow. A recording will also be made available to members after the event via the Strategic Future Hub.

Visit the Strategic Future Hub in the member portal to get everything you need to know and register:
https://bit.ly/SF-National-Town-Hall

03/04/2026

Wishing all our members a safe, restful and well-deserved Easter break.

Whether you’re taking time to recharge, connect with loved ones, or simply enjoy a slower pace, we hope the long weekend brings you a chance to pause and reset.

Happy Easter from Optometry Australia.

02/04/2026

Today is World Autism Acceptance Day and it's a timely reminder about the importance of providing inclusive care for all Australians.

As optometrists, we’re in a unique position to create safer, more accessible experiences for neurodivergent patients from the very first interaction.

Optometry Australia's new Neuroaffirming care CPD module is designed for members, with practical, clinic-ready strategies you can implement straight away.

From pre-visit planning to sensory-aware adjustments and clearer communication, it’s all about making care work better for your patients (and your practice).

🧠 Real-world, case-based learning
👁️ Supports neurodivergent patients, which improves care for all
⏱️ Around 1 hour + assessment
🎓 1.5 CPD hours

Available now.
Access here: https://lms.optometry.org.au/course/view.php?id=997

Small changes. Big impact.

31/03/2026

Optometry students: applications are now open for Optometry Australia’s 2026 Student Leadership Program.

Build the leadership and soft skills you’ll need beyond the clinic, connect with established leaders in the profession, and take part in an in-person workshop at the Optometry Clinical Conference in Brisbane (travel and accommodation covered).

Applications close 5pm, 20 April 2026.
Find full details and how to apply via the Student Leadership Program page:
https://www.optometry.org.au/practice-professional-support/students/get-involved/national/

31/03/2026

Optometry NSW / ACT has appointed Thomas Ford as its new President.

Based in Griffith, New South Wales, Tom is a regional optometrist with a deep passion for advancing the profession’s future, while being a strong advocate for the clinical education of his peers.

Tom succeeds Mark Koszek, who stepped down from the role to focus on opening his optometry practice in Sydney’s Sylvania Waters.

Optometry Australia would like to extend congratulations to both Tom on his appointment as ONSW/ACT President, and to Mark on his new endeavour.

Read more:

Based in Griffith, New South Wales, Tom is a regional optometrist with a deep passion for advancing the profession's future while being a strong advocate in the clinical education of his peers.

28/03/2026

This World Optometry Week, we are recognising the theme A Shared Vision: Collaboration in Global Eye Care, which highlights the importance of working together across communities, services and sectors to improve health outcomes.

As part of that shared vision, we’re highlighting Rainbow Mob Health Training, a free online course delivered by VACCHO and the Wurru Wurru Health Unit to help the health and wellbeing sector better support LGBTQIASB+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

For optometrists, this training offers practical guidance to support more inclusive, culturally safe care and strengthen understanding of the needs and experiences of Rainbow Mob communities.

OA members can manually add this 2.5 hour clinical CPD activity to their CPD record via Optometry Australia website:
https://www.optometry.org.au/institute-of-excellence/cpd-requirements/non-accredited-cpd/

Access the training here:
https://vaccho.trainingvc.com.au/

27/03/2026

You asked, and we’re delivering

After the strong response to her session last year, we’re excited to confirm that Dr Lila Landowski will return to OCC 2026 as both a keynote speaker and workshop presenter.
🎤 Keynote: How to learn faster
🧠 Wellbeing workshop: Seeing Red Flags: Staying Sharp in a Stressful Modern World

Building on last year’s popular keynote on stress, Dr Lila’s workshop will take a deeper dive into how stress affects the brain, behaviour and decision making, with practical, neuroscience-backed strategies to help manage it in everyday life.
📍 Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
📅 9–10 August 2026

Stay tuned for more session details.
🔗 Book your seat at OCC 2026: bit.ly/occ-2026

24/03/2026

Happy 25th birthday to Macular Disease Foundation Australia.

Optometry Australia CEO, Mark Nevin, recently joined Professor Sanchia Aranda AM and Dr Kathy Chapman at MDFA's parliamentary event to help raise awareness among Federal MPs about macular disease, access to IVI treatment and out-of-pocket costs.

Congratulations to the Macular Disease Foundation Australia on 25 years of advocacy, awareness and support for Australians affected by macular disease.

23/03/2026

Happy World Optometry Day 2026! Today, we celebrate the vital role optometrists play in supporting eye health across Australia and beyond.

As the demand for eye care continues to grow, improving access requires strong collaboration across the health system. This year’s World Optometry Week theme, A Shared Vision: Collaboration in Global Eye Care, highlights the importance of multidisciplinary care, effective referral pathways, advocacy, education and community support in helping more people access the care they need. Optometrists play a critical role in this collective effort.

On World Optometry Day, 23 March, we acknowledge the important contribution optometrists make in preventing avoidable vision loss, supporting better eye health outcomes and working alongside other health professionals to strengthen care for communities locally and globally.

Thank you to all optometrists for the work you do every day to support patients, strengthen the profession and help Australians see well and stay well.

21/03/2026

Children with juvenile arthritis deserve the chance for a full life and a fairer future.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is not rare. It affects up to 10,000 children under 16 and an estimated 18,000–30,000 young people aged 0–24 in Australia. And up to 20% of children with JIA develops uveitis, serious inflammation of the eyes that can cause permanent vision loss and possible blindness.

Early recognition matters. The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis is 10 months, but earlier diagnosis can open the door to treatment, remission and better long-term outcomes.

By recognising prolonged stiff, swollen or sore joints and referring early to a paediatric rheumatologist, healthcare professionals can help change a child’s life.

Find out more:
https://jafa.org.au/hcphub/

20/03/2026

Updated advice for NT optometrists following the earlier health alert on keratoconjunctivitis in AFL NT players.

A total of 71 linked cases have now been reported in players who have played football in Darwin since 1 January 2026. While no specific pathogen has been identified at this stage, early assessment, appropriate management and timely referral remain important.

When assessing patients with conjunctivitis, optometrists should ask about AFL NT participation. Affected patients should be encouraged to call the NT CDC on (08) 8922 8044 between 9am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, and present for optometric assessment.

Urgent ophthalmology referral is recommended if vision is reduced to 6/12 or worse, there is central corneal involvement or ulceration, or symptoms are worsening or not improving. For urgent advice, contact Royal Darwin Hospital on (08) 8922 8888 and ask for the on-call ophthalmology registrar.

Read more for the latest clinical advice and management guidance:
https://health.nt.gov.au/public-health-notifiable-diseases/conjunctivitis-in-afl-nt-football-players2