Michael Yapp joins Optometry Australia

Optometry Australia is pleased to announce that one of Australia’s leading optometrists will be joining the team in a new role focussed on advancing the profession, scaling up collaborative care and supporting optometrists to practice to full scope.

Michael Yapp BOptom (Hons), MOptom, GradCertOcTher, FAAO is currently the Head of Clinical Operations and Teaching at the Centre for Eye Health (CFEH). Michael joined CFEH at its inception in 2009 and has played a central role in the introduction of various collaborative models of eye care where optometrists and ophthalmologists work together diagnosing and treating a range of ocular conditions at no cost to patients.

Michael has practised across a diverse array of clinical settings in private and public optometry around Australia and internationally. He honed his diagnostic skills working with a corneal specialist ophthalmologist in Sydney and has had a longstanding interest in education of the profession from early in his career working as a staff optometrist at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).  He has continued to pursue his passion of educating future generations of fellow optometrists through the CFEH as well as his numerous lecturing and speaking engagements at Australian and international conferences.

Over a number of years, Michael has been making a significant contribution to Optometry NSW/ACT and Optometry Australia. He recently presented at Optometry Australia’s collaborative care symposium, and has been a valued source of advice regarding enhanced scope of practice in NSW and nationally.

Michael will commence his new role at Optometry Australia in early August, while also continuing in his role with CFEH. As well as advocating for the advancement of the optometry profession with government and eye care stakeholders, including ophthalmology, Michael will work with the Optometry Australia team enabling optometrists to take forward future opportunities for collaborative care and enhanced scope of practice. His practical experience and the high regard in which he is held by his fellow optometrists and the broader eye care sector will be a major boost for Optometry Australia and its members.