UNSW SOVS Alumni Evening: Optometry's role in Dementia
Date: 16/06/2026 (AEST)
Venue: UNSW Health Translation Hub (HTH),4 Eurimbla Ave, Randwick , NSW, 2031
Provider: School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales
Contact: Sophia Zhang, [E] sophia.zhang@unsw.edu.au, [P] 0432716061
Activity Outline
This educational evening will consist of 3 separate sessions, each lasting a total of 25 minutes in duration. Within each session, the presenting expert will deliver a short lecture using PowerPoint slides. Following the lectures, a panel discussion with a Q&A session will be held to facilitate higher-level engagement and discussion among attendees, allowing for valuable feedback from the presenting experts and fellow colleagues/attendees.
Learning Objectives
- Recognise early and established features of dementia and understand how common, modifiable risk factors across the life course contribute to dementia risk and prevention.
- Understand the practical realities of the dementia diagnostic journey, including points of uncertainty, delay, and emotional impact for patients and families.
- Apply a carer-informed approach in clinical interactions, including communicating effectively, recognising carer strain, and knowing when and where to refer for additional support.
- Understand the optometrist's role in dementia risk reduction and post-diagnosis dementia care.
- Identify ways that dementia can impact the routine eye examination and management approaches for common eye conditions.
- Recognise the prevalence, impact, and clinical implications of hearing and vision impairment among older adults with cognitive impairment receiving home care services.
- Apply principles of sensory support by identifying practical strategies and intervention components that improve communication, function, and care integration in this population.
- Discuss new research efforts around microbial dysbiosis in neurodegenerative disease.
- Understand the real-world challenges in managing patients with dementia, including clinical uncertainty and management decisions.
- Apply practical strategies to enhance communication, clinical decision making and patient-centred care in dementia.
- Discuss how multidisciplinary collaboration can help optimise outcomes in patients with dementia.
Max CPD hours awarded: 2
Session Information
| Name |
|---|
| Understanding Dementia: Risk Reduction and the Realities of the Carer Journey |
| Clinical? |
| Yes |
| Interactive? |
| Yes |
| Therapeutic? |
| No |
| Duration of CPD Session/Module |
| 0.5 |
| Duration of CPD Session/Module inclusive of Assessment Component |
| 0.5 |
| Name |
|---|
| Primary eyecare and dementia care - intersections, challenges and opportunities |
| Clinical? |
| Yes |
| Interactive? |
| Yes |
| Therapeutic? |
| No |
| Duration of CPD Session/Module |
| 0.5 |
| Duration of CPD Session/Module inclusive of Assessment Component |
| 0.5 |
| Name |
|---|
| Improving vision and hearing care of older adults with cognitive impairments in the home care population |
| Clinical? |
| Yes |
| Interactive? |
| Yes |
| Therapeutic? |
| No |
| Duration of CPD Session/Module |
| 0.5 |
| Duration of CPD Session/Module inclusive of Assessment Component |
| 0.5 |
| Name |
|---|
| Panel Discussion |
| Clinical? |
| Yes |
| Interactive? |
| Yes |
| Therapeutic? |
| No |
| Duration of CPD Session/Module |
| 0.5 |
| Duration of CPD Session/Module inclusive of Assessment Component |
| 0.5 |