RVEEH Webinar Series – Vitreoretinal Surgery Updates: Practical Pearls for Optometrists

RVEEH Webinar Series - Vitreoretinal Surgery Updates: Practical Pearls for Optometrists

Date: 31/08/2026 (AEST)

Venue: Online, VIC, 3002

Provider: Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital

Contact: Kerryn Baker, [E] medicaleducation@eyeandear.org.au, [P] 03 9929 8528

Activity Outline

This presentation will provide a practical update on contemporary vitreoretinal surgery and its relevance to community optometric practice. Surgical videos will be used throughout to illustrate retinal pathology, modern surgical techniques, and postoperative appearances, providing participants with a unique view of what happens after referral.

The session will begin with an overview of vitreoretinal service delivery across Victoria, including referral pathways for emergency and elective retinal conditions. A practical refresher on the assessment of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), retinal tears, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment will then be presented, with emphasis on recognising high-risk features, identifying alternative causes of flashes and floaters, and understanding indications for urgent referral.

The role of macular surgery will then be discussed, including contemporary indications for epiretinal membrane and macular hole surgery, OCT findings that may influence referral timing, and expected visual outcomes. An update on advanced diabetic retinopathy will follow, focusing on the evolving role of vitrectomy in the management of vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment. Contemporary approaches to secondary intraocular lens fixation will also be reviewed, with surgical video demonstrations highlighting modern techniques and postoperative appearances.

The final section will address common postoperative scenarios encountered in optometric practice, including cataract progression after vitrectomy, refractive considerations between retinal and cataract surgery, and practical strategies for managing postoperative anisometropia and visual rehabilitation.

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-royal-victorian-eye-and-ear-hospital-optometry-webinar-series-2026

Learning Objectives

• Describe the current distribution of vitreoretinal services across Victoria and identify appropriate referral pathways for common emergency and elective retinal conditions.
• Recognise the symptoms and clinical signs of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), retinal tears, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and identify patients requiring urgent vitreoretinal assessment.
• Differentiate PVD from other causes of flashes, floaters, and photopsias, including inflammatory, autoimmune, and retinal disorders that may require alternative investigation or referral pathways.
• Understand the anatomical basis of retinal detachment and the principles of contemporary vitreoretinal surgery used to manage these conditions.
• Identify clinical and OCT features that may warrant referral for macular surgery, including epiretinal membrane, vitreomacular traction, and full-thickness macular hole.
• Recognise the indications for vitrectomy in advanced diabetic retinopathy, including vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment.
• Understand the role of secondary intraocular lens fixation and recognise the postoperative appearance of commonly used lens fixation techniques.
• Recognise common postoperative findings following vitreoretinal surgery and distinguish expected postoperative appearances from features warranting re-referral.
• Understand the impact of vitrectomy on cataract progression and appreciate the refractive challenges that may arise between retinal surgery and subsequent cataract surgery.
• Discuss practical strategies for managing anisometropia and visual rehabilitation in patients awaiting cataract surgery following vitrectomy.
• Apply practical referral and co-management principles to facilitate effective collaboration between optometrists and vitreoretinal surgeons.

Max CPD hours awarded: 1

Session Information