ECO Education Grant (SA) Applications not currently open
Have you ever wanted to undertake a professional development short course or attend an optometry conference interstate or overseas, but been held back by the cost?
The Early Career Optometrists Victoria South Australia (ECOV/SA) committee are excited to announce that the ECO Education Grant (SA) is now open for South Australian applicants.
In previous years, Victorian ECOs have had the opportunity to apply for this grant. This year, the annual grant of up to $1,500, is specifically for early career optometrists (ECO) based in South Australia.
South Australian ECO’s can apply for funds to support a range of activities such as:
participation in professional development short courses or specialist certificates such as those run by the University of Melbourne or the Australian College of Optometry;
attendance at national or international optometry conferences;
further study including Masters, PhD or research studies, or
postgraduate certificates or courses (run by recognised institutions) which may be within or outside the practitioners current scope of practice.
Eligibility criteria
In order to apply ECO’s must be:
eligible to practise optometry in South Australia;
up to ten years from graduation from their optometric degree, and
a current member of Optometry Victoria South Australia.
Applications must be received on the ECO Education Grant (SA) Application Form 2020.
Applicants may request reimbursement for travel that has already been paid for, but not undertaken. Applications will be assessed by the ECOV/SA committee in conjunction with Optometry Victoria South Australia.
The grant may be offered to more than one applicant. If this is the case, the amount received by each successful applicant will be determined at the discretion of Optometry Victoria South Australia.
ECO’s can apply for funding to support a range of professional development activities. Some examples are included below, as ideas that applicants might consider:
certificate and specialist certificate courses in advanced contact lenses, paediatrics, glaucoma, myopia, anterior eye disease and dry eye, management of neuro-ophthalmic disorders, or management of paediatric patients;
half-day and full-day clinical workshops on foreign body removal, diagnosis of glaucoma using OCT, mini-scleral and orthokeratology contact lenses, gonioscopy and other glaucoma assessment techniques;
further study in optometry including Masters, PhD or research studies, or
national conferences such as Blue Sky2021 or O=MEGA21, or international conferences such as ARVO.
Recognising the importance of community and solidarity, and making a significant step toward raising awareness for mental health initiatives, Optometry Australia proudly announces its participation in the Push Up Challenge in June.
US-based company Ascertain has invested $18 million in Eyetelligence, a Melbourne-based healthtech company which uses advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology and retinal imaging to screen for eye and systemic diseases.
Working in regional and rural areas is an incredibly rewarding experience, but comes with steep learning curves. OV/SA recognise these challenges and have run the peer mentoring program since 2019.
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.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), not all optometry practices are currently open or seeing patients outside of urgent eye health services. Optometrists have been advised to use their clinical judgement to determine if appointments can be postponed.
We recommend calling your optometrist and discussing your eye health concerns with them to determine if an appointment is necessary.
You can also use our Find an Optometrist function to find an optometrist near you providing telehealth and/or urgent care services. Urgent care is care that can’t be postponed without risk to your health or wellbeing. This may include replacing lost or broken glasses, or investigating red or sore eyes or sudden changes in vision.