The Australian College of Optometry (ACO) is offering an Advance Certificate of Children’s Vision to provide relevant, evidence-based knowledge for optometrists seeking to overcome some of the complex challenges they face when dealing with paediatric patients.
The ACO’s Advanced Certificate in Children’s Vision provides in-depth training across the full spectrum of paediatric visual disorders, with regular re-evaluation of the curriculum to include the latest evidence-based knowledge.
Led by experts including paediatric optometrists, ophthalmologists, orthoptists, and other paediatric health specialists, the six-month program is a well-rounded, trusted resource for optometrists seeking to strengthen their skillset to meet both current and future clinical needs.
“It’s crucial that curricula are practical, relevant, and directly applicable to clinical practice. The course covers a wide range of paediatric topics including abnormal binocular vision, paediatric amblyopia, strabismus, nystagmus, vision therapy, visual processing in children with learning difficulties, myopia management, and emerging therapies, as well as other ocular disease, offering practitioners an opportunity to significantly update their knowledge in line with current best practice,” said Shazia Tahseen, ACO Education Manager.
Despite graduating from university as recently as 2024, optometrist Rita Abou-Issa was introduced to several new therapies while undertaking the Advanced Certificate in Children’s Vision earlier this year.
“Rather than feeling uncertain, I have a battery of tests I can confidently adapt based on the child’s age and cognitive ability to ensure an accurate assessment and appropriate management plan.”
“I was surprised by how many new developments had emerged in such a short span of time, including myopia control strategies such as red-light therapy and the Johnson and Johnson Abiliti 1-Day lenses.
“The course content reflected the most current research and clinical advancements. I found the detailed focus on strabismus and amblyopia particularly valuable,” Ms Abou-Issa said.
“In practice, these are conditions we encounter frequently, and the course helped me better differentiate between the various types and understand their underlying mechanisms. Rather than feeling uncertain, I have a battery of tests I can confidently adapt based on the child’s age and cognitive ability to ensure an accurate assessment and appropriate management plan.”
A highlight of the upcoming 2026 program is the updated Vision Therapy lecture, revised to reflect current evidence and emerging approaches in paediatric care. Tim Fricke, Director of Education and Research at the ACO, leads the revised lecture, drawing on his extensive clinical and research experience.
The Advanced Certificate in Children’s Vision commences 9 February 2026.
