The Specsavers Clinical Conference (SCC) returned to Melbourne on the weekend, drawing more than 1,000 delegates, with more than half attending in person and the rest joining online. Open to all optometrists across Australia and New Zealand, the event combined cutting-edge clinical education with opportunities for collaboration.
After a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Woman Kylie Spencer, and an address from Dr Ben Ashby, Clinical Services Director, Specsavers ANZ, the conference dove into its clinical program with an extensive lineup.
In glaucoma, ophthalmologists Dr Jason Cheng and Dr Tu Tran (both from Melbourne) examined optical coherence tomography, visual field interpretation, and evolving pressure control strategies. Neuro-ophthalmology was addressed by Dr Kate Reid (Canberra) and Dr Rushmia Karim (Sydney), covering idiopathic intracranial hypertension, anisocoria, and headaches. Inflammatory eye disease featured talks by Associate Professor Mei-Ling Tay-Kearney (Perth) on anterior uveitis and Associate Professor Elisa Cornish (Sydney) on posterior uveitis, while Dr Ebony Smith (Sunshine Coast) focussed on oculoplastics and the management of eyelid lesions.
In-person delegates were offered exclusive access to small-group workshops.
Day two shifted to paediatrics and myopia, with Dr Elizabeth Conner (Christchurch, New Zealand) highlighting paediatric eye exams and Myopia Profile’s Dr Kate Gifford presenting on the different options in myopia management. Professor Chameen Samarawickrama (Sydney) discussed corneal ulcers, Dr Kenneth Ooi (Sydney) provided updates on dry eye disease, and posterior eye care was addressed by Associate Professor Samantha Fraser-Bell (Sydney) on geographic atrophy and Dr Tuan Tran (Sydney) on retinal care.
In-person delegates were offered exclusive access to small-group workshops. Sessions covered binocular vision and dry eye while fringe talks added further breadth, with discussions on low astigmatism, patient support, children’s dispensing, and improving access to eye care in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Pacific Islander communities.
Recognition and Community
The conference also saw the announcement of the prestigious Doug Perkins Medal and Dame Mary Perkins Awards.
The Doug Perkins Medal is awarded to one Australian, and one New Zealand store each year, in recognition of consistently high standards of clinical excellence.
The NZ honour was awarded to Specsavers South Dunedin, while Specsavers Nowra Plaza was recognised in Australia.
The Dame Mary Perkins Award for Outstanding Patient Care was awarded to Tiana Nix (Specsavers Nowra, NSW) and Taylor Xue (Porirua, NZ).
One of the judges, Chrissie Cowan, a respected advocate for Māori health, said the award “shines a light on those who are transforming lives through eye health, a kaupapa (a principle or policy) that aligns with our collective commitment to equity and access – especially for Māori and underserved communities”.
Graduate and Early Career Optometry Excellence Awards were also presented, with Specsavers Nowra Plaza once again featuring, with a personal award to Anas Mujtaba, who was named Graduate Optometry Excellence Award winner. Subin Kim (Specsavers Helensvale, Queensland) received the Early Career Optometry Excellence Award.
SSC will return to the Gold Coast in 2026.
All photos: Francesco Vicenzi
