ECONA Presents: Are you ready to go regional?
- Are you thinking about taking the plunge and working in regional or rural practice?
- Feeling unsure about moving out / leaving friends / distance from family?
Join our ECONA Rural and Regional Chairs, Andrew Yue and Rhonda Ton for this panel discussion on regional practice.
PLUS: hear from early-career regional optometrist Tom Ford on prescribing cortico-steroids for ocular disease: Clinical pearls and pitfalls. Register NOW!
- Free event
- OA members only
- 1.5T CPD
Program
- 7pm: Introduction
- 7.10pm: Tom Ford: Prescribing cortico-steroids for ocular disease: Clinical pearls and pitfalls
- 7.40pm: Panel Discussion and Q&A
- 8.30pm: Finish
Prescribing cortico-steroids for ocular disease: Clinical pearls and pitfalls
Topical corticosteroids are one of the most potent and effective treatments for anterior
segment ocular inflammation, forming a key component of an optometrist’s therapeutic
arsenal. Now that Flarex has been discontinued, what should we prescribe instead?
This presentation will examine case studies which highlight the importance of appropriate
steroid selection and prescribing in ocular disease, considering how to effectively balance
dosage, anti-inflammatory therapy and risk of adverse effects. Clinical prescribing decisions
and tapering strategies will also be discussed, to ensure safe and confident evidence-based
practice.
Chairs
Rhonda Ton is a locum optometrist based in Canberra. With a Master of Optometry and a Master of Public Health, she has gained experience across private practice, NGOs, and research institutions in diverse clinical settings. As Co-Chair of the ECONA R&R engagement subcommittee, Rhonda is committed to helping early-career optometrists navigate challenges and transitions. She is deeply passionate about public health and actively supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisations to enhance health outcomes.
Andrew Yue is a clinical optometrist based in the Albury-Wodonga region. He has practiced regionally since graduating and has a strong interest in providing and improving eyecare services within these communities. As Co-Chair of the Early Career Optometrists NSW/ACT ECONA Rural and Regional Engagement Subcommittee, Andrew aims to highlight the benefits of regional optometry practice, and address the unique challenges optometrists may face working rurally.
Panelists
Thomas Ford is a full-scope optometrist with George and Matilda Eyecare. Following experiences in private ophthalmology and with Myopia Profile, he developed a passion for rural and regional eye care. Tom is particularly interested in the therapeutic management of ocular disease where he frequently co-manages complex cases with ophthalmology, having completed further studies in glaucoma and paediatric eye care. In 2024, Tom was awarded the RDWA Rural Health Award for outstanding clinical excellence and patient care.
Ryan Seong practised in the rural town of Broken Hill for 3 years straight out of university. He has since moved back to Sydney but had many positive experiences of working and living in a rural town which he would love to share. In his spare time, he enjoys socialising with friends, and playing a variety of sports.
Joyce Chan graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry from UNSW and moved to Dubbo as a new grad where she worked for over three years. Since then, almost 13 years later, she has been working at an independent optometry practice in Maitland. Whilst working regionally, Joyce was also able to complete her Graduate Certificate of Ocular Therapeutics through UNSW. Regional optometry work has extended Joyce’s clinical skills and given her the opportunity to work with indigenous and rural outreach clinics. Outside work, she enjoys playing and coaching touch football in the community.
Andrew Salloum has a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry from Deakin University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Contact Lens Fitting from Australian College of Optometry. He is a regional optometrist at George and Matilda Eyecare for Partners in Vision and Figtree Eyecare. He is a member of the Early Career Optometrists NSW/ACT (ECONA) Rural and Regional Subcommittee. Andrew has particular interests in advanced contact lens fitting, ocular therapeutics, children’s vision and has been involved in research at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).