Young Optometrists YO Blog

An Optometry Student's Reflection on Low Vision Care

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:51:10 GMT

As optometrists and optometry students, much of our work and training takes place in clinics and consulting rooms, where equipment, testing protocols, and structured appointments guide the way we deliver care. But sometimes, the most meaningful lessons happen outside of those familiar settings.

In this reflection, Young Optometrists member and final year student Ibtisam Shahbaz shares her experience providing a rural home visit for a patient living with low vision.

Titled “Care from the Living Room Couch: A Student’s Reflection on Low Vision Care,” her story highlights how stepping into a patient’s home can shift our perspective on accessibility, independence, and what truly patient-centred care looks like.

Care from the Living Room Couch: A Student’s Reflection on Low Vision Care

As a final-year optometry student, much of my clinical training has taken place in consulting rooms, where vision is measured in charts and numbers. Recently, I was fortunate to be able to participate in a clinical experience that extended beyond the everyday clinic door.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to join in on a home visit in regional Victoria, 1 hour north from Bendigo, with Vision Australia alongside an orthoptist and an occupational therapist. We visited a patient living on his farm who has been a long-time sufferer of advanced glaucoma. In the familiarity of his own home, the real-world impact of vision loss became immediately clear. He described difficulty recognising faces, difficulty walking around the house and a heightened fear of falling. Though we learn these symptoms by textbook, hearing his lived experience personalised these symptoms and allowed for greater empathy and discussion, in the comfort of the patient’s living room.

Within this setting, the low vision care transformed from theory into something personal. The patient was an enthusiastic audiobook listener, so we introduced him to the Vision Australia app and a tabletop device that could read content aloud. We demonstrated handheld magnifiers to assist with mail, letters, and bills, and explored practical strategies such as high-contrast labels, tactile rubber bands to identify pantry items and camera-to-speech technology to help him determine what was in the fridge. The guiding principle throughout was simple: bigger, bolder, and brighter.

What struck me most was the difference it made for the patient to trial these aids in his own personal space. Seeing how he would use them, rather than imagining their benefit in a clinic, highlighted the true value of home-based care. These interventions were not about restoring sight, but about restoring quality of life.

This experience also reinforced the critical importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The ophthalmologist had provided surgical management, the optometrist refractive support and the orthoptist and occupational therapist supported daily function through low vision rehabilitation. Together, they formed a model of care that placed the patient at the centre.

For me as a student, this visit was a turning point. It reminded me to see patients as people living complex lives shaped by their environments, routines and values. It also strengthened my commitment to outreach, to support access to person-centred care for those who need it most!

If optometry is about improving vision, then experiences like this remind us that our true purpose can broaden to improve lives. Sometimes the most meaningful care begins not at the slit lamp, but in the quiet understanding of a patient’s lived experience.

Written and photographed by Ibtisam Shahbaz

YO Business Hub: Sarah Pham

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 01:36:55 GMT

We’re excited to sit down with Dr Sarah Le Pham, optometrist and founder of Improve Eyes, to unpack her journey from employee optometrist to business owner in the mobile optometry space. Starting her career working within established practices, Sarah took the leap to build her own business, redefining how eye care can be delivered outside the traditional clinic setting.

Hi Sarah! Can you introduce yourself to our readers!

Hi! I am Dr Sarah Le Pham and I'm the founder of Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry. I have a Bachelor of Optometry (Honours) and Bachelor of Vision Science and love to be involved in all fields of optometry. I graduated in 2016 at UNSW and worked in a mixture of independent practices and corporate practices (SS, OPSM, OW, 1001 - you name it!). I also enjoyed contributing to the advancement of optometry as a profession including being an alumni of the exec team of Young Optometrists and exec team of UNSW OptomSoc and contributing to profile pieces as a member of Optometry Australia plus many more!

Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry was founded by the need to provide eye care directly to people who finds it challenging to visit a tradtitional optometry practice, so we bring the eye clinic to patients at their chosen location.

I'm dedicated in developing long-term relationships with my patients to provide them with the compassionate and holistic eye care solutions they need as they go through life.

What made you want to start Improve Eyes?

I quickly realised that access was one of the biggest barriers to eye care and made it my mission to bridge this gap. This is not just for our vulnerable communities, but for everyday people as well. I saw people delaying routine eye exams because they couldn’t get time off work, organise transport, or fit appointments into their already busy lives.

Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry felt like a natural solution to delivering high quality eye care in a way that fits into real people’s lives. We strive to make eye care accessible and convenient to all, without compromising quality.

What was the biggest obstacle you encountered during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge in the journey of Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry for me was juggling quality time with a young family while leading the charge in advocacy and innovation with an entirely new model of delivering quality eye care services and solutions.

Overcoming this is only possible with passion, determination, consistency and the support of my close network of family and friends.

When you truly believe in a cause, it continually drives you despite the hardships.

What part of owning an optometry business brings you the most joy/satisfaction?

What I find most rewarding is to be able to provide high quality eye care, eye wear and vision solutions and meet people where they need it most. Our mission is not only to provide care to our patients but also being able to provide an enjoyable and safe workplace for our team to really thrive! It gives you the freedom to practise in a way that aligns with your values and ethics and you can create a workplace culture you’re genuinely proud of.

At Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry, our team get to do what they do best - provide quality care and have fun while doing it!

What would you say is your biggest achievement as a with Improve Eyes?

Our biggest achievement has been proving that high-quality eye care doesn’t have to be tied to a traditional clinic to be effective and trusted.

Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry has become a recognised leader of accessible healthcare and proactive in visual safety and ergonomics. We are a relied-upon provider across schools, industrial and corporate workplaces, aged care facilities, disability services and the wider community by delivering accessible healthcare that genuinely meets people where they are.

We've normalised mobile eye care as a credible, preventative healthcare solution and not a last resort. We’ve built long-term partnerships, improved continuity of care for people who were previously missing out, and shown that accessibility and convenience is available to all and can exist without compromising clinical standards.

Most importantly, we’ve shifted the conversation around eye care. It’s no longer just about vision. It’s about dignity, safety, participation, and quality of life. Being part of that change, and seeing mobile optometry recognised is something I’m incredibly proud of.

What outlets do you turn to for stress relief when work becomes overwhelming

I am a people person that's for sure! Whether its spending some quality time with my husband and kids, my family or my friends - I feel rejuvenated! In particular, I especially love exploring new cafes and pastry hot spots!

What advice would you like to give to all the YOs that are interested in opening their own business?

Opening your own practice is incredibly fulfilling but you need to be willing to commit because it is hard work and it's not all rainbows and butterflies.

YO Business Hub: Amanda Duffy

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 23:49:07 GMT

In this interview, we'll be diving into her what made her transition into being a practice owner, the obstacles she's met on the way, and advice she'd give to young optometrists who want to establish their own practice as well.

Hi Amanda! Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in optometry?

Hi, I’m Amanda Duffy. I grew up in Gunnedah, a small town in northern NSW, where my dad ran his own optometry practice. Spending time in his clinic gave me a strong appreciation for how independent optometry can make a lasting impact on both individuals and the wider community.

I graduated from UNSW in 2020 and began working as an optometrist in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region. From early on, I was drawn to the independent model and was fortunate to begin my career working across two well-established Eyecare Plus practices. The experience gave me a solid foundation—not just clinically, but also in understanding how a successful practice is run.

In 2023, my husband and I had the opportunity to purchase Eyecare Plus Belmont, and we officially became directors in July of that year. Most recently, in May 2025, we expanded by acquiring our second practice, Eyecare Plus Edgeworth. It’s been a busy few years, but incredibly rewarding to grow in both clinical practice and business ownership.

What made you want to transition to being a director and owner of a practice?

Having grown up in a family-run optometry business, I saw firsthand the impact an independent practice can have—not just on patients, but on the community as a whole. From early on in my career, I knew I wanted to follow in those footsteps.

My husband James was also keen to explore business ownership, so it felt like the right time for both of us to take that step. For me, it was about gaining more autonomy in how I practice and building something m

eaningful for the future. There’s a real sense of fulfillment in being able to shape a practice in line with your own values—both professionally and personally.

What was the biggest obstacle you encountered during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

The process of buying the practice was definitely one of the most challenging parts of the journey. There were a lot of moving parts—negotiating the price, drawing up contracts, dealing with lawyers, working closely with accountants, and securing finance approval from the bank. Our practice is located in a shopping centre, so we also had to renegotiate and resign the lease, which added another layer of complexity.

It was definitely a learning curve stepping into the business side of things, especially coming from a purely clinical background. We were lucky to have great support—a business broker helped us navigate the loan process, and our accountant played a key role in evaluating the practice’s financials and ensuring we were making a sound investment.

One resource I’d really recommend is a book called Traction by Gino Wickman. It helped us put systems in place and gave us a clear framework for how to structure and grow our business. It’s practical, straightforward, and made a big difference in how we approached things early on.

What outlets do you turn to for stress relief when work becomes overwhelming

I’ve learned that it’s so important to maintain interests outside of work. For me, that includes getting outdoors—whether it’s going to the gym, going for a surf or run, camping, or simply taking the dog for a walk. Spending time with friends and family also helps me recharge.

I’ve also found that giving myself time to sleep on decisions can really help. When you come back with fresh eyes and a clear head, things usually feel a lot more manageable.

What part of owning an optometry business brings you the most joy/satisfaction?

The most satisfying part is being able to care for patients in a way that aligns with my own values—taking the time to listen, explain, and offer high-quality care without compromise. There’s also something incredibly rewarding about knowing that we’re providing trusted eye care and quality products to our local community.

Beyond the clinical side, I really enjoy creating a workplace where our team feels supported and appreciated. Watching staff thrive and patients return because they’ve had a great experience—that’s what makes it all worthwhile.

What would you say is your biggest achievement as a director?

I’m proud of the team we’ve built—one that is cohesive, caring, and aligned in its approach to patient care. Leading a team where everyone genuinely wants to do their best for each patient creates a really positive atmosphere, and I think patients can feel that.

It’s also been rewarding to maintain a consistent focus on the patient experience. Whether it’s a first-time visitor or a long-term patient, we work hard to make sure everyone feels informed, cared for, and comfortable.

What advice would you like to give to all the YOs that are interested in opening their own business?

Owning your own practice is incredibly rewarding—both emotionally and professionally. It allows you to practice on your own terms, build deeper relationships with patients, and create a workplace culture that reflects your values.

There are definitely challenges, but if it’s something you’re passionate about, it’s absolutely worth pursuing. Surround yourself with people who can support you, keep learning, and back yourself. It’s a great way to set yourself up for long-term satisfaction and success in your career.

Unconventional Optometrist: Tsu Shan Chambers

Sun, 25 May 2025 03:30:05 GMT

For this article, we had the pleasure of interviewing optometrist Tsu Shan Chambers, who is also an actor, writer, and producer. Her new film, MY EYES, is an amalgamation of her love for optometry and film, and will be premiering on Wednesday, the 28th of May. Here's everything about her new film and how she got started in the film industry.

Hi Tsu Shan, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I'm an Optometrist turned Actor/Writer/Producer. I graduated Optometry from UNSW back in 2001! From there, I went onto complete a Master in Public Health and a Graduate of University Learning and Teaching before working in the entertainment industry. Regardless of the work I do, my core purpose is to make a positive difference, one life at a time. I am passionate about bringing awareness to issues that matter through telling provoking stories.

What made you want to study optometry/be an optometrist?

I was that 'cliche' - after high school, I got into Medicine and also full-time musical theatre. But having conservative Asian parents, I wasn't allowed to pursue the arts. I wasn't keen on become a doctor either but knew I wanted to help people. I thought, if I have to look at any part of the body for the whole day, where would I look? The eyes of course! They are the windows to the soul. Even on the big screen, it's all about the eyes when you look at the actors' faces. So, Optometry it was.

We are so excited to hear of your new project outside the clinic room, MY EYES. Can you tell us more about this project?

MY EYES is having its premiere screenings across Australia and the U.S. from the 28th May. https://fan-force.com/myeyes/.

It was inspired by true events of my life when I volunteered at the Paralympic Games and fell in love with a vision impaired judo athlete! MY EYES is a beautiful film shot across Australia and Mexico - a moving journey about love, resilience, and the lengths we go to for family.

It also raises awareness about preventative eye care and inclusion.

Our screenings are fully accessible, including for the vision impaired. The film features an incredible cast including Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly), Tsu Shan Chambers (Suka), Eduardo Ávila Sánchez (Mexican Paralympic Judo Champion), and Kieu Chinh (The Joy Luck Club). Asian Pop idol, Dami Im, wrote and performed the theme song for the film.

MY EYES had its World Premiere at the prestigious 39th Mar del Plata International Film Festival in Argentina, was picked to represent Australia at the 69th Asia Pacific Film Festival in Macau in March and recently had its Australian premiere to a full-house at the AACTA qualifying Gold Coast Film Festival.

A portion of every ticket sold for MY EYES will be distributed evenly among a group of non-for-profit organizations dedicated to eye care and blind sports. Here is the trailer.

As an independent film, we need all the help we can get to spread the word. Would love to see you all in the crowd!

How did you get involved with the film industry?

It was always something I wanted to do. But it wasn't until my third child was 1 years old, that I auditioned for NIDA and got in. The rest, as they say, is history.

Tell us about your typical day or week? What do you find are the most challenging aspects and most rewarding?

Every day and week for me is a bit 'unconventional' - I really don't know what to expect sometimes in the entertainment industry, particularly as I work as an Actor, Screenwriter and Screen Producer now. The challenge is to continue to be resilient, remind yourself about self-care in quite a demanding industry and find your tribe. The most rewarding is when someone from the general public tells me out of the blue that one of my films had a profound impact on them in a positive way. That is when I remind myself that all the blood, sweat and tears to get a project greenlit, is worth it.

How do you balance between optometry and making films?

Right now, I'm only on the books as a relief optometrist and fill in at the last minute when I have the time. I also assist the Council of Optometry NSW with their panel/hearings. The rest of the time, I'm working in the entertainment industry wearing my multiple hats (and doing CPD in between)! It is always a juggle, particularly as I have three children and the hours can be very long. I'd rather do something that gives me purpose and makes me feel alive, any time of the day.

Do you have any advice for young optometrists out there who would like to pursue their passion but haven’t quite gotten started?

It's never a good time. Sometimes, you've just got to have faith, find your right support network and dive in head first. The journey and learnings along the way are always worth it if you follow your heart.

Where can we find more information about you?

http://www.imdb.me/tsushan.chambers

https://www.instagram.com/tsushanchambers/

Thank you Tsu Chan for such an interesting interview. If you're interested in attending screenings of MY EYES, you can find more information here!

YO INTERVIEWS: EYES OF HOPE

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 23:48:29 GMT

For the 35,000 homeless individuals in New South Wales, the challenges of daily life are often magnified by something many of us take for granted—clear vision. Reduced sight, whether due to short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or age-related changes, can make simple tasks like reading a sign, filling out a form, or even recognizing a familiar face feel impossible.

At Eyes of Hope, a volunteer-led mobile eye clinic, these barriers are being removed, one eye exam at a time. Dedicated to bringing free eye checks and glasses to the homeless across Sydney, the organization is transforming lives and helping people regain their independence and dignity.

We had the privilege of sitting down with Angela, a volunteer at Eyes of Hope, to learn more about their mission, the impact of their work, and the stories that keep them inspired. Here’s what they had to share about this life-changing initiative.

1. Tell us a bit about the history of Eyes of Hope, how and why it got formed.

Eyes of Hope didn’t begin as a structured organisation; it was simply an idea that, by pure coincidence, emerged in three minds at once. About a year and a half ago, three friends - Shen, Marc, and Rajeev - each found themselves making the same harrowing observation: a particular subset of patients were constantly falling through the cracks of public and private eyecare systems - those experiencing homelessness.

For Marc and Raj, both experienced Optometrists, and Raj an Ophthalmology trainee, this realisation was spurred on from years of working in clinics and observing the same groups of patients being overlooked or underserved. Meanwhile, Shen, an experienced medical doctor and Ophthalmology resident, had recently returned from a long stint working in Ophthalmology overseas in India, where he had seen first-hand the devastating impacts of untreated vision loss, and how an entirely different healthcare system managed to tackle its own unique challenges.

Through a series of chance conversations, they realised their shared vision - and so, Eyes of Hope was born. What started as a short Zoom meeting in November 2023 soon evolved into the first Eyes of Hope clinic in May 2024. Volunteers were recruited, equipment purchased, and the organisation was officially up and running. Within 9 months, Eyes of Hope had raised close to $100k in funds, which has gone towards upgrading clinic equipment, the purchase of a new van to house the mobile clinic (an upgrade from Shen’s back seat!), and admin staff to support clinic operations behind the scenes.

2. What’s your role and how did you get started with EOH?

The first time I heard of Eyes of Hope was in passing while in a private meeting with one of my professors, at a time where I was feeling directionless and completely burnt out from my studies. Later at home, I wandered onto the Eyes of Hope website, which shone light on the challenges of accessing optical care in Australia. It was very eye-opening to learn of an unconventional application of optical industry skills designed to confront this problem and make a difference for those who need it most.

After registering my interest, I started off as a Clinic Hero, conducting spectacle dispenses and collections within a team and shadowing the optometrist as a scribing assistant. After a few months of experience, my current role is Lead Clinic Manager which involves more administrative tasks, training, and implementing solutions to maximise clinic flow efficiency.

There’s a lot of improvisation - it’s challenging, rewarding, and invigorating. Eyes of Hope is a purposeful charity backed by wonderful people that helped me to realign my goals and reminded me of why I chose to study optometry in the first place.

3. Any particular stories about patients who have been impacted by the program?

Through Eyes of Hope, people of all walks of life are given the opportunity to access services that they otherwise may struggle to.

One person who stands out to me was a domestic violence survivor who visited one of our clinics to replace her glasses, which had been broken by her partner to limit her independence.

The Eyes of Hope team was able to provide an eye test and new glasses free of charge, which not only fulfilled the patient’s rights to necessary ocular healthcare, but also gave the patient a chance to reclaim her autonomy and improve her quality of life.

4. Any future goals for EOH?

Eyes of Hope is committed to delivering accessible and equitable eye care services to individuals experiencing homelessness and vulnerability, addressing critical barriers to healthcare in a comprehensive and innovative manner. Despite the widespread prevalence of homelessness across Australia, there still remains a distinct lack of organisations dedicated to catering to the eye care needs of this population in a comprehensive manner.

Our vision is to expand the reach of our clinics across the state, followed by the country, with a focus on establishing services around high density homeless populations and in locations aligned with our community partners. In the near future, we aim to incorporate ophthalmic services in our model of care, to address a very significant need that currently exists. Stay tuned!

5. How can optometrists participate in this program?

Eyes of Hope is seeking Volunteer Optometrists to help run clinics located in the Sydney CBD. Our clinics are at the following locations: KRC Clinic (Darlinghurst), Salvation Army Foster House (Surry Hills), and St Vincent de Paul Clinic (Woolloomooloo). A monthly commitment of 4 hours is all it takes to support this vital cause and help bridge the gap in eye care for those who need it most.

Eyes of Hope is also in need of equipment to further enhance the service we provide at our mobile clinics, so if there are any Optometrists who wish to donate equipment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

For more information on how to get involved, please visit our website,

https://www.eyesofhope.org.au or contact us at volunteers@eyesofhope.org.au.

YO x OPTOMSOC Interview: Angela Zhang

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:10:40 GMT

The beginning of the year marks a new group of students embarking on their final year of optometry, and this also means a new Optomsoc Executive Team. We recently had the chance to catch up with Angela Zhang, President of Optomsoc and ask her some questions about what she's looking forward to this year.

Hey Angela, for our YO members who don't know, can you introduce yourself and what your main role/s are as Optomsoc President?

Hi everyone! My name is Angela Zhang and I'm the UNSW OptomSoc President for 2025. This year we have an amazing all-girls team and I’m so excited to be leading it! My role is to help ensure that all students feel supported to grow both personally and professionally within the vision science and optometry community. OptomSoc holds several exciting events every year which allow students from the different cohorts to socialise with each other and de-stress from our busy uni lives! I’m also responsible for helping secure our external sponsors and maintain a strong relationship with them throughout the year. Many of these sponsors are also excellent contacts for final-year students in terms of support for job-seeking and navigating life as a new grad! Internally, I act as a liaison between students and staff in optometry and hold roles within faculty committees that focus on EDI and student wellbeing. I also host weekly meetings with the OptomSoc team to check in on how we’re all doing and help balance out the workload effectively.

What drives your passion for Optometry?

My passion for optometry is driven by my love for helping others and the excitement of being part of an ever-growing field with so many options beyond just clinical practice! From anything as small as an extra -0.25D for a low myope to life-changing RGP lenses for a keratoconus patient, it is incredibly rewarding to receive a patient’s positive feedback and know you have made a difference in their life. I also really enjoy getting to know patients and building rapport so they can feel safe and comfortable in the knowledge that we genuinely care and want to provide the best care we possibly can to them.

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know?

The uni used to have a cat named Bluey who lived on campus near the upper end of main walkway… sadly haven’t seen him in a while because I think he got adopted, but he was so cute!

What is your go to place for food at uni?

I love Stockmarket inside Mathews food court on upper campus! They have the best salads and you can either order off their suggested menu or completely customise your own. I also like to visit Stellinis on lower campus for their delicious and super filling pastas!

Something others may not know about you:

I actually grew up in rural central Queensland, moved to Brisbane for high school, and then to Sydney for university! Having experienced both ends of the spectrum, I can truly appreciate the importance of having more accessible and comprehensive healthcare in remote/regional are

as. This understanding is one of the key factors that drove me towards a career in optometry.

What do you usually do to de-stress?

I love exploring different cafes and restaurants in Sydney and even have my own little foodie Instagram to share my finds. A good meal or cup of matcha never fails to cheer me up! I also enjoy baking/cooking, watching c-dramas and going on walks in the late afternoon when the sun isn’t too hot.

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood?

Walking on Sunshine by Katrina And The Waves!

Best of luck with your final year of Optometry. Is there a particular rotation that you're interested in the most this year? (and why)

Thank you! I’m really looking forward to my regional preceptorship placement this year which hopefully will expose me to some more interesting cases, particularly surrounding paeds management and more complex pathology. I also love travelling so hopefully can make the most of our Hobart and Melbourne trips as well!

At the moment, do you have any preference with where you'd want to work/what you'd want to do after graduating? (eg. rural/metro/interstate, take a gap year before working etc)

I’m still keeping my options open at the moment, but I am interested in working rural/regional as a new grad! Ultimately, I think I would like to come back to metro and open my own practice though. I’m also currently engaging in a very interesting research project on the quality of life for AMD patients, so coming back for a PhD is not off the table either.

Is there anything you'd like to say/thoughts you have for future Angela at the end of this year?

I hope future Angela can look back and appreciate how rewarding it has been to be a part of such an amazing community, and to be grateful for all the opportunities and relationships I’ve built over the years! I hope I can have confidence in myself and my skills as I step into a new grad role and always remember why I chose to do optometry in the first place.

YO Business Hub: Alison Abdullah

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 23:23:31 GMT

Owning an optometry business is like mixing clinical know-how with a bit of entrepreneurial hustle. It's all about balancing patient care with running the show behind the scenes. In this blog post, we're so fortunate to speak with Alison Abdullah, who's not only the owner of her optometry practice Lens Avenue, but also another skincare business; where she shares her journey on what it's like to own and operate a practice, as well as challenges along the way.

Alison graduated from UNSW in 2017, and furthered her studies and experience in New York City for 4 years before setting back to Australia and opening Lens Avenue in 2021.

What made you want to own your own practice and how did you go starting up?

I've always had a passion for independent optometry, and coming back from the US, I was inspired to curate my own clinical and boutique optical space. I actually spent 2 weeks in hotel quarantine upon my return to Australia, and it was in that time that I liased with suppliers, spoke with my Australian mentors, and got the ball rolling on plans for Lens Avenue.

Should I take over an optometry business or start brand new?

That's a tough question! There are benefits to both paths. Obviously, taking over a business means you have established clientele, existing staff members who already understand the business, and there are definitely less hiccups to iron out. Alternatively, starting brand new means you get to establish your own reputation, build your clientele from scratch, and run things the way you want from the get go. I think it really depends on your personality and the type of business you're wanting to run!

You have also started another business that specializes in skin and eye care. How is your work life balance as the owner of multiple businesses?

Yes I have! Dermii is a fun little collaboration between myself and my business partner, Luke. Luke also runs multiple businesses, so having each other to bounce ideas off has definitely helped. With two relatively new businesses, they need a lot of TLC and time, but I am hoping as they grow I can learn to take a small step back and delegate a lot of the day-to-day tasks.

What was the biggest obstacle you encountered during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

There have been countless obstacles in my journey! I think the hardest part about a brand new business is establishing your own voice, and trying not to be swayed by what others in the industry are doing.

As an optometrist, was it hard learning the financial/business side to owning a practice? Is there any resources that you would recommend that might have helped you with this?

Oh - absolutely! I am still figuring things out, and constantly learning. Speaking with other practice owners and dispensers has definitely helped, and referring to Optometry Australia with any specific questions has always been my go to.

What advice would you like to give to all the YOs that are interested in opening their own business?

Go for it! It has its challenges but it can be so rewarding! If you're going down the independent path, make sure you go into the process well-informed and with a good plan of how you want your business to operate and appear to the public. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

What outlets do you turn to for stress relief when work becomes overwhelming?

I really enjoy my morning Pilates, and always make sure I get enough sleep - especially entering the busy Christmas months!

What part of owning an optometry practice brings you the most joy/satisfaction?

Being able to practice the way I want, and spending as much time with my patients as they need, is absolutely a highlight of owning my own practice. In just 3 years we have come to build a wonderful little community here - it's really a lovely place to work!

Thank you Alison for your insights!

Unconventional Optometrist - Yeghia Gharibian

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:45:58 GMT

This blog's spotlight is on one of our executive members, Yeghia Gharibian, who is not only the advocacy officer for Young Optometrists but is also involved with the Armenian EyeCare Project. In July of this year, Yeghia embarked on another trip to Armenia to volunteer and train other health professionals. We now have the honor of catching up with him to hear about his experience.

Hi Yeghia! For those who don’t know you yet, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Yeghia Gharibian. I graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2020 with a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry. Since then, I have been practicing full-scope optometry in various clinics across Sydney and regional NSW. Currently, I practice predominantly at Northern Beaches Optical in Narrabeen. I am passionate about providing quality eye care services to patients and the wider community. In my spare time, I volunteer for Young Optometrists and the Armenian EyeCare Project.

How did you get involved with the Armenian EyeCare Project?

The Armenian EyeCare Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating preventable blindness and making eye care accessible to all in Armenia. It was established by American ophthalmologist Dr. Roger Ohanesian in 1992, who led medical missions to Armenia with a team of doctors from diverse backgrounds, aiming to improve eye care services in the country. I first heard about the Armenian EyeCare Project during my final year of study in 2020, amidst the war in Armenia. The organization was actively assisting injured soldiers at that time, and I resolved to support them once I completed my studies. In 2023, I joined the organization’s medical mission to Armenia for the first time and have since been involved in supporting their initiatives in optometry.

You've recently returned from a trip to Armenia to help train doctors there. Could you tell us more about the trip and what you did?

During my most recent visit to Armenia in July 2024, I organized a series of webinars and in-person workshops focusing on core optometry skills such as refraction, contact lenses, and ocular health assessment. In my 2023 visit, I co-facilitated the optometry component of an international conference, presenting on topics like myopia management. My talk, “Routine Eye Examinations Prevent Blindness,” drew on my knowledge from the ACO course in Public Health and Leadership in Eye Care and my private practice experience. Sharing my experiences in primary practice in Australia allowed me to support not only students but also practicing optometrists and ophthalmologists.

You seem to enjoy advocating and improving the optometry profession both in Australia and overseas! How do you balance your passions, work as an optometrist, and avoid burnout?

It’s fulfilling to make a positive impact and support others. Although balancing responsibilities can be challenging, I manage by staying organized and taking breaks when needed to prevent burnout.

Do you have any advice for young optometrists who want to pursue passions outside of work but are unsure where to start?

The hardest part is always getting started. My best advice is to take small steps towards your passions. If you are genuinely passionate, you will find the momentum needed to keep going.

Any interesting or funny stories from your trip?

Most people in Armenia speak English, but I was impressed by how quickly my American colleagues picked up Armenian phrases to assist with eye examinations and build rapport with non-English-speaking patients. I also found the Mobile Eye Hospital fascinating—a large truck efficiently designed with rooms for consultations and surgery. We observed a cataract surgery in progress via a live screen in another room.

Were there any significant differences in clinical practice for optometrists in Armenia compared to Australia? Or anything you wish you could practice here as well?

The Armenian Optometry Association was only formed in 2022, so I noticed some differences in practice compared to Australia. For example, there is a need for qualified optometrists to support advanced contact lens fittings for patients with corneal ectasias.

Thanks so much for giving us insight into your trip. Where can we find out more about you and the Armenian EyeCare Project?

You can follow @northernbeachesoptical and @armenianeyecare, and visit https://eyecareproject.com/donate-now/ for more information.

YO Business Hub: Thalia Lim

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 02:37:55 GMT

Owning an optometry business is like mixing clinical know-how with a bit of entrepreneurial hustle. It's all about balancing patient care with running the show behind the scenes. In this blog post, we're so fortunate to speak with Thalia Lim, Optometry Director for Specsavers Mittagong, where she shares her journey on what it's like to own and operate a practice.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you go into optometry.

I'm Thalia, a 2019 graduate of optometry from UNSW. Currently, I serve as the optometry director at a Specsavers store in a regional area and I’m a subcommittee member of Young Optometrists. My journey into optometry began unexpectedly when I started as a dispenser at an optometry practice. As I immersed myself in the profession, my interest grew, leading me to pursue optometry as a career.

What made you want to own your own practice and how did you go starting up?

Towards the end of my second year as a new graduate optometrist, I began contemplating my career trajectory. With a growing interest in business and finance, I saw the role of a business owner as an opportunity to expand my skills and diversify my responsibilities beyond eye testing. I enrolled in the Specsavers pathways program to strengthen my leadership and management abilities and build on my financial understanding. Subsequently, I seized the chance to become a franchisee and bought into an existing store.

Should I take over a business or start brand new?

Both options—starting anew or buying into an established business—come with their own challenges and rewards and is really up to the individual. Personally, purchasing an existing business provided the benefit of an established patient base and operational profitability. However, it also meant navigating a larger financial loan and adapting to existing management styles and team dynamics.

What are some points to consider when going from employee to employer?

The transition from employee to employer brings significant changes. It involves assuming additional roles and responsibilities, balancing work-life demands, undertaking financial risks, and mastering the art of managing staff and navigating challenging situations

How is your work life balance as a business owner?

Balancing work and personal life has become crucial since being a business owner, and I’m still in the process of trying to establish boundaries and manage my priorities in order to maintain a sustainable lifestyle. While managing the business demands has increased my workload, I have also tried to focus on protecting my mental health and fostering a supportive environment with my business partners.

What was the biggest obstacle you encountered during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

Effective people management as a new business owner has been a major hurdle for me. Trying to manage a diverse range of personalities within a sizable team while fostering a positive culture has posed as an ongoing challenge that I’m still working on. To manage this I’ve been working on finding effective ways to run team meetings and having one on one check ins with each team member to provide feedback and ensure they feel supported within the team.

As an optometrist, was it hard learning the financial/business side to owning a practice? Is there any resources that you would recommend that might have helped you with this (if any)

The Specsavers pathways program proved invaluable, equipping me with essential financial insights and business fundamentals—from profit and loss statements to team leadership.

Prior to business ownership, I actively sought knowledge from my employers and supplemented my learning with podcasts on business management in order to improve my financial literacy. Seeking guidance from experienced business owners was also helpful. Learning from their successes and mistakes provided invaluable lessons in navigating the complexities of business ownership.

What advice would you like to give to all the YOs that are interested in opening their own business?

If owning a business is something you’re thinking about, do your research, improve your financial understanding, talk to other business owners and make sure you are committed to the role. The journey to being a business owner has been a rewarding and enjoyable journey for me despite the challenges I’ve faced. It's a path that demands continuous growth, adaptability, and a commitment to learning but I’m glad I have made the decision to go down this path.

YO Committee Member Interview: Austin Tang

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:51:18 GMT

Ever wonder what it's like to be in the Young Optometrists Committee and what each role entails? If you are, here is one of our new segments where we introduce to you a member of our committee and showcase their career path, passion projects, as well as what they do in YO.

Our next interview is with our Social Media and Publications subcommittee member Austin Tang!

Hey Austin, please tell us a bit about yourself!

I graduated from UNSW in 2018 and have recently joined 2 independent practices in Western Sydney with a focus on advanced contact lenses, paediatrics and dry eye. Prior to this, I completed a few years of practice in regional NSW and most recently worked as a Staff Optometrist and Clinical Educator at the Australia College of Optometry.

What does you role involve in the YO committee?

I am on the Social Media and Publications Subcommittee. Part of my role is working with the education team to deliver communications on upcoming events, to our members.

What made you join YO as a committee member in the first place and what do you like about your role now?

I wanted to have a platform to connect with likeminded optometrists who wanted to make a positive difference to the profession.

Outside of optometry, do you have any hobbies you enjoy?

I have always enjoyed following and playing tennis and have an interest in art as well, where I have done some commissions. (Check out @austintangart on Instagram!)

YO works closely with optometry students and graduates in their first years of the careers. Looking back, any funny stories or memories you had while you were a student or during your first few years out?

I think the greatest memories were formed in my first few years working out in regional areas, particularly in my first year when I was the sole optometrist at the practice. There was a lot more responsibility but I enjoyed that patients were more appreciative of services and I was able to get involved with community activities such as joining the tennis club and joining a Men's Shed.

Is there anything you wish can change in the optometry profession? Or anything you liked to see us optometrists being able to do in the future?

It has been great that there have been discussions surrounding increasing the scope of practice of optometry and it is a space that I am excited to follow. I would also like to see more optometrists experience practicing in regional areas.

YO x OPTOMSOC Interview: Justin McNamara

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:50:30 GMT

The beginning of the year marks a new group of students embarking on their final year of optometry, and this also means a new Optomsoc Executive Team. We recently had the chance to catch up with Justin McNamara, President of Optomsoc and ask him some questions about what he's looking forward to this year.

Hey Justin, for our YO members who don't know, can you introduce yourself and what your main role/s are as Optomsoc President?

Hello everyone, I’m Justin McNamara and I’m the OptomSoc President for 2024. This role is best split up into three main parts. The first involves advocating internally for students and holding roles within the school’s academic and pastoral care subdivisions. Externally, the OptomSoc team create and distribute the sponsorship program. Following emails and meetings, we lock in sponsors and liaise with them throughout the year. The final branch is my team. Final year is tough and requires balance, so I aim to make sure that our tasks are evenly distributed, and we continuously support each other. Our weekly team meetings offer a chance to talk all things OptomSoc as well as check-in on each other’s wellbeing and interesting clinical cases (of course).

What drives your passion for Optometry?

My passion for Optometry is driven by those “wow” moments and patient interaction. Optometrists have the ability to significantly change the way a person sees the world, literally and figuratively. From fitting a scleral lens that provides a patient with better vision than they’ve ever experienced to that +0.25 that gives a presbyope clear vision. I find challenges and problem-solving extremely rewarding. Whilst not always the case, there is often immediate feedback from patients, and they frequently express their gratitude.

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know?

About a year ago, I discovered that UNSW staff have access to “The Lounge” on level 11 of the library. Safe to say that they’re spoilt for views!

What is your go to place for food at uni?

The Coffee Cart (upper campus) or Plume (lower campus) for coffee. My go to lunch spot is either Stellini’s or Roundhouse for its special daily deal. In saying that I’m usually well prepared and bring something from home!

Something others may not know about you:

I grew up in country NSW before coming to Sydney for high school and university. From a hobby standpoint, I’m currently in the process of building a guitar from scratch (little by little). And as many may know, I’m into running, swimming and cycling. Turns out this is the perfect formula for triathlon so I think one may be on the cards in the near future.

What do you usually do to de-stress?

I find that playing guitar/piano or some form of physical activity helps me to relax. A beach trip can go a long way too. I’ve also come to appreciate daily tasks and their power to help me reset. For example, cooking can be a great way to decompress and use some creative energy, plus you get to enjoy the final product.

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood?

Uptown Funk is a guaranteed mood lift!

What made you interested in becoming Optomsoc President?

In recent years I’ve developed an interest in taking on leadership roles. I find that it provides a platform to connect, meet others and to have a greater contribution to our community. I also feel that it has resulted in personal growth which I find rewarding. I hope to continue exploring this interest in the professional Optometry space.

Do you have any goals you'd like to achieve as President for this year?

I hope to provide a supporting environment and to promote a sense of community across cohorts. This has both short and long-term benefits as we will all be colleagues facing similar challenges in the near future and beyond. I also hope to provide balanced information to all students about future career options. Fortunately, there’s a lot of people and organisations willing to contribute to this goal!

Best of luck with your final year of Optometry. Is there a particular rotation that you're interested in the most this year?

Thank you! I’m especially looking forward to the Centre for Eye Health rotation! When deciding to pursue Optometry, I wasn’t aware of the scope Optometrists have. Ocular pathology is something I’ve taken a great interest in, so I look forward to working with experienced clinicians in a clinical setting with a variety of pathology. I think I’ll also enjoy the teamwork involved in their collaborative care model.

Is there a subject you're anxious about doing this year?

I can’t say that I’m particularly anxious about any subject. Thanks to all our lecturers and tutors throughout the years, I feel we’ve been given all the tools for success. With that being said, I do need to brush up on my anterior disease and therapeutic knowledge for red eye in October.

Is there anything you'd like to say/thoughts you have for future Justin at the end of this year?

I hope that by the end of this year I can reflect on an enriching experience and be very grateful to have been involved in such a tight-knit community and the opportunities it provided. I hope that I have full confidence in all aspects of clinical Optometry and that I’ve built lasting relationships. By end of year, I also hope I’ve booked time to travel before full-time work begins!

At the moment, do you have any preference with where you'd want to work/what you'd want to do after graduating?

At the moment I’m keeping an open mind however, I’ve always been interested in independent Optometry. I like the idea of having professional freedom and I would like to pursue further learning in behavioral optometry, advanced contact lenses, and ocular pathology. I think starting out rurally is a great opportunity as it can provide greater scope and variety of cases, plus it would be great knowing that work is a 15-minute drive no matter the time of day.

Young Optometrist closely supports Optomsoc and UNSW Optometry School, and we wish our fifth year friends all the best for this year!

Meet the YO Team: Crystal Dang

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 23:19:02 GMT

Our first interview is with our new Education Officer, Crystal Dang!

Hey Crystal, please tell us a bit about yourself!

I graduated from UNSW in 2021 and have since been practicing at a full-scope independent optometry practice in Cabramatta. My strongest interest is ocular disease and therapeutics. I have always been passionate towards helping people and optometry has allowed me to become a primary practitioner that can provide healthcare to the community for so much pathology in terms of ocular pathology and systemic associations.

Please tell us what your role is in YO and what the role entails.

I was an education subcommittee member but have recently been appointed YO education officer. This new role involves organising and coordinating educational events for YO members. I work with the rest of the education subcommittee to contact ophthalmologists and optometrists who would be interested in providing a talk in one of their specialty areas that we think will be interesting to our members. We discuss all the details of where, when, what the presentation would be about and the objectives of the talk have been organised. Once that has been figured out, it becomes more admin-related and involves a process of applying for CPD hours, creating an event on the YO website and liaising with our social media and publications committee to design our graphics and promote the event. Finally, on the day of the event I work with the committee members to host the event and ensure its smooth-sailing and enjoyable to all of YOu.

What made you join YO as a committee member in the first place and what do you like about your role now?

I joined YO as a committee member in the first place because in my final year of university YO was really involved and supportive to us with dedicated events for students like the therapeutic study session in preparation for therapeutic oral exams and the bootcamp that gave me good pointers prior starting my first day of my new career. Essentially there were so many things unknown to us just coming into the profession and I felt at ease that there was a group willing to be there for us as students and early in our career. It drove me to get involved and see what I could do to support other students and early career optometrists because we all would have shared that similar experience. Now I feel like my role enables to me play an active role in planning and engaging in the educational events and it pushes myself out of my comfort to be more extroverted and network with other optometrists and ophthalmologists.

Outside of optometry, what other hobbies do you have? (ie. hobbies, side hustles, interesting trips you've done etc)

After a long day at work, I enjoy nothing more than winding d

own in bed bingeing TV shows and anime. I also enjoy going on hikes, walking my dog, casual skateboarding around the neighbourhood and snowboarding.

I also really enjoy travelling, and last year November 2023 I got the opportunity to go to Nepal with Eyes4Everest. This was an incredible adventure and trekking to Everest Base Camp was always a dream on my bucket list. With the Eyes4Everest team I trekked from Lukla up to 5364m elevation to reach Everest Base Camp. It was physically and mentally challenging, but the friends I made on the trip was so supportive and I will never forget all the times we laughed, cheered, cried and yelled at each other each night playing UNO.

Along the way, we stopped by the small villages of Khumjung and Pangboche to provide valuable eyecare to the sherpa people in the Himalayas where accessibility to eyecare is poor, especially for children and elderly in these communities. I was incredibly lucky to be there for the grand opening of the Khunde Hospital Eye Clinic established through the support of Eyes4Everst and the Himalayan Trust Nepal which aims to provide more sustainable eye care to the community presently and in the future. It was very rewarding being able to help the community with spectacles, topical eyedrops for anterior eye conditions and provide referrals for those who had dense cataracts or other posterior pathology. The smiles on their faces and gratitude they showed us for coming to help them was truly eye opening and heart-warming that we are making such a huge difference to their lives.

I remember being so done with studying and just wanting to get out of university, but looking back even though we were all sleep deprived, exhausted and stressed from everything I had so much fun with the friends I made and I miss seeing them every day. One of the most memorable things on graduation day was when my research partner and I went to the Optometry building one last time and visited the supervisors, particularly we wanted to see Lily. When we found her, we cheered that we had made it and asked for a photo together. In this photo it was the first time we have ever seen her smile and it was so surprising! A moment we will cherish forever.

Is there anything you wish can change in the optometry profession? Or anything you liked to see us optoms being able to do in the future?

I feel like the optometry profession should embrace optometrists supporting other optometrists. The only way the optometry profession can improve is if we all work together, ask questions and learn off each other’s skills and experiences to make it stronger and better for one another.

The question of broader scope has been discussed for a while now and I would love to see optometrists advocating more for this change in favour of oral medication prescribing like in New Zealand and the UK, and SLT, LPI and YAG laser capsulotomy as in the USA.

Unconventional Optometrist: Mariane Nguyen

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:39:28 GMT

Mariane Nguyen graduated in 2015 and now practices in South Coast NSW. In 2020, with she started Untagged, a small business specializing in handmade pet ID tags.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello, YO community :) My name is Mariane and I have been an optometrist in the south coast of NSW since 2015. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine myself as an entrepreneur but that all changed in 2020. With all the spare time I had during COVID lockdowns in regional NSW, like many others, I decided to buy a new puppy. My husband and I named our new Cavoodle puppy - Archie. He had the tiniest button nose at 8 weeks old and we were in love instantly with him and couldn't say no. When it came to the fun part, the acquisition of dog accessories, we had a lot of trouble finding accessories that were small enough for him. We had trouble searching for extra small dog collars and dog tags and ended up getting a cat collar! This is where I had some time to dive into the world of pet businesses. I saw a gap in the pet accessory market for pet ID tags. I launched a collection of metal 'baby tags' which are all hand-stamped & handmade and my small business has supported me through COVID as well as maternity leave and even now in 2023.

Where can we find and follow your page?

Instagram: @untagged.au

Website: www.untagged.com.au

What made you want to study optometry/be an optometrist?

I have always wanted a career in health & have always found fulfillment in helping others. After high school, I enrolled in Adv Science @ UNSW and came across a vision module that sparked my interest in optometry.

Tell us about your typical day or week as a business owner. What do you find are the most challenging aspects and most rewarding?

The most challenging aspect of owning my own business is being able to balance work with family time. Because I enjoy making the tags as well as working on the business, it is easy for me to get lost in my home office for several hours. I have therefore decided to allocate 3 days a week where I work on my orders. Another challenge for me is the amount of time spent on my phone for social media/marketing - I am still working on this one haha. The most rewarding part of my business is seeing photos of my customer's pets in my handmade tags as well as seeing repeated customers - this is the greatest compliment for me.

How do you balance between optometry and your own business/passion project?

It was difficult to find the right balance! What I found has helped is not leave too many loose ends behind. When I clock off as an Optometrist, I try to ensure I have finished all my referrals/reports and other optometry-related work so that my mind can switch off when I am working on my business at home. Likewise, when I am working on UNTAGGED, I do the same to the best of my ability. The reason for this is that I left too many things unfinished. I would dwell on it at home and it made me less efficient when I was working on UNTAGGED. I also have set days that I work on the business during the week and outside these times, I am either in clinic or spending time with family. This is still a work in progress.

Do you have any advice for young optometrists out there who would like to pursue their passion but haven’t quite gotten started?

I say go for it! But before you do, ask yourself why you want to pursue this passion, how will you pursue it and what are you pursuing. I'd also recommend having a plan, and then a backup plan - don't throw all eggs in one basket, and be willing to be fluid & resilient.

New Graduate Experience: Karuna Darvesh

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:21:54 GMT

Karuna Darvesh graduated optometry at the end of 2022 and is going on to the end of her graduate year at Specsavers. She enjoys taking her dog for little adventures, playing sports, traveling to new places, and eating different cuisines. She recently had the exciting opportunity to perform Bharatanatyam (an ancient classical Indian dance form) at the Qudos Bank Arena to welcome the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narenda Modi.

Tell us about your journey as a new graduate optometrist!

The transition from doing numerous placements during university to a graduate optometrist was initially a challenging experience. I am very grateful to all my mentors and colleagues for all their patience and support in helping me to develop my skills, communication and confidence as a practitioner. The open door policy allowed me to ask questions or get a second opinion at any time with my designated mentor. There have also been several new graduate events held throughout to check in with all first year graduates, which is a nice way to interact with peers and share each others’ experiences.

Ocular Disease that you find interesting

It’s always exciting when you see your very first presentation of a disease (especially when it was assessed in your therapeutics oral exam!) For me this was acute anterior uveitis and it is rewarding when your management can help the patient.

What drives your passion for Optometry?

Being able to help people to experience clearer, comfortable and functional vision is what drives my passion for optometry. It is so satisfying to see the positive impact that you can have on a patient’s quality of life through your recommendations and management. It has taught me to never underestimate the importance of the small things which can actually make a great difference.

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

My goals for optometry include learning new skills, experiencing practice at different locations and ultimately becoming the best optometrist that I can be. I want to strive to continue making a difference to the lives of my patients. It is all about addressing and understanding the patient’s concern and giving them the best care that you possibly can to improve their quality of life.

Looking back at this year, what was your biggest worry going in as a new graduate and how did you overcome that? (if you could remember)

My biggest worry going in as a new graduate was time management. I started off with almost 1 hour long appointment slots and this time was slowly reduced over the year. This enabled me to hone my clinical skills and focus on improving upon areas of weakness. I also worked a few days at other stores to challenge myself and learn to adapt to different environments.

What advice would you give to optometry students who are about to become graduate optometrists in 2024?

Embrace this new chapter in your life, keep an open mind and be willing to learn as much as possible. Learn from your mentors, colleagues and friends. Ask lots of questions and don't hesitate to seek help when you need it. It will always feel difficult at the start but after some time you will form a good routine and feel more comfortable in your role. And finally, enjoy the process. After the final exams make sure to take some time off to relax, travel and spend time doing the things you love before you start full time work. It’s important to have a balance and make sure you are keeping yourself healthy and happy!

YO Business Hub: Linda Lam

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 06:26:37 GMT

Linda Lam graduated from QUT in 2015 and is now the principal optometrist and owner of Eyesquire Optometrist in Rockdale, NSW.

Linda started off working as a sole optometrist in a small practice but, after feeling stagnant in her role, she moved onto taking over an established practice to further her goals and passions.

Why did you start up a business and how did you go starting it up?

I started a business as I was feeling a bit stagnant in my current position and wanted to learn about what else was out there. At the time I had been at my first job for over a year and it was a small independent practice where I was the sole optometrist. My employer was in a different state and this gave me the opportunity to learn the foundations of how a clinic operates; how to build rapport with patients and grow the clinics database. Whilst working I acquired the skill of fitting ortho-k lenses and, after successfully fitting several patients, I became curious about different areas of optometry. This started my interest in behavioural and neuro-developmental optometry.

I started looking up ads on Optometry Australia for a role that would give me the opportunity to explore this area further. This is when I stumbled across a behavioural optometry clinic for sale which prompted me to send in an expression of interest and has led me to where I am today.

The practice I took over was already well established and did not require much additional preparation, besides learning the foundation of the existing business model. I was fortunate to have my father guide me as he is an optical dispenser, he taught me the basics of dispensing and how to network with optical suppliers. My clinic was also an existing Provision member. As a member I was allocated a business coach who helped me transition from being an employee to an employer; this covered everything from questions about how to hire new employees, optical supplier negotiations and marketing.

Should I take over a business or start brand new?

I think there are both pros and cons to taking over a business and starting brand new.

From my experience taking over an existing business provides you with an existing database of patients. This makes starting out much easier as your books can be easily filled which can help stabilise the business quite quickly. However, the transition to you as the new optometrist can be challenging, as you must build rapport and trust with existing patients. The cons that I’ve experienced is that an existing business will have its own model and structure. Existing staff have been trained in certain ways that can be hard to change. Implementing change that works for you can take some time but the bones of the business have already been set up for you, which can make taking over an existing business easier.

Being able to start a new business and to grow something of your own from the ground up, with your own personal touch and finishes can be extremely rewarding. However, there are a lot of sacrifices and the first few years can be very tough.

Strong marketing and exposure are needed to make sure your clinic stands out from its competitors. You start off with no database and must work hard to build this. Location is also very important. Starting brand new also means learning how to train and hire staff, setting protocols and management in place to run a smooth clinic and networking with optical suppliers, just to name a few.

Whether taking over an existing business or embarking on a new venture, both will require significant amounts of trial and error. This is part of the process and is necessary for discovering what suits you best.

What are some key points I should consider when going from employee to employer?

Going from employee to employer requires a lot of sacrifices and risks. If you work for yourself there are no more sick days or annual leave days. Any day off is a sacrifice to your earnings.

As an employer the responsibility of the business and staff relies solely on you. Understanding financial management is important to sustain the business over time.

How is your work life balance as a business owner?

My work life balance as a business owner is much better now than when I initially started the business. I personally believe work life balance is what you make it out to be. You can have a good balance but you have to sacrifice financially in some situations. At this point in time I pick and choose my hours and when I want to take leave, comfortably knowing how this would affect my business and income.

What was the biggest obstacle you encountered during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest obstacle I faced was taking over the role of the previous owner optometrist who had been there for 40 years. To this day I still have patients that the previous owner saw when he first opened. I experienced discrimination from my age, to my gender, I was often compared and questioned for my lack of experience and knowledge.

It did not go without a lot of mental and emotional strength as well as having self confidence in my abilities as a clinician. I was confident in my skills, I kept up to date with current literature, and took my time to really listen to my patients. I educated them and with time I built their trust, friendship and loyalty. I learnt that I didn’t need to fill someone else’s shoes, but to dig my own feet in the sand.

What advice would you like to give to all the YOs that are interested in opening their own business?

Don’t be afraid to try if it’s something you’re interested in. Do a lot of research and networking first to help guide you on your way. If you can, work in different clinics to gain more understanding of how clinics are run and managed, to learn what works best for you. Running your own business is a big commitment and something I only encourage if you find that point in your life where you’re looking for something more - keeping in mind it’s for the long run.

New Graduate Experience: Aimy Huynh

Mon, 22 May 2023 04:22:25 GMT

Aimy Huynh graduated from UNSW in 2023 and is currently working full time at an independent optometry practice. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, cooking and spending time with family and friends. Her favourite TV show is Friends and she love travelling to new places and eating lots of food!

Name: Aimy Huynh

Workplace: Eyesense Optometrists

Favourite Disease: Dry Eye Disease

What about Optometry really grinds your gears? (if any!):

When equipment malfunctions during the consultation!

What drives your passion for Optometry?

Seeing how grateful my patients are by helping them throughout their vision journey, whether it’s prescribing glasses, diagnosing a disease, or listening to their troubles.

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

I would love to be an all-rounder optometrist, including excelling in fitting hard contact lenses.

Tell us about your journey as a new graduate optometrist!

Starting off as a new graduate was difficult and stressful as I realised it was very different to working at the university optometry clinic. I struggled the most on time management for consults, medicare billing, and learning how to prescribe glasses. Moreover, working on days where I was the only optometrist at the practice tested my ability to make clinical decisions on my own. Months later however, I feel more confident in my skills. I still have many things to learn, but I am willing to persevere to become a great healthcare practitioner. Seeing my patients happy with their care and having a laugh at work (with my coworkers and patients) has been a great reward in this career.

What keeps your sane outside of your work life? Do you have any hobbies or passion you pursue?

Dancing keeps me sane outside of work! It is what I look forward to most during the week. Also, spending time with family and friends whenever I can helps me to destress. I also enjoy cooking and eating lots of food too!

What advice would you give to optometry students who are about to become graduate optometrists in 2024?

My advice is don’t be too hard on yourself when you start working as a new graduate optometrist. Things will be difficult and stressful in the beginning, but remember that it is okay to make mistakes. Always be willing to learn more, regardless of how long you have been working. Preparation beforehand is also key to ensure you run on time during your consultations, such as knowing your medicare billing item numbers and looking at the patient’s spectacle record before they come in. Even doing simple things, such as removing trial lenses out of the trial frame from the previous patient, can save you time. Finally, it’s very important to have hobbies/interests outside of work so you can destress and enjoy your youth. You will do great and be proud of yourself for making it as an optometrist!

STUDENT'S CORNER: MONICA TRAN

Mon, 15 May 2023 11:11:34 GMT

Student Year: Final year Optometry Student at UNSW

Favourite Disease: Glaucoma due to the varying presentations of how the disease can manifest as well as the array of different eye drops and management options we have available to manage the disease.

What about Optometry really grinds your gears? (if any!): Contact lens wearers who have bad hygiene practices scare me a little.

What drives your passion for Optometry? I like how optometry involves application of the clinical skills and knowledge you learn from university to the lives of real people. It is incredibly rewarding after a patient expresses their gratitude and appreciation for how you’ve made a difference to their quality of life and changed their vision for the better.

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know? Although all the supervisors at university have very different methods of teaching, ultimately, they have your best interests at heart and want you to become the best optometrist that you can be when you go out into the real world.

What is your go to place for food at uni? Stellini Pasta Bar and GYG at Lower campus.

Something others may not know about you: I’ve been getting into crocheting recently – my latest creation is a little crochet duck.

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood? Ready to Fly by Sub Focus and Dimension

Unconventional Optometrists - Ann Tran

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 09:09:15 GMT

Ann graduated from UNSW Optometry in 2019. She previously worked in a corporate practice in regional NSW but has recently moved back to Sydney and is working at an independent practice. She enjoys paediatric optometry and is involved with an organisation that organises school screenings across the Sydney Metro region. After work, Ann runs an e-commerce business called Cloud9 Lashes, and sell handcrafted false lashes and lash accessories online. With a background in optometry, her products are aimed for those who are looking for comfortable, hygienic, and hypo-allergenic false lashes and lash glue.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I graduated from UNSW Optometry in 2019 and my graduating role was in Nowra, NSW. I love being outdoors and staying active, so Nowra was the perfect spot to enjoy hikes and swim at the nicest local beaches on my day off.

Now that I’m back in Sydney, during my time off work I’m either weight-lifting, hanging out with family and friends, trying out food places, and working on my e-commerce business.

What made you want to study optometry/be an optometrist?

I’ve always wanted to work in the health industry as I find it very rewarding to help out people. However, I am very squeamish when it comes to working around blood and watching medical surgeries so I decided on optometry thinking it would be the safest option.

Tell us about your business and what inspired you!

I initially started Cloud9 Lashes to solve a problem of my own. I wanted long lashes but didn’t like how hard it was to maintain cleanliness with lash extensions, as well as being unsure of the risk of harmless chemicals used in lash extension glue. However, disposable false lashes that I’ve tried were uncomfortable and heavy to wear, and didn’t suit my eye shape. Talking to my friends about this problem, they also experienced similar issues as well. Due to this, I created a collection of false lashes that are suitable for petite eyes as well as latex-free lash adhesive to make applying and wearing lashes easier and more comfortable.

Where can we find and follow your page?

You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok @cloud9_lash

Tell us about your typical day or week as a business owner? What do you find are the most challenging aspects and most rewarding?

I run the business by myself, so I typically work on it during my spare time. Typically, this would be after gym and dinner where I would work on creating social media and scheduling my posts for the week, as well as fulfilling and packing orders to be sent the next day.

The most challenging aspects is that creating an e-commerce on top of full time work takes up a lot of time, but I find it very rewarding as I am learning a lot of business skills, and I am able to be creative with marketing and social

Do you have any advice for young optometrists out there who would like to pursue their passion but haven’t quite gotten started?

My advice would be to do a good amount of research before you start, especially if you’re interested in making your passion/interests a business. It’s great to pursue what you love and jump in the deep end, however there are so many things to consider on the logistics/business side of things (eg. GST, tax, registering the business) and this can be a big time, effort, and finance commitment. Doing all this work before you start would help you feel less overwhelmed.

Check out CLOUD9 LASHES here: https://cloud9lashes.com.au/

STUDENT'S CORNER: FIONA GOLD

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 08:21:06 GMT

Student Year: Final year optometry student

Favourite Disease: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). In 4th year, it was my first encounter with a disease which had majorly impacted on a patient’s quality of life as well as their family members. It has stuck with me.

What about Optometry really grinds your gears? (if any!): When patients have an eye infection and don’t go to their follow-up appointments!

What drives your passion for Optometry? I am a storyteller myself and a sucker for good stories. I love learning about the interesting lives of the people I see in clinic every day. Knowing that what I do can have an instantaneous positive impact on someone’s life is beyond rewarding.

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know? Everything is there for you; all you have to do is take a step. Whether it’s making friends, exploring the societies on campus or scratching your head trying to understand lecture content, take that first step! You will not regret it.

What is your go to place for food at uni? The Coffee Cart. It’s a bit of a walk from Rupert Myers, but the coffee there is superior, and they also have delicious pastries!

Something others may not know about you: I am a stamp collector.

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood? “Following the sun” SUPER-Hi x NEEKA

STUDENT'S CORNER: MINH-THI TRANG

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 09:39:34 GMT

Minh-Tri Trang is a final year optometry student at UNSW.

Favourite Disease: Pachychoroid disease spectrum because it is interesting to see how the presentations link and multimodal imaging makes it more exciting.

What about Optometry really grinds your gears? (if any!): When patients decline that they’ve had eye surgeries in the past but you see IOLs on slit lamp hmmm.

What drives your passion for Optometry? Emphasising to the community that the profession is more about making glasses! Education of pathologies and management of eye conditions is an avenue I want to stress.

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know? Exams may be tough but if you put yourself in the shoes of learning to improve patient care, studying the hardcore eye conditions and clinical techniques becomes easier and more fun.

What is your go to place for food at uni? Stock Market at upper campus and recently Stellini Pasta Bar at lower campus.

Something others may not know about you. In another life I would be a fashion designer or baker. Latest project was a ball gown and 250 decorated cookies!

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood? Outro: Wings by BTS

UNCONVENTIONAL OPTOMETRIST: LILI CHEN

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 09:56:59 GMT

Lili Chen graduated from UNSW in 2018 and has very recently moved into an eye health project officer role at a not-for-profit organisation. Just prior to that, she was practicing full-time domiciliary optometry in nursing homes.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what made you want to do optometry: I have always known that I wanted to work with and have an impact on people. I liked how the study of science was translatable into our understanding of how things work. The happy marriage of these two led to my choice of optometry upon graduating high school!

Describe a day in the life of optometry in your current work setting: These days, my work is built upon an intersection of various areas of knowledge. As optometrists, we have a deep understanding of eye care (services, diseases, and systems). In my work, our focus is on Indigenous eye health, supporting Indigenous ophthalmologists, and the long way to go in creating culturally safe eye care systems.

Not too long ago, I was working in domiciliary optometry; more specifically, in nursing homes. This involved performing eye examinations for the elderly – prescribing glasses, low vision aids, ocular health reviews, GP or RN referrals, or recommendations. As everything is mobile, this really takes you back to first principles and requires an adaptable approach to cater for our elderly, less mobile, and less cognitive. Think applanation tonometry, trial frame refractions when needed, direct ophthalmoscopy, working with small spaces or in residents’ rooms, hand-held slit lamps, and more…

What are a few of the most interesting things you’ve learnt and would like to share?

Working within a nursing home for the first time was confronting but seeing firsthand the effects of cognitive and physical impairment (often compounded by visual impairment) and hearing the stories of our elderly was eye-opening and humbling.

We can understand a lot about someone’s vision and visual status without relying on subjective testing, which patients sometimes find difficult to accurately communicate. It is looking at the big picture – anterior and posterior ocular health checks, pupil testing, medical history, using different optotypes, retinoscopy, autorefraction, cover test, etc. All these techniques give us very useful information especially in cases of language barriers, advanced dementia, non-verbal patients, young children, etc.

Optometrists are extremely well-placed to advance eye care and public health as primary eye care practitioners. If we engage with our patients and the wider community, and appropriately diagnose, treat, manage, and refer, we can contribute to a health system that is high-quality, patient-centred, and outcomes focused.

Change is inevitable. As the optometry profession evolves, we too must evolve and adapt by constantly improving our clinical skills and knowledge and advocating for positive change in eye care and optometry.

What has been the most rewarding experience so far? The gratitude expressed by a patient, their family, or their carers when we can help them, even if it is in a seemingly small way.

Developing relationships with patients and hearing their thoughts and journeys is also really rewarding. It helps you appreciate how big the world is and how little we know.

Also, moving out to a regional city for work was really rewarding for me.. By getting to know my team and the community, it became a home away from home. I learnt to balance responsibilities and the slower pace of life was grounding.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I love the feeling of keeping active – whether it’s swimming laps (then sitting in a sauna afterwards), going for walks around my neighbourhood, playing badminton, or gentle exercises at the gym. Spending time with my family and friends is important to me. I also devote time to work and activities within my church (if that counts as spare time).

UNCONVENTIONAL OPTOMETRIST: CHLOE WONG

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 10:57:00 GMT

Chloe graduated from UNSW in 2019 and initially worked full-time in retail optometry in Canberra. After 2 years, she wanted to experience a different side of optometry so began working part-time in retail optometry and part-time at an ophthalmology practice. The ophthalmology practice is full scope, with a particular focus on refractive surgery and Dry Eye Disease.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what made you want to do optometry: As a high myope myself, I have always been exposed to glasses, contact lenses, orthokeratology etc. This industry had always been an interest of mine from a young age. Sight is such an important sense and knowing that I can help make a small difference to people’s life and health is truly rewarding.

Describe a day in the life of optometry in an ophthalmological setting. Working in an ophthalmology practice is generally very fast-paced and is varied each day, depending on which doctor is working. I assist them by doing the work-up, taking scans and doing visual fields, setting up for intra-vitreal injections, collagen cross-linking surgeries and LASIK surgeries. I am also responsible for monitoring patients after their surgeries whether it’s refractive, glaucoma, cataracts or others. Another part of the job is assessing patients’ eligibility for refractive surgery and taking care of dry eye patients.

What are a few of the most interesting things you’ve learnt and would like to share? Working at an ophthalmology practice, and one that is focused on refractive surgery, has exposed me to a variety of conditions that are not usually seen in retail optometry. Some are just small fun facts and others are lessons in patient management and treatment; below are a few.

LASIK involves a laser to ablate a certain amount of the cornea to correct for refractive error. If the patient is myopic, then the central cornea is ablated. If the patient is hyperopic then the paracentral cornea is ablated. When LASIK is done on a purely astigmatic prescription, the ‘pattern’ that is ablated is not hourglass like what you expect to see on a corneal topographer. It is actually rectangular in shape since all that is being corrected is the cylinder! It is visible under the microscope immediately after the surgery. The reason it appears to be hourglass on corneal topographers is the effect of averaging.

Misuse of contact lenses can lead to quite debilitating conditions, and not just scarring from corneal infections. Things like limbal stem cell failure can occur and the patient is left with impaired vision. It is important as primary eye health care practitioners that we educate contact lens wearers on hygiene properly and schedule regular follow-ups with them to prevent these things from happening to them.

Finally, not the most interesting but definitely most important, is to just listen to the patient’s concerns. The answer always lies in their chief complaint.

What has been the most rewarding experience so far? Being a part of the patients’ refractive surgery journey has been very rewarding. They go from needing glasses full-time to being completely glasses free after a surgery that only took 15 minutes. I also love that I get to know some patients really well, however it is bittersweet since they’re in so often because of some sort of pathology.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Living in a different city and being away from home has given me a lot of freedom to explore different hobbies like reformer Pilates, hiking, cooking and baking. I’ve made new friends that I’ve been able to explore Canberra with, through the good food and great hiking trails.

STUDENTS CORNER: LEONA NGO

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 10:45:42 GMT

Student Year/Workplace: Final year optometry student at UNSW.

Favourite Disease: Glaucoma – every case is never the same and I like the challenge of deciding whether to treat or not.

What about Optometry really grinds your gears? (if any!): It's funny when you tell patients read the smallest line and they start reading the whole chart!

What drives your passion for Optometry? Being able to use my skills and knowledge to contribute to the world, one pair of eyes at a time.

Something you discovered about uni not everyone may know? In university you’re mentored by some of the best lecturers and academics in the world of optometry. This is a rare time where you will have access to a literal encyclopedia at your fingertips. Be a sponge.

What is your go to place for food at uni? I actually can’t answer this one but what I do know is that there’s 2 microwaves and hot water on level 2 if you ever want to heat up food or make tea!

Something others may not know about you: I like to go camping and hiking. The last major hike I did was on Mount Kosciuszko which is Australia’s highest mountain peak.

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood? Baby Powder by Jenevieve always lifts my mood!

STUDENT'S CORNER: NHI NGUYEN

Mon, 09 May 2022 10:39:05 GMT

Student Year/Workplace: Final year optometry student at UNSW.

Favourite Disease: Keratitis, especially HSK due to its unique clinical presentation.

What about Optometry really grinds your gears? (if any!): When patients are noncompliant with treatments. I am one of them when it comes to warm compresses...

What drives your passion for Optometry? Since I was a kid, my goal is to contribute something positive to the world, and optometry allows me to do that. Simple acts like prescribing glasses can improve someone’s quality of life immensely. Optometrists are also capable of detecting and managing sight-threatening (and occasionally life-threatening) conditions which are amazing skills to have - and I wanted to be able to do that.

Something you discovered about uni not everyone may know? The friendships we build here can change our life for the better. My friends are my family in Sydney. Not only do we study together during the 5 years of our optometry degree, but we also lift each other up as we navigate through our 20s (which I think we can all agree is a very confusing time!).

So say hi to everyone, be kind and open to new experiences. You never know where it will lead you!

What is your go to place for food at uni? 'Stellini' pasta bar at lower campus and 'Laksa Delight' in upper campus. And Caffe Brioso (aka the Coffee Cart) for a quick pick-me-up!

Something others may not know about you: I do pole dancing and want to perform/compete one day!

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood? High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco.

Unconventional Optometrists - Joanna Choo

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 11:07:51 GMT

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into optometry

Hello, I'm Joanna! I’m a full time optometrist just starting my fourth year out at a practice in the inner city area. When I was about 15 years old, I had an eye test with an optometrist who was so friendly, helpful and welcoming that it completely changed my perception of the optical industry. From then on it opened my eyes to a wonderful career opportunity which I currently find myself in!

In my free time, I also bake cakes and macarons for all the sweet tooths in Sydney!

How did you get into what you’re doing in your time outside optometry?

It all started during the first COVID lockdown in 2020- everyone was doing a bit of iso-baking and iso-cooking back then. What I really found exciting was that there were so many different and new things I could bake and eat. Each baking experience was more challenging and more fun than the last.

Personally, I didn’t think my baking was too bad so I took it a step further and started an Instagram page for my bakes where people can order custom cakes and macarons.

Where can we follow you?

You can follow me on my Instagram page @boujeebakessyd!

Tell us about your most memorable experiences

For Lunar New Year last year the design for my CNY macarons proved immensely popular and I may have bit off a bit more than I could chew. I spent 2 full days baking until 3am to get all my orders on time which I don't recommend for anyone haha. After baking 500 or so macaron shells I finally managed to get it all done. I was so happy with the final product so it made it worth it in the end!

Do you find it easy to juggle your optometry career and your other passions?

It can be challenging juggling the logistics of baking cakes and macarons around full time work and getting them delivered on time. Luckily for me some of the baked goods can be done over several days so it gives me a bit of breathing space after a long day at work.

Does time away from optometry help you appreciate it more?

I would say so! Baking gives me that creative outlet that I need and optometry keeps me grounded and balanced.

Do you have any advice for young optometrists out there who would like to pursue their passion but haven’t quite gotten started?

Take that leap of faith and just do it! Be open minded and manifest your dreams. The best way to learn is through practice and experience :) Good luck!!

STUDENT'S CORNER: KARUNA DARVESH

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 10:56:08 GMT

Student's Corner is a space which is designed to introduce some of the amazing Optometry Students - delving deep into their likes, dislikes, struggles and current mood. Introducing Karuna Darvesh!

Name: Karuna Darvesh

Student Year: 5th Year, Master of Clinical Optometry Student at UNSW

Favourite Disease: Retinal Detachment

What about Optometry really grinds your gears? (if any!): When patients do not take urgency of referrals seriously.

What drives your passion for Optometry? After learning about the intricate nature of the visual system I have learnt to appreciate my eyesight so much more and want to ensure that no one misses out on enjoying the beautiful gift of clear sight.

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know? There is a club and society for everyone. Through becoming involved in different clubs and programs you may learn more about yourself, meet new people and find your true passions.

What is your go to place for food at uni? Stellini Pasta Bar in lower campus has incredible pasta!

Something others may not know about you: I have obtained a Brown Belt in Karate and I will soon be having my graduation in Bharatnatyam - a major form of Indian Classical Dance which I have been learning for 9 years.

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood? “A Whole New World” from Disney’s Aladdin.

YOur Clinical Pearls - A Guide To Emergency Triaging and Red Eye Differentiation - Antigone Kordas

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 06:28:23 GMT

In our day-to-day practice, we never know what eye disease is going to walk through the door. Whether you work in a small rural town or the hustle and bustle of the city, it is essential as an eye care practitioner to have a plan of action to be able to appropriately manage any eye emergencies that may arise. Without a triaging process in place for emergency cases, issues can arise in moments where time is of the essence.

Triaging can begin at the time of appointment booking and can start from before the patient even steps foot into the practice. Training staff who book appointments to ask relevant questions and identify red flags can help determine the urgency with which the patient is to be seen. Examples of red flags include moderate/severe eye pain, photophobia, redness of the eye, reduced vision and foreign body or penetrating eye traumas as well as flashes or floaters.

Once our patient is finally in the chair, where do we start?

Case History

A thorough history and symptoms-taking can go a long way, providing us with a working diagnosis as well as guiding our clinical investigation. In many cases, the aetiology can be determined based on symptoms and presentations as well as the patients’ experience. We can uncover risk factors, if current treatments are working, relevant medical histories, medications, and pre-existing conditions, all of which can also guide possible treatments to help patients. Important questions to ask include:

Is it unilateral or bilateral?Any discomfort or pain? Is it getting better or worse? Is the pain constant, intermittent, worse with eye movements? Where is the pain located?Any photophobia?Any loss of vision? Sudden or gradual loss? Total or partial loss? What was the pre-incident vision like? E.g. strabismus or amblyopiaAny discharge? Is it clear/mucus-like/sticky/yellow?Any redness or itchiness?Any recent trauma?Any surgeries? Previous refractive surgery? Was it done overseas (missed follow-ups)?Any systemic illness? Allergies? Medications?Are they a contact lens wearer? Are they compliant or overwearing their lenses? Are they currently using eye drops? How often? When did they last use them? How old is the bottle? Are they preserved?Has this happened before?Any flashes or floaters?Any diplopia?Any headaches? Where are they located? How often? Any history of migraines/visual auras?

Is it unilateral or bilateral?
Any discomfort or pain? Is it getting better or worse? Is the pain constant, intermittent, worse with eye movements? Where is the pain located?
Any photophobia?
Any loss of vision? Sudden or gradual loss? Total or partial loss? What was the pre-incident vision like? E.g. strabismus or amblyopia
Any discharge? Is it clear/mucus-like/sticky/yellow?
Any redness or itchiness?
Any recent trauma?
Any surgeries? Previous refractive surgery? Was it done overseas (missed follow-ups)?
Any systemic illness? Allergies? Medications?
Are they a contact lens wearer? Are they compliant or overwearing their lenses?
Are they currently using eye drops? How often? When did they last use them? How old is the bottle? Are they preserved?
Has this happened before?
Any flashes or floaters?
Any diplopia?
Any headaches? Where are they located? How often? Any history of migraines/visual auras?

The next step is to perform a detailed clinical examination.

Visual Acuity

It is of extreme importance to perform visual acuity testing in emergency eye cases, both as a visual measurement and for legal purposes. We must always keep in mind that a visual acuity of 6/6 does not necessarily mean nothing serious is occurring. Both eyes should be measured individually using occlusion, whilst being careful not to apply too much pressure to the covered eye. Improvement with pinhole indicates residual refractive error and a best corrected visual acuity should always be obtained in these situations.

Gross Observations

Do not forget to look at the patient as a whole! Check if there is anything immediately obvious, for example, if the eyes are at the same level or lacerations/bruises.

Cover Test and Motilities

Performing cover tests at both distance and near is important to assess for nerve palsies. Ocular motility testing is essential to ensure all extraocular muscles are working correctly. It is important to perform in cases of trauma (e.g. blow-out fractures) as well as for nerve palsies, in patients with diabetes, if any complaints of diplopia or systemic conditions such as thyroid eye disease. The Hirschberg test is simple and easy to perform and we can ask the patient to report any pain with eye movement or diplopia.

Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy

One of the most crucial parts of the red eye assessment. A systematic approach is best from anterior to posterior, looking at the:

Eyelashes and eyelids (including lid eversion) - check for signs of blepharitis (anterior and posterior) or debris (cylindrical dandruff/crusting/scaling), papillae or follicles, concretions, pseudomembranes or true membranes and if any foreign bodies are present.
Sclera/episclera/conjunctiva - check for redness and discharge.
Cornea - check for endothelial oedema, epithelial cysts, negative fluorescein staining patterns, corneal staining (with or without stromal glow), ulcers, dendrites, infiltrates and keratic precipitates/pigment.
Anterior chamber/angle - is the angle narrow? Is gonioscopy indicated? Perform Seidel test to check for any aqueous leakages.
Iris/pupil - check for anterior or posterior synechiae, if iris atrophy is present and for any laser peripheral iridotomies. Is the pupil round or distorted (corectopia)?
Lens - check if the patient is phakic or pseudophakic? Observe for cataracts or embryonic remnants. If pseudophakic, any posterior capsular opacification or dislocated intraocular lens?
Anterior vitreous - observe if there is any pigment in the anterior vitreous (Schaffer’s sign - signifying a retinal tear/hole/detachment).

Pupil Testing

Pupil testing is a crucial assessment of both the afferent and efferent visual pathways. We test for direct pupil responses as well as consensual, with the swinging torch test used to determine if a Relative Afferent Pupillary Defect is present. We must also measure the difference between pupil sizes in light and dark illumination as this can be used to diagnose certain conditions such as Horner’s Syndrome.

Intraocular pressure

Intraocular pressure is necessary to measure, with a normal range of 10-21mmHg and a difference greater than 2mm serving as a prompt for further investigation. High intraocular pressures can be indicative of acute angle closure, ocular hypertension, primary and secondary glaucomas (e.g. neovascular glaucoma) as well as certain types of uveitis (e.g. Posner Schlossman). A lower eye pressure in the affected eye could also be a sign of uveitis.

Gonioscopy

Gonioscopy is important to assess the anterior chamber angle and rule out angle closure. Check out our blog on gonioscopy here for further information: https://www.yoptoms.com/Blog/10498873

Ophthalmoscopy

We must always look at the posterior eye, dilating when indicated to rule out certain sight-threatening conditions such as retinal detachment or intraocular foreign bodies. A systematic approach involves assessing the optic disc, macula, blood vessels and retina both centrally and peripherally.

Infection Control Procedures

Many ocular emergencies present as a red eye. With any red eye assessment, we must keep in mind certain procedures and precautions throughout the examination. These include washing our hands, wearing gloves if required, cleaning equipment using alcohol wipes as well as using minims or strips for assessment to avoid contamination (dilation drops and anaesthetic drops) and using separate tissues and fluorescein strips for each eye in case of viral infections.

Sight-threatening and life-threatening emergencies can manifest in many ways. Below is a summary guide of the Australasian Triaging Scale, a clinical tool used by emergency clinics such as Sydney Eye Hospital to determine the maximum waiting time for certain eye emergencies.

Triage Category 1: Immediate referral for life-threatening conditions.

Triage Category 2: Assessment and treatment required within 10 minutes, otherwise sight-threatening. Examples of conditions include chemical burns (irrigation to be initiated from the outset – no waiting!), penetrating eye traumas (place shield if possible), sudden painless vision loss (Central Retinal Arterial Occlusion) or severe ocular pain (acute glaucoma).

Triage Category 3: Assessment and treatment required within 30 minutes. Examples of conditions include painless vision loss (Central Retinal Vein Occlusion), presence of a hypopyon and an ‘8-Ball’ hyphema (total anterior chamber filled with blood). In these instances, there is a potential for adverse outcomes or relief of severe discomfort.

Triage Category 4: Assessment and Treatment start within 60 minutes, otherwise there is a potential for adverse outcomes or relief of severe discomfort. Examples include corneal foreign bodies (non-penetrating), painful red eyes, flash burns (secondary to welding), retinal detachments (with a positive history for trauma/injury) or a smaller hyphema.

Triage Category 5: Assessment and treatment within 2 hours. These conditions are less urgent and tend to be chronic or minor in nature. Examples include conjunctivitis, blepharitis, chalazion or dry eyes.

Cases of red eye are common in optometric practice and there can be a myriad of causes, some mild in nature that require chronic management and others acute that require immediate attention. If a patient presents with any of these red flags, same day referral to an ophthalmologist may be required.

Unconventional Optometrists - Edward Lee

Sun, 05 Sep 2021 05:11:32 GMT

My name is Edward Lee and I have been practising optometry for about 2.5 years now. I was born and raised in Sydney for 18 years before moving to brisbane where I went to university at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), graduated and started working at Specsavers indooroopilly for 2 years. Recently in 2021 I moved back to Sydney and have been managing an independent practice in parramatta called “Eyes Only”.

Tell us a bit about yourself

If I'm not testing eyes and scrolling/making tiktoks, you can catch me soaking in the sun.

Hobbies include anything outdoorsy: hiking, kayaking, walking by the water, tanning at the beach.

I’m also a bit of a travel bug and really enjoy solo travelling, sightseeing, taking in new cultures and enjoying all the yummy food and wine they have to offer. RIP to previous and future travel plans due to COVID-19 :(

What made you want to study optometry/be an optometrist?

My family was the biggest influence, we have a small family in Australia but nearly everyone is in the optical industry. My mother is an optometrist and my father has been in the optical industry managing 1001 Optical for the past ~30 years. My 2 uncles are in the optical industry and I also have an aunty that’s an optometrist. Growing up, all the chats at the dinner table were about eyes, glasses, contact lenses so I knew from a young age that this was what I wanted to do.

What inspired you to create an Instagram and TikTok page about Optometry?

It all started in the good old 2020 COVID lockdowns. Innocently downloaded tiktok to kill some time, fast forward 2 weeks and i found myself really enjoying and using the platform a lot.

I wanted to make videos on tiktok to reach and educate a younger audience. I thought to myself, people across the world may not have access to eye health advice/information and I wanted to make this more accessible.

I also wanted to change the perception that optometrists and health professionals are boring. I wanted to show that we also have a fun personality and I wanted to do this through educational content.

Now my content has been half about the eyes and giving advice where I can and half just having fun and jumping on tiktok trends (life’s too short not to have fun).

Where can we find and follow your page?

@edwardbisharalee on tiktok & @optometry_with_eddy on instagram

However, most of my content can be found on tiktok.

Fun surprise fact you can also find me on @optoms_of_ig as I occasionally make a few relatable optometry memes for fun and laughs.

Tell us about your typical day or week as a business owner? What do you find are the most challenging aspects and most rewarding?

Typical day for me would include coming into work in the morning, checking in with my team and having a quick scan of the diary for upcoming appointments and jobs that need to be processed/collected.

Once the diary has been checked and managed, I'll usually scan through all the store emails to make sure nothing is being missed and return any missed phone calls or voicemails.

As the day progresses, we will have patients stroll in for their consultations and try to give them the best eye testing/glasses processing experience possible.

Most challenging aspect would be ensuring my staff and my patients are well looked after. Sometimes this can be quite tricky in the face of confrontation or when differences in opinions/arguments arise between customers and staff.

Most rewarding aspect would be having return customers duck in as they are doing their shopping to just pop in and say hi, or returning customers that wanted to duck in and tell us how amazing their glasses/eye test experience was.

How do you keep up with the optometry world?

Mainly through chatting with colleagues, friends and instagram/tiktok.

Do you have any advice for young optometrists out there who would like to pursue their passion but haven’t quite gotten started?

Just get started. I think too many people (myself included) focus too much on planning and researching their passion and constantly procrastinate and push back the start date. The best way to learn is from experience, it’s okay to make mistakes, to learn from them and do it better next time round. Nobody will be perfect on their first attempt and it’s all a learning process.

Leadership, through a different lens - Jahin Tanvir

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 05:21:26 GMT

This year, I had the absolute privilege of being part of the Optometry Australia student leadership program for 2021. Due to the volatile situation around Australia, the program was celebrated as a virtual fest where we received our certificates, hampers, and gifts to mark the end. Now, when I went into this program, my expectations were very simple.

My perception was that we would be spending the weeks learning more about Optometry and the industry and how to conduct ourselves on a day-to-day basis. However, what we learned as participants of this program was far greater than what I could perceive.

Throughout the weeks, I learnt some of the most valuable lessons about the importance of leadership and being an effective role model than what I may have ever learned during my course. Through facilitation and discussions, we were exposed to the realities of what it means to be an effective leader in the modern day, adapting to the various changes in technology and healthcare in the future and how we need to focus on reflection as a powerful tool to understand what type of leader we are and ways that we can work to improving ourselves towards the type of leader we aspire to become.

Here are three powerful lessons that I learnt about leadership and how it quite poetically relates to my career towards becoming an Optometrist.

1. Take one step back to take two steps forward

When we are so focussed on completing our courses and deadlines, we often forget to take a breath and understand the underlining lessons that we learn from this process. The value of adapting to ever changing situations, how to manage pressure in an effective manner, ensuring that our motivation and goals align with each other etc. The lesson I learned at the program was that sometimes, to become an effective leader that can inspire several people, we need to take responsibility in identifying when we need to reflect upon our actions and the processes in which we are acting in and look at ourselves to discover ways to improve on. Self-improvement in areas such as communication is such an integral component in patient centred care and often, we don’t realise the need to reflect upon how we interact and take the necessary course of action to improve that. Whether this be enhancing the etiquettes we use, our choice of words and vocabulary or even body language, we need to understand that this is a continually improving learning experience. It may take a bit of time but in the long term, this an investment we should be making for ourselves.

2. Being a health advocate, before being an Optometrist.

There is a quote by Simon Sinek where he states that: “A leader’s job is not to do the work for others, it’s to help others figure out how to do it themselves, to get things done, and to succeed beyond what they thought possible.” I learned that being an Optometrist or any healthcare professional means being an advocate. Patients exist in a complex socio-political sphere that is constantly changing and impacting their overall health. Social injustice brings about disproportionate issues in many demographics. Taking the approach that we are leaders in understanding these social determinants and constantly advocating for better ways to conduct practice in our clinics, better patient communication and consistently learning new material that will inadvertently help patients is an approach that we need to take, especially with the changes in healthcare in the near future. We must be better humans and advocates before we can become better professionals.

3. Adaptability is our greatest strength.

Staying on the Simon Sinek trend, as he was an individual we analysed quite deeply during the program, he stated that: “Leaders are the ones who have the courage to go first, to put themselves at personal risk to open a path for others to follow.”

What the last year or so has taught us is that the health sphere is unpredictable. There will be uncontrollable factors and issues that arise in rapidly changing dynamics that we will not be able to keep up with. Acknowledging this change and not giving into the inertia is a productive step that we need to practise as healthcare professionals. We are accountable for how we react to the different obstacles and changes on the road that we have. In every sense of the word, resilience is the strength that will allow us to continue making progress and grow as professionals and as human beings.

The landscape of healthcare is constantly changing, and it requires us to change with it. If I had to take one point from my experience in this program, it is that we need to focus on the fundamentals of leadership and how we can work to inspire the people around us. This is an interdependent ecosystem that we exist in, and we need to work together, adapt together and bounce back together to ensure sustainability and fulfilment in how we see our profession.

About the writer: Jahin Tanvir

Jahin Tanvir is a 20-year-old third-year Optometry student at the Univerisity of Canberra, policy adviser, keynote speaker, author, and multicultural youth advocate. With a penchant for being multifaceted, Jahin possesses a strong background in youth advocacy and healthcare in leading youth-led organisations.

In 2021, Jahin received the 2021 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year in Individual Community Service as well as recognition in the 7NEWs Young Achiever awards for NSW/ACT in the category of community service. Jahin is also a young media spokesperson trained by the Economic Media Centre as part of the Centre for Australian Progress, providing expert media comment on multicultural people's experiences in Australian communities.

Vision Scientist Spotlight - Niv Chandramohan

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:27:29 GMT

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hello! My name is Niv and I’m a vision science graduate from UNSW. I’m currently working as the Health Promotion Coordinator at Macular Disease Foundation Australia. I’m a born and bred Canberra girl who moved up to Sydney for uni. I currently live in Petersham with my fiancé, where I binge on true crime documentaries and charcuterie boards.

After graduating, how did your career path evolve?

I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do after I graduated! Having a Vision Science degree is so great because you have such a wide array of opportunities at your feet, however by the same token it can also be an overwhelming choice. I toyed with the idea of doing a PhD, but decided that I needed a break from uni (for a bit!) I considered research, but couldn’t find anything I was passionate about. When speaking to my honours course convener she suggested I explore non-for-profit work. I started looking at what was out there and stumbled across the Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA). Although I admit I’m much more of an anterior than posterior eye girl, I loved the idea of working in health promotion and education.

I’ve been at MDFA for just over a year and a half as their Health Promotion Coordinator. I spend most of my time speaking to patients who have been diagnosed with a macular disease, as well as involved in other patient-focused initiatives and advocacy work. Getting to be the first port of call after a patient has visited their eye specialist is a great feeling. I can provide them with all the support and advice they may require during an otherwise very overwhelming time.

Every day in my role is different, and my desire to help people in this capacity originated at UNSW and has since been strengthened at MDFA.

What does your typical day or week at work look like?

A typical week at work prior to COVID-19 was very different to what it is now. Currently it’s all working from home, which I’m very fortunate to do. As I mentioned, I spend most of my time speaking to patients on the phone. Many come to us quite distressed after just receiving a macular disease diagnosis from their optometrist or ophthalmologist. I speak to them about their condition in layman terms and offer support services and resources that may assist them on their journey.

I also work with data a lot, which I surprisingly enjoy. I’m in charge of pulling patient and health care professional data and statistics for our community and try to manipulate them in a digestible way.

Another big component of my job is coordinating education sessions for seniors i.e. those most at risk of age-related macular degeneration. As you would all well know, prevention and early detection is key, so we work with our community to ensure their armed with the best resources to reduce their risk or slow progression of macular disease.

What are some obstacles you have experienced, and how did you overcome them?

My honours research project was investigating the role of intense pulsed light in contact lens discomfort. The inclusion criteria for participants was particularly niche and made it quite difficult to obtain the number of participants required for stats purposes.

Despite all our best efforts, I didn’t manage to get as many as I needed. Instead of scrapping the entire project, I pivoted to a completely different research proposal. I kept the participants I had, and created a small-scale, intimate version of my project where I could follow each participant individually. I also started writing additional papers to explore other aspects of my research, which in turn led me to publish two papers in CXO which was super exciting!

I’m guessing the moral of that story is don’t be afraid to pull a Ross Geller and pivot, pivot, pivot when necessary.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I’m not too sure what the future holds. Career-wise, I hope to still be working in the education/innovation space within the general field of eye health. On a more personal level, I hope that I get to have my wedding (COVID-pending) and I hope that I still love true crime and blue cheese!

What do you know now that you wished you knew when you were a student?

I wish I didn’t sweat the small stuff. Failing one weekly quiz isn’t going to be the end of the world. As someone who can be a tad perfectionistic at times, if one thing didn’t go my way I felt that I may as well just chuck the whole thing out.

Learning to persevere through the setbacks was a lesson that took me a few years to truly understand. Gaining that state of mind really changed the game for me.

What advice would you give to a vision science student who is pursuing a career as a vision scientist?

Vision science is a pretty broad field, so it can become overwhelming when considering job prospects. Uni will unintentionally give you so many opportunities for growth and new interests, so grab them with both hands. It’s cliché, but I think I still wouldn’t have found my niche if it wasn’t for saying yes to every opportunity that came my way. Those opportunities may just open doors to things you didn’t even know were in your reach.

Your Business Hub - featuring Megan Tu and Wilson Luu

Sun, 23 May 2021 06:12:48 GMT

Why did you start up a business and how did you go starting it up?

We wanted to venture out of being an employee and practice how we wanted to practice. We started our practice because we are passionate about providing holistic and evidence-based eye care that was patient-focused.

We first started off as a part-time practice from home in 2018. This operated after-hours and we also provided home visits, because we noticed a gap in the industry in these 2 areas. Starting up a practice involved doing a lot of research into how to run a business and learning about all the legal and financial aspects behind it. Megan did a Certificate IV in New Small Business, which was a good starting point. We also had discussions with other colleagues and other consultants.

Our patient base started to grow and we realised that we were outgrowing our space and entertained the idea of expanding to a full-time practice in a shopfront. By October 2020, we expanded our practice to a shopfront in Wentworth Point.

Should I take over a business or start brand new?

This is a big decision and it really is up to the individual. There are definitely pros and cons to both options and it is important that you weigh these up thoroughly and seek professional advice before you make a decision.

For example, taking over an existing business means that you already have an existing patient base. This has advantages in cash flow. However, this may also mean inheriting procedures and systems which you may not necessarily agree with. Making changes to these systems may lead to loss of some of your existing clientele.

Alternatively, starting brand new means it is a clean slate and you can set your practice how you want it from the beginning. However, it will take time to build a reputation and patient following.

These are just some things you need to consider before you make your decision.

What are some key points I should consider when going from employee to employer?

If you want your business to succeed, be prepared for long hours, taking work home and doing a lot of things outside the consult room. It is a steep learning curve because you now need to learn your legal obligations as well as be well organised in your administrative and managerial duties. However, we think it is incredibly rewarding in the long run because we are now able to do what we are passionate about without restriction.

How is your work life balance as a business owner?

Work life balance is an incredibly challenging aspect of being a new business owner. Aside from running a business, we both have other commitments and hence this is an area we are still working on HAHA ^^”.

What was the biggest obstacle you encountered during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

Work life balance and time management would be the biggest obstacles that we have encountered so far.

We have been working on these areas by improving efficiency within the workplace and scheduling in personal time so that it is not all work. We hold each other accountable so that we both don’t stray from our goals. Having a good support network really helps especially during challenging periods.

What advice would you like to give to all the YOs that are interested in opening their own business?

Running a business is like planting a tree. Do your due diligence and make sure you think it through before you make the decision. Plan it out. You need to find the location and prepare the land first. Then, you will plant the seed, nurture it, and protect it from the storms. Trees do not grow overnight. It takes time before you can reap the rewards.

There are many benefits associated with owning a business. However, be prepared to work hard as it is a massive investment and time commitment and expect some personal sacrifices along the way.

Unconventional Optometrists - Simon Duong and Alison Su

Fri, 14 May 2021 11:03:36 GMT

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into optometry

Simon: Like a lot of people, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do after high school. But the reason why I end up picking optometry was because pretty much everyone in my family – parents, sister, grandparents, uncles and aunties all wear glasses. I on the other hand somehow ended up emmetropic so I thought maybe I could become an optometrist to help the family out.

Where can we follow your adventures?

Instagram - @campingwithus

Video of our van build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB6OyX0VbAU&t=8s&ab_channel=Campingwithus

How did you get into what you’re doing in your time outside optometry?

Being optometrists, we do spend majority if not all of our working day cooped up inside a room. Both of us love being outdoors so we try to get out when we can to balance it out and mobilize those joints that get stiff from sitting all day.

Our van life journey started when NSW went into lockdown last year. Like majority of us we weren’t able to work. Being locums we both didn’t have work for a few months so we decided be productive and tick off a bucket list item which is to travel Australia in a van. We needed a van first of course so we started researching, learning from youtube videos and ended up spending about 3 months building our travel home.

Tell us about your most memorable experiences

One of my (Simon) favourite hobby is fishing. Being able to travel to all places in Australia allows me to target different species that are more local to a certain area. When we went down to Victor Harbor in South Australia, I wanted to tick off Bluefin Tuna off my list. Managed to hook up a 15kg fish and we spent the next week trying to finish eating it. We love being able to rock up to a place, pull out a chair and table, eat what we catch and enjoy the beautiful scenery Australia has to offer.

Do you find it easy to juggle your optometry career and your other passions?

Both of us have locummed for at 5+ years now and it has its ups and downs. One of the reasons why we decided to locum was because it gives us the flexibility to travel. I guess we are quite lucky to be able to do what we do as there aren’t many professions that allow you to take months off at a time. There are times where jobs can be scarce but in general, we try to load up on jobs during the busier periods and take time off when it gets quieter. So far it has worked well for us.

Does time away from optometry help you appreciate it more?

We definitely think so, we both love what we do at work but at times you do feel burnt out so it really helps to get away from it every now and then.

Do you have any advice for young optometrists out there who would like to pursue their passion but haven’t quite gotten started?

Just do it! If you keep holding off for whatever reasons there will always be a reason to not do it. Sometimes it just takes a leap of faith to get the ball rolling. Be open minded and flexible. Live with no regrets.

YOur Clinical Pearls – Gonioscopy

Fri, 14 May 2021 10:43:13 GMT

Gonioscopy is an important technique that enables viewing of the iridocorneal angle and allows assessment and diagnosis of different eye conditions.

Best practice standards for accurate diagnosis of Glaucoma are detailed in the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines. These include a comprehensive medical history (to identify risk factors), a full eye examination (including gonioscopy), an assessment of visual function (visual field analysis) and measurement of intraocular pressure.

Reasons for performing gonioscopy – what am I looking for?

Open-angle Glaucoma versus Closed-angle Glaucoma

Gonioscopy is important to perform in both patients with Glaucoma and patients that are considered Glaucoma suspects. It is a crucial box that needs to be ticked on your Glaucoma work-up checklist, to determine if an angle is wide open, narrow or closed. It can also detect the presence of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS), a sign of chronic angle closure, and in certain instances can be used to break these aberrant connections of iris to anterior angle structures.

Occludable angles

An angle is considered to be occludable when the pigmented trabecular meshwork (PTM) is visible in less than 90 degrees of the angles’ circumference. This is determined using gonioscopy with the patient in primary gaze. If a patient is deemed to have an occludable angle, this is an indication for laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI).

Secondary glaucomas

Gonioscopy allows for the identification and appreciation of subtle findings such as pigmentation within the angle. Secondary glaucomas like Pigment Dispersion Glaucoma (PDG) will demonstrate very dark pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork (even, tiramisu pattern). In Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma (PXG), white fluffy material can be seen in the trabecular meshwork. Sampaolesi’s line can be present in both PDG and PXG and is visualised as a dark pigmented line situated anterior to Schwalbe’s line.

Angle recession

Angle recession occurs due to rupture of the longitudinal and circular ciliary muscle fibres following ocular trauma. With gonioscopy, this appears as a localised area of iris bending posteriorly instead of running flat and can also be seen as widening of the scleral spur. Since patients can develop Glaucoma secondary to angle recession after days, months and even years, it is important to perform gonioscopy in cases where there has been ocular trauma both recently and in the past.

Neovascularisation of the angle

Gonioscopy can be used to detect growth of new blood vessels in the anterior chamber angle. These abnormal vessels are leaky and can cause inflammation. It can also lead to scarring and narrowing of the angle. Gonioscopy should be performed in patients at risk including those with a history of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion, proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, or other retinal ischaemic conditions.

Helpful Gonio Acronym

Contraindications

Corneal or conjunctival inflammation or infection
Lacerated or perforated globes.
Hyphaema present
Significant corneal abrasions or erosion
Significant epithelial basement membrane dystrophy

NHMRC Guidelines for the screening, prognosis, diagnosis, management and prevention of glaucoma 2010 https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/cp113_glaucoma_1204 04.pdf

Herschler J. Trabecular damage due to blunt anterior segment injury and its relationship to traumatic glaucoma. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol .1977;83:239

Your Business Hub - featuring Corinne Lam

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 10:26:37 GMT

Why did you start up a business and how did you go starting it up?

I was inspired by my mentor and boss at the time who was (and still is) so driven and passionate about what she does and what she believes in. I wanted to create an environment where I could do the same - inspire a team and inspire my patients. I went through a 6-9 month program (called ‘Pathway’ which is run by Specsavers) to develop myself and to learn about the people and business aspect of being a business partner and employer. I had a lot of support from my mentors who helped me assess what opportunities were suitable for me from both a lifestyle and finance perspective. I had my accountant assist me in valuing potential business’ to ensure I also had professional advice.

Should I take over a business or start brand new?

There are pros and cons to both. The main advantage of taking over a business is that it has an established database and customer awareness of the store and its services and values.

Starting a brand new store allows you to create your own “brand” and culture, and enables you to build your own team from the bottom up. It will depend on your personal preference, however you should assess the potential you see in the business, and how able and quickly you believe you can grow it. A lot of research and due diligence is required for both avenues.

What are some key points I should consider when going from employee to employer?

Do a lot of research (e.g. reading, courses, talking to other employers and colleagues) to understand thoroughly both the finance and business side of it, as well as the leadership side to being an employer.

Be clear on your “Why” before you dive into “what” needs to be done and “how” you will make it happen.

How did your business survive COVID?

We remained open the whole time (for urgent care) in order to service our community. Our customers were very grateful for this service and it also allowed us to gain new customers. Many of our customers had to hold off their “routine eye examination” for several months, hence when the lock down eased, we knew we would get an influx of customers returning. In order to both survive and thrive, we needed to be strategic with extending our trading hours to ensure we were able to capture all existing and new customers by looking after their eye care needs in a covid-safe manner.

How is your work life balance as a business owner?

It was a big adjustment when I initially started, as “work” can easily carry on at home and on days off. I’ve since learnt that planning ahead is key. I schedule quality time with my family and friends, and also block out time for myself to do things I enjoy. To keep myself accountable, I also schedule time slots in my calendar to fit in exercise, journaling and meditation. Having my own “me time” allows me to reflect my day/week and reassess when I'm “off balance”. I don’t always get it right and sometimes life can throw new challenges at you, however a balanced lifestyle is one of my goals and is something I’m consciously striving towards.

Unconventional Optometrist - Austin Tang

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 23:33:56 GMT

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into optometry?

My name is Austin and I am currently in my 3rd year of practice. I chose optometry out of an interest in helping people and also healthcare. I currently work at an independent practice in Dubbo, in Central Western NSW, having previously practised in Broken Hill in Far West NSW. Relocating to rural Australia has naturally allowed me to develop professionally as well as personally. It has provided me many unique opportunities, including doing visiting clinics in smaller towns in Central Western NSW, being able to carry out clinical duties in the public ophthalmology clinic, doing a nursing home visit, and also is carrying out optometry duties at the Macquarie Correctional Centre in Wellington, NSW. I’ve also rekindled some old hobbies through meeting like minded individuals in the rural towns that I have worked in. The article will focus on my work at the correctional centre and also more generally my experience of working regionally.

Tell us about your typical day testing at a prison? What do you find are the most challenging aspects and most rewarding?

A typical day testing at the Macquarie Correctional Centre starts with a check-in and equipment screening. Before entering the premises, I am required to run through a checklist of equipment being brought into the correctional centre’s clinic. As a visiting optometrist, the clinic is conducted with portable equipment, including a trial lens set, portable slit lamp, ret and DO, BIO, diagnostic drops and the spectacle frames. I am then equipped with a personal duress alarm to be worn onsite. Afterwards, I am escorted through the grounds to the clinic where I am met by the clinic staff and set up the room for my eye examinations.

I perform a typical eye test, with a history, refraction, ocular health check, some gross binocular vision tests and also do the dispensing in cases where glasses are required. Not having access to additional testing such as OCT, perimetry, fundus photography and wide field imaging can leave you feeling ‘handcuffed’ at times, especially when you suspect certain presentations such as glaucoma, visual field defects, macula changes or unexplained headaches. Inmates cannot simply attend a private practice externally to perform the indicated tests. In cases like these, clinical decision making is important and referral necessary.

I work closely with Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Networkmedical and nursing staff, who facilitate ophthalmology care, including cataract surgery. The Network provides care to the 30,000 people who move through the NSW adult correctional system each year; with many experiencing higher rates of chronic and complex health conditions than the general community. Clinicians working in this setting are positioned with a unique opportunity to respond to the health needs of these individuals, who commonly have had minimal contact with mainstream health services in the community.

An inmate I saw for the first time towards the end of last year had a family history of glaucoma in his mother, large cupping in both eyes, and IOPs of 26mmHg in each eye. Based on the risk factors, I decided to commence him on Xalatan Eyedrops despite not having all the pieces of the clinical puzzle. I was fortunate to follow up this inmate on my subsequent visit and note a satisfactory pressure reduction. The most rewarding part is that inmates appreciate the eye examination service provided as many have been without glasses.

On leaving the clinic, I am escorted back to the check-in area and once again go through the equipment checklist before leaving the facility.

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

Further experiences in optometry will allow me to formulate these goals, however the most fulfilment is gained in helping those who most need help. It is a matter of continuing to do so.

What keeps you sane outside of your work life? Do you have any hobbies or passions you pursue?

I do enjoy a few different hobbies; the two main ones are tennis and art, which allow me to channel my active and creative sides. I feel these hobbies have allowed me to form connections within the communities I’ve immersed myself into, and that this is a crucial component in the overall success and/or fulfilment in regional stints.I often get called upon to make the controversial line calls in tennis since “I’m the optometrist”.

Broken Hill Artwork and Tennis

Interactions with local artists in the Broken Hill and Dubbo regions.

What advice would you give to other optometrists who may be looking to venture beyond conventional optometry?

Have an open mind in trying new things as you can be pleasantly surprised by what new opportunities bring you.

YOur Wellbeing - goal setting for 2021

Sat, 23 Jan 2021 23:38:51 GMT

Once upon a time, every year January that ticked around, I would scramble to Kmart for the $5 diaries and jot down my "3 goals for the year". Then I'd put my pen down, close the book and be satisfied. That's how it works right? Surely by the time December comes around, you would have achieved those goals... and keep in mind they were the same 3 goals every year:

1. Spend more quality time with friends and family

2. Be more health conscious

3. Some career/education aspiration goal

Truth be told, I never followed through or even self-reflected during the year to see if I was on the right path or direction. Although now I no longer write goals down every January, this is what I learnt about goal setting and accountability that I follow now.

Be more specific

I was failing because everything was too broad. I wanted to spend spending quality time with "friends and family", but did this mean hitting up the 500 Facebook acquaintances every Sunday? I started singling out people and groups I truly wanted to build relationships with and making more of a conscious effort.

Holding true to your word

It's tempting and easy sometimes to find excuses to not attend events, meetings or even meet-ups. However, most of the time we at least put in some effort to stay true to our word if we said we were going to attend. But, it's even easier to make excuses to not do or commit to something, if the only person keeping you accountable is yourself.

Accountability

This was and still is one of the hardest things for me to grasp. I am weak-willed at best and self-accountability is difficult. So I bought apps, books, made friends and accountability partners to keep me on track.

Micro-Goals

I had to be honest with myself - I was never going to read a book a week, become an Instagram fitness star and learn Spanish all within a year. So instead I set mini-goals and celebrate mini-wins. Maybe just 20 pages a night before bed? Start off by going to the gym? Learn and practice a handful of phrases a week?

Review and reset

I stopped waiting until December to review and realise I had made no progress, then consequently remaking the same goals. I became more realistic and also honest with myself - if I saw I had set visions that were far beyond my potential at that time, I would readjust and reset them.

Now, in no way, shape or form am I perfect - but this is what simply is working for me!

The Three C's to navigating and coping as a student in the new environment - Jahin Tanvir

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 06:39:02 GMT

Unprecedented. Unmotivated. Confused.

Those were the words swirling around in a cacophony when we came to realise that university this year would be changed indefinitely.

It was near the end of March when we found out that the situation of COVID had reached its boiling point – a sense of panic striking students to return back to their homes interstate and overseas for the uncertainty of what was to come.

When it came to optometry, the cloud of confusion covered our minds severely. For myself, learning the course and the way to become a fully functioning optometrist meant that I relied heavily on practicals and conducting the tests and concepts I learnt to grasp the notions. Learning through memorization with the rote learning that I grew so accustomed to during high school was something I quickly realized was ineffective – it passed the threshold of remembering but faltered when it came to understanding. Going to the labs, using the appropriate apparatus, and asking questions directly upon making mistakes in class was the way that I gradually was able to grasp the ideas being taught. This was how I was able to understand the concepts in a holistic point of view and how it is relevant in a clinical setting – deviating away from learning just how to distinguish between one module to another.

But with life transitioning virtually, this method was eradicated, and I was left to submerge myself back into comfortable method of memorizing and watching others carry out the tests on YouTube videos as my main point of reference. One thing I quickly learnt was that comfort can be woeful and the transition was difficult to say the least.

Add the stress of the world and my fellow peers and I swiftly realised that that it was going to be an arduous period.

How on earth were we meant to cope?

Fast forward a couple of months and it has reached the end of the year. Two semesters have passed, and the sun never looked brighter. The situation around the world is still a pressing issue but the initial turbulence of shock and panic has passed. And with every tumultuous period, there was an equally constructive period of learning and adapting to the changes. To reflect back on the time and some strategies that I was able to implement to make life just that little bit more tolerable and easier, I broke it down into three principles (an idea that I’ve started to implement into other aspects of my life).

The triple Cs.
Consistency: Constant repetition can easily lead to frustration and the never-ending cycle of ‘I can’t be bothered’. This is not practical for students and ensuring that I at least maintained increments of study and memorization everyday for different units was the way to keep on top of tasks – even if it was an hour a day. This meant not focussing on solely one unit for a streak of a few days and rather ‘spicing’ it up by managing time to ensure chunks of time were allocated to different units which ultimately had different forms of learning. Being able to consistently distinguish between when to relax and when to study and doing only that during that period allowed me to regulate productivity and not end a day and feel anxious about not getting any progress done.
Coordination: One of the greatest challenges when being at home in a virtual classroom was staying organized and knowing when to do what. When you are regularly meeting your fellow peers and having discussions in classes, the conversations around what’s due and what each task comprises of is easier and fluid. In an online sense, we lose that natural tendency to discuss impending assessments as we are overconsumed with other factors of procrastination that sit on our phones and devices. To counteract this, I ensured that I always had a diary and pen handy and consistently wrote down every assessment and date from university emails and lectures – whilst also looking back on it daily. Time flies and doing this helped to manoeuvre around the monotony of learning at home and created a routine of staying organized and not falling behind.
Courage: The reality is that university was one of the last things that I wanted to focus on when the world felt like it was imploding into angst and terror. Doing the smallest tasks such as pre-readings or waking up early for a lecture was a mental tussle. But alas, understanding that this situation will not last forever and that I will not allow my goals to be hindered by adversity was the driving force into completing necessary tasks each day. It is a mentality shift where I had to be kind to myself and reinforce the idea that the whole world is going through this phase and not just myself alone. Knowing that and understanding those words was important and one that I believe that we can all take into consideration as we navigate through our studies and for the years to come.

The years to come will remain uncertain as we progress through optometry but one principal takeaway that I have garnered through this year was that resilience is key. Being able to bounce back and realise that this is a collective struggle that we will eventually overcome is an idea that needs to be ingrained into our minds as students.

We have faced hurdles before and we will continue to face them but with the right prioritization and organization, it can be less stressful than we conjure it up to be in our heads.

Onwards and upwards!

Unconventional Optometrist - Tashy Sherpa

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 04:44:32 GMT

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Optometry.

I completed my Optometry degree from India in 2017. After the completion of my undergraduate degree I worked for a while in Nepal and I was also involved in the eye camps organised in Nepal by Eyes4Everest. I flew to Australia last year to study Master of Optometry at UNSW.

I come from a very small village in the mountain region of Nepal and the people there still do not have access to proper health services. This was the reason that I always wanted to contribute to the health sector there. Since there was not even a single optometrist in my hometown, I decided to study optometry so that I could provide eye care services for them.
Tell us about your typical day of studying and working.

Being an international student in Australia, it was a bit challenging for me to balance my work and study in the beginning. But time has taught me this and now I find it ok. I work 3 days a week and the rest of the time, I study.
What do you miss most about Nepal? What do you love most about Australia?

I miss my family. I have never been away from home for such a long time. When I was in India, I still used to visit them every 3-4 months. But after coming here it has nearly been two years since I last saw them. Though I often talk to them through video chat I still miss their presence.

I like everything about Australia. Everything is easily accessible and organised here which has made life easier. I also enjoy going to the beaches during my days off.
Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

Once I finish my degree here, I plan to go back to Nepal and start working there. My dream is to open a practice there. Starting from a small practice in my hometown, I want to expand it to other remote areas as well. I especially want to work in small villages where people are still unaware of the advancement of technology.

Working in a peaceful environment that is very far from the city of chaos is something that I am looking forward to.
What keeps you sane outside of your work life? Do you have any hobbies or passions you pursue?

When I am a bit stressed with work and study, I talk to my family and I like sharing everything with them. I consider this as my therapy.

When I was at school, I used to play basketball and I wanted to continue playing, but due to some circumstances, I stopped playing. At the moment, I have started being more conscious about my fitness and I have started learning boxing. I would not say it is my passion, but I enjoy boxing.
What advice would you give to other optometrists, who may be in a similar position to you or are striving to be in your position?

Well, I am not sure if I have still achieved that position where I can advise people. But from my experiences, I would say not to give up on your dreams. There might be some difficult times where you want to quit but in the end, they are just a part of the journey to your dream. Be positive and just keep doing what makes you happy.

Mask Associated Dry Eye (MADE)

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 03:31:09 GMT

It’s become a part of the uniform for many of us, and masks have become essential in combatting the spread of COVID-19, however, it has given rise to increased reports of associated dry eye.

This happens, especially if the mask is poor fitting, and exhaled air funnels upwards and across the surface of the eyes. In turn, this may accelerate tear film evaporation causing ocular surface irregularity and discomfort.

This problem can become exacerbated especially in mask wearers who have pre-existing dry eye, contact lens wearer and people who have to use a mask for an extended period of time, use in air-conditioned environments, use in front of screens (e.g. health care workers, food preparers etc.). In turn, they may find themselves touching their face and eyes all the time, possible with unwashed hands, which may increase their risks for an infection and spread of the virus.

Tips we can offer our patients include: ensuring the mask is well fitted, using lubricant drops and limit screen time and time in an air-conditioned environment. Although MADE can make us uncomfortable, don’t ditch the mask!

Moshirfar, M., West, W.B. & Marx, D.P. Face Mask-Associated Ocular Irritation and Dryness. Ophthalmol Ther 9, 397–400 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-020-00282-6

White, D.E. MADE: A new coronavirus-associated eye disease. Healio.com. June 22, 2020. Accessed Sept. 10,

Student's Corner: Jahin Tanvir

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 11:28:52 GMT

Student's Corner is a new space which is designed to introduce some of the amazing Optometry Students - delving deep into their likes, dislikes, struggles and current mood. Introducing Jahin Tanvir! Our first student feature from the University of Canberra.

Name: Jahin Tanvir

Student Year/Workplace: 2^nd year Optometry at the University of Canberra

Favourite Disease: Retinopathy of Prematurity

What about Optometry really grinds your gears? (if any!): That some people think that Optometrist just sell you glasses.

What drives your passion for Optometry? Being able to ensure an individual can relish the gift of sight. I don’t think anything beats you playing a role in someone being able to see better and experience the things they love with a clearer perspective.

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know? When they say, “uni is where you find yourself”. I had to be there first-hand to realise the gravitas of that phrase. Being in a school environment, you’re pretty much in a bubble and university really opens that up to so many opportunities.

Would you rather be indoors or outdoors? I used to think I was inclined more towards indoors but being at home so much this year has shown me how much I yearn to be outdoors. Outdoors guy for sure!

Something others may not know about you: Parallel to my academic inclinations in Optometry, I’m also a writer and it’s an area I want to pursue throughout my career. I want to promote the idea of ‘you are not limited by your degree’.

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood? Down by Jay Sean. Absolute classic!

Your Wellbeing - Blue Light Blocking Lenses

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 11:13:16 GMT

Blue Blocking Lenses

Blue Light and the Macula

Studies have shown that by reducing blue-light transmission through blue blocking lenses by 50%, approximately 80% of photochemical damage to the retina could be reduced.

However, it is important to remember that macula degeneration is a multi-factorial disease and there are other risk factors we could also recommend to our patients (e.g. diet, cease smoking, sunlight exposure)

Contrast and Asthenopia improvement

The rationale behind blue blocking lenses for screen use is the improvement in contrast, improve visual comfort and cut down internal reflections and back surface reflections from the lenses thereby reducing glare. Blue wavelengths are the shortest wavelengths within the visible light spectrum and therefore most likely to scatter.

We also don’t know how much blue light needs to be removed to reduce asthenopic symptoms. As of current, the majority of blue coatings reduce blue light by roughly 10-25%. Optometrists can consider recommending blue blocking lenses to patients who are under high exposure to blue light rays from artificial and natural light sources, for example office workers behind screens and under fluorescent lights.

Circadian Rhythm

The scattering effect can cause glare and reduce contrast. Also, blue light may interfere with the body’s circadian rhythm; therefore exposure in the evening may potentially interfere with sleep. However, more and more we are exposed to artificial lights at night e.g. smartphones and tablet use before bed; and this is especially when the circadian system is most sensitive to light-induced phase delays. Studies have shown this can interfere with sleep and physiological processes, causing subjects to sleep later, reducing evening sleepiness, reducing in alertness the next morning and reducing melatonin secretion.

Get patients to limit device use before bed. Turn on Bed Time Mode or Night Mode on their phone, which effectively diverts alerts, calls and messages to the next day so they are not tempted to check their phone during the night or after their prescribed bedtime.

Future Research

There is more research required, understanding that patients will need individualised solutions

As always, carry out a full visual and binocular examination, taking into consideration the tasks the patient will be requiring visual aids for

Tips

Advice beyond blue blocking lenses that you could also recommend to your patients:

Positioning of screens and ambient lighting
Recommend your patients utilise rest breaks with prolonged computer use
Good posture (feet flat, shoulders squared back)
Consider a diet rich in vitamins and minerals that may aid eye health (link post)
When using screens, turn the brightness to the lowest comfortable setting. Avoid using blue coloured backgrounds. Maintain an appropriate working distance from screens
Download applications which reduce the blue light emissions from the smartphone e.g. https://justgetflux.com/ or turn on Night Mode
- BenQ has developed a range of computer monitors which have inbuilt low blue light features
If your car has blue light headlights, replace these with regular headlights as reflections from these lights may be harmful or cause asthenopic symptoms to other road users.
Replace “daylight” or full-spectrum lights with warmer hues, such as red and yellow and avoid the cooler light hues.

References

Blue light-absorbing intraocular lens and retinal pigment epithelium protection in vitro. Sparrow JR, Miller AS, Zhou J J Cataract Refract Surg. 2004 Apr; 30(4):873-8.
www.cancercontrolsociety.com/bio2000/ott.html
www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Health_Letter/2012/May/blue-light-has-a-dark-side/
Points de vue, International Review of Ophthalmic Optics, Essilor Issue 68
http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vcu-tm/vircuh00039.xml
www.cclvi/org/contributions/effects1.htm
www.mivision.com.au/2017/07/see-the-light-the-powerof- premium-lenses
www.mivision.com.au/2018/07/crystal-clear-premiumlens- coatings

Clinical Pearls - Streff Syndrome

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 11:07:42 GMT

Have you ever had a young patient with reduced visual acuities at distance and near that could not be explained by refractive error? You suspect that they’re malingering or wanting to have glasses?

Have you heard of Streff Syndrome?

Streff Syndrome, also known as non-malingering syndrome, has been described as a functional vision problem. It often involves reduced or blurred distance and near vision, poor eye co-ordination and eye movement, a reduction in visual field and a reduction in focusing.

These symptoms are a result of anxiety or stress. Stress is a physical, mental or emotional reaction caused by a change that disturbs or interferes with the body’s normal equilibrium. It is often detected by teachers and parents due to a decline in academic performance, changes to attention and focus, or behavioural changes. Stress can impact visual health and function. Focusing can become difficult, and a tunnel vision effect can occur.

Streff Syndrome has more commonly been detected in females between 10-14 years of age. The condition is often self-limiting, but it is important to identify the stress causing the problem and taking the necessary steps to resolve it.

Clinical Pearls - Screen Time During Quarantine

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 03:54:16 GMT

Screen Time During Quarantine

It seems like over-night covid-19 hit and suddenly, we are stuck at home with nothing but our screens to entertain us. While for our inner introvert this may be the ultimate dream it also has its pitfalls. Our social lives, work lives and CPD events have all moved online. With increased time at home & our lives now virtual, our screens are the portals to the world. Even before corona virus, Australians on average spent over 10 hours a day on screens. Also, many of us use multiple devices at the same time e.g. looking at your phone while also watching TV. It is only natural that screen use will increase in the current situation.

While increased screen use will not damage your eyes, the increased demand on your eyes can have negative effects. Often the underlying cause is a borderline eye problem that has been exacerbated by the increased screen time. This is because the visual demands of computer work are unlike those associated with most other visual tasks. Most people will experience some form of Digital Eye Strain with sustained use of a digital device. It may present as eye strain, headaches/migraines, blurred vision, neck/back pain, dry eyes, and/or reduced concentration. You may also find it hard to switch off and have disrupted sleep.

The good news is that there are 10 easy things that you can do to limit the negative effects associated with screen use:

Up-to-date prescription: even small changes in prescription such as small amounts of undiagnosed & uncorrected hyperopia, astigmatism & binocular vision issues can cause computer vision problems. We should look after our own eyes the way we look after our patients and make sure that we get our eyes tested regularly.
Optimized computer eyewear: for the greatest comfort at your computer, you will likely benefit from having customized computer glasses. As optometrists we are up to date with the latest lens technology and should use this to our advantage.
Take mini breaks: this helps to reduce focusing fatigue and accommodative spasm. The 20/20/20 rule is an easy way to implement this; every 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20 second break and look 20 feet (6 meters) away.
Stay hydrated: make sure you are drinking water throughout the day to hydrate your body. Additionally, use lubricating eye drops to hydrate your eyes. Nutritional supplements such as omega 3 can also be beneficial in optimizing tear film quality.
Blink: do not forget to blink. It is well known that people blink less frequently while working on screens which can cause dry & irritated eyes.
Blue light protection: there is a link between eye strain & blue light emitted from digital devices. A blue light blocking coating can be applied to optical lenses &/or most devices have a built-in blue light filter than can be turned on.
Optimize your workspace: make sure that you have appropriate lighting, font size and minimal glare. To reduce neck & back strain have the correct desk & screen height. If using a hand-held device use the knuckles-to-nose rule to ensure you are not holding the device too close. Put your knuckles on your nose & your device should not be held any closer than your elbow.
Think outside the screen: go for a walk instead of watching TV, read an actual printed book, play a board game with your family, & remember that you do not always have to video call!!
Screen free sleep: make the hour before going to sleep screen free & do not check your phone if you wake up during the night.
Mental health check-in: with increased screen time, this usually translates to increased social media use. Be mindful of your mental health & take a break from social media if needed.

While we navigate our new lives in isolation, it is more important than ever to stay connected online with our families, friends, & work. However, we must balance this screen use & try to keep things in moderation by using the simple tips out-lined above.

A YO's Guide to Coping With COVID-19

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 01:09:11 GMT

Guest Author, Lisa Siqi Feng

Over the past months, we have been constantly bombarded with news of COVID-19 and its effects on the world around us as we knew it. Now, many of our colleagues are facing unprecedented difficult times. Thank you to Young Optometrist Lisa Feng for her efforts in writing the following article.

"If you had mentioned to me a few months ago about the coronavirus or COVID-19, I would have had very little idea of what it is and how it is going to affect me. Little did I know how rapidly it was all going to escalate and how much impact it was going to have on my personal and professional life as a young optometrist with a career that was just starting.

It is difficult to mentally process the rapid and drastic changes which have happened to our world and lives especially when it continues to change day by day. Being a primary care practitioner coming into close contact with the patient, many of us had to grapple with the fear for our own health and safety. Concerns over finances also arise as the stability of our jobs is threatened, many face a drastic reduction in business, loss of jobs, closed business or reduced hours for full/part-time positions. I have felt the feelings of fear, concern, frustration, helplessness and have even questioned my choice of becoming an optometrist. As I begin to navigate through these emotions and talk to my peers, I have come to realise that these feelings are valid and that there are things we can do to navigate through this unique time.

Have Hope
In the midst of anxiety and uncertainty, have hope and know that this will not be forever. The last pandemic of this scale was the H1N1 swine flu in 2009 but most of us were not working adults or even recall the impact it had on our lives. Now that the world and the government have finally started to take this more seriously and act, people have come together (or rather stayed apart), all with the same goal to overcome this virus and return to our normal lives. Things may need to slow down or pause for a while but know that this will not be forever.

Protect each other
If work has been put on hold, then you are in the best position to stay safe and protect yourself and each other. Although you cannot actively help your patients as optometrists now, self-isolating as much as possible is the best thing you can do to protect each other. If the decision is to continue operating, then consider yourself a soldier on the front line and be vigilant about protecting yourself and the patients. Implement changes to the practice to keep social distancing within the practice and develop strict cleaning regimes amongst all staff. Have regular discussions with the practice owner, staff as well as colleagues who continue to work. Membership organisations such as Optometry Australia and from the optometry board of corporate companies have been regularly providing members with updates and offering support and advice.

Seize Opportunity
Our personal and professional lives have all been reduced, restricted and paused in one way or another. While it is important to mourn over what has been lost, this can also be a good opportunity to reflect and reset. Catch up on that much-needed sleep, use the extra time to take care of your mind and body. Video call a friend and ask how they are doing. Now there is finally time for the conference notes that you’ve been meaning to revise and catch up on CPD points. Start that side hustle and pick up hobbies that you’ve been wanting to try but never had the time. We can focus on all the things that have been lost but we can also put the energy into becoming better for this is all over.

Know your options
Every workplace is unique, and it is crucial to explore options with employment for now and the future. The situation is changing daily so stay alert but not anxious and communicate regularly with employers, colleagues and membership organisations such as Optometry Australia for advice on changes in optometry regulations, employment options and financial support. While Young Optometrists NSW/ACT cannot provide legal advice, they can provide support and redirect you to someone who can.

I look forward to the day when this is all over so we can all return to work, fully appreciating all the things we took for granted before."

YOur Wellbeing - recipes for home isolation

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:01:31 GMT

Now we've all got (a lot) of time of our hands, if your Instagram is anything like mine it's been inundated with the tastiest images of everyone's home cooking adventures. Here's a few below that are focussed on nutrient dense foods, which are great for eye health!

But firstly, what micro-nutrients are important for eye health?

Vitamin C - an antioxidant that we are unable to make or store. Therefore it's important we eat foods with Vitamin C numerous times throughout the day. Foods high in Vitamin C: red and green peppers, oranges, grapefruit, kiwifruit. Did you know, if you are allergic to latex you are possible allergic to kiwi as well?
Lutein and Zeaxanthin - a dietary carotenoid that has antioxidant properties and is found in the macula and lens We are unable to make this and can only be absorbed through our diet. Foods high in lutein: Kale, spinach, collards (i.e. leafy green vegetables). Did you know you can eat wild dandelion greens? (Just make sure they're free of pesticides!)
Omega 3 fatty acids - Three main fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is through diet that we are able to practically increase these levels. Foods high in Omega 3: cold-water fish, flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, soybean oil, certain eggs and yoghurt. Did you know, because chickens are fed flaxseed in their feeds, their yolk contain DHA - so don't avoid the yolk!
Beta-carotene - an antioxidant essential for maintaining the health of our eyes, skin, mucous membranes and immune system. Foods high in beta-carotene: peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes. Did you know the carotene comes from the Lain word for carrot?
Others: Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium and others

Whilst there are many multi-vitamins on the market, it is best if you can absorb your nutrients through your diet! Eat your vegetables both raw and cooked, for example if you look at orange peppers, you can more readily absorb Vitamin C eating then raw, whilst more easily absorb Zeaxanthin eating them cooked.

SALMON POKE BOWL RECIPE

500g diced salmon
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
1/2 teaspoon garlic (minced)
3 green onions (chopped, thinnly)
Cooked rice (brown, sushi, white, whatever floats)
1 cup leafy greens
4 radishes (thinnly sliced)
1 avocado (cubed)
1 sweet potato (cooked, cubed)
2 carrots (grated)
Black sesame seeds

In a medium sized bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, ginger, garlic, and green onions. Stir well to combine. Add fresh, cubed salmon and marinate for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Arrange brown rice, leafy greens, radishes avocado, carrots and salmon on top. Sprinkle black sesame seeds for a bit of class.

Note: you can substitute the vegetables for others things in your fridge, try: peppers, collards, kale etc.

GREEN SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

1 ripe apple (peeled or chopped)
1 kiwi fruit
1 cup kale
1 carrot
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup cold water
6 ice cubes
1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds

1. Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend for about 30-60 seconds or until smooth. Enjoy!

Calories771
Fat52.54g
Saturated fat10.14g
Trans fat
Carbs24.33g
Fiber10.45g
Sugar7.19g
Protein53.1g
Cholesterol124.74mg
Sodium1950.2mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving(2 servings)Powered by

seedy pancakes

Ingredients:

3 cups oats
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoon chia seeds2 tablespoon flaxseed meal
¼ cup maple syrup
1 egg (50 g)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (5 g)
1 ½ cups milk (cows, almond, oat - any is fine)
Spray of cooking oil

Blend 2 cups of rolled oats until it becomes a flour (around 30 seconds).
To the oat flour, add in baking powder, baking soda, salt, chia seeds and flaxseeds. Pulse to combine.
Add in the remaining cup of rolled oats, maple syrup, egg, vanilla extract and milk and blend until well combined.
Heat the pan on medium, add a spray of cooking oil. Add 1/4 cup of batter and cook until the edges begin to set and you see bubbles in your pancakes. Flip and continue to cook on the second side 2–3 minutes more. Serve warm with a sprinkle of maple syrup and nuts!

If you try any of these recipes, make sure you tag us @yoptoms in your creations!

YOur Finances - tips to potentially save you some money

Sun, 05 Apr 2020 12:26:01 GMT

If you told me 3 months ago that I would be unemployed and had to move back in with my parents, I wouldn't have believed you. But hey, here we all are! Money's tighter, budgets are smaller but these are a few financial tips that could help;

Support for Businesses, Supporting the Flow of Credit, Supporting Individuals and Households, If you are an Optometry Australia member, they break it down very eloquently here. Otherwise reddit to the rescue!
Australian banks will defer loan repayments for six months, for small businesses impacted. Some banks will defer home loans too, and potentially r efund interest on deferred payments. Now's also a great time to review your current loan repayments, especially as there's been a drop in interest rates.
If you are renting, there has a 6 month moratorium on residential and commercial evictions, meaning you cannot be evicted if you are unable to pay rent due to COVID-19
If you are working from home (e.g. Vision Therapy via ZOOM), keep a log-book or diary to help you during tax time as there may be deductibles you are eligible for.
Look into relief from ATO obligations, you can contact ATO on their Emergency Support Infoline (1800 806 218).
Talk to your health insurance provider, as major providers are suspending the April price hikes, and some allowing a suspension of payments
Were you meant to go on a holiday but had to cancel? Now's the time to follow up on those refunds for flights and holidays. Read more here.
Did you have to cancel an event, like a wedding? Speak to the vendor and suppliers, most have been very understanding!
Here's a grey one, certain phone companies are offering post paid waived fees for a number of months for AHPRA-registered health practitioners.

Disclaimer: We strongly advise you to speak to your banks, lenders, legal advisor and/or accountant. This information is not to be interpreted as constituting professional advice and YO are not liable for any income loss taken from above advice.

Unconventional Optometrist - Kevin La (Food Blogger and World Traveller)

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 21:39:29 GMT

Our 'Unconventional Optometrist' column is where we chat to optometrists who are a bit out of the ordinary! Do you know anyone who we should feature? Let us know!

Introducing Kevin La, a young optometrist who has followed his passion of introducing delicious foods from around the world and now runs a succcessful Instagram page. Read on to find out more about him.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi, I'm Kev! I'm an optometrist in my second year out, working in the Greater South West of Sydney. In my time off, I search for places to eat really good and authentic foods from cuisines around the world and write about them.

Where can we follow you?

Find me at @sydneyfoodboy on instagram!

How did you get into what you’re doing in your time outside optometry?

Well, I love to travel. It gives me so much joy to hop off a plane somewhere to immerse yourself in a rich culture with a completely different way of life. And one of the things I definitely look forward to most is trying all of the amazing food that each new place has to offer!

I think we can all agree that working everyday is a little less exciting than that. On my last trip out, I wondered - how can I make everyday feel like a holiday?

We’re lucky enough to live in Sydney, one of the cultural capitals of the world. So many people from all walks of life have come together to call one place home, meaning there is a world of different flavours waiting to be tried around Sydney. So that’s when I started on my quest and started writing about it!

Tell us about one of your most memorable food experiences

I was walking down the quiet-end of Liverpool and noticed a small, bustling eatery. People were coming and going with huge bags of takeaway containers to feed their families. With Lebanese cuisine being one of my favourites, I was so intrigued. I had to sit down for a meal.

The hummus and falafel I tried there turned out to be amazing - some of the best I’ve eaten. Turns out that the restaurant was family-run and has been well-known in Liverpool’s Lebanese community for years. I read somewhere that the falafel recipe has been passed down a few generations too. We’re definitely lucky to be able to have that and many other food experience at our doorsteps!

Do you find it easy to juggle your optometry career and your other passions?

I find that searching for and writing about good food doesn’t take much effort from me! Before I started the IG page, you'd find me chatting away about food to my friends in my spare time anyway… or even to patients in the consult room ha! Food is a love shared by many and you can really talk to anyone for ages about the great food they’ve eaten. Because of this, it was a hobby that I easily translated into a passion project outside of work.

Does time away from optometry help you appreciate it more?

I would say so. I love being an optometrist. We help people to see again, and we improve people’s lives because of it! Even if you don’t see it, you’re making a very positive impact on the world as an optom.

I’ve seen a few of my peers become burned out from their jobs though. It’s understandable. It can get stressful, especially if you work in a practice with a high volume of patients. Being a guy that finds it really hard to stand still, I definitely didn’t want to go through that. Starting @sydneyfoodboy allowed me to pursue another love of mine and I would say I’ve enjoyed life more, both within and outside of work, since.

Do you have any advice for young optometrists out there who would like to pursue their passion but haven’t quite gotten started?

You’ve just gotta do it! If you have something that you’ve wanted to pursue in the back of your mind, you should get out there and turn that thought into action! You won’t know if you’ll be successful or not until you try. You only have one life, so you have to make sure that you do everything in your power to enjoy every single day of it.

Student's Corner - Introducing... Ivy Kol (not-so-student-anymore!)

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 10:29:55 GMT

Student's Corner is a new space which is designed to introduce some of the amazing Optometry Students - delving deep into their likes, dislikes, struggles and current mood. And although we've called it Student's Corner, our first guest not-so-student anymore. Keep scrolling to read more about 2019 UNSW Optometry Society President: Ivy Kol.

What is your favourite Disease?

Microbial keratitis - it's the first red eye I ever saw!

What about Optometry really grinds your gears?

When a patient is non-compliant with your treatment and then returns for the review complaining about the same issue.

What drives your passion for Optometry?

I really enjoy solving a person’s problem and seeing the positive impact on their life. It gives me a lot of personal satisfaction and is what keeps me motivated!

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know?

The structure at the top of the main walkway (where Scientia is) is designed to look like an open book

Would you rather do 100 body-weight squats or walk to and back from Village Green to Sir John Clancy?

Walk to and back from Village Green to Sir John Clancy - so I can get a Stockmarket salad too

Something others may not know about you?

I studied Exercise Physiology for a year before transferring into Optometry

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood?

Sunflower by Post Malone

Clinical Pearls - Topography Map Refresher

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 10:09:44 GMT

In Orthokeratology, Axial, Tangential, Refractive and Elevation plots have different roles

Axial: better to assessing treatment zone size and refraction change achieved
Tangential: better for assessing centration and to assess seal of lenses overnight. It also assesses the position of the lens on the closed eye environment, for example the patient had a corneal scar, this plot may be ideal as it draws data at a 90 degree tangent to the surface. The tangenital map also helps us assess the effect of corneal reshaping.
Refractive Power: better for assessing treatment zone size and quality of vision. Note: the more consistent or uniform the power, the better the quality of vision. This is not used independently, as it does not give us information on curvature or size and shape of the corneal surface.
Elevation: height of the corneal surface compared to "best fit sphere" (in microns). Corneal elevation above the reference sphere is denoted in positive microns and is red, whereas blue shading denotes the corneal surface is below the reference sphere and is measured in negative microns. This may be helpful in predicting areas of excessive bearing (red or positive microns) or pooling (blue or negative microns).

We need accurate topography maps to predict corneal sag for an accurate lens fitting. Maps should be taken before and after lens wear so we can compared the changes, and use the subtractive function/compare function on the topographer to view this.

Displays

Single View: This shows a single exam for the selected patient, a good tool for baseline screenings
Difference/Subtractive/Compare Display: This shows the difference between two exams, for the same eye. It subtracts each measured point from one map to another. Flatter areas are displayed in cooler colours e.g. blues, and areas of steepening are displayed in warmer colours e.g. reds.

For example:

Tangential Subtractive Plot:
- A big red ring appears here unlike in axial. This will tell you if the lens is sealing off at 360˚. Make sure that the ring lines over the pupil properly.

Axial Subtractive Plot
- Look at the blue zone to assess size of treatment zone, whether it covers all the pupil and what the refraction change is

Potential Fitting Outcomes

• Bulls Eye result:

When the sag of the cornea is predicted correctly by the topographer and the sag of the lens matches appropriately

• Smiley Face

When the sag of the cornea is UNDERESTIMATED by the topographer and the sag of the lens is too shallow for the cornea, so that it touches centrally and then rides high on the eye overnight.

• Central Island

When the sag of the cornea is OVERESTIMATED by the topographer and the sag of the lens is too deep for the cornea, so that instead of flattening the cornea centrally, it actually steepens it.

• Frowny face

When the alignment curves on the edge of the lens are too TIGHT and the lens drops LOW in the closed eye environment (the sag does not matter in this case).

Unconventional Optometrists - Martin Diep

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:41:08 GMT

Introducing Martin Diep (MOptom BOptom BSc FACBO) from See Optometry, Victor Harbor SA. He has a special interest in Behavioural Optometry and is doing some amazing things in the world of Vision Therapy and Binocular Vision. Read ahead to find out more!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Behavioural Optometry

Born and raised in Sydney, I studied Optometry at UNSW and graduated in 2014. My first gig was in regional South Australia in Port Augusta, a small town of 14,000 people 300km north of Adelaide, where I worked for 4 years before moving to my current practice in Victor Harbor, 80km south of Adelaide. It only took me a few months after graduating when I realised that my undergraduate degree only taught me the bare basics needed to survive the world of optometry, and I needed to upskill myself to actually know what I was doing, especially with patients with visual symptoms but no clinically significant visual findings. Hence I started my journey into the world of behavioural optometry; getting my Masters degree through UNSW in 2017 and my Fellowship with the Australiasian College of Behavioural Optometry (ACBO) in 2019.

-Tell us about your typical day or week at work

Optometry in my practice probably looks a bit different from a regular city optometry practice. On top of all the regular optometric clients, I also do a fair few paediatric consultations that have been referred by other optometrists and educators for learning related vision problems. These include a full binocular vision check as well as a developmental information visual processing check where I investigate problems with reading eye movements, visual spatial dysfunction, issues with visual analysis and visual memory, as well as visual-motor and visual-auditory integration skills. Throughout my week, I also do in-office vision therapy with my clients for a wide range of visual dysfunctions, from convergence insufficiency, to learning related visual dysfunctions and post traumatic vision syndrome following concussions and strokes.

How did you get into this unique area of optometry?

It took me about three months after graduating when I realised that there were a lot of patients where I could not explain the symptoms they were getting from the tests that I got taught at university and so I started trying to find some answers. I knew there was a gap in my knowledge (which were not a result of falling asleep in many lectures at uni!) I discovered that ACBO offered many postgraduate courses that covered the topics that I was least confident about and decided to go to the Art & Science course offered by the Optometric Extension Program. That was when my I realised that there was SO much that optometrists could offer clients that was not even mentioned during undergraduate study! As I learnt, I discovered how optometry is really the only profession that has the functional vision science knowledge to provide services for vision development, enhancement and rehabilitation and this opened up my world to the optometric management of developmental delays, autism, brain injury, sports vision and other visual issues that conventional optometry has no way of treating.

How do you keep up with the optometry world?

Postgraduate courses are the crux of my professional development. I go to more postgraduate courses than that needed to meet my minimum CPD requirements; at one stage I racked up 350-odd CPD points in one registration period! Keeping up with colleagues in the industry is also a great way of keeping in touch with what is happening in optics and it gives me great ideas on how to implement changes to my practice to enhance the patient experience.

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

In Australia, the delivery of vision services to brain injury clients is abysmal. Even a basic visual acuity check, refraction and gross assessment of binocular vision is severely under-valued in hospitals and rehabilitation centres around the country. It is one of my goals to increase general awareness of the huge impact brain injury can have on the visual system and that optometrists can fix a lot of these problems with a simple pair of glasses.

I would also love the general optometric community to begin to understand that the unique tools that we have access to - lenses, prisms, tints, filters - can be used in more than one way. I want to encourage other optometrists to think outside the box; think about the person as a whole and how can you use what you have in front of you to change their lives for the better? For example, using based down yoked prisms in a CNIV paresis to eliminate diplopia on downgaze when reading. Sometimes the solution is easier than you think!

What keeps you sane outside of your work life? Do you have any hobbies or passions you pursue?

My hobbies are what keep me sane enough to to work in a high pressure environment with clients with complex needs. I work out regularly, 5 days a week at the gym and run a few times a week. I would like to think this is to keep fit, but in reality it’s to offset my love of baking for friends and family (and myself)!

What advice would you give to other optometrists who also wish to pursue this area of practice?

To be successful in behavioural optometry, you must approach it with an open mind, and be ready to learn and learn and learn. Once you start, you only then begin to realise how much you don’t know about the very job you’ve been trained to do and have been doing for the last however many years. ACBO is the best resource for optometrists looking to further their knowledge on binocular vision, learning related vision problems, and higher level topics like brain injury and sports vision. They have material of all levels that can meet your needs regardless of how in-depth your knowledge is in the area. Colleagues that have been practicing behavioural optometry for decades still benefit hugely from the ongoing CPD they provide.

It's easy to get stuck in the bubble of Optometry. What's something that you wish people knew about behavioural optometry?

Optometry is not just about subjective distance refraction and eye health. Don’t get me wrong; they are hugely important and they are the basic things all optometrists must test, but there is a whole other level of fundamental visual functions that a lot of optometrists do not even consider. For example, when was the last time you thought about fixation, let alone test for it? How do you even test for it? When you really think about it, what are the basic visual skills a person must have to even read your logMAR visual acuity chart? A few come to mind with examples:

● Accurate fixation and saccadic movements - to even know where to look let alone read across the line without skipping letters or confusing lines

● Accommodation - think of the psuedomyope with poor control of accommodation in the distance

● Vergence control - divergence excess strabismus have poor vergence control in the distance

● Visual spatial skills - how do you distinguish between an S and Z when they are fundamentally the same squiggle, just mirrored?

● Visual discrimination - how do you differentiate between a Y and V when one just looks like a longer version of the other?

● Visual figure-ground & central-peripheral control - How do non-amblyopes isolate the letter they are fixating on without getting distracted by all the other letters around them?

● A proper understanding between spatial concepts like text with temporal concepts like speech - How do they know that the visual representation of “A” is the same concept as the sound it makes?

How do you think a child with these vision problems would do at school with reading comprehension and spelling? They may see 6/6 and refract plano but there is so much more at play here and you as the optometrist can be the one who changes their lives.

Gifts from patients, is it okay to accept these?

Sat, 30 Nov 2019 05:58:12 GMT

It's almost the best time of the year... Christmas! It's not unusual for patients to bring in gifts, such as chocolates, or a bottle of wine. But, can we accept these gifts? Where do we draw the line?

Consider the following scenarios:*

Margaret is a long-term patient of yours that you see monthly for epilations. Just prior to Christmas she gives you a large box of chocolates and a card thanking you and the staff for your care.
Ben is a new patient of yours and he comes in on a Thursday night with a very expensive bottle of wine and two Gold Class Event tickets, to thank you for the detailed eye assessment.
John was a long term patient of yours and you were co-managing his glaucoma. Sadly he passed away, and his wife comes in and gives you $2000 in cash as a token of her gratitude.

Most gifts are innocent gestures of goodwill, and patients don't give these expecting preferential treatment or something in return. However, beware the patients who may have other motives - some may think their gift entitles them to additional services, you squeezing them in during your lunch break or bending the rules just for them. If you accept their gift, you might find it difficult to refuse their demands and requests. If you reject a gift, remain tactful as otherwise the patient may interpret this wrongly and be hurt by the gesture. You could explain the rejection in terms of a general policy and/or ethical obligation, for example "I really appreciate the gesture, however our office policy doesn't allow me to accept such a gift.“

Realistically accepting small gifts is reasonable, however monetary, large gifts or personal items might be considered unethical. Of note, the Medical Board in Good Medical Practice: A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia writes:

Doctors must be honest and transparent in financial arrangements with patients. Good medical practice involves… not encouraging patients to give, lend or bequeath money or gifts that will benefit you directly or indirectly.

So what happened in the scenarios?

You thanked Margaret for the chocolates and shared them with the office.
You thanked Ben for the gesture, however politely declined this. You felt uncomfortable with the gesture and after discussing this with another optometrist at the practice, they offered to take over the care for Ben.
You told John's wife you were sorry for her loss, but could not accept the monetary gift. She decided to donate the $2000 to Glaucoma Australia instead.

Here's a great article from MDA National if you want to read more.

YOur Wellbeing - Sorry… it’s me not you!

Sat, 23 Nov 2019 07:43:41 GMT

What to say to your boss when you’re planning on quitting

Firstly consider, do you actually WANT to quit? We all have those bad days at work that make us want to quit, but are you simply acting on anger? Can you discuss the situation with your boss? Have you tried discussing this many times before, and it’s obviously a dead road? Is there anyone else you can talk to in the company who may offer you insight? If you think it’s all a matter of miscommunication and can be salvaged, maybe reconsider quitting.

However, if you’re ready for new adventures and are sure about quitting, what do you do?

How do you deliver the news?

Focus on the positives and what the job has taught you. Let your boss know how appreciative you are for the opportunity, but you are ready to move on. It may not be worthwhile bringing up petty disagreements you may have had.

Giving notice

Read over your contract, most organisations require 2-4 weeks’ notice of leave. Give notice in the form of a resignation letter, emphasizing on the positives and how you have benefitted from your time there and offer to help during the transition. Make sure you detail your end date with them.

Restraint of Trade

Read over your contract, do you have a km radius restraint, and if so for how long?

Do you have a job lined up?

Whilst Optometry is thankfully very flexible, consider having a job lined up. Will you take a break and or holiday in between the jobs? If you are unsure about your next workplace, consider sitting in for a few days first to see if you are the right fit for the practice.

Ask your boss for a reference

It’s wise not to burn bridges before you leave! Ask your boss for a written reference, especially as time moves on it, it may be difficult to get a hold of these references, especially if you need these quickly.

Return Company Property

Return any company property, such as company keys, uniform, intellectual property, company equipment, or car (if you were lucky enough to have one!). Do not take any patient information, although this should not leave the practice in the first place.

Telling patients you’re leaving

Over the years you may have built a very strong bond with your patients. It would be respectful to tell them you are moving on and another optometrist will take over your care. If you are certain patients, such as vision therapy cases, which require your care – consider finishing off their therapy or referring them on so they are able to receive best care.

Unconventional Optometrist - Sarah Pham (Event Planning and Volleyball)

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 10:33:12 GMT

Our 'Unconventional Optometrist' column is where we chat to optometrists who are a bit out of the ordinary! Do you know anyone who we should feature? Let us know!

Here's this month's Unconventional Optometrist. Sarah Pham is an optometrist who works in metro Sydney and has pursued a side career in Events Planning. Read on for her thoughts on how to keep interested in Optometry and how to follow your passions.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Sarah Le Pham, 2016 UNSW School of Optometry graduate. I predominantly work a mixture of corporate, mobile and independent practices based in Sydney metro.

Since graduation, I’ve been actively involved with the excellent and devoted Young Optometrists (YO) as an executive for 2 years prior to help bridge the gap between the generations of optometrists which has been very rewarding.

At the same time, I’ve looked into various specialties and discovered that all of them were interesting in their own right. OrthoK and myopia control particularly tickled my fancy! I’ve tried to go further and look at different demographics as the care and management require different finesse.

In terms of who I am, words that are commonly used to describe me are compassionate, curious and enthusiastic. I’m constantly on a journey to try different things and have the most fulfilling experiences in life!

Tell us about your typical week at work

Every week has been very different hence there’s no such thing as a typical week for me. This is quite refreshing for me personally however I do understand it may not work for everyone!

In my circumstance, my work is deliberately irregular to give myself an opportunity to explore my other interests (more below).

How do you keep up with the optometry world?

The advantage of optometry being a niche community is that it is not too difficult to keep up. There are CPD events, articles published online and groups (YO, OA etc) that promote discussion.

Being the nerds we all are, even just a regular catch up with the friends you’ve made during university (who have now become your colleagues), talk about developments in optometry come up!

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

Optometry is constantly changing and consequently, I want to constantly focus on improving my skills and overall care for my patients. My goal is to be a better optometrist than yesterday!

What keeps you sane outside of your work life? Do you have any hobbies or passions you pursue?

Keeping up with my attitude to trying different experiences, I’ve actually looked into various jobs and hobbies outside optometry. As much as I like optometry, I would not stay sane if every breathing second was about optometry!

I’ve pursued a side career in Event planning. Nothing as extravagant as weddings, but I’ve delved into parties and smaller scale events! (Birthdays, hen’s night etc). This is ongoing as there are always projects for me to get in touch with my artsy and creative side where the precise and logical optometry career path may not allow!

For a busy practice, one might find that they spend the entire day sitting in the consultation room (can’t be helped!) but it does not contribute to us achieving our active needs. Hence, I’ve involved myself in playing a team sport (Volleyball) in my free time which has evolved into a passion allowing me to eventually be appointed Captain of the newest and developing rep team.

What advice would you give to other optometrists who also wish to pursue something a little out of the ordinary?

You’ll never really know if you like something or not unless you put yourself out there and try it!

It's easy to get stuck in the bubble of Optometry. What's something that you wish people knew about the industry you work in now?

Yes, it is important to grow as a practitioner and deliver your best care but I personally think it’s equally important to mix things up so that you don’t get burnt out!

As rewarding as Optometry is, I find that there are some aspects that the career simply cannot offer. To really pursue a fulfilling and balanced lifestyle, it’s a good idea to look into things outside of Optometry.

Real Talk❗ - Handling Prescriptions from other Practices

Sun, 15 Sep 2019 12:16:44 GMT

Author: Austin Tang

Mr. Smith who you remember just purchased his $1000 multifocals just a couple of weeks ago comes in and tells you that he just can’t see well out of his right eye… that things just aren’t as crisp and that something’s just not right but he can’t pinpoint it. You vert the glasses and the cyl in each eye has been made correct to the nearest degree: Rx: +1.00/-0.75x66 with a +2.25 Add. Then you go to check the heights and PDs and nothing’s out of line.

Then you remember you actually never saw him; he had brought in his prescription from down the road. You have a closer look at the prescription and its from 6 months ago. Mr Smith says he could see even better out of his previous glasses, so you take those and vert them and see if there’s any difference. The vert reads +1.00/-0.75x 166with an add of +2.25. Axis 166?!

Patients have the right to have their prescriptions dispensed wherever they choose, whether that is where they’ve just had their eyes tested by yourself or whether it’s elsewhere. However, it is often more difficult to resolve any spectacle related problems when prescribing and dispensing are separated. In the case of yourself and Mr Smith, you’ve figured that there well and truly could have been a typo in that outside prescription, but the lenses that you’ve ordered have been made to the prescription that has been presented to you by his optometrist. Or it could have been that his prescription could have changed since his last refraction? You do a quick refraction to get more information and you get +1.00/-0.75x170 and your thoughts on a possible typo heighten.

There are many factors at play in this situation. There can be both prescription and dispensing errors. Difficulties can become more apparent in cases of complicated prescriptions such as those involving high prescriptions, high degrees of astigmatism, prismatic correction, anisometropia and paediatric dispensing. Even aspects such as frame and lens selection could play a large part in a patient’s visual experience.

So who’s responsible in this situation? It can be a grey area. One could argue that the given script was incorrect and it should be the prescriber at fault, since the glasses were made exact to that prescription. However, the prescriber could also argue that they do not take liability of the prescription if it is dispensed elsewhere.

Some strategies to overcome these situations including educating the patient on the potential difficulties of separate prescribing and dispensing, particularly if they have a complicated prescription or lens form. It can also be suitable to include a disclaimer when releasing prescriptions that states that there is no liability taken on the prescription if taken elsewhere. A refraction check could also be carried out prior to dispensing if the prescription is not recent or if the patient feels that there has been a visual change since the last prescription. Simple steps such as trial framing an outside prescription could also help with reducing such situations.

Clinical Pearl of the Month - Quick Refresher on Pesky Pupil Conditions

Sun, 15 Sep 2019 10:24:00 GMT

Author: Linda Lam

25% of the population manifests anisocoria as a normal, routine examination finding. The hallmark sign in lesions of the pupillary efferent pathways is anisocoria.

Changing consulting room illumination helps to differentiate between physiological and pathological cases.

Always test both light and near reflexes and test for a relative afferent pupil defect (RAPD). If an RAPD is present it indicates a problem with the optic nerve.

A quick refresher on some differentials to consider when it comes to pupil reaction:

Adie’s tonic pupil: post-ganglionic interruption to parasympathetic input to the sphincter pupillae and the ciliary muscle resulting in an internal ophthalmoplegia. Typically in young adult females. Supersensitive to weak pilocarpine (0.1%). No ptosis or motility detected.

Horner’s Syndrome: due to a compromise of the sympathetic pathway from the brainstem to the eye. It may be described as pre-ganglionic or post-ganglionic depending on whether the causative lesion is situated prior to or beyond the superior cervical ganglion. The affected pupil is smaller with ipsilateral ptosis. If heterochromia is observed it suggests a congential lesion. Reaction to light is normal. Pharmocological evaluation is performed with apraclonidine 0.5% or 1% phenylephrine.

3^rd nerve palsy: The patient can present with ptosis, eye diverged, no accommodation, pupil dilated and fixed. If acute suspect an aneurysm if the pupil is dilated, ischemia if the pupil is spared. This is a medical emergency and the patient requires immediate imaging

Pupils are quick and easy to assess and should be done routinely. A thorough case history is also vital in determining acute or chronic cases, especially if the patient has had head trauma in the past.

Introducing Subcommittee Member, Lucia Wang

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 03:34:11 GMT

Join us in welcoming Lucia to the Young Optometrists NSW/ACT Subcommittee! Lucia graduated from UNSW in 2012 and has experience in both regional and metropolitan practices. Keep an eye out for her.

Read on for our Q&A with Lucia.

Tell us a little about yourself?

I graduated from UNSW in 2012 and since then I’ve worked in both regional and metropolitan practices, as well as a short stint in London, taking advantage of the Youth Mobility Scheme to work and travel around Europe. I’m currently working part time in Western Sydney due to recently starting a family and deciding to undertake further studies in optometry.

How did you end up in optometry as a career?

Optometry appealed to me because it is a stable and fulfilling job, which allows me to help people by resolving their visual concerns and also work with other healthcare professionals. I’m now also beginning to appreciate the flexibility, good work-life balance and various opportunities in career development.

What are you most passionate about outside of optometry?

I enjoy running as it really helps to clear my mind and relieve stress. I also like it for the way it challenges my mental toughness as ultimately, I choose when to stop. I love watching sports, especially basketball; and spending time outdoors, exploring new places.

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?

I’ve really enjoyed reading the YO blog posts (Unconventional Optometrist and Real Talk) and have found them to be very informative and relevant. I was then compelled to join YO and assist in furthering the goals of facilitating career development and networking opportunities for young optometrists.

How would you spend your free time?

I’ve started to read a lot more this year, trying to maximize the little “me time” I have outside of looking after a toddler. I also enjoy journaling, travelling and playing board games with my friends.

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Being able to speak the language of whichever country I find myself in.

Unconventional Optometrist - Sujan Hong (Restauranteur and Professional Affairs Manager)

Sat, 27 Jul 2019 13:21:32 GMT

Our 'Unconventional Optometrist' column is where we chat to optometrists who are a bit out of the ordinary! Do you know anyone who we should feature? Let us know!

My name is Sujan Hong and I am a Korean-Kiwi-American... and soon to become an Australian. I have identity crisis when I have to cheer for sports teams... haha.

What can I tell you about myself?

1. I have 6/6 vision and hadn’t been to an optometrist before studying optometry at university.

2. The primary reason for choosing optometry was because I wanted a respectable degree as a back-up to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life.

3. I graduated with a BOptom, University of Auckland and practised in Auckland, New Zealand as an optometrist for a few years before leaving.

4. Music has always been a big part of my life! I never considered music as a career, but I was fortunate enough to have met a very inspiring music teacher during my high school years who helped me to discover my talent and “almost inspired” me to take up music professionally.

5. I have ABRSM, Royal School of Music for Piano Performance and AmusTCL, Trinity College London for Music Theory. Teaching music could also be a backup career if I really want a career change (!) - although I feel a bit rusty now. I also played timpani with various youth and community orchestra.

6. After optometry, I wanted to travel the world and decided to study Computer Programming. I hated Programming, but landed an amazing opportunity to work as a project manager for a software company.

7. Working in a start-up environment was great experience - it means you have to be really flexible and willing to learn something new - all the time.

8. I briefly worked for a Product Development and Design team with Benefit Cosmetics in San Francisco.

9. I was involved with multiple non-profit organisations in San Francisco and also had my own personal social organisations with over 2000 members (between the two groups)

10. I had a brief appearance in The Five-Year Engagement starring Jason Segel, and played “That Korean Girlfriend”.

11. I worked as a relief optometrist around NSW with OPSM for a few years.

12. I currently work as Professional Affairs associate with Alcon. I am loving every minute of my job! Please note that the roles of Professional Affairs and Business Development Manager (AKA BDM or rep) are different, and shouldn’t be confused.

13. I don’t really think I knew such a role (Professional Affairs) existed before joining Alcon – so now I make a point of letting optoms know the roles that we each play in helping you grow as an optometrist and as a business.

How did you become involved in helping in a restaurant? How long have you been at it for? Where can we visit your restaurant?

I am a big foodie. I have eaten at many different places around the world and in my hometown, and I also enjoy cooking (I probably have every imaginable kitchen gadget in my kitchen except for Sous-vide which is next on my list).

I have always been interested in learning something new and helping others, and I ended up helping some friends set up their new restaurant business. The restaurant, Yuzu Dining is located in North Strathfield, which is about 30 mins drive from Sydney CBD.

Tell us about your typical day/week at work

What I love about my job is that there is no typical day / week at work. Even when I was working as a relief optometrist for OPSM in NSW, there was no typical day and week - as I was in a different practice working with different people every day / week.

Currently, my week may look like:

Monday: Presenting - Deliver an educational talk to optometrists about how to manage dry eye patients with Alcon’s range of products.

Tuesday:University - Teaching final year students how to fit multifocal contact lenses easily and successfully.

Wednesday: In office prepping follow-up for Monday’s presentation and university teaching session; respond to key questions from client groups and return emails to stakeholders. Set up key meetings for next week and identify what resources are needed. Book flight to next month’s Optometry conference.

Thursday: Liaise with major conference (on Friday) and finalise Agenda and key speaking points. Send through PPT presentation slides and add in 30 sec video to support presentation. Confirm travel and accommodation for next month’s educational roadshow.

Friday: Major Optometric Conference – Introduce a speaker to educate the attendees on how Alcon’s technologies can be used in everyday optometric practice.

The highlight of my role so far is probably attending the 2019 Asia Pacific Optometric Congress in Manila last month. Seeing the scope of optometry in the APAC region was phenomenal, and optometrists in Australia and New Zealand are so fortunate to be able to practice with such a big scope.

How did you get into this unique area of optometry?

LinkedIn! I was contacted by a recruiter and after several rounds of interviews, got into the business. I wasn’t actively looking for a new opportunity, but sometimes they come knocking at your door. I feel so proud to be working for a company with integrity and huge focus on R&D and feel fortunate to work with so many other smart people and learning something new all the time.

How do you keep up with the optometry world?

Through YOU! I get to meet a lot of optometrists as part of my job. Whilst I may be the one training optometrists, I also learn a lot from the way you all practice. I love being able to share what I learn from different optometrists – such as tips and tricks of the trade – and bringing these back to you so that you can all be the best at what you do. This cycle of listening, participating and sharing back is how I can give back to our society – practising optometry vicariously through you!

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

In the past, I was fulfilled through providing the best clinical advice and service to each individual patient that I saw. Since working in my new role with Alcon, I’ve realised that I could have been even better as an optometrist had I known even half the things I have learnt since joining the company. Because of this, I’m always eager to share as much as I can with every optometrist I meet and in the future, I’d like to bring together optometrists so we can work together to make the industry stronger. I also wish I could incorporate the scope of optometry in the Asia Pacific region and create stronger alignments with what we do in Australia and New Zealand somehow. Australian optometrists are very fortunate to have Optometry Australia working continuously to keep our industry strong. Some optometrists choose not to become OA members because of cost involved (myself included!) but Tim Grant, who is the Head of Asia Professional Affairs for Alcon and is also like a godfather figure when it comes to silicone hydrogel contact lenses (he was part of the team that launched first ever silicone hydrogel contact lenses in the WORLD with CIBA vision) said something very poignant. He said “We pay forward with our fees to OA. The fees paid by previous members are why we are in a strong clinical position, same for us to pay forward for future development even if we do not receive the benefit.” I couldn’t agree more and was again grateful to work with and to learn from a great leader in the industry. (and I will be joining OA for this reason!)

What keeps you sane outside of your work life? Do you have any hobbies or passions you pursue?

I love to eat! But in order to eat, I have to exercise! One thing I miss due to my travel and work is being able to do a daily workout. I used to cover K-Pop and upload to my personal YouTube channel. I also used to transcribe music for subscribers, so they could play what I play by ear but I don’t really have time to listen to or play piano either. If I had the time, I would love to learn the guitar and the violin (since they are both more portable than a piano!). If I had more time, I would brush up on languages learnt and learn a new language – if I can speak Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and French enough to have a conversation - I would be happy! Other than that, I love all living things and enjoy planting and seeing my compost worms eat and reproduce.

It's easy to get stuck in the bubble of Optometry. What's something that you wish optometrists knew about other industries?

I think for most people, once they get into a certain industry, they stay in it for the long haul for various reasons. Sometimes you may want a career change, but the industry may not be willing to take on someone mature even if you are willing to start from an entry level position. Alternately, it may be hard to let go of what you already have and to start afresh.

I think being a specialist in one industry has its merits - but I think it’s important to know whether you want to be a specialist in that one industry. You may not know until you have had exposure to a wide variety of industries whether your passion lies in that industry, or if in fact you want to be elsewhere. When I started out, I never had the mindset of being in optometry for the long haul, so that’s maybe why I ended up exploring other options.

Following the various experiences I have had and growth in understanding of myself, I’ve identified that my core professional motivation was to work in an industry where I can make a genuine difference in the quality of life of people. To me, this narrowed my focus to the healthcare industry, but I don’t think I would have come to that conclusion if I had stayed in Optometry for 10 years.

From my perspective, if you want to explore other options, put 200% into whatever industry you settle on, and give yourself a decent time period to get invested and explore where you and the industry fit before evaluating whether to stay or go – I recommend this as what you experience and learn within 3 months is very different to what you’re capable of learning over 3 years.

What advice would you give to other optometrists who also wish to pursue this type of optometry?

I think being an optometrist is a wonderful and rewarding career even though it can be disheartening for some with the current direction of the industry. If we continue to provide our patients with what we have signed up for when we started our degrees – that is, providing primary eye care and making a difference in the quality of our patients’ lives with passion and empathy – then we’ll have the impact we seek. I hope over time people will appreciate and see the important role that optometrists play in this society.

Having optometry background also doesn’t limit you to consult rooms either. There are professional affairs / services roles with various optical and medical device companies where your role is to educate other eye care professionals on how to most effectively use their products to provide best eye care. You can also head non-profit organisations such as Eyes4Everest or Glaucoma Australia to provide eye care for people with limited access to such services; and to raise awareness about certain medical conditions that maybe affecting the eye.

Or maybe you can simply go into a totally different industry! What you learn at university is only a foundation for what you need in your life. I think what you truly learn at university is discipline (studying for all those exams) and working with others (teamwork) which form a crucial basis for everything that you do in life.

For anyone wanting to ask any questions about my job(s), or just how to navigate through life as young optometry graduate – you can reach out to me via LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/sujanhong.

Recap - Networking Mix&Mingle Event 13.07.2019

Sat, 20 Jul 2019 13:00:23 GMT

The Young Optometrists NSW/ACT networking event saw over 130 optometrists, optometry students and key industry professionals gather under one roof at the Doltone House on 13th July 2019.

This event was an invaluable opportunity for individuals within the industry to gain insight into the various facets of the industry, to facilitate discussions and mingle with one another. Optometry students were also given the opportunity to network with key members within the profession for career advice and new opportunities.A final year optometry student commented “I love the idea of the networking night and making it less intimidating for us to talk to older and more experienced optometrists”.

The night opened with an address from Acting Chairperson of Young Optometrists NSW/ACT, Wilson Luu. He explained the event was conceived to break down the silos that occur in the Australian optometric industry and hoped the night would facilitate genuine discussions between all those present.

“ We want to break down the silos that occur in the industry and tonight brings a great opportunity to network amongst our peers” - Wilson Luu, Acting Chairperson of Young Optometrists NSW/ACT

The event attracted optometrists from not only Sydney but also regional NSW and guests from Melbourne. The venue was packed throughout the night with plenty of fruitful conversations and new connections forged. An optometrist attendee commented that they enjoyed “professional engagement with younger year optometrists”.

The Young Optometrists NSW/ACT team with the sponsors of the night. Left to right: Corinne Lam (YO), Sarah Tait (YO), Kelvin Bartholomew (Provision), Megan Tu (YO), Wilson Luu (YO), Joe Tanner (Coopervision), Elizabeth Kodari (Luxottica), Abdul Hamidi (YO), Raj Sundarjee (Specsavers) Jordan Olsen (Specsavers), Celine Zhang (YO)

Young Optometrists NSW/ACT (YO)'s mission is to support recently graduated optometrists and optometry students by providing a dynamic and progressive environment to advance the profession. YO aims to continue doing so by providing further platforms for members of the industry to interact with one another in the future.

Young Optometrists thanks their generous sponsors Coopervision (Platinum Sponsor), Specsavers (Gold Sponsor), Luxottica (Silver Sponsor),and Provision (Silver Sponsor), for making the networking event possible.

Clinical Pearl of the Month - Double Trouble

Sat, 29 Jun 2019 14:21:44 GMT

Causes of diplopia or double vision can be a challenge for eye care practitioners to diagnose as they can be benign but also can be life and sight threatening. Is the cause of your patient’s diplopia merely uncorrected astigmatism or could it be a sign of a possible brain tumour?

We first need to determine whether the diplopia is monocular or binocular. Generally, if the diplopia goes away when one eye is closed, this means that the patient is experiencing binocular diplopia, whereas if the diplopia persists, this indicates that the patient is experiencing monocular diplopia. In most cases, monocular diplopia does not warrant a neurological evaluation and treatment involves addressing the underlying cause.

Some examples of causes of monocular diplopia include:

Optical aberrations such as uncorrected astigmatism and ectasiasOcular surface dysfunction such as dry eye
Macular disorders
Lens disorders such as cataracts or displaced intraocular lens

There are many different presentations and causes of binocular diplopia and in the worse case scenario, a life or sight threatening cause may be underlying.

Knowing the direction (vertical vs horizontal), onset (sudden vs long standing), and committance (comitant vs non comitant) of the diplopia can guide our clinical diagnosis.

We need to evaluate the motility of the eyes individually and together. Ocular alignment should be evaluated in all gazes and at both distance and near.

Some examples of causes of binocular diplopia include:

Vascular disorders such as aneurysms, diabetes and stroke
Myasthenia gravis
Strabismus and binocular vision conditions such as convergence insufficiency
Brain tumour or other cranial involvement (such as cranial nerve palsies) affecting EOM movement

Red flags for urgent referral in association with bilateral diplopia include:

New headache or ocular pain
Unilateral pupil dilation
Neurological features or fatigability
Ptosis
Facial trauma
Papilloedema

The main treatment objective in patients with binocular diplopia is to create the largest, most central area of single binocular vision, however this may not be achievable in all fields of gaze. Patients may adopt an abnormal head position in order to overcome their diplopia.

Conservative approaches to managing binocular diplopia include occlusion of the vision in one eye, vision therapy and refractive correction including the use of prisms. Less conservative options include surgery, in cases where the strabismus is stable.

Real Talk❗ - Too Good to be True?

Sat, 29 Jun 2019 14:08:49 GMT

As millennials, we are exposed to unprecedented quantities of information through the advent of social media and the internet. The internet is full of traps: rich Nigerian princes, being the millionth visitor to a website, hexed downloads, pyramid schemes and the like. The ability to distinguish between true information and misinformation is vital due to the sheer volume of content we are consuming. “Fake news” has become a common term in our vernacular.

Critical thinking is the skillful analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a judgement. It something we use daily in our clinical decision-making – we relate scientific concepts to clinical application. When we are presented with new information, we have been taught to evaluate its relevance to evidence-based optometric practice.

Critical thinking should also occur outside the safety of our consultation room. Whether it’s navigating a job contract or evaluating a new lens design, diagnostic equipment or clinical procedure, we should always have our critical thinking caps on.

Consider the following...

Be skeptical: Approach what you see and hear rationally and critically. Does the proposal make sense (a distortion-free multifocal anti-scratch, uber thin, unbreakable, feather light lens, anyone?)? Why are they posing this to me? Is it trying to persuade me of a certain viewpoint? Who else are they offering this to?

Is the offer too good to be true?: A salary of $200k a year with full benefits should ring some alarm bells (after the initial “wow!”). Is this a sign that the job is having difficulty retaining applicants due to job conditions? Or do they really value you as an optometrist?

Verbal commitment to actual commitments: You should never walk away from a verbal commitment without solidifying it as a written one. It can be as simple as a quick email saying, “It was great meeting you, thank you for your generous offer of 60% off this product”. It is easy to renege on a verbal agreement as there is no physical evidence to follow through on. ‘Let’s shake on it”, they say. In a week’s time it can become forgotten promises.

Pick your sources: If it seems improbable, do some research. Consider the credibility of the source of the information – is the company/person who is presenting the information have suitable expertise and reputation? Is there more information available to you?

The ability to think critically is the ability to weigh the merits of contrasting arguments.

When you hear something, don’t just take the information at face value. Stop and wonder whether what is posed to you seems correct. Take the time to consider both sides of the story and think critically.

YOur Wellbeing – 'Tis the Season For Dry Hands

Sat, 29 Jun 2019 14:00:53 GMT

Tis the season for dry hands! Heaters are a crackling, our dry hands are a cracking. The winter chill brings lower humidity in the air and room heaters aren’t helping this.

With the non-stop handwashing, alcohol swab and hand sanitizer use, our hands are taking a beating this winter. The constant wetting and drying removes protective substances from the skin making it less pliable and more prone to cracks and fissures. When soap/cleansing agents are added, these agents act as secondary irritants, resulting in a change in the pH of the skin and removal of protective lipids from the skin.

Here are some tips to keeping your hands healthy:

Thoroughly rinse off your (gentle) soap

Use a gentle hand soap to wash your hands. Gentle cleansers that contain moisturisers can help retain the moisture on your skin. A foaming soap base is easier to rinse off. The skin on the palm side of your hands is thicker than that on the back of your hands. Unless you’ve been in contact with germs with the back of your hand, try to avoid lathering this thinner skin. Rinsing is another important step. Soap that stays on your skin will pull out the natural oils from your skin. Pay attention to the space between your fingers where soap residue can accumulate.

Best time to moisturise is right after you wash your hands

The best time to moisturise your skin is straight after you dry off your hands from washing or a hot shower. It is the best time to trap moisture into the skin. As optometrists, we want something that is safe and non-greasy for contact lens handling. The most effective non-greasy hydrating ingredients are glycerin and lanolin

Apply moisturisers overnight for severely chapped skin

One of the best remedies for dry hands is to soak them in warm water for 5 mins to start the hydration process, then slather then at bedtime with a thick moisturiser, then cover your hands with soft gloves. Trapping the moisturiser will help it absorb more into your skin

Wear gloves

If your hands are extremely irritated, you may have to consider wearing non-latex gloves as a protective barrier. The use of gloves does not allow one to avoid washing their hands completely. Gloves provide an imperfect barrier to infectious material. Once gloves are removed, hand washing is imperative.

Is it more than just dry hands?

If you have scaly and inflamed skin, deep and painful cracks and thick scaly skin, it may be more than just ‘dry hands’. You may have a form of hand eczema. There are many things that can cause hand eczema - latex gloves, chemicals, water, the list goes on! Please seek the professional advice of a dermatologist to get to the root of the issue.

Clinical Pearl of the Month - See more with the Slit-lamp!

Thu, 30 May 2019 02:29:04 GMT

We want to get the most out of every slit-lamp examination. You can’t diagnose or treat a problem with your therapeutic skills if you can’t identify it!

Filters, filters, filters!

We use filters in our social media lives to highlight detail and make things really ‘pop’.

The neutral density filter is a drastically underused part of the slit lamp. Without its use, finer detail can be missed. The neutral density filter (symbol is usually circle with hashed lines) modifies all wavelengths of light and avoids under and overexposure. In image A, the blood vessels of the conjunctiva cannot be seen due to overexposure; in image B, the addition of a neutral density filter enables the conjunctival blood vessels to be visualised.

We all know the benefit of the red free (green) filter for posterior eye examination - it allows us to visualise RNFL defects and pigmented lesions of the retina. The red-free filter obscures anything red so blood vessels and haemmorhages appear black. In the anterior eye, it can be used to highlight the path and pattern of inflamed blood vessels. It is also great for highlighting the presence of a Fleischer ring.

The Wratten filter bolsters contrast when used with the cobalt blue filter. Most slit-lamps have a Wratten filter built in so remember to flip it on when you use the cobalt blue filter. It make examination with fluorescein much simpler.

2. The Basics: Alignment and PD

There is a human on the other side of the slit-lamp. Make sure the patient is aligned well with the canthus mark with their forehead resting on the plastic band and chair at a comfortable height. Make sure you’re also comfortable with your alignment with the oculars and the PD adjusted accordingly to ensure a stereoscopic view. Never duck or tilt your head - remember your personal ergonomics also. Rest your elbow on your lens case or foam discs for comfort when you’re using your diagnostic lenses.

3. Turn up the rheostat!

The anterior chamber and the anterior vitreous is very tricky to visualise without adjusting the brightness. Turn up the light when examining these structures. A stray cell or anterior vitreous detachment is easily missed if the brightness of the slit-lamp is too low. While amping up the intensity of the light may improve your ability to see, it will be uncomfortable for the patient. If you must increase the intensity of the light, let your patient know and keep it as brief as possible. The general rule of thumb is to lower the beam width and/or height as you increase the brightness of the slit lamp.

Unconventional Optometrist - Mimi Nguyen Ly (Journalist)

Tue, 28 May 2019 03:12:22 GMT

Our 'Unconventional Optometrist' column is where we chat to optometrists who are a bit out of the ordinary! Do you know anyone who we should feature? Let us know!

Mimi Nguyen Ly is a young optometrist who has made the leap to full-time journalism. She is truly a unique soul and a joy to interview, with an interesting journey from full-time optometry to journalism. Mimi strives to provide a voice to issues for the public good above all else.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I came from Vietnam to Australia when I was 7. I’m an only child but grew up with my aunt and uncle, and two cousins who I consider sisters. My parents eventually permanently moved to Australia later. I completed UNSW Optometry in early 2015. I chose optometry because I was raised in a family that valued healthcare. My cousins are doctors and dentists and I’m the only optometrist in the family.

How did you get into the world of journalism? How long have you been at it for?

I joined the Epoch Times because I was inspired by the paper’s mission—to report true, uncensored news. At the time, only news filtered by state run media were being reported out of China. I care about China because I saw there were a lot of human rights issues that were not being reported about. Epoch Times, on the other hand, was the first to report on things like the SARS outbreak when it was initially censored by state-run media. The paper later won an award for its thorough investigative reporting on organ harvesting in China’s state-run hospitals, at a time when the regime thoroughly denied the practice and when no other medias were covering the story.

I joined as a volunteer contributor in 2011 (second year university) because I wanted to be able to help in some way. The general news I was writing helped to support the work of other investigative journalists on the front line. Over time I saw that the paper was also reporting on other issues in other parts of the world that were being avoided or overlooked by other medias. We could report on these things because we are independent and not guided by profit or other interests. Our mission as a media has since evolved to “Truth and tradition.” I believe that people have a right to be informed, especially about the world’s most critical issues.Responsible journalism benefits society by empowering people with knowledge so they can make the best decisions for themselves and their communities. I came to realised that, even today, there is a void and a need for more news outlets to take on this role. I wanted to help fill that void.

I started to do journalism full time since April last year, but I’m still keeping up with optometry, in a locum role.

Tell us about your typical day at work

I’m currently on the web news team, which means we cover breaking news and trending news. While getting ready for and driving to work, I’m listening to the radio to get updated from what I missed out while asleep. At work I browse for news topics and help assign topics to writers. I’m also writing news pieces for the day; basically, my role is to constantly update the world on what’s happening. Sometimes I will call potential sources to ask questions or to ask for a short face to face interview with them. Generally for now, I’m working on the web news.

How do you keep up with the optometry world?

I am doing locum optometry. On my free days, or in the evenings, I may be attending CPD evens. I’m keeping updated with the news in the optometry world generally through browsing insight and mivision magazines, and other outlets via social media.

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

Children’s vision has always interested me. My current goal is to learn more about children’s vision and related issues such as vision training. In the long term, I aim to continue to practice as an optometrist in any capacity I can.

It's easy to get stuck in the bubble of Optometry. What's something that you wish people knew about journalism?

Anyone, including you, can be a journalist. You don’t have to be working for a media company to be one. If you care enough about an issue you can report on it. What will make it a journalistic work is the intent and how you gather your information. Being a journalist means that you place the public good above all else (instead of your own assumptions or self interests) and that you are adhering to journalistic standards when you gather and report information (eg seeking out multiple witnesses/voices, telling as much as possible about your sources, and asking different sides for comment are some such standards). It’s what differentiates it from propaganda, advertising, fiction or entertainment—in the current media landscape the lines can blur between these. I’ve come to realise that some media companies, even some major ones, don’t serve people in this way anymore. So when we consume the news, we should all be vigilant and discerning.

What's some advice you would impart on a Young Optometrist seeking a career change?

There is so much you can do to help others with optometry, from solving their vision issue to simply bringing a smile to others every day through your sincerity and care, and that’s special, never forget that. If you can see how special this is you may even consider staying with optometry. Every job will have the fun aspects, but also will have the challenges and the mundane—are you mentally prepared to endure what’s to come? Don’t think the grass is always greener on the other side. Reflect deeply on what truly inspires you to leave to seek another path—if it still drives you, and you’re very clear and solid, go do it. If you really want to do it you will figure out a way, others will see your sincere passion, and doors will naturally open.

Otherwise, stay in optometry and do the best you can to benefit the world with your already acquired knowledge.

Where can we follow your work?
You can follow me on Twitter @miminguyenly

Clinical Pearl of the Month - Instilling Cyclo Drops

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 11:18:30 GMT

Cycloplegic drops have two main benefits in optometric practice. Firstly, cycloplegic is a useful tool in assessment of refractive error. Cycloplegia inhibits the accommodative power of the eye by blocking the action of the ciliary muscle, allowing the static or objective refractive error of the eye to be measured. Two main cycloplegia drugs are used in practice: atropine and Cyclopentolate. These drugs are called anticholinergic because they block the muscarinic action of acetylcholine. This action inhibits cholinergic stimulation of the iris sphincter and ciliary muscle, which results in mydriasis and cycloplegia. Secondly, as it dilates the pupil it allows for ophthalmoscope examination.

Cycloplegic retinoscopy and refraction helps determine full hyperopia in patients with accommodative esotropia and prevents overcorrection in myopic patients, making it a great tool, especially when testing children. It is also useful in prescribing correction in patients with limited cooperation during subjective refraction and amblyopic patients.

In practice, cyclopentolate hydrochloride 1% is the cycloplegic agent of choice. It has a faster onset of effect and reaches peak effect after 30-45minutes, its effect also washes out after 4-8 hours. Contradictions for cycloplegic drops is in patients with: closed-angle glaucoma, Down’s Syndrome, seizures, in pregnancy or breast feeding patients its effect is still unknown. Hypersensitivity to atropine is also not uncommon.

Here are some of our top tips for instilling eye drops in children:

If the situation allows, let the parents and child know that the eye drops cause a stinging sensation: doing so is important as it builds trust.
Show the child what the container of eye drops/ointment looks like. Put some on the back of the child's hand so he or she knows what it feels like.
Work as quickly and calmly as you can - this minimises the child's distress.
Recline the patient backwards or leaning into the chair comfortable, have them look up to the ceiling (have a picture or object for them to look at to distract them) and instill into nasal canthus. Or they can keep their eyes closed as you attempt to pull down their lower eyelid and instil it into their conjunctival sac.
Blinking exposes the eye to air and causes an increased stinging sensation. After the drop is in, ask child to keep their eyes closed and count to the highest number they know. Make it a silly competition. “1, 2, 3,...685,...ten billion”.
Praise, praise, praise! Let the child know they’ve done a great job. A little reward such as a sticker or jellybean goes a long way.
If your patient is nervous or afraid, often demonstrating on yourself or their parent (with a substituted lubricant) can help relax and calm them as they can see what would happen. If they are still nervous you can have them practice at home with lubricants before returning for their cycloplegic examination.

Real Talk❗ - Dealing with Difficult Patient Interactions

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 04:23:11 GMT

***Our 'Real Talk!' column is where we aim to tackle uncomfortable topics in optometry, head on.***

You’re running late, the printer has stopped working, you’ve got a backlog of clinical records to finish and then...they enter. The ‘difficult' patient.

“It’s an emergency!”

“My old optometrist never charged me.”

“I always sleep in my lenses, I don’t have any problems.”

“Why are you asking me for my medications, you’re not a doctor.”

“Why is this taking so long?”

You’d be hard-pressed to find a definition of a ‘difficult’ patient, yet all of you have encountered at least one during our career. Patients are diverse and like all human beings, have good and bad days. Some of our patients have complex medical issues which affect the way they interact with us and some are just having a bad day. They can push you to the limit. Work would be a very unpleasant place if most patient interactions weren’t positive. Luckily, ‘difficult’ patients are few and far in between. Here are some tips to help you smooth out the bumps in patient interaction.

There are a few factors that can make a patient interaction challenging.

It can be the patients themselves: perhaps they are hostile, have unrealistic expectations and are uncooperative.

It could also be us as optometrists: personal factors such as personality clashes, if we're tired, angry or late can also contribute to a poor patient interaction. It is important to reflect on our own mood and stress levels.

It may also be the types of resources available to us at the time: are there enough support staff, adequate space and equipment and reasonable time expectations?

Identify you’re in the midst of a challenging interaction by being authentic and transparent

Identifying you’re in the midst of a challenging interaction is the first and most crucial step. Our reactions guides the tone and direction of the consultation. Our subconscious changes in body language can lead to a downward spiral. Rolling your eyes or shaking your head may feel justified, but remain calm and professional (even when you think you’re in the right). Early on, verbalise the difficulty that you’re having and avoid casting blame. For example, you can say “We both have different views about how we should address these concerns and it's causing some difficulty between us, do you agree?” Being honest, transparent and raising awareness of the 'difficult' situation can help build trust and open doors in working on an agreeable solution together.

Acknowledge their emotions and remain calm

Remaining calm will allow you to keep control and address the patient in a way that will defuse the situation. Upset patients may try to pull you into an argument. While you are completely entitled to voice your opinion, it’s important to do so respectfully. Acknowledge a patient’s emotional state. Have a willingness to understand the situation from their point of view and let them be heard. Reflective statements, such as “I can see this is upsetting to you,” and “I can understand why this made you upset” can identify the observed emotions of patients. Open communication is key in defusing difficult situations. These statements show the patient that it’s okay to talk about their concerns and fears and demonstrate that you care about them and they are important to you.

Have boundaries and be assertive

When it comes to difficult patients who make seemingly unreasonable demands, a useful approach is to set limits. This can be through company policy, for example, to enforce a policy for showing up late for appointments. Be firm in adhering to your clinical knowledge and professional management plan. Explain the consequences if compliance is an issue. Keep accurate records of the consultations and complaints they make to protect yourself.

You may also create a boundary by inviting the patient back into your consult room. This is a great way of separating your patient of interest with practice staff and bystander patients. This allows the patient to express their concerns privately and can allow you to contain and defuse the situation.

If the patient begins to become abusive, whether physically or emotionally, it is time to step back. Let them know their behaviour is unacceptable, discharge them from the situation and alert the other staff in your practice.

Breathe, debrief and self-reflect

After an unpleasant interaction with a difficult patient, it’s normal to feel upset, frustrated or angry. You may even feel a sense of relief knowing that the difficult situation has been dealt with. Regardless, take a moment to have a breather, so your whole day isn’t ruined. Take a deep, cleansing breath and as you exhale, let out all the stress and anger. You may find some relief if you debrief with colleagues after a difficult consultation, whether it's a phone call, text message or in person. Not all days in Optometry are easy, but you have the strength and skill to handle whatever difficulties come your way. Acknowledge that you have experienced a difficult situation. It's important to digest the experience and reflect on how the situation occurred, how things could have been prevented or could have been managed better and how things can be changed so that difficult situations like the one you experienced do not occur again.

Reward yourself after handling a difficult situation

No one likes dealing with 'difficult' situation, but someone has to. And it's important that you give yourself a pat on the back and reward yourself for taking that courageous step forward and defusing the situation. Sometimes having a little treat from your secret little stash of chocolates, sweets or cookies may even empower you to take on more difficult situations ;).

And if you ever get stuck, have a chat with one of your friendly YO team members and we'll gladly help point you in the right direction.

YOur Wellbeing - April: Fabry Awareness Month

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 00:43:19 GMT

April is Fabry Awareness Month. Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder. It results from the buildup of a particular type of fat, called globotriaosylceramide, in the body's cells. The enzyme that breaks down globotriaosylceramide is absent or does not function properly. The fat accumulates in the walls of the blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to the kidneys, heart, skin and nervous system.

Beginning in childhood, this buildup causes signs and symptoms that affect many parts of the body. Characteristic features of Fabry disease include; episodes of pain, particularly in the hands and feet (acroparesthesias); clusters of small, dark red spots on the skin called angiokeratomas; a decreased ability to sweat (hypohidrosis); problems with the gastrointestinal system; ringing in the ears (tinnitus); and hearing loss.

Fabry disease also involves potentially life-threatening complications such as progressive kidney damage, heart attack, and stroke. Some affected individuals have milder forms of the disorder that appear later in life and affect only the heart or kidneys.

As optometrists, we are on the frontline to diagnose this often overlooked disease and allow our patients to seek critical treatment. All you need is a slit-lamp. There are some tell-tale ocular signs including:

Cornea verticillata: Cornea verticillata consist of bilateral whorl-like opacities located in the superficial corneal layers, most commonly in the inferior corneal area. These opacities are typically cream coloured, ranging from whitish to golden-brown. This manifest as early as in childhood. These corneal whorls are sometimes attributed to systemic drugs such as amiodarone. Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic cardiac medication, commonly used in older patients. Keep in mind some patients may be on amiodarone due to Fabry disease affecting their heart. You should keep this in mind for younger patients - perhaps they are on amiodarone for complications secondary to Fabry?
Lenticular opacities: Anterior capsular or subcapsular cataract and a radial posterior subcapsular cataract (Fabry cataracts) have been reported in patients with Fabry disease. These are best seen with retro-illumination.
Vascular abnormalities: Conjunctival, retinal and choroidal vessels tend to show increased vessel tortuosity. Conjunctival abnormalities are commonly located in the inferior bulbar conjunctiva. In the retina, you may see tortuous “corkscrew’ vessels with segmental venous dilation, arteriolar narrowing and arterio-venous nicking.

Optometrists can make a huge difference in our patients’ lives, if we just look and act upon the signs we find. There is no cure for the Fabry disease, but patients often benefit from enzyme replacement therapy. If you suspect Fabry disease, you should refer the patient to their GP to commence genetic testing.

Welcoming Austin Tang to the YO Subcommittee!

Sat, 13 Apr 2019 01:06:53 GMT

We're excited to announce that Austin Tang is joining us as a subcommittee member. He is a recent UNSW Optometry graduate and we're glad to have him on the team. He brings with him the perspective of a new graduate in rural NSW. Find out a bit more about him!

Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Austin and I’m currently in my first role on the other side of NSW, Broken Hill! I like travelling because it opens me up to new experiences, ways of thinking and cultures. I also like things that take us away from the normal rhythm of our daily lives, whether it would be chatting to someone we haven’t spoken to in a long time, or spontaneous sunset trip.

How did you end up in optometry as a career?

I was interested in science and health and couldn’t imagine myself being a doctor, so this is where I ended up.

What are you most passionate about outside of optometry?

One of my passions is tennis but deep down, I think it’s making a positive difference to those around me.

How would you spend your free time?

I like continuously learning through reading as well as investing in my hobbies. I also like keeping in contact with family and friends.

Most embarrassing moment?

It would have to be waving when I thought someone was waving at me, or saying something when I thought someone was talking to me.

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?

I found YO pretty helpful for me; some of the posts as well as the events, and I thought it’d be cool to be a part of it. I would like to use any of my knowledge and experiences to help those who are upcoming optometrists!

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Reading minds

What is your current favourite phrase?

I’ve been picking up a lot of Aussie slang in Broken Hill, I can’t pick out a favourite one.

Clinical Pearl of the Month - Unexpected Refractive Change!

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 06:44:19 GMT

Refraction is the bread and butter of most optometrists’ days. We have the privilege of seeing our patients year after year, usually not expecting more than a 0.25-0.5D change in their prescriptions. Significant or unexpected refractive changes can be a sign of something more complex. In such cases, differential diagnoses can be arrived through logically working through the structures of the eye from the front to the back. Perhaps it is corneal pathology, lenticular changes, retinal change or a mass originating from the orbit.

Here are some things that should be running through your head when you encounter someone with an unexpected change in prescription.

Drug-induced refractive changes: Cholinergic drugs can cause accommodative spasm responsible for myopia. Sulfonamides and diuretics can also lead to myopia without accommodative spasm. Some proposed mechanisms of drug-induced refractive error change include changes in hydration of various ocular tissues and contraction and oedema of the ciliary body. Although unpredictable, drug-induced refractive disorders often resolve after treatment cessation. Potential clues: New medications in patient history, correlation of the intake of the drug with noticed visual changes.
Binocular vision issues: Poor accommodative flexibility, facility and control may mean the measured refractive error isn’t necessarily a reflection of their true refraction. It is important to perform a cycloplegic refraction or a careful refraction that ‘pushes plus’. Ensure the underlying binocular vision issues are addressed e.g. through spectacles, vision therapy. Potential clues: Patients are symptomatic of fluctuating vision, Rx changes depending on time of refraction, changing reflex on retinoscopy.
Corneal Ectasias: Corneal ectasias is one of the major conditions that should come to mind when seeing a patient with frequent refractive change. Progressive thinning or distortion of the cornea leads to visual changes. Signs of keratoconus include asymmetric refractive error with high or progressive astigmatism, scissoring reflex on retinoscopy, and reduced spectacle BCVA. Early detection is key. Potential clues: Age of the patient, history of atopy or allergy, eye rubbing, ethnicity and/or family history, frequent changes in spectacle prescription.
Diabetes-related changes: Diabetes mellitus can affect lens clarity, as well as the refractive index and accommodative amplitude of the lens. The glucose content in the aqueous humour rises as one’s blood glucose level increases. The glucose metabolises and causes subsequent changes in osmotic pressure. This may cause an influx of water, which leads to swelling of the lens fibers. The state of lenticular hydration can affect the refractive power of the lens. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes may show transient refractive changes owing to large changes in their blood glucose level. Acute myopic shifts may indicate undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes. People with diabetes have a decreased amplitude of accommodation compared to age-matched controls, and presbyopia may present at a younger age in patients with diabetes than in those without.

Join our discussion here at the Young Optometrists NSW/ACT Forum. (please note - you must be a FullYO to access the forum).

Recap - Finding Your Niche Event (24th March 2019)

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 05:14:27 GMT

The "Finding Your Niche" event was a success by all measures - a stellar line-up of speakers, truly engaging talks, genuine curiosity and quality CPD (12 pts, 2T!). It was humbling to listen to all the speakers share their journeys to how they practice the way they do today.

We had the magnificent Margaret Lam, who took us through the rollercoaster of life and the idea of work-life balance. Grant and Thao painted a picture of 'accidentally falling into a specialty' through true care for their patients, culminating in their interests in sports vision and advanced optics.

Gavin Boneham wowed us with his wealth of experience, built up over many years of hard work and dedication, Mark Kosek shared his journey into speaking roles and exploration of various specialities, asking all of us whether we were happy and satisfied with what we were doing.

Dr. William Trinh talked to us the power of education and critical thinking as medical clinicians, as well as the benefits of providing eyecare to communities less fortunate than our own. Finally, Chih-Chi Lee opened our eyes to accessing holistic care for our patients beyond just optometry and the excitement of behavioural optometry.

We thank our guest speakers for volunteering their time and sharing a piece of themselves to inspire all of us to find our niche. What a great event - we can't wait to hold it again. It isn't one to miss!

Unconventional Optometrist - Kevin (Practice Owner and Locum)

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 04:22:14 GMT

Our 'Unconventional Optometrist' column is where we chat to optometrists who are a bit out of the ordinary! Do you know anyone who we should feature? Let us know!

This Young Unconventional Optometrist is both a practice owner AND a locum - talk about juggling roles!

Tell us a little bit about your journey into your field.

After I graduated uni I worked for corporate optometry to build up basic skills. A number of years later I ended up doing locum work and the odd BHVI clinic a few times a year to experience a different variety of practice. I was also limited in what I could do in corporate eyecare, and honestly I got bored do refraction day in and day out. I considered doing medicine at this stage but figured it was not worth the investment. I now own a small practice in partnership and continue to do locum and part time work in conjunction. I basically bought myself a job and didn’t do the numbers properly before I bought in (its nothing I regret though) I work for a behavioural optom once a week, which I never thought I would, and now has definitely changed the way I practice and see optometry as a whole, rather than just VA/refraction.

Tell us about your typical day at work (if 'typical' exists)

Typical optometry hours 9-5. General eye tests, mainly. (this is your bread and butter) Specialty contact lens fits (KC/ scarred cornea/ post graft) Lots of dry eye Myopia control for my kids on the weekend.

What are some benefits to working as both a locum and a practice owner?

Has allowed me to learn different niches of optometry and find what I like best.

What are some differences between what you do and a 'traditional' optometry job?

My job is pretty traditional. I just get more exposure to interesting cases due to the practice location. We have to deal with a lot of politics though including issues with referrals from the public to private sector.

What is the best thing about your job?

Freedom to do what I want for both myself and my patient. Everything you put into your practice eventually goes back to yourself (and your partners). Generally more rewarding, though the same can be said for a good independent or corporate practice. There’s also things that you hate doing, but you’re good at due to the numbers you see. So it’s good in a way for the practice still? Sometimes you’re just put into that positon and end up following that path.

What advice would you give to other optometrists who also wish to locum or own their own practice?

NETWORK, attend conferences , and always be eager to learn. Finding a good mentor who inspires you will help. Nothing beats actual experience, doing something yourself and getting your numbers up to improve your skill. A textbook or talk/seminar can only teach you so much. Its always different once you apply your knowledge in real practice.

What has been one of your most memorable patient encounters?

When your patient goes from 3/60 to 6/9 with an RGP and you change their life.

Is there anything you would like to change or improve about the way you practice?

Lots of things. But everything needs money/ enough budget to achieve. This isn’t always possible so you make do and remember there’s always plenty of time to learn it/or build it later.

Welcoming Jane Kwon, the newest member of the YO Subcommittee

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 04:18:34 GMT

We're excited to announce that Jane Kwon is joining us as a subcommittee member. She is a recent UNSW Optometry graduate and we're glad to have her on the team. Find out a bit more about her.

Tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in Paddington but grew up near the "Koreatowns" of Sydney (Yes, Strathfield for those of you who know ). I currently live in Port Macquarie which is a lovely city on the mid-north coast. I’ve fallen in love with the beautiful weather and beaches up here. My hobbies include vlogging and watching cute animal videos (I miss my cat).

How did you end up in optometry as a career?

I always wanted to be a healthcare professional because I love helping people and thought optometry would be a rewarding career. I now love that it also gives me the freedom to take up other hobbies.

What are you most passionate about outside of optometry?

Spending quality time with friends and family which has been quite difficult since moving up to Port Macquarie. I always keep in touch over skype and plan on visiting every month. I also love eating!

How do you spend your free time?

I love eating but hate cooking so now that I’m living away from home, I’m trying to figure it out one step at a time. Apart from that, I spend most of my free time filming and editing videos or watching dramas.

Most embarrassing moment?

Hmm.. I’m usually good at erasing any embarrassing/stressful moments from my memory so I really can’t remember any.

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?

YO has been with me during my optometry studies, I enjoyed going to their events and getting to know the team who were all very lovely and supportive. I wanted to be part of this amazing team who provide a great network and strong voice for young optometrists and soon-to-be optometry students.

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

I think all regional optoms/optoms working away from home will agree with me on this one - teleportation. While I love everything about working and living in Port Macquarie, it would be nice if I can go back to Sydney more often and skip the 4.5 hour drive/1 hour flight.

What is your current favourite phrase?

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

Unconventional Optometrist - Megan Tu (School Optometrist)

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 23:57:31 GMT

Our 'Unconventional Optometrist' column is where we chat to optometrists who are a bit out of the ordinary! Do you know anyone who we should feature? Let us know!

Here's this month's Unconventional Optometrist. Megan Tu is an optometrist who works in primary and high schools in South-West Sydney. Read ahead to find out more - what an interesting optometrist she is!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into being a School Optometrist.

I graduated from UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science at the end of 2011. Upon graduating I worked at a full-scope independent practice in regional NSW, which allowed me to freely explore different avenues of Optometry, such as behavioural optometry, contact lenses, sports vision and advanced optical dispensing. This was a fantastic experience to help me develop clinically and professionally, and helped shape my passion for Optometry.

Tell us about your typical day at work. Is it a full-time or part-time position?

On Monday to Fridays, I work in primary and high schools in South West Sydney, providing comprehensive eye examinations to students. In the evenings and on the weekends, my partner and I have recently opened an after-hours optometry clinic. I also work a couple hours a week at the UNSW Optometry clinic as a clinical supervisor for the paediatric clinic. Finally, I was a founding member and current Secretary for Young Optometrists NSW/ACT.

What are some benefits to working in your unique situation?

My work puts me into very different environments and allows me the opportunity to develop a good mix of clinical, teaching, networking and business administration and management skills. It keeps me on my toes and it means that I am never bored! Being a part of YO keeps me aware of our professional environment outside of the consultation room, and allows me the opportunity to actively contribute to shaping the future of Optometry.

What are some differences between what you do and a 'traditional' optometry job?

I am generally not in your typical consulting room, as the bulk of my consultations are in a mobile working environment. My own practice operates after-hours, which again is different from the usual 9-5 job, and can involve home visits as well. With a particular interest in behavioural optometry, the bulk of my patients are children and I am fortunate to be able to offer and develop my skills in areas such as vision therapy.

How did you get into this unique area of optometry?

I was passionate about paediatrics and behavioural optometry since my undergraduate degree, where (unlike most of my peers) paediatrics clinic was my favourite clinic! I did the Behavioural Optometry units of the UNSW Masters course and I have practiced in full-scope behavioural practices since graduating. I am a member of ACBO and continue to develop my interest by attending CPD conferences.

What advice would you give to other optometrists who also wish to pursue this type of optometry?

Keep an open mind, critically think about information that you’re given and keep on learning and improving yourself. Don’t just accept the status quo. Find your passion and pursue it.

Meme Mondays - Which one are you?

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:13:03 GMT

YOur Wellbeing - Forming New Habits

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:06:18 GMT

Change isn't easy, but forming new habits could be the start! We all have a morning routine when we get up (bathroom, brush teeth, eat breakfast, run for the train....) but these habits are triggered automatically in response to contextual cues (e.g. the action of washing our hands comes from the contextual cue of finishing our business)?

If you've got a spare hour, check out this fantastic article, but if not here's the gist:

Decide on a goal (e.g. I want to spend less time checking social media when I am eating)
Choose a simple action which will steer you towards your goal, which you can do on a DAILY basis (I will turn my phone to Airplane Mode whilst I eat and focus on my food instead)
Plan when and where you will do your simple action, but be consistent!
Every time you encounter that time and place, do the action.
It will get easier with time and within 10 weeks you should find that you're doing this automatically!
Congratulations, health habit unlocked

Habit forming is never easy, and realistically of everyone who reads this only 5% will enforce any of the above. Most of the time we'll revert back to our old ways, because they're familiar. But don't give up, give it a go - whether it be checking less social media, walking the dog daily or even writing in a gratitude journal daily. Best of luck!

Should I join any organisations as a New Grad/Young Optometrist?

Sat, 23 Feb 2019 12:29:50 GMT

Deciding which professional organisations to join can be quite daunting as an optometrist, especially as a newer graduate. There are many questions that may be lingering on your mind. How will I meet the right people in optometry? How can I find my niche? What organisations are “worth it”? How much will it cost? Do you really want to be spending your first paycheck on member fees?

Joining professional organisations can connect you with valuable professional networking opportunities and access to a wealth of relevant information. Most organsisations have 'members only' access to exclusive forums, CPD events, netowrking activities and educational resources. Networking can create lasting ties through common ground and support you in times of need. In optometry, continuing education is a key part of our career. The more varied and rich CPD events we undertake, the more likely we are to implement positive changes to our optometric practice.

Most importantly, organisations depend on the power of people and numbers. Optometry is a small profession and we have our strength when we join together in numbers. The 'collective voice' is a powerful tool. Large organisations are able to advocate for optometry in the wider sense, whether it be in politics, the healthcare system or otherwise. Their influence is governed by your membership - with fewer numbers, their influence dimishes.

If you find a passion in certain aspects of optometry, we highly encourage you to join the organisations that align with your personal and career goals. By joining an organisation, you are providing yourself with a competitive advantage as an active, informed member of the industry.

We've selected some key organisations we reccommend you join. Keep reading because we’ve tried to narrow it down for you! Remember all membership fees are tax deductible.

Young Optometrists (YO) NSW/ACT

YO is run by young optometrists, for young optometrists. Young Optometrists (YO)’s mission is to support optometrists and students by providing a dynamic and progressive environment to advance the profession. We provide a collective voice to support optometry students and optometrists in their first 10 years of practice (within NSW/ACT). We know and listen to what you want and strive to represent young optometrists in this ever-changing world of optometry.

As part of our YO Community, you get a huge range of benefits. Our focus is not only continuing education through tailored CPD events and workshops, but also networking, social outings and your overall well-being.

As a member you also get access to CCLSA member discounts for your first 12 months. This is a great way to trial out CCLSA events before joining up as a full member.

For the price of a big night out, you have access to our myriad of benefits as a Full YO Member (incl. access to >30CPD points). If you don't want to miss out, sign up ASAP to become a part of a dynamic YO NSW/ACT community.

Let us welcome you into the YO NSW/ACT community today - https://www.yoptoms.com/Membership/

Free Membership for New Graduates

Optometry Australia (OA)

OA is a not-for-profit body which represents about 90 percent of Australian optometrists. They are an influential voice who aim to provide clinical and professional advice, professional development opportunities, networking and career-advancing opportunities for optometrists by optometrists. Optometry is a small profession and historically membership rates have always been high, with the majority of optometrists choosing the join OA. The only way OA will remain influential is if you choose to be a member. Membership is free for the first 6 months for new graduates.

http://www.optometry.org.au/nsw/become-a-member/membership-application/

Australasian College of Behavioural Optometry (ACBO)

ACBO is an association for optometrists with an interest in functional vision care, neurodevelopmental optometry and vision therapy. ACBO kindly extend a free 12 month membership to all final year students.

https://www.acbo.org.au/members/signup/students

Australian College of Optometry (ACO)

ACO is an independent, non-for-profit institution in science, education and optometric practice dedicated to preserving sight and preventing blindness. First year graduates can enjoy free membership for 12 months.

http://www.aco.org.au/membership/join-the-aco

Discounted First Year Membership

Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia (CCLSA)

CCLSA’s mission is to support research and innovation and promote professional development and education amongst members in the field of cornea and contact lenses. First year graduates receive a 50% discount off their annual membership.

https://www.cclsa.org.au/

Recent graduate fees for optometrists, who have worked for 6 months, are discounted to $1746 (incl. GST)

http://www.optometry.org.au/nsw/become-a-member/

Other Memberships to consider

Orthokeratology Society of Oceania

OSO is dedicated to improving the lives of people now and in the future through Ortho-K and Myopia control. OSO members will be recognized as a member of the International Academy of Orthokeratology (IAO) as well. Joining fee is $275 (incl. GST).

http://www.oso.net.au/join

These are not just memberships but communities where you can network and learn from each other. So what are you waiting for? Get signed up!

Note: This post does not represent all the optometry organizations and societies in Australia.

*Prices are for optometrists practicing in Australia or New Zealand (as of Feb 2019).

Clinical Pearl of the Month - Ptosis Ptroubles?

Sat, 23 Feb 2019 10:05:18 GMT

Clinical Pearl of the Month - Ptosis Ptroubles?

Ptosis is an abnormally low position of the upper eyelid. It can be congenital or acquired, but is more common in elderly patients due to a gradual loss of muscle function. It typically impacts vision as it reduces the amount of light entering the eye.

However we can’t blame everything on “age” or “you were just born this way” … there are other sinister causes of ptosis and it is important to rule them out or identify them in order to manage your patient appropriately.

PEARL 1: IDENTIFY THE PTYPE OF PTOSIS

Ptosis can be classified broadly based on their cause.

Myogenic ptosis
- Poor levator (muscle) function, more commonly congenital and present at birth. Acquired myogenic ptosis may be seen with muscular dystrophy and CPEO.
Aponeuotic ptosis
- Good levator function however it is stretched out or dehiscence, which could be due to normal aging, repetitive eye rubbing, RGPs, or previous intraocular surgery
Neurogenic ptosis
- Nerve problem which is responsible for controlling the eyelid function
- CNIII (congenital, compressive, vasculopathic), Horner syndrome,Myasthenia Gravis , Marcus Gunn Jaw-Winking syndrome, Multiple sclerosis,
Mechanic ptosis
- Something physically pushing or weighing down the lid
- Upper eyelid inflammation E.g. Chalazion, Foreign body in upper fornix, Neoplasm
Traumatic ptosis
- Previous trauma causing it E.g. eyelid laceration, contusion injury to levator, orbital roof fracture
Pseudoptosis
- When the lids itself aren’t dropping but appears that way due to another anatomical anomaly E.g. the other eyelid is contracted so in comparison it may look lower.

PEARL 2: RULE OUT OR REFER

Ensure you have a mental check list of ruling out all sinister causes of a ptosis and refer appropriately if necessary.

CNIII Palsy
- Check: the affected eye is DOWN and OUT, pupil dilated
- Questions to ask: Sudden onset? Experiencing double vision? Any systemic diseases (E.g. Diabetes, hypertension)
Horner Syndrome
- Check: Anisocoria that is greater in dim illumination, smaller pupil which lags to dilate and occurs on the same side as a mild ptosis
- Questions to ask: Change in sweat patterns? Any neck or head trauma? Any surgery to neck, thyroid or heart?
Myasthenia Gravis
- Check: Weak eyelid muscles that get tired very quickly
- Questions to ask: Is the drooping worse towards end of the day?
Malignancy
- Check: Pupil involvement, exophthalmos
- Questions to ask: Sudden onset?
Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia
- Check: Limitation to ocular motilities, usually bilateral, pupils normal
- Questions to ask: rate of onset? (Usually slowly progressive)

PEARL 3: PTYPES OF PTESTS

Pupil assessment
- Assess reaction, RAPD, lag, anisocoria, light vs dark conditions
Motilities
- Any restrictions
Cover Test
- Any strabismus
Marginal reflex distance
- Compare reflex from upper lid (typically 4-5mm) vs lower lid (typically 5mm)
Levator function
- Assess to see how far the upper lid can be raised starting from downgaze, with your thumb over their eyebrow to prevent the frontalis muscle from assisting
- Repeat with ice test for comparison if suspecting myasthenia gravis
Lid crease height
- Compare the distance between upper lid margin to crease between the eyes on downgaze
Obtain patient’s previous photos for comparison
- Determine if it was present before and if so, how long? Compare to see if it has worsened or improved

PEARL 4: PROPER RECORDING IS KEY

Ensure you record in detail the responses to the questions you have asked (both yes and no), results of tests you have conducted (positive and negative), and state that you have explained to the patient the situation, reason for referral (if necessary), and the importance of further testing/imaging.

YOur Wellbeing - Is work being a pain in the neck?

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 12:28:59 GMT

As optometrists, our practice can be well… quite repetitive. Repeat the following 'x' times a day: a fancy dance of entrance testing, refracting ‘1 or 2?’, peering into the slit lamp, contorting into positions for BIO and finally, hunching over the computer to enter clinical notes.
Proper positioning during examinations can have a significant impact on the reduction of pain, resulting in long, healthy careers.
There are many ways to help yourself in your examination room.

Switch things up: Most consultation rooms are set up with most of the equipment to one side. If possible, try to alternate consulting room setups or be more aware of using both sides of your body. Try to change hands when doing different procedures.
Chairs, chairs, chairs:Take a seat! The patient chair is height adjustable and so is yours. Ensure you move the patient up to the correct height for yourself. Don’t bring yourself to the patient, bring them to you. Maintain a neutral spine position as much as you can. If this is still uncomfortable, it may be worth pursuing a different chair style (e.g. a saddle stool) to help with your comfort
Position your computer for you: Try to spin to face the patient when taking history, rather than twisting your neck to look at them while taking clinical notes. Most computers are adjustable in height and position on the table. Position it in a neutral posture for physical and visual comfort.
Support yourself: Ensure you are wearing supportive shoes. Ladies, it may be more comfortable to wear trousers instead of skirts to ensure freedom of movement. You might be able to obtain an ergonomic foam pad to support your elbow when you perform fundoscopy or gonioscopy. Raise any concerns you may have to your workplace, if equipment is not working or there are feasible alternatives e.g. repairing a broken chair.
Take a mini-break: Take note of your position and be conscious to take a break. For example, after slit-lamp examination, you can sit back and talk to the patient. This gives you a small break from the forward leaning posture.
Address any issues early on: We all want a long and fulfilling career providing optimal patient care and our bodies need to carry us through. You can have a colleague observe you practicing and provide suggestions or consult an occupational therapist or ergonomist to help you optimize your workplace. To address physical injuries, consult a medical professional.

Clinical Pearl of the Month - Mite-y ways to tackle Demodex Blepharitis

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 12:28:07 GMT

Our 'Clinical Pearl of the Month' column is where we present a clinical pearl to provoke thought and discussion.

The Demodex mite is an eight-legged ectoparasite that resides in our hair follicles and sebaceious glands, including our eyelashes. Every adult will have some demodex mites, but presence of blepharitis indicates they simply have too many. Demodex infestations increase with age, affecting 84% of the population at age 60, and 100% of those older than 70 years old.

It is contracted and spread by either direct contact or dust containing eggs. Two species are found on humans:
- the shorter Demodex brevis (0.2mm long) which tends to live inside the lashes' sebaceous glands and meibomian glands, and is suggested to be associated with posterior blepharitis
- and the slender, tapered Demodex folliculorum (0.4mm long), which bury themselves face down in the lash root, associated with anterior blepharitis
There are multiple types of blepharitis, each with their own path to effective treatment.

How do I diagnose Demodex Blepharitis?
Patients suffering from a demodex infestation may complain of crusted or matted eyelashes, tearing, burning, madarosis, and foreign body sensation on the base of their eyelashes. It is important to rule out other sources of anterior surface inflammation as there are many crossover symptoms to a myriad of conditions. N.B. Demodex mites are found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, and there is poor correlation between Demodex infestation and symptoms, as paralleled in other anterior segment conditions such as blepharitis.

A definitive diagnosis can be made through lash sampling. Select an eyelash with cylindrical dandruff as it is more likely to yield results. Mount the lash onto a coverslip with a droplet of oil.

However, this is not always practical in a clinical setting. Some signs which may be noted on routine clinical examination include cylindrical dandruff, eyelash disorders such as madarosis, and lid margin thickening and erythema. Inflammation of the lid margin can spillover and result in blepharoconjunctivitis and corneal inflammation.

What is that classic cylindrical dandruff?
This fine waxy, dry debris is considered pathognomonic of Demodex. The clear cylindrical dandruff classic of Demodex blepharitis is through to be a product of the mites' claws scraping around the eyelash follicle. Demodex infestation can cause increased keratinisation near the base of the eyelashes. As the keratinisation is mixed with lipids, it produces the classic clear cylindrical dandruff.

What is the lifecycle of Demodex?
Understanding the lifecycle is important to how we tackle demodex. A demodex mite lives around 2-3 weeks. A female will lay 15-20 eggs inside the hair follicle. These eggs turn into larvae and subsequently develop into an adult mite. They are fast little creatures, walking around 10 millimeters/hour.

Ok, I've heard enough, how do I treat my patients of these mites?
Long-term lid hygiene is required as Demodex is a chronic condition requiring chronic therapy. Prior to initiating therapy, there are several effective in-office demonstrations that have proven to increase compliance among patients with Demodex, as many lid therapies targeted specifically for Demodex cause ocular discomfort contributing to therapy dropout.

The most effective and commonly used agent for demodex is tea tree oil. Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is currently the most effective in-office and at home treatment option. The TTO stimulates the mite to exit the hair follicle and migrate to the skin before mating. Studies have shown that concentrations of TTO as low as 5% (applied 2x/day) and as high as 50% (applied in office once a week) to the base of the eyelashes and lids, is effective in reducing Demodex infestation.

There is no one single treatment method that fully eradicates the Demodex after 4 weeks of therapy. It is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment. Here are some common treatments you can implement in practice.

- Commercial eyelid cleansers (foam or wipes) used 2x/day: Patients are instructed to clean the lids and lashes, as well as smear the lid cleanser onto the eyelash roots of the lid margins. They can also be instructed to use the wipes on their eyebrows, forehead and cheeks as well as demodex live in those regions. The foam/scrubs are meant to be left on the skin to dry. Examples of lid cleansers include: Blephadex, Cliradex, Oust Demodex, Ocusoft Lid Scrub Plus
- In-office high concentration TTO: A weekly office lid scrub with 50% TTO solution is to stimulate the migration of mites out of the lash follicle. Anaesthetic is instilled in both eyes and then the eyelashes are thoroughly debrided with a cotton bud soaked in 20-50% tea tree oil. 100% tea tree oil solution causes intense patient discomfort and toxicity to the ocular surface. A 50% TTO mixture can be prepared by diluting the tea tree oil in macadamia oil. Caution must be taken in those patients with nut allergies and allergy to tea tree oil. This is then followed by daily home therapy with eyelid cleansers 1-2x/day.
- Microblepharoexfolation: This involves a high-speed rotary sponge (BlephEx) soaked in a lid cleanser. It removes the biofilim on the surface of the lids and lashes, removes the cylindrical dandruff and helps to remove the mite eggs at the base of the eyelash follicle. This is a powerful tool to kickstart treatment and may need to be repeated at 3-6month intervals for those with severe blepharitis.
- Other hygiene measures: All makeup should be discarded, hot water should be used to wash clothers and linens dried on the high-dryer setting.
- Aiding compliance: Compliance tends to be simple once the patients can see photos of their mites. This can be taken through the slit-lamp or in free space if the infestation is severe enough. A digital microscope can also be used to take photographs and video of an extracted eyelash.

Real Talk❗ - Are you recording properly?

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 12:25:06 GMT

***Our 'Real Talk!' column is where we aim to tackle uncomfortable topics in optometry, head on.***

The standard of clinical record keeping is extremely variable. It is easy to get stuck into poor habits of record keeping. Accurate record keeping is important for the provision of quality eyecare, especially in a multi-practitioner setting, to protect the optometrist in the event of an accusation of negligence and for use in My Health Record to be accessed by other practitioners. Not surprisingly, there is a strong link between poor record keeping and successful claims against practitioners for clinical negligence.

Optometrists tend to under-report, that is, perform and examine more than is recorded on their record cards.

The Optometry Board of Australia Guidelines dictate that optometrists must: "Keep accurate, up-to-date and legible records that report relevant details of clinical history, clinical findings, investigations, information given to patients, medication and other management in a form that can be interpreted by another optometrist."

Here are some reminders and tips to refresh your clinical record keeping skills:

- Detail your case history: This should have a clear indication of the patient's concerns and complaints that led them to seek a consultation. Questions asked during history taking (negative or positive answers aside) must be recorded. Their ocular and health history, medications and allergies and adverse reactions must also be recorded.

- Examination findings: The results of every test and procedure performed should be recorded, whether it is normal or negative. It should be recorded in a way that it is easy to interpret. Recording such as WNL (within normal limits) or NAD (no abnormality detected) should be preceded by the tissue or structure examined. e.g. Cornea WNL.

- Therapeutic prescriptions: When a therapeutic medication is prescribed, supplied or administered by the optometrist (including diagnostic eyedrops), the date and details of the medication should be recorded alongside the instructions given to the patient.

- Be smart with your smartphone: Increasingly, clinical images may be captured on private hand-held smartphones. A good example is taking an anterior eye photo with a phone camera through a slit-lamp. Clinical images and videos on your mobile device are considered part of the patient's clinical record, and should be treated as such. Patient consent is essential when capturing images or videos using your smartphone or tablet. Patients when giving consent should understand the purposes of the clinical image, how the image will be used, who will have access to the image, whether it will be de-identified, and how the image will be stored. Once consent is obtained, document this on the patient’s clinical file and delete the file from your device after the image has been transferred to your computer

Unconventional Optometrist - Vincent Ling (Ophthalmology Practice)

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 11:43:50 GMT

Picture: Vincent enjoying his 'birthday cake' at work - who said work can't be fun?

Our 'Unconventional Optometrist' column is where we chat to optometrists who are a bit out of the ordinary! Do you know anyone who we should feature? Let us know!

Here's our first Unconventional Optometrist. Vincent Ling is an optometrist who works full-time in a rural Queensland ophthalmology practice.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into what you are doing
Hi, So basically I was a new graduate who started my career with OPSM in Wagga Wagga. I spent about 5 months with OPSM before I decided I wanted a change. I did enjoy my time at OPSM and gained a lot of my skills there. I did a placement at Omni Eye services and I really enjoyed how optometry was practiced in the US. There was a strong relationship between optometrists and ophthalmologists which isn’t quite as apparent here. When an opportunity came up and to work on a coastal area, it was too hard to pass up.

Q. What is a typical day at work like? Is it a full-time or part-time position?
Full time. So I work 4 days a week and it is very hard to describe a typical day of work. This is what makes my job so fun. A wide variety comes in through my door since often my boss will have a full book and she will not have time to take any more patients. I do many of her follow-ups such as cataracts, glaucoma, uveitis, red eyes. She gives me full control to change medications or management plans as I see fit. Other stuff that comes in through my door include emergency referrals from the hospitals, often I will see the patient first and if I don’t feel comfortable managing whatever is through my door, my boss takes over. Sometimes if a patient cannot afford to see an ophthalmologist, they will see me and she will ‘duck’ in too have a look. All my consultations are bulk billed besides any scans that I may need to do. I really enjoy my job and I look forward to waking up everyday and going to work.

Q: What are some benefits to working in your unique situation?
My boss said to me during the interview was that I would be “under her protection.” It certainly does feel good being able to call the shots and when in doubt, she is always next door. There will be days where I do not need her help, but there will be days where I would be calling her every 10 minutes. I have a walking Kanski next to me so I feel comforted by that, however, there will be days where she is in theatre, charity work, conferences and I am left alone and I am responsible for the patients. It is certainly tough having to be the one that breaks the bad news. It never is easy to tell a patient they will lose their vision permanently or they will be requiring injections for life. I realise how complicated the art of surgery is, whether it be lids or cataracts. I am also responsible for calculating the lens implants that goes into people’s eyes, ordering them and making sure they are ready for my boss on time. This is probably the most stressful part of my job, as unlike glasses, changing a lens is much more difficult. My boss does double check my work. I am surprised how the IOL industry is evolving, we rarely implant monofocal lenses , most of the time we deal with multifocals or extended depth focus lenses which gives patients functional vision for both distance and near. However these patients are selected very carefully. Given the many happy patients outcomes I have seen, getting an IOL done when I undergo presbyopia is certainly something I would consider. Hopefully the IOLs will have come close to a normal human lens. I realise there is so much I am ignorant about when it comes to the eye and this unique situation allows me to realise this.

Q: How did you get into this unique area of optometry?
I found this job online, I think ophthalmologists are starting to see the worth in having an optometrist within their clinic. I cover about half my wage on consults but I believe I bring much more than monetary value to this clinic and I think my boss shares this belief. Especially where I am in rural Australia, ophthalmologists are often very busy and so having an optometrist with therapeutics can really lessen the load.

Q: What advice would you give to other optometrists who also wish to pursue this type of optometry?
If you take a keen interest in pathology, it is absolutely worth it. Although I cannot speak for what your responsibilities are at other ophthalmology clinics, I certainly couldn’t really think of anything, that I would change about my current job.

Q: What was your most memorable patient encounter?
I have plenty of memorable patient encounters that I can’t really single out one. I do build very strong connections with patients because I get to follow them up regularly and make the choices that impact their ocular health. I suppose the ones that are most memorable primarily revolve around delivering bad news to the patients.

Clinical Pearl of the Month - Reducing Spectacle Lens Remakes

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 07:42:35 GMT

Our 'Clinical Pearl of the Month' column is where we present a clinical pearl to provoke thought and discussion.

Optical dispenser: "Hey Optometrist, Mrs. Smith is having issues with his new glasses"
Optometrist: *knots begin to form in their stomach and they feel a sense of impending doom*

We all know the feeling.

Remakes are costly to a business and inconveniences the patient. Taking care of our patients is our top priority and we want to get it right each and every time. It isn't possible to eliminate remakes, but there are steps we can take to help reduce them.

1. What does the patient want to use the glasses for?
Show how much you care about your patients by listening to them and trying to understand what they want to use the spectacles for. A prescription is not just a jumble of numbers - it is also your recommendations. A prescription means nothing without recommendations. Does the patient need reading glasses, multifocals, split-seg bifocals with prism, extended focus lenses or a special set for their fine jewellery work? Clearly state your lens recommendations. Set aside some time to discuss realistic expectations in the consultation room.

2. Trial frame
Trial frame the prescription. Trial framing can tell you a lot about how the patient likes the prescription. After what I think are stellar refractions, I've been met with a humbling "oh my gosh that is way too strong!" or I feel nauseous" from my patients. Trial framing can save you a world of pain.

2. Make sure you correctly neutralise their current/favourite glasses (including heights, PD and check for prism)

Watch out for prism (of any orientation, up, down, in, out, yoked) or accidentally induced prism by the way the frame is sitting on their face. Lopsided glasses never did anyone any good... Check their cyl axis and don't make huge changes to their prescription without explaining adaptation.

3. Check their tear film
An unstable tear film is one of the biggest contributors to inconsistent refractions. If you suspect your patient has dry eyes affecting their refraction, instill a lubricating eyedrop before commencing. Long-term management of the dry eye issue is the goal.

4. Communicate with your optical dispensing team

The optical dispensing team is your greatest asset. Trust in your team and communicate regularly to ensure you are all on the same page. Ensure you clearly communicate what you would like dispensed for the patient. Has there been a prescription change?. E.g. Mrs. Wood has a +7.00DS prescription for reading. "Hi Dispenser, Mrs. Wood has quite a high script so it'd be great for her to have a smaller frame and custom (grind) high-index lenses to keep them nice and light for her."

Remember to communicate to the dispenser as to what vision the patient should be expecting with their new glasses. If the patient only reads N10, the dispenser will know not to ask them to read the N4 line when they pickup their new reading glasses (hopefully).

5. Remember, YOU are the expert
There will be times where the patient will need time to adapt to their new spectacles. It may be due to a new frame, material or change in prescription. Reassure them and give them time. However, some remakes may be due to unrealistic patient expectations. Pass on your expert advice without forcing your opinion on their decision.

Class of 2017 - NSW/ACT Optometrists, Where are They Now?

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 01:52:24 GMT

One year has flown by quickly - it feels like only yesterday we were welcoming them into the profession. We caught up with a few Young Optometrists and got their thoughts on their first year of practice! Thank you to all those that responded - they are an interesting bunch and have gotten up to a lot this year.

Here are some of their comments.

Alison A.: My year as a new graduate has been quite a unique experience. I decided to head across the pond to learn from some of New York’s best ophthalmologists. It has been a steep learning curve, but the experience I have gained in just a year will surely shape my optometric practice for the better once I return home.

Patricia L.: I’ve found my first year out to be a steep learning curve but very worthwhile. It has allowed me to strengthen my clinical skills and helped me work out my areas of interest.

Anonymous: One of best/worst moments was when my patients chief complaint was that his eyes hurt too much when playing on the pokies. On a more serious note, it's also amazing how good the optos is at picking up retinal tears/detachments even with undilated pupils. One of my patients with previous retinal tears had a full blown asymptomatic RD and came in to get her RMS form. She was lucky she had an optos taken that day.

Anonymous: It’s been quite diverse (at least more than I expected in a metro area) in terms of patients, ocular disease and aspect of optometry like ortho-k/myopia control, cl, paediatrics.

Marriette K.: I would describe first year as incredible because of the many ways I have seen the applications of optometry improve people's vision and lives. All the challenges of time management and troubleshooting has helped me become more confident and competent practitioner and I am enjoying growing and becoming better and better everyday.

Piranaa A.: Moving out of home to a new town to start a new job was challenging at first but the community feel of working in a regional town where everyone is so welcoming and appreciative makes it so much easier! I have enjoyed my first year out of university and would definitely recommend my colleagues to work in regional towns where all your skills will be utilised everyday and your service will be always valued.

Michelle C.: Working in a regional location has been very rewarding. Patients are very grateful for everything we do whether it’s changing the add or detecting a retinal tear. The five minute drive to work is also great.

Howard L. : This year has been a large learning curve, with the most eye opening experience as you come across so many types of people in different walks of life.

Charles W.: I've had a great year so far, really enjoying what I do because I get along well with the staff. I stuck to the same practice that I was working as a dispenser during uni, so the friendships and bonds that was formed during that time carried over when I became an optom. It's really been rewarding for me.

Anonymous: One of best/worst moments was when my patients chief complaint was that his eyes hurt too much when playing on the pokies. On a more serious note, it's also amazing how good the optos is at picking up retinal tears/detachments even with undilated pupils. One of my patients with previous retinal tears had a full-blown asymptomatic RD and came in to get her RMS form. She was lucky she had an Optos taken that day.

Jessica C: “I think this year has been a big confidence booster. Working in a busy practice is tough but worth it because you learn lots so quickly.”

Vincent L: Sudden loss of vision . Fuck. RAPD. Fuck.

Lyn P.: My first year out since graduating has been filled with interesting and challenging patients and I've learnt a lot along the way. But being out in the real world has also allowed me to realise that there is so much more to learn and work on, both clinically and personally. I've also come to realise that becoming strong and confident as a person is something that needs time and focus too.

Rachel K.: As I look back on the past year, it's quite amusing to think how scared and nervous I was in the first few months I started out as a graduate optometrist, constantly worrying over whether I have made the right diagnosis, didnt miss anything, given proper management etc.. now after almost a year out, it has become less of that and more about providing best patient care and really utilising the support network around me. I have learnt so much through my peers and mentor, and undoubtedly my mistakes. Also, moving to a regional location definitely had it's advantages in terms of patient volume and variety, and I would recommend it to all the grads just starting out. All in all, if there is one thing that I have learnt from this past year as I transitioned from a nervous fresh grad to a somewhat more competent optometrist, is to not become complacent in testing and think that everyday/ every test is repetitive, because it's not.

Anonymous: Trust yourself by don't let it get to your head

Sylvia C.: The first year out has been both challenging and rewarding. My experiences have varied from simple script updates, to an emergency BRVO with macula oedema, to a young lady diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Despite the occasional angry patient or screaming child, I'm looking forward to the surprises next year has to offer.

Emily P.: My first year out was daunting at first but it turned out to be the most rewarding so far. I was fortunate to be in a nurturing workplace with supportive front of house staff and optometrists. I also had opportunities to attend conferences where I realised my special interests in myopia control, orthok fitting and specialty cl fitting. Refraction is your bread and butter, explore and you'll find theres more to optometry."

Lisa F: The most rewarding and unexpected experience this year is definitely the connections I made with my patients. A red eye patient whom I was reviewing was getting weekly update of my training progress for city2surf and a patient's dad went out of his way to call and thank me for doing a thorough eye exam. Maybe I'm just really lucky to have had so many kind patients this year.

Anonymous: Still don't know what I'm doing half the time :)

Tyson X: A fantastic year of personal and professional growth. Highlights include seeing my first retinal detachment, initiating therapeutics for contact lens related microbial keratitis, removing metallic foreign bodies, dealing with a CRAO, comanaging an acute angle closure attack and teaching a 9-year old who had been bullied about his glasses how to insert/remove contact lenses. What makes these moments extra special is that on a personal note, they’re signs that I’ve overcome some of my greatest fears as a graduate optometrist; Missing disease, handling emergencies and dealing with kids

Jennifer B.: In my first year as a graduate optometrist, I feel that I have learnt so much more about optometry - not just in developing clinical skills but understanding how to deal with different characters and personalities of our patients. Some of the most rewarding moments of my year include convincing a patient with a macula-on retinal detachment to go straight to the closest hospital eye clinic rather than to his work meeting, finding papilloedema in an asymptomatic mentally impaired young girl, prescribing contact lenses for countless patients who just want to be specs-free on their wedding day, and prescribing specs for a 50 year old mentally impaired woman who just wants to read again.

Anonymous: Looking back, I have grown a lot as an Optometrist in the past year. Every mistake I've made along the way had been a great learning experience, and I was extremely lucky to have the help of really supportive mentors!'

Winner of inaugural YO Placement Scholarship - Carina Trinh

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 14:09:43 GMT

Congratulations to Carina for receiving the inaugural YO Placement Scholarship. She has and is always involved with all things Optometry. Read more about this influential lady:

Name: Carina Trinh

Practice: Dresden (MLC Centre, Martin Place, Sydney)

What do you plan to do with the scholarship?

Originally, I wanted to visit a contact lens practice in Victoria that fits numerous babies, along with a whole variety of interesting patients with all sorts of lenses. However, I'm also curious to visit some orthokeratology gurus in New Zealand, so I will do some further research and approach the practices to find out what suits best - then will keep you posted!

How do you think the scholarship will help you?

I'm hoping that it will provide me a really good understanding of how their style of contact lens practice works, and also harness my interest into advancing my skills, so that I can better service patients in my area. I look forward to witnessing on-the-spot calculations and measurements from the experts, and also learning the nuances in communication, education, and counselling patients while balancing their contact lens needs with their other ocular health needs.

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

Time travel - I've always had a curiosity to meet my ancestors to learn about the upbringing of my parents, my grandparents, and far beyond. It seems like a really humbling experience to better appreciate all the people who've made it possible for me to be here in existence today on this planet, typing away right now on my laptop. I suppose I'm really interested in what contributes to the making of a person be who they are and behave the way that they do, and this would allow me to use my parents as case studies! Although, time travel would also allow me to explore other galaxies, and also maybe experience life as a bacterium - sounds sort of zen.

Tier 3 Young Optometrists NSW/ACT Scholarship Winner announced!

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 12:34:30 GMT

Please join us in congratulating the Tier 3 Scholarship winner for 2018, Vivian Ho! Read more about her upcoming plans to make the most of her prize.

Name: Vivian Ho

Practice: OPSM North Sydney

What do you plan to do with the scholarship?: I hope to use it towards the Masters of Clinical Optometry program that I'm currently doing. Or the OEP course for Behavioural Optometry which I've completed 2 parts of.

How do you think the scholarship will help you?

It will help me gain more of an in-depth knowledge of what I already know, and extend that to other specialty areas. It will be very relevant and applicable to all areas of Optometry and better equip me when I come across more challenging situations.

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

I would like to travel through time and space, would be interesting to see things from different perspectives.

YO & CFEH not-so-trivial Trivia Night

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 03:10:14 GMT

YO in conjunction with the Centre For Eye Health (CFEH) held its first ever trivia night on the 18th of August 2018 at the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel. Dr Michael Yapp from CFEH was a phenomenal host, both writing and presenting the questions. It was a raucous night where Dr Yapp kept the crowd entertained with optometry but also non-optometry related questions. We learnt about common but also rare conditions that even the most experienced of us had not heard of before. All through this we dined on seafood or vegetarian platters. Thankyou to Dr Yapp and to those who attended, making it a fun and memorable night.

Congratulations to the prize winners and thankyou to CooperVision and CFEH for supplying the prizes:

1st place: Team OPTOMism (Prize $20 Apple/Android gift card and CooperVision power banks)

2nd place: Team EYE DEER (Prize Guide Dog plush and CooperVision power banks)

Last place: Vitreous is sweet (Free access to CFEH's webinar)

YO Scholarship winner announced

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 07:21:21 GMT

YO is delighted to announce the winner of the Tier 1 Young Optometrists NSW/ACT scholarship as Celine Zhang. The scholarships are designed to assist optometrists in their practise of optometry through attending educational events or placements. Celine showed a clear focus and passion for myopia control, for which she wished to broaden through the study of orthokeratology. YO is proud to introduce Celine:

Name: Celine Zhang

Practice: Eyecare Plus Bankstown & Eyecare Plus Kareela

What do you plan to do with the scholarship? I will be attending the 13^th Congress of the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania (OSO), held at the sunny Gold Coast this year. Ortho-K is such an exciting field and I can’t wait to equip myself with the latest information to implement into practice.

How do you think the scholarship will help you? Childrens’ vision and myopia control are two of my greatest passions. Myopia control is a strong need in the population of children I am seeing. Currently, I’m drawing upon therapeutic, spectacle lens and soft lens options to slow myopic progression and referring to my capable colleagues to fit ortho-K lenses. I’m very fortunate to work in practices that have topographers and fitting kits right at my fingertips – I would love to have the autonomy to prescribe ortho-K lenses and be involved in every aspect of myopia control for my patients. Being able to learn from the best in the field and attend the Beginner’s Bootcamp at OSO will be invaluable.

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be? The ability to understand and communicate with anyone in the world, regardless of language. It would also be useful to get into the thoughts of babies … what are you seeing through your new glasses?

All dried up?

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 01:45:29 GMT

What exactly is dry eye? How many of your patients present complaining of dry eye? Did you know.... when people use digital devices, on average they blink 5 times less than normal? This dries out the eye's surface, often causing dry eye symptoms!

As part of UNSW SOVS Dry eye "Defy Dry eye 2018" Social Media Campaign they are raising awareness of dry eye symptoms, and encouraging patients to visit their local optometrist. The initiative is part of a final year Masters of Clinical Optometry research project which has been undertaken by their students.

Interested in finding out more?

Like their page:

Twitter: @UNSWoptomvsci

Facebook: facebook.com/UNSWOptom

Website: www.optometry.unsw.edu.au

Futures 2040 Workshop

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 03:28:35 GMT

On Saturday 21st July Optometry Australia held their Optometry 2040 Future’s Workshop in Sydney at the ICC. I was fortunate to attend the morning brainstorming session along with a wide range of other enthusiastic industry representatives, both optometrists and non-optometrists, who have a rich collective knowledge and experience base. The aims of the Optometry 2040 Future’s project are to identify the potential directions for the future of Optometry in Australia, and to identify proactive strategies to direct the profession down the paths that are reflective of what the profession wants. The brainstorming session involved stimulating group discussions on a variety of topics such as specialization within optometry, alternative funding options, the impact of Internet sales and artificial intelligence, to name a few.

As an ONSW/ACT member and as a young optometrist with hopefully many years left in my career, it was rewarding to participate in the project thus far in gaining insights on where Optometry currently is, and where it potentially can be, and it was empowering to actively contribute to shaping the future of my profession. – Megan Tu, Secretary of Young Optometrists NSW/ACT

The Science of Business - YO and Provision

Sat, 30 Jun 2018 09:38:33 GMT

On Friday 22nd June 2018, our young optom members gathered at the QT hotel, Sydney, on behalf of ProVision to learn the art of business. The private function allowed us to mingle with our peers as well as with ProVision Business Development Manager Graeme and state-based ProVision Business Couches Kelvin and Joanne.

We were seated in a cinema-like room to learn about owning our own business and the support available to independent optometrists. Often a foreign aspect to Optometry, for many of us, it was interesting to learn about establishing a business model and the many layers involved in running your own practice. A standout point made was that independent optometry still has a strong hold in the market, with a market share of approximately 30%! It was rewarding to know that patients still highly regarded independent optometrists and acknowledged their efforts to deliver high quality customer service and personalised experience. The night was a success where connections were made and it became clear how ProVision could be a possible pathway for some members.

ProVision also offers an associate program to all optometrists, which is complimentary to join. To apply for the program, go to www.provision.com.au

Assessing Anterior Anomalies Workshop

Sat, 30 Jun 2018 08:56:49 GMT

On June 17th 2018, YO held a Assessing Anomalies workshop. We enjoyed learning from Dr Colin Chan (Ophthalmologist) and Dr Margaret Lam`s (Optometrist) many years of experience.

Dr Colin Chan presented us with cases, SiCo style and we became better at differentiating between `Dodgy and Non-Dodgy`Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia. We had a refresher on identifying and managing corneal graft rejections. Dr Chan also drummed into us, how important timely management of keratoconous is.

Dr Margaret Lam covered an abundance of tips and tricks with advanced contact lens fitting specifically for RGP and scleral fits. We learnt from Margaret`s own cases and the reasoning behind the lenses prescribed.

The presentations were followed by therapeutic cases studies and a sit down buffet lunch. Thank you to everyone for attending and a special thank you to Dr Colin Chan, Dr Margaret Lam and the YO team.

Paediatrics Workshop

Tue, 22 May 2018 02:47:18 GMT

Thank you to all who attended the paediatric workshop on Saturday night (12th May 2018). It was a successful and booked out event at the Mercure Hotel, which held our three speakers: Liz Jackson who is a paediatric and behavioural optometrist, Justine Tucker who is an experienced vision therapist, and Dr Michael Jones, a well known and respected paediatric ophthalmologist.

We were fortunate enough to have Liz Jackson return again to give another talk. As always, Liz's enthusiasm and expertise left us more confident and her tips and tricks are sure to help us better manage our little patients.

Following Liz's presentation was Justine, who demonstrated how we could utilise vision training techniques to patients who experience accommodative or convergence difficulties. Justine had us all engaged with her demonstrations and hands talk.Thank you to the audience volunteers who had their visual systems stretched and pulled!

And last, but not least, Dr Michael Jones who ran through his experiences of examining children and how we could best manage and communicate with both nervous children and their parents or carers. And no, we will not forget his most prized equipment if ever he was stranded on an ophthalmic island – a retinoscope!

With the completion of another successful CPD workshop, we are excited to start planning for our upcoming events in the future! We look forward to seeing you there!

Benefits YO membership

Wed, 02 May 2018 04:46:19 GMT

Benefits of YO membership

WATCH our video here on why you should join YO.

1. Workshops/Talks tailored to optometrists within first 10 years of graduation
o Controversial topics, how to ask for pay raise, too many optometrists
o Intimate, interactive education
o Great value for CPD , over 30 CPD points a year
o Next workshop Paediatrics evening featuring optometrist Liz Jackson, ophthalmologist Michael Jones and orthopdist Justine Tucker at Mercure 12^th May 2018
2. Travel Scholarships
o $7000 worth of scholarships for interstate and overseas conferences and one interstate conference
o Learn about new technology, clinical ideas and eye care overseas
3. Networking events
o Not sure if optometry is for you? Want to learn about other career pathways within optometry?
o Meet established optometrists that want to share with you their journey within optometry
o Recently had EyeQ networking event at Doncaster Hotel on Friday 23^rd March, we had inspiring talks from Mark Koscek and ???
4. Support network/community
o Get access to our closed YO NSW/ACT forum where you can ask questions clinical and non-clinical without judgement
o Blogs, classifieds, newsletters and more
o Join a friendly, supportive and down to earth community for early career optometrists

Applications for travel scholarships EXTENDED to 15th June 2018

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 07:31:49 GMT

We have $7000 worth of travel scholarships up for grabs! Apply today applications EXTENDED to June 15th 2018 and are only for full YO members.

Tier One
Value up to $750 for a conference within Australia.

Tier Two
Value up to $2000 for a workshop/conference anywhere around the world.

Tier Three
Value up to $3000 for a course anywhere around the world.

There is one placement program scholarship available, up to the value of $1250.

Interested? Applications EXTENDED to 15th June 2018.

Not a member? Sign up here:https://www.yoptoms.com/Membership

Terms and Conditions and application form can be found here.

Watch the video on why you should go on an overseas/interstate conference here

Thinking about going to that overseas conference? Go to a conference in Europe, Asia or the USA. You can find out about what overseas conferences available here.

Or find your own in your special interests i.e. Orthok, Paediatrics or Behavioural Optometry interstate or overseas. Have an experience of a lifetime. Learn from global experts. Network. See how eye care is run in other countries. Enjoy a holiday while you are at it. Before or after your conference.

Overseas conferences are tax-deductible and are convertible to CPD points in Australia.

What are you waiting for?

Apply for a scholarship here.

7th World Glaucoma Congress Helsinki, Finland

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 12:35:08 GMT

I attended the 7th World Glaucoma Conference in Helsinki, Finland. I went with 3 other optometrists, Wendy Saw, Sandra Au and Jenny Song. It was a 3.5 day conference between June 28th and July 1st 2017. It was an eye opening experience. It was good to meet overseas delegates and learn about the latest in glaucoma from an international perspective. In between conference days we went to a concert, nordic walking and a conference dinner. Before the conference we also travelled to Denmark, Sweden and Norway. For next time, I will do a conference first before any travels, as we did get a little exhausted! I'd definitely do it again, I highly recommend going to an overseas conference, there is nothing to lose. Apply today for a scholarship, go to that overseas/interstate conference!

Nordic Walking, we are all sporting red "Walk for Glaucoma" t shirts!

Conference dinner at Kulosaaren Casino

Helsinki Cathedral

YO NSW/ACT Scholarship

Sat, 13 Jan 2018 13:22:20 GMT

Young Optometrist NSW/ACT is excited to introduce their first scholarship ever. There will be three scholarships of differing values and one placement program scholarship available.

Please read the pdf application form below for Terms and Conditions and fill out the application form and email it back to us by 30th April 2018.

If you are not a full member, make sure you sign up to take advantage of all the amazing opportunities we have. Our passion is and always will be optometry. We want to provide YOu with the best chances for growth and development!

YO Scholarship Proposal.pdf

Welcome Wendy!

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 12:30:19 GMT

Tell us a little about yourself (quirky habits or favourite things etc):

Hi Everyone :) I’m Wendy and currently settled in Sydney. I have been an optometrist for over half a decade now, and spent my first 5 years working in country locations along the eastern side of Oz: from Cairns down to Tassy and a few places in between!

How did you end up in optometry as a career?

Optometry became my first preference, after I could not choose to be an interpreter (my mother said I wasn’t good enough compared to Asians from Asia). I was always good at science, so after deciding between Pharmacy and Optometry, I chose Optometry due to the higher enter rank needed.

What are you most passionate about outside of optometry?

I love hiking and racquet sports (especially squash), so I try to pursue those in my spare time. In my travels, I bought a guitar in Cairns and a piano sized keyboard in Tassy, so music is something I am passionate about. I have a bit of a farmer’s streak in me, and I’m really into organic gardening and pursuing a healthy vegetarian lifestyle.

How would you spend your free time?

I spend a lot of my free time actually, going to CPD and Leadership events, like conferences etc, and mixing that up with overseas travel. On Saturdays, I hang out with friends and we play a lot of exciting games, most recently Laser Tag - I’m looking forward to Escape Room next! On Sundays, I go to Church. I go to the beach a lot too at sunset, the beaches here are breathtakingly beautiful! If I have a whole day free, I go hiking with a group (too scared to hike by myself, I’m quite directionless and become lost very easily).

I’m supposed to be finishing off my therapeutics, so my free time will be devoted to studying very very soon.

Most embarrassing moment?

Doing a presentation when I wasn’t invited to with my whole family present and Science HOD present too, at a CSIRO Student Research Scheme speech night. I kept my cool though, but looking back, I should have been more embarrassed.

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?

It was fun introducing YO to Specsavers graduates in Melbourne this year, so I thought: why not join? I worked in the country as soon as I graduated and stayed in various country locations for at least a year. It was a bit lonely and isolating in the country for me, and I feel like YO is a good platform to reach out to young regional optoms. You guys are doing a fantastic job by the way! It’s not easy being in the country!

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

I wish I could read minds. I’m told I cannot really read people and empathise well enough. I’m really working on that actually.

What is your current favourite phrase?

“Zero to Hero”

Eyes 4 Everest Nepal October 2018

Sat, 04 Nov 2017 02:09:37 GMT

The trip was a fantastic experience. I met the most amazing people (a 60 year old grandpa who climbed Everest and called it an autobahn!) and shared the journey with a generous and caring group of people, who I hope to call lifelong friends. Being able to provide eye care for the people of the Everest region was humbling. We had old grandmas trek for four hours to see us, as there is such limited eye care there. This really put into perspective how fortunate we are in Australia, with our health services and high quality of practitioners. There is no camera out there that can truly capture the beauty of Nepal. Everywhere you looked there were mountains, flowing streams, shooting stars - everything you want a progressing myope to look at! Nepal has much to offer, from the most delicious dal baht to a colourful culture and loving sherpas. However, as primary eye care providers we too have something to offer - our knowledge and services. I hope as eyes4everest evolves, they can reach even more people in need for eye care and put an end to preventable blindness.

Meet Ben!

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 12:01:02 GMT

Tell us a little about yourself (quirky habits or favourite things etc)

I love playing sports like squash and snowboarding but I seem to injure myself all the time. However, It doesn’t matter that I get a new cut or bruise every time, tear ligaments and break toenails, I’ll still go back for more!

How did you end up in optometry as a career?

I was probably like a lot of young kids, coming out of school with no idea what I was doing. It just seemed like a clean easy course to study. How wrong was I about it being an easy course to study!

What are you most passionate about outside of optometry?

Probably all my sports like snowboarding, scuba diving, squash and tennis! Need that adrenaline rush!

How would you spend your free time?

Mostly catching up with friends either over dinner and drinks or playing the above sports!

Most embarrassing moment?

Forgetting patient names... it happens on a daily basis since we see so many people. But most embarrassing was probably when I forgot the patients name and called them something else in the 30 mins they were sitting outside waiting for their dilation!

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?

I feel like optometry is being steered too much in one direction and I don’t know if it’s a good direction. So it’s time to try even up the playing field a bit!

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Probably immortality because with enough time, anything can be figured out and I’d love to see how technology and especially space travel changes with time! Maybe we can eventually figure out teleportation in the future like some of the other members picked so I wouldn’t need to wish for that!

What is your current favourite phrase?

Every failure is a step closer to success. I would know that the best...

Hello from Herenia!

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 11:36:53 GMT

Tell us a little about yourself (quirky habits or favourite things etc):

I am a Korea-born Kiwi, who moved to Australia in 2012 after finishing my Optometry degree from University of Auckland. I have worked as a full time optom, travelled all over NSW as a locum as well as working for the Specsavers head office for a short while. I currently live in Sydney with my husband and two adorable dogs!

How did you end up in optometry as a career?
In my first year at uni, while I studied Biomedical science, I applied for Optometry as it sounded like a great profession where you get to help, problem solve for people in a clinical environment, without the crazy working hours. The more I studied, the more I enjoyed what it was about!

What are you most passionate about outside of optometry?
Dogs! I absolutely love dogs and I'm looking at volunteering for RSPCA.

How would you spend your free time?
Travelling and finding good restaurants with my husband.

Most embarrassing moment?
During a consultation, as I was sitting back down on my stool (it was one of those saddle chairs) I didn't sit far back enough,slipped and fell on the floor in front of a patient!

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?
I often heard from Melody how she enjoys working with YO and she has met so many amazing people. This got me quite interested as I love meeting new people and socialising! Also I loved the idea of YO - how it brings young optoms together and provides education as well as lots of fun!

If you had one superpower, what would it be?
Teleport. So I could visit my family in Korea whenever I want to!

What is your current favourite phrase?
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Bali Wellness Retreat 2018

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 11:13:28 GMT

The anticipated Bali Wellness 2018 retreat is here.

Click bali wellness retreat 2018.pdf for the brochure, it contains the itinerary, information on how to sign up and more.

It will take place between May 19th to May 26th 2018 in Ubud, Bali. It will be guided by Beata Alfoldi a renowned transformation teacher. Early bird price of $2250 if you book before December 31st ($2500) excluding flights. Freshly prepared organic vegetarian meals, accommodation and airport transfer are included. There will be workshops, yoga, salt baths, sauna and herbal steam. Open to all optometrists, family and friends but places are limited. Any questions? Email optomwellnessretreat@gmail.com

Farewell from Outgoing Chair, Welcome Incoming Chair

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 09:29:17 GMT

Young Optometrist is a non-profit organisation aimed to assist optometrist in their first 10 years of practice and address needs specific to young professionals who are paving their path in the optometric profession. Carina, along with Megan Tu, Rebecca Li, Rajeev Naidu, Jack Phu and Chris Pooley, was actually one of the founding memberes of YO. She has been an amazing Chair and has really built something to be proud of. After 5 years, it will be sad to see Carina go, however I'm sure she has more amazing things in store for the near future.

"YO has come such a long way since our humble beginnings in 2012, now providing quality tailored education, insightful sessions, and awesome Xmas parties year on year. As with everything in the world, YO continues to evolve. I am ever so grateful for the priceless experiences, life lessons, friends, and opportunities that YO has provided me with. I've been extremely privileged to have been able to represent YO during my term alongside incredible committee members, and could not be happier to introduce to you all our next chair: Rose Huang.

Rose is a dedicated Optometrist, with a huge heart, fantastic leadership skills, and damn, can she lift. I have complete confidence in Rose to lead Young Optometrists NSW/ACT."

- Carina Trinh, Outgoing Chair

Carina will be passing on the baton to Rose Huang who will be our new chair.

"Hi guys, for those who don’t know me I’m Rose and I’m thrilled to be your new chair. Our aim has always been to help create opportunities for you guys, promote career development and facilitate networking, all whilst providing a friendly learning environment.

We have a fantastic team here at YO and I am excited to be a part of it. I would like to acknowledge Carina, our previous chair and one of the founding members of YO. She has helped establish such an amazing organization and her passion and hard work has not gone unnoticed.

YO is made up of an amazing group of people and without everyone’s hard work and dedication we would not be where we are today. We look forward to providing even bigger and better things for you and building on what we have done so far!"

- Rose Huang, Chair of Young Optometrists NSW/ACT

Anna-mazing Anna

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 09:09:24 GMT

Introducing Anna! Anna joined YO earlier this year and is now a part of our executive committee. You might have seen her about - she MC'd at our latest workshop for foreign body removals, lacriminal lavage and double eyelid eversion. Anna is now writing our monthly newsletters, keep your eyes peeled for her latest work!

Tell us a little about yourself (quirky habits or favourite things etc)

I like laughing and making people laugh. I seem to have a habit of getting myself into trouble. Good thing is I have gotten myself into trouble so many times I'm also good at getting myself out of it. I got a lot of funny stories to tell.

How did you end up in optometry as a career?

I have always wanted to do optometry.I have always enjoyed science and working with people.

What are you most passionate about outside of optometry?

I am passionate about being vegetarian and animal rights.

How would you spend your free time?

I'm a homebody, I like to stay home catch up on house chores. Listening to music, watching shows, going to interesting talks, swimming and yoga.

Most embarrassing moment?

Getting trapped in a lift not long ago. I was 45 minutes late and I walked into the wrong building and that building was closed. Managed to get myself out. I panicked even more because I watched a movie about being trapped and dying in a lift. The movie was called 'i origins". It so happened to be a movie that was about eyes too, funnily enough.

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?

I think we have a great community at YO and that workshops and events were awesome. I enjoyed them especially because I was working in practice without a mentor. There are so many benefits of being a YO member. Its my way of giving back.

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

It would be to fly, to wherever I want to be.

What is your current favourite phrase?

Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

Have you met.... Sarah?

Sun, 24 Sep 2017 13:11:24 GMT

Sarah Pham has been helping plan events with YO even before she had graduated! In fact Sarah is one now one of our executive members and together with other amazing YO committee members she has been working on the YO Christmas Party (Friday 24th November 2017). Don't forget the Christmas party is free for all full members! Hope to see you there.

Get to know Sarah a bit better and keep reading!

Tell us a little about yourself (quirky habits or favourite things etc):

H’yall!! I’m Sarah, a 23yo working and living in the hustling and bustling city of Sydney (more towards South West Sydney). First impressions of me are usually nice, loud, bubbly and a little bit crazy (just a little!).

How did you end up in optometry as a career?

To be honest it was an accident! I initially wanted to be a vet but when I did some work experience, I found out that it didn’t suit me as much even though I love animals (still do!). One day, I was just looking through the list of university degrees and I stumbled on optometry. I tried it out and ended up loving it!

What are you most passionate about outside of optometry?

Social psychology is really exciting to me! Soooo personality tests are always fun :)

How would you spend your free time?

I’m always looking for new things to do with my friends and family. This ranges from trying new cafes and restaurants, participating in different activities such as karaoke, paintball, rock-climbing and movies just to name a few! On the other spectrum, I’ll be working on developing myself so I’ll be at the gym, doing hapkido or attempting to cook (huge emphasis on attempt).

Majority of the time, my schedule is super packed but I do love the occasional chill and lazy days where I’m at home and catching up on my favourite TV shows!

Most embarrassing moment?

To this day, no one can seemingly explain how I am able to trip over absolutely nothing so often...

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?

It was very natural how I joined YO. It started off with me enquiring about YO’s agenda and motivations and then it followed through to me befriending them then I ended up offering a helping hand and contributing to the planing of events over the last couple of years. Afterwards the subcommittee member application was extended to me and I responded in kind.

It all happened so naturally that I cannot pinpoint my exact inspiration, it all just fell into place.

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

It would be amazing if I could teleport! Think about all the possibilities! I would be able to get to anywhere at anytime. Also, cutting down travel time means that I would have so much more time to spent on more valuable things.

What is your current favourite phrase?

The number of mistakes and the regrets in your life are not what define you. It is how you learn from it and move that is important :)

Introducing.... Amazing Abdul!

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 12:11:26 GMT

Abdul was our amazing presenter at the Foreign Body, Lacrimal Lavage and Double Eyelid Eversion Workshop. He has now joined our executive team and is an integral part in our YO family! Keep reading to get to know him a bit better...

Tell us a little about yourself (quirky habits or favourite things etc):

I’m a pretty stress-free take it easy kind of guy. I like spending quality time with people; one on ones or with a small bunch of friends rather than large groups. Habits and hobbies include being meticulous and taking my time inspecting and deciphering new things.

How did you end up in optometry as a career?
Thought it would be a chill career, not having to worry about taking work home while still being in a respected field.

What are you most passionate about outside of optometry?
I am passionate about family and keeping an active life.

How would you spend your free time?
Enjoy playing all different kinds of sports. You name it and I’m up for it!

Most embarrassing moment?
Embarrassing moments are plentiful, but it’s always sheepish trying to think of something while answering these types of questions.

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?
I’d like to broaden and deepen my understanding by committing myself to an educational role to both help myself and my peers excel.

If you had one superpower, what would it be?
I think if you’re going to have a superpower, you’ve gotta go big, so i’m going to say immortality.

What is your current favourite phrase?
My current favourite phrase is “Be like the flower that gives its fragrance to even the hand that crushes it.”

Introducing Subcommittee Extraordinaire... Sarah Tait!

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 12:15:26 GMT

You may have noticed we have recently been introducing members of the YO Subcommittee (see here for the last one). These members are dedicated, working countless hours voluntarily to shape YO and provide the best possible experience and opportunities for you!

Introducing Sarah Tait! Sarah joined us earlier this year and her passion and dedication is absolutely amazing. Want to know more about Sarah? Keep reading!

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am from NZ and moved to Australia a little over 3 years ago. I love living on the Central Coast NSW. I spend a lot of time at the beach. The relaxed lifestyle is great! I love chocolate, Grey’s Anatomy and my boyfriend’s dog Gary.

How did you end up in optometry as a career?

Straight after school I spent 12 months in Italy. I applied for uni when I was still in Europe and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I ended up doing a science degree which I really enjoyed but I realised that I didn’t want to go into research full time. When I finished my BSc, a friend of mine had just finished her first year of Optometry. She was loving Optometry and suggested that I apply. I am very glad that I did, I love working as an Optometrist. It is a great mix of science, health care and problem solving.

What are you most passionate about outside of optom?

Volunteer work, but I as I volunteer as an optometrist that isn’t really outside optometry! I am also passionate about travelling. I go on at least one overseas trip a year (not including going back to NZ to visit friends and family). This year I went to China in April and I am going to Cambodia in November.

How do you spend your free time?

I love to brunch! I also like to catch up with friends, my boyfriend, go to the beach and walk the dog. At lot of my time off is also spent travelling back to NZ.

Most embarrassing moment?

Honestly can’t remember, must have been so traumatic that I blocked it out!

What inspired you to join YO as a subcommittee member?

I really enjoyed going to YO events and hanging out with other YOs. I saw how hard the people on the committee worked and I wanted to do what I could to help them out so that YO can continue to deliver great events and advocate for young Optoms.

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation, travelling would be so much cheaper if I didn’t have to pay for flights! Also it would be great to be able to teleport back to NZ at short notice!

What is your current favourite phrase?

No one ever died wishing they had done more housework!

Along with everyone in the team (especially the lovely Teresa Bui!), Sarah has been an integral part in the planning of the Mix and Mingle. Following the success of last year’s Mix and Mingle this year’s will be held on Saturday 16th September 7pm at the Mercure Sydney. This is an unique event to YO which aims to provide young optometrists with insight into different scopes of practice. Have you ever wondered what the future holds for optometry, or even for your career? Have you been thinking of cutting your hours, or increasing your hours to suit your lifestyle? Are there certain areas of practice that really interest you but you just don’t know who to ask? If you answered yes to any of these, this is the perfect event for you! It will feature renowned, experienced optometrist who have specialised in certain areas, business owners and/or lead exciting lifestyles that may appeal to you.

Words of wisdom! Interview with Professor Kovin Naidoo

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 13:25:04 GMT

Interview with Professor Kovin Naidoo, CEO of the Brien Holden Vision Institute

by Kevin Shaw

Last week I was fortunate enough to catch up with Professor Kovin Naidoo over Skype. Below is an invaluable insight for Young Optometrists looking to get more involved in the public health sector. His story epitomises a life dedicated to giving vision to everyone, everywhere.

Richard: Thank you for taking the time to have a chat. Firstly, you are obviously very passionate about eye care. Have you ever wanted to get involved in other aspects of public health? For example clean water projects, vaccine programs etc.

Kovin: Given my roots in South Africa I think I would have been involved in the HIV/AIDs campaign. It has devastated a large portion of our population. When I was choosing between Optometry and general medicine, if I chose medicine I would have got involved in HIV/ AIDs.

R: How much do you currently travel as CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI)? Where are you based?

K: I am now based in Sydney. Our other major office is in Durban, South Africa so I do go back and forth. The job involves a lot of travel as the BHVIhas worked in 54 countries.

R: You currently serve on the board of many organisations, how much overlap is there between being on the board of the World Council of Optometry, Vision 2020 and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) for example? To what extent do they work together?

K: The good thing about the eyecare space is that it is a fairly defined community, there is a great deal of overlap, you meet different organisations in different forums etc. The bad thing about it is that it is mainly eyecare people and increasingly the main discussion is how do we create campaigns and efforts that interface with the broader community and civil society. Whether it is organisations involved in child rights or labour issues or organisations worried about road safety because at the end of the day vision is not a narrow health issue, it has other socio economic implications whether it is education for children or work for adults. So it makes sense for us to really go outside that box.

R: Over the years have you seen a change in the dynamics between Ophthalmology and Optometry in the public health space?

K: I think the positive thing in the public health space is that Optometry and Ophthalmology are working very closely together. When I was elected chair of the IAPB in South Africa, the majority of IAPB members were from Ophthalmology. Since we worked so closely together the issue was not what profession you were from it was about what you can bring to the table for our collective purpose. All my co-chairs except one were ophthalmologists. As a result of that cooperation, almost all of the schools of optometry that the BHVI helped set up were supported by local ophthalmologists. I think it’s a good thing. I think in the private sector there is always a contestation and an issue in terms of relations but in the public sector we have worked together very successfully.

R: You have a Masters in Public Health and a PhD from UNSW, are these necessary for Optometrists who want to work in the public health sector?

K: I think it is very important to have a broader understanding. I did my Masters in Public Health in the USA. It was very much around understanding epidemiology, program planning and evaluation, health promotion and within that it was about how you advocate for better health and health systems management. These are skills that help you to define strategy within eyecare. For example, increasingly we have come to realise we cannot solely be providing service delivery; we need to look at health promotion. If you look at the myopia crisis that the world is facing, in developed countries such as Australia, the solution is not us as non-government organisations going and providing services, people already have easy access to Optometric services but there is a huge importance for health promotion campaigns to get parents more sensitive to the fact that myopia progression is a major public health issue of our time and that they need to do something about it. I think a Public Health degree allows you to see health in a more holistic way.

The PhD is usually something that allows you to focus more on your core influence of study. So I did my PhD on epidemiological studies within that space because I wanted to learn more and take that skill to another level.

R: Did you yourself think a PhD was a good idea or did someone like Professor Brien Holden encourage you to do it?

K: Actually at that time I did not want to do a PhD because BHVI was growing so fast, we were on the road perpetually; the challenges on us were enormous. The university system demands a PhD of you. If you do not have a PhD you cannot lecture and supervise students and we were recruiting a lot of students to do socially relevant research and I needed to supervise. The masters gave me a lot of skills. If I had a choice at that time I would not have done it. I think doing a PhD forces you to subspecialise, it allowed me to stop and focus on what I am interested in, to go deeper and that has become my research focus now.

R: What can Australian Optometrists in private practice do to support sustainable optometry in other countries? Maybe get involved in teaching at universities? What would be a good first step in the public health sector?

K: Volunteering for a sustainable effort is good. If you want to go overseas, make sure you link up with the local optometry school, impart your knowledge and help the students. Make sure that there is some sustainable outcome from your trip. Just going and providing eyecare services for a small number of people and leaving is not the most ideal thing. Getting involved with projects that talk about sustainability and empower the people in those countries to make a difference is a great thing to do.

If I was a young Australian optometrist, I think we are at a junction in our history as a profession where we should be asking what should we be doing in Australia first because if you look at the myopia epidemic we have a major crisis looming in the world and I think there is an opportunity for young Optometrists to ask what can we do to become knowledgeable about myopia control. It is more than just about being a private practice income generator.What can we do to create greater awareness of myopia control? To invest in school programs to educate kids and parents? What can we do to influence public policy to increase children’s time spent outdoors?Of course if you are interested in working in poorer communities in Australia or globally you can take that forward as well.

R: What about getting involved in BHVI?

K: There are many different things that Optometrists do interfacing with us. Firstly there is postgraduate work such as PhD etc. Some work in public health programs, implementing programs either clinically or managing programs. Then we have research Optometrists in our clinics that see patients as part of our myopia research or our presbyopia research or our ocular comfort research etc. So those are the various levels of interaction. And now we are also interested in developing entrepreneurship models that can increase access to eyecare. So some optometrists we have working with us have a good business sense and they combine that with a public health sense to be able to support entrepreneurship for development.

R: Is funding the main thing holding back optometry in developing countries? What about the Haiti Optometry School project, how was that funded?

K: Funding is a major issue. The Haiti project is a culmination of various schools of optometry that we have set up in different parts of the world, the first one we did was in Malawi followed closely by Mozambique and it costs us in excess of 3 million dollars to do each one. The problem is that funders do not find that sexy. Funders like projects where you do an eye camp and you take nice pictures where the children are smiling etc. The reality is that we at BHVI decided to do this because it is the right thing to do. What it has done is create a generation of optometrist in Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, and Mali as well as in Vietnam. It is creating generations of optometrists who would be able to serve their people on their own and would be able to make our services obsolete.

This is the true approach to development. Development is not about dependency; it is about creating independence for those you interact with. They get the skills and resources to do it on their own. We see the BHVI as a catalytic organisation rather than an organisation that wants to entrench itself in these projects. Governments are very keen, as I told you through the IAPB collaborations we are getting a lot of support from Ophthalmology for this but the issue is that we need more funding. That’s why in Haiti it was important to bring a coalition of organisations together and hopefully with Optometry Giving Sight we can get the kind of money we need for that.

R: I am very happy to hear that countries which have never had optometric coverage before are finally getting it.

K: Unfortunately it is the reality for many African countries even LatinAmericancountries; you have millions of people who do not have access to an optometrist.

R: Which countries currently stand out as having the poorest access to eyecare?

K: Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. We do a lot of work in PNG as well. We have a presence in India as well as many Africancountries, which is where I would say the biggest need is. We also have an office in Bogotá, Columbia because there are some Latin American countries that don't have access to Optometrists so we provide assistance to them in different ways.

R: What does the next 10 years look like for the BHVI?

K: One of the things we have done is we have focused our efforts around a key strategic priority and that key strategic priority is myopia. We see ourselves expanding our research in the myopia space both in spectacle lenses and contact lenses. We have launched a global campaign called Our Children's Vision where we hope to reach 50 million children by the year 2020. We have 70 plus organisations who have joined that coalition including non-eye care organisations like Save the Children etc. So we want to expand that collaboration and opportunity. Through those efforts we can expand the impact that we can make.

We have come to the realisation we need to be more focused and you may have seen the paper that we published where we found 50% of the world’s population will be myopic by 2050 and 20% of those will be greater than -5.00DS which comes with it increased risk of glaucoma, cataracts etc. So we think the world is on the cusp of one of the biggest public health challenges of our time and its unique compared to all the campaigns for malaria, trachoma etc. because it affects both the developed and developing world so this is a truly global crisis we are facing. Lifestyle changes are happening all over the world so we see ourselves focusing on that with our research as well as education through our myopia education programs.

R: Thank you for your time Professor Naidoo.

Links you may be interested in:

Brien Holden Vision Institute: https://brienholdenvision.org/

World Council of Optometry: http://worldcouncilofoptometry.info/

International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness: https://www.iapb.org/

Vision 2020 Australia: http://www.vision2020australia.org.au/

Our Children’s Vision campaign: http://www.ourchildrensvision.org/

YO Subcommittee Profile: Rose Huang

Sat, 08 Jul 2017 07:26:39 GMT

By now, you've been seeing the name Rose Huang a lot, but you may be wondering, who is this person? Is she for real? Does she actually exist? Well, we are proud to say she is! And she is a super star in YO. Would you like to learn more about Rose? We interviewed her recently and would love to share what we found out about her, which you can read all about here.

Neurological Nuances

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 01:15:08 GMT

We may have all come across that patient – 4pm on a Friday afternoon they come in complaining of headaches for the past few weeks. You take a look at the nerves, are they actually swollen? Is that just optic nerve head drusen? What’s going on? What’s the management process? Who do you call?

Written by YO Rose Huang. Read more here!

Online Optometry Communities

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 02:26:29 GMT

As optometrists we are so lucky to have wonderful support networks in our profession. However you may not be aware of all the communities out there, so here’s a basic introduction to some of those groups. As always, before posting please obtain patient consent and if you are uploading any information make sure the patient’s personal details are blanked out. Written by Rose Huang, to read more, head here!

Just where is Optometry heading?!

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 02:06:48 GMT

Take a 23 year old female recent optometry graduate who is just starting to find her bearings, a 35 year old male who has successfully established their own practice and is well on their way to opening a couple more and a 68 year old male who has decided to pass the torch to another trusted individual.

Each of them will have different priorities and have different ideas of what is defined as fun. In fact, they are all from COMPLETELY different generations.

So how do they relate to each other? What do these individuals have in common?

New to the professional world - what membership groups!?

Wed, 24 May 2017 12:29:32 GMT

First year out can be quite daunting when it comes to membership. What society should you join? How much will it cost? Do you really want to be spending your first paycheck on member fees? Keep reading because we’ve tried to narrow it down for you! Remember all membership fees are tax deductible as well! Read more here, written by our lovely YO committee member, Rose Huang!