Optometry Reports June 2011

Adrian Bell spoke… (of) Sue’s career and the impact she had on her patients and the broad optometric community

Several of Sue’s family and friends spoke about their memories of Sue, but for me three stood out.

Adrian Bell spoke on behalf of the profession in a beautiful tribute to Sue’s career and the impact she had on her patients and the broad optometric community.

Clare, Sue’s daughter, read a letter that she had written to her mum after Sue died. It spoke of her loss and the things that she was going to miss most – the main one being the chance for Sue’s grandson Sam to grow up with his grandmother. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Finally, in a display of courage which left all of us in wonderment and awe, Sue’s husband John spoke about his life with Sue and the many joys they had experienced together. John was also keen to point out that the music which was to be played as Sue was carried from the ceremony was of Sue’s choosing – we soon understood his comment.

So, as Sue was escorted from the room for the final time, The Muppet Song reminded all of us of the mischievous, impish woman whom we will all miss so much.

OAA VIC

Terri Smith

We are all taking a deep breath in the office at OAA-Vic after record numbers this year at SRC. It is always a treat to see so many members in one place each year enjoying an excellent CPD program but also catching up with friends and our trade exhibitors. If you have any thoughts about SRC we welcome your feedback to help us improve the conference for members.

At this year’s SRC we introduced a welcome session for those attending SRC for the first time. This was a great session that gave us a chance to explain how to make the most of SRC and to introduce optometrists to others new to SRC.

Membership Renewal

Annual membership renewal notices were recently sent to members. The Board of Optometrists Association Australia (Vic Div) is really pleased to announce that Victorian fees for the coming year will be frozen at the same rate as 2010/11. In spite of significant increases to our professional indemnity insurance costs we have decided not to increase membership fees. The Victorian Division has benefitted from significant returns from SRC over the past few years and the OAA-Victoria Board has decided to ensure all members benefit from the Conference surplus by not increasing fees for the coming year. Renewals can be paid on line through the secure payment gateway.

All optometrists should remember that when you renew your annual Optometry Board registration in November you will need a CPR qualification completed within the last three years. We continue to run our monthly CPR courses here at the Victorian Division Offices. If you don’t have a current certificate you might want to come along to one of our evening sessions or book into a local certified course so you are not caught out in November. If you’d like to attend one of our courses, call Johanna on (AUS) 03 9652 9100 to book in.

We are delighted to announce that 98 per cent of all optometrists registered in Victoria are members of OAA-Victoria. One of the important services we provide to members is being available to answer your questions. We love to receive calls and emails from members. You might be surprised by just how much we know and how much we love to share! So why not call us or email and ask us your question. Or better still, ring me up and invite me to visit you at your practice. I love seeing where members work and hearing about the issues specific to your practice.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

OAA Qld / NT

Greg Johnson

We are extremely lucky in Queensland to be afforded a never ending number of opportunities to spread the good word about the need for regular eye examinations and the precise role of an optometrist. Some of these opportunities we create and others just come along.

Take this year for example and the mix of events in which we will participate. Some concern the profession. Others reach out to other professions and the general community.

Those events include: 3 February – Queensland Primary Health Care Network; 7 – February Ipswich/West Moreton Division GP Steering Committee; 15 February – Toowoomba Diabetes Network; 16 February – AMA Heads of Colleges Meeting; 23 February – National Eye Health Initiative #2 Sydney Workshop; 26 February – EXPOsing Diabetes Expo Maryborough; 6 March – Shadow Cabinet Community Meeting Toowoomba, 13-14 March – Cabinet Community Meeting Toowoomba/Oakey, 15 March – Vision 2020 meeting Optometry House, 18 March – Australian Pharmacy Professionals congress, 24 March – Queensland Primary Health Care Network, 26 March – EXPOsing Diabetes Expo Longreach, 13 April – Southeast Primary Health Care Network,19 April – Guide Dogs Team Graduation, 27/28 April – Inaugural Aviation Eye Examiner Training Course, 28 April – St John Ambulance Resuscitation Techniques in an Optometry Practice, 29 April-1 May – Australian Vision Convention, 7 May – EXPOsing Diabetes Expo Townsville, 17 May – OAA Employment Expo, 21-22 May – Multidisciplinary Health Symposium, 10-12 June – North Queensland Vision, 18 June – EXPOsing Diabetes Expo Logan, 15 September – Australian Diabetes Educators Association Seminar/Dinner hosted by the OAA and 12 November – Optometry’s Night of Nights.

By any standard that activity makes for a very busy calendar and we are fortunate to have an energetic group of Directors and Board Observers, as well as members, who volunteer to complete all the tasks that are presented.

Members concerned about CPD compliance before November, should take advantage of our big North Queensland Vision congress, which will be held in Cairns on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (10-12 June). The congress will earn you 36 CPD points plus a gala dinner at Kuranda and the choice of a Franklin Islands or Daintree Rainforest day tour. Register online at www.optometrists.qsn.au/queensland

OAA Tas

Geoff Squibb

Optometry Foundation Scholarships

The Chairman of the Tasmanian Optometry Foundation, Mr. Chris Dobson, has announced the inaugural Tasmanian Optometry Foundation Scholarships. The scholarships will provide financial assistance of up to AUD$5,000 each year to enable registered optometrists working in Tasmania, Tasmanian students undertaking optometric studies or Tasmanians undertaking research in optometry, to further their careers and to promote excellence and the advancement of optometry in Tasmania.

Mr. Dobson said the Foundation was established from accumulated funds from the former Optometrists Registration Board of Tasmania when that Board was replaced by the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme in July 2010. Applications are now open and will close on 15 July. The successful applicant(s) will be announced prior to 31 August.

Application forms and further details are available from the following website, www.optometrists.asn.au/tasmania or by phoning me at the Association office on (AUS) 03 6224 3360.

OAA WA

Tony Martella

Its business as usual for the Division but right now our main focus is on the West Australian Vision Education Conference 2011 (WAVE). WAVE is our major annual conference for the profession. It will take place from 20-21 August and this year we’re promising a whole new look and feel.

For the first time, WAVE will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and will run to a slightly different program over two days as opposed to the two and a half day program of pervious years.

Following significant increase in attendance so far experienced at other state optometry conferences earlier this year, we’re also expecting an increase interest in WAVE registrations to come from around the country in addition to our WA members.

As well as the fact that there are only a few major Conferences left to attend before the November 30 registration deadline, maintaining ongoing education for the profession has never been more important. Early registration to WAVE will be a must as places will be limited. Get in early to avoid missing out and to make sure your CPD compliant.

Guest Speakers

As always, WAVE strives to have interesting and diverse topics wherever possible for the program. Some of the optical professions leading presenters will once again be involved this year.

Making her return by popular demand to present at the conference will be SA ophthalmologist Dr. Celia Chen from the Flinders Medical Centre. Dr Chen’s debut last year made her a WAVE favourite with delegates. Some of her lectures this year will include: Dealing with the challenging subject of ocular emergencies, as well as the interesting topic ‘Watch that lid – the dangerous and not so dangerous ptosis’.

Local retinal Ophthalmologist Dr. Rob Paul will deliver several presentations such as managing severe dry eye including case studies and speak on the management of keratoconus with Intacs.

Another WAVE favourite after her 2010 debut is Melbourne based optometrist Dr. Laura Downie. Laura’s research and clinical work on contact lens complications and therapeutic management as well as paediatric contact lens fitting will once again be of great interest to those attending.

Optometrist Mark Hinds from Queensland will continue the contact lens theme with a series of interesting case studies on toric lenses as well as a presentation on contact lens care.

Additionally, Dr. Daryl Guest from Tasmania will conduct the clinical workshops that WAVE has developed a reputation for, centered on the theme of ‘The neurological disorders that you’re likely to see’.

The annual conference dinner will be held on the Saturday evening at the Hilton Hotel Perth and will be a purely social event. As usual, the dinner promises to be a great night out and an excellent opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues from the profession – don’t forget to bring your dance shoes as well!

Book Early

With so many valuable educational sessions (which will earn you CPD points), a fabulous dinner and in excess of 200 eye care professionals to meet up with, places at WAVE will fill fast. You can find the full conference program and register at ADDRESS TO FOLLOW. Alternatively, contact OAA WA on (AUS)08 9321 2300 or email: [email protected].

I’m looking forward to seeing you there and being a part of the WAVE experience.