This issue of mivision presents an optimistic perspective on the future of eye health, as we explore new technologies and strategies that have real potential to make a difference – not only to health care professionals but to the public.
We begin with a story on smart technology embedded into eyewear to enhance connectivity, track health data, and direct sound for people with slight hearing impairment. And, in the same article, we examine contact lenses with an update on Sensimed’s Triggerfish and news of a contact lens being developed that will combine multiple gadgets into one – smartphones, smartwatches, augmented reality, and health monitoring devices. Can you imagine?
From the University of Western Australia (UWA) we look at how workforce mapping has evolved into evidence-based strategies to close the gap on eye health service delivery in regional areas.
It’s a model that UWA believes could be effective across Australia and around the world.
We then look at how not-for-profits in Australia and New Zealand are regularly meeting to share strategies and experiences. The hope is that by learning from each other’s successes (and challenges), each organisation will be well placed to roll out projects that better serve their communities.
In a CPD-accredited article, Dr Matt Russell explores the use of artificial intelligence in refractive and cataract surgery, in patient selection, surgical planning, intraoperative guidance, and clinical management.
And our lead news story looks at the potential for the mass of data generated across all of Australia’s health services to be used in “world-leading data-driven research to support healthcare improvement and innovation”.
As we head towards the end of optometry’s CPD year, we have a further three fabulous CPD-accredited articles for you to complete – two on presbyopia management and one on pseudoexfoliation syndrome, the most common identifiable cause of open-angle glaucoma. Continuing the theme of glaucoma, we have two articles that tackle visual field test analysis.
In short, there is a lot to wrap your mind around in this issue.
Enjoy!
MELANIE KELL Editor
