“We are becoming an integrated healthcare provider.” That was the message from Juliana Yan, Professional Services Manager NSW, as she opened EssilorLuxottica’s 2026 Eyecare Roadshow in New South Wales. Built around the theme ‘The clinical evolution: Empowering humans’, the evening welcomed optometrists as well as optical support functions from across the state.
Changing Landscape
During the evening, Ms Yan shared insights on the changing landscape of optometry, highlighting the profession’s growing role in delivering comprehensive eye health care and patient-centred services. She noted that as patient needs evolve, providers are increasingly offering a broader range of healthcare services under one roof. As an example, Ms Yan referenced EssilorLuxottica’s expanding presence in hearing care alongside its core optical business, enabling patients to access complementary services through a more integrated care experience.
Elizabeth Kodari, Vice President of Store Operations, referenced EssilorLuxottica’s acquisition of the Swiss company behind RetinAI, which uses artificial intelligence to support earlier detection and clinical decision-making, as well as the acquisition of Optegra, a leading network of eye clinics across Europe. She noted that these global investments reflect the increasing role of technology, data, and integrated healthcare services in shaping the future direction of the industry.
Ms Yan referenced EssilorLuxottica’s expanding presence in hearing care alongside its core optical business, enabling patients to access complementary services through a more integrated care experience
Bringing Science Into The Consulting Room
Sephora Miao, Head of Medical and Professional Affairs, spoke about the responsibility of translating years of research into practical support for clinicians. “Before we can empower our patients, we have to empower you,” she said, describing plans to expand education, evidence-based protocols, and post-market clinical studies.
Audiology Expansion
Tegan Matheson, Senior Eyecare Manager ANZ, was joined on stage by Naomi Nicolinas, Director of Audiology ANZ, to discuss the company’s growing hearing care network, now spanning 15 locations across six states, with 35 stores forecasted by the end of the year. Ms Nicolinas cited figures showing only one in five Australians who would benefit from a hearing device currently wears one, and that hearing loss affects around one in four people by age 50, rising to more than 70% by age 70. She said there was a natural fit between eye and hearing care, with significant overlap in the customers who use these services and an opportunity to make accessing care simpler and more convenient.
Ms Matheson emphasised the well-established link between diabetes and hearing loss, advising that patients with diabetes are at significantly higher risk of hearing impairment and may benefit from referral for hearing screening as part of their ongoing healthcare. She also spoke about innovations such as Nuance Audio, which has the potential to deliver meaningful quality-of-life benefits for patients by seamlessly combining hearing and vision support.
Before we can empower our patients, we have to empower you
Dry Eye: Shifting From Symptoms To Cause
Kevin Choi, Area Eyecare Manager NSW, presented on dry eye disease, citing 2022 Vision Index data showing 85% of Australians report dry eye symptoms, an increase of 8% from two years prior. He walked attendees through the latest Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye Workshop (TFOS DEWS III) report framework, noting that it encourages a shift in clinical thinking from asking how severe a patient’s dry eye is to understanding the underlying causes of the condition.
He referenced a 2024 systematic review showing combined intense pulsed light (IPL) and low-level light therapy (LLLT) produced significant improvement in ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores and tear film stability, sustained at six months follow-up.
Richard Shaw, also an Area Eyecare Manager for NSW, followed with a case study of a 46-year-old patient diagnosed with grade three moderate meibomian gland dysfunction, who underwent four sessions of combined treatment and saw her tear break-up time increase from six to nine seconds, with corneal staining fully resolved. Mr Shaw highlighted the opportunity to expand patient access to advanced dry eye technologies such as IPL and LLLT, given the high prevalence of dry eye disease within the community.
Myopia As A Disease
Mr Choi returned to present on myopia management, referencing position statements from Optometry Australia and RANZCO establishing evidence-based myopia management as standard of care, and noting the American Medical Association recognised myopia as a disease in June 2026. He outlined the launch of Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses, powered by Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (H.A.L.T.) MAX technology, highlighting results from a contralateral crossover trial that demonstrated eye growth in myopic children to be 1.88 times slower compared with the Stellest Gen 1 lens.
Daniel Wong, Area Eyecare Manager NSW, highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between clinical recommendations and patient uptake, reinforcing the critical role optometrists play in identifying and managing childhood myopia to support better long-term outcomes.
Daniel Wong, Area Eyecare Manager NSW, highlighted… the critical role optometrists play in identifying and managing childhood myopia to support better long-term outcomes
Awards Recognise Excellence
Three awards were presented on the night.
Charles Wu of OPSM George Street was named Dry Eye Optometrist of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contribution to expanding access to dry eye care and improving patient outcomes. Mr Wu shared how his team takes a whole-of-store approach to dry eye management, helping identify patients who may benefit from treatment and supporting them throughout their care journey. This collaborative model has enabled more patients to access advanced dry eye services and ongoing care.
Yo Na Kang of OPSM Chatswood was named Myopia Optometrist of the Year. State Director Ryan Kiss said patient feedback consistently highlighted Ms Kang’s commitment to care and the positive impact she has had on families managing childhood myopia.
Ms Kang said she focuses on helping families understand the importance of early myopia management, taking the time to explain available treatment options and tailoring recommendations to each child’s lifestyle and individual needs.
Bianca Khalil of OPSM Miranda was named Optometrist of the Year. She was recognised for her leadership in expanding access to advanced eye care services and fostering a culture of innovation within the practice.
Ms Khalil said a commitment to embracing new technologies and delivering meaningful patient outcomes is central to her approach, adding that helping even one patient a day made the work worthwhile.
In her closing remarks, Ms Yan encouraged attendees to embrace the opportunities ahead, highlighting EssilorLuxottica’s continuing evolution into medtech and new healthcare spaces. She said optometrists would be at the forefront of this transformation, helping drive innovation and improve patient outcomes.
