Entries open for the 2026 Peter Swann photography prize

Entries for the 2026 Professor Peter Swann Photography Prize competition are invited between 20 May and 5 July 2026. The prize celebrates outstanding ocular images and honours the legacy of Professor Swann, who was a faculty member at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) for over 37 years.

Professor Swann’s commitment to and enthusiasm for optometry had a tremendous impact on the generations of students he taught and mentored. He was also a visiting professor in the optometry school at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and respected as an expert on ocular diseases and clinical methods of eye examination.

The Peter Swann Photography Prize competition celebrates clinical excellence and photographic skill in optometry by recognising outstanding ocular photography submitted by association members. The competition is owned and organised by Optometry Australia (OA).

The winner will receive:

• A $1,000 cash prize; and
• Recognition across  OA’s communication channels.

How to enter

The 2026 Peter Swann Photography Prize will be presented at the Optometry Clinical Conference in Brisbane, 9-10 August. The competition opens on Wednesday 20 May and closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 5 July. It is open to all OA members. Terms and conditions are set out here.

Photographs must be clinical or ocular in nature and may be captured using:

• Slit lamp
• Retinal camera
• Scanning laser ophthalmoscope
• Slit lamp with condensing lens
• Smartphone
• Macro photography of lids or orbit

Each entry must be accompanied by a brief written description (maximum 50 words) including:

• Clinical context of the image
• Device used to capture the image

Entrants must ensure all images comply with patient consent and privacy requirements.

Please submit all entries before 5.00pm (AEST) 5 July 2026 to Sarah Case, Optometry Australia Member Engagement Advisor, at s.case@optometry.org.au.