Optometry Australia has launched its Members Book Club, a free-to-join social initiative, with four books selected per year and quarterly virtual catch ups to discuss selected texts. The book club will give members the opportunity to connect with peers through shared literary interests and an enjoyment of reading.
Deborah Hackett, LOOK scholarship winner reports on her research in Italy. ‘Although offered at a growing number of universities in Italy, Optometry is not a legislated profession with the scope of practice we have in Australia. Primary eyecare is provided by the ophthalmologist (oculista) in both public and private settings, with the GP also playing a primary care triage role.
After years of experience in both corporate and franchise settings, Brendan Schelbach became acutely aware of the need for environmental consciousness within the optical industry. This awareness inspired him to found Honour Optometry – a practice deeply rooted in sustainable principles.
In 2022, we sat down with Ellen Zhang and her partner Kyle Armstrong to discuss their eco-friendly practice, Ellen Zhang Optometry. Fast forward two years, and we reconnected with Ellen to see how her practice has grown, and to explore her ongoing commitment to integrating sustainable practices into her daily practice.
The Victorian optometrist and Manager of Ocular Disease and Diagnostic Services at the Australian College of Optometry was recently announced as the winner of the award, including $1000 prize, for her case report ‘Acute sixth cranial nerve palsy in primary eye optometry’. Janelle recently talked to us about the process of writing the case report.
In 2020, Nicola Mountford was awarded one of OA’s first LOOK International scholarships, which allowed her to study optometric advancements not yet available in Australia. We caught up with Nicola to discuss where she is now, and how OA’s LOOK scholarship has accelerated her progress as a female optometrist.
From booking her first eye appointment at the age of 17, to now leading the charge as Professional Development Manager at Specsavers Australia & New Zealand (ANZ), Michelle Du’s career has been a whirlwind of excitement, achievements and growth.
We spoke to optometrist and Optometry Tasmania board member Lisa Kingshott about her career highlights and the importance of having a professional community that invests in you ahead of International Women’s Day 2024.
Come August 2024, South Australian optometrist Christina Ly will travel to the USA and Canada with a mission that is close to her heart – to explore accessible and sustainable models of eye care delivery for refugees. This opportunity comes as a result of receiving the Dr Dorothea Sandars and Irene Lee Churchill Fellowship in late 2023.
In the spirit of reconciliation Optometry Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
