Optometry is an unusual industry that extends from highly competitive retailing right through to the semi-pharmaceutical environment of vision care. It’s a unique product mix that requires a complex combination of skills, many of which must be acquired along the way. It’s also an environment that is subject to the pressures of global economic change.
Recently we were fortunate to catch up with Gianni Cossar, from the global research company GfK. There are few who have a greater perspective on the global optics market and Australia’s place within it than Gianni and we had a fascinating conversation about the changes practice owners need to make to survive and thrive in the coming years. You can read his insights in our lead story. Gianni’s big picture views are complemented by a business article written by Mark Overton, who offers practical advice on how you can begin to make a difference to the way your practice operates, starting today.
Early career optometrist Roxanne Medhora is very much aware of the changes coming, which is why she has stepped up to the boards of Optometry Western Australia and Early Career Optometry WA. As the author of our second miprofession column, she shares her view on why it’s important for young optometrists to involve themselves in the industry at the deepest level and have their say.
Of course, there are all sorts of ways to make a difference in the world of eye health. You’re probably familiar with the work of Phil Anderton as a practicing optometrist, lecturer, researcher and advisor. What you may not know is that twice a year, Phil jumps in his RV-7 twin-seater, single engine airplane and travels out to northern NSW to provide voluntary eye services in the communities of Tibooburra and Wanaaring. Alan Saks tagged along with Phil to observe his work. It’s amazing to read about where you can go and what you can achieve with a small plane and an even smaller optometric kit.
There are few who have a greater perspective on the global optics market and Australia’s place within it than Gianni
As we head towards the end of the CPD year we have three valuable opportunities to further your professional knowledge, covering off a variety of topics.
Optometrist Varny Ganesalingam describes the ‘snakes and ladders’ that come with diagnosing, managing symptoms and slowing the progression of the ever increasing global incidence of dry eye disease. Ben Turley explains why revolutionary optical coherence tomography devices offer so much more in terms of patient diagnosis than a regular fundus camera. Finally, retinal ophthalmologist Dr. Amy Cohn takes it upon herself to summarise 12 months of research into retinal vascular diseases – diabetes, vein occlusions, hypertension, macular telangiectasia.
The topic of our ophthalmology column, this month written by Dr. Christolyn Rajakulenthiran, is retinal tears. Commonly encountered in day to day clinical practice, prompt treatment, often involving retinal laser photocoagulation can, in the great majority of cases, prevent ensuing retinal detachment and greatly improve the visual prognosis.
In July, ophthalmologists from around the world met in Helsinki for the 7th World Glaucoma Congress. Australian ophthalmologists have made a significant contribution to the Congress since the first WGC in Vienna in 2005, and this year was no different. While impossible to include all our local experts, we asked Clinical Associate Professor Ivan Goldberg to provide an overview. A selection of other local ophthalmologists summarised their presentations. Pearls aplenty here.
Enjoy the issue.