Australian Society of Ophthalmologists

14/09/2025

We are delighted to see our Board Member, Dr Michael Steiner presented with his award as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) by the Governor of NSW.

Michael's inscription simply reads:
"For significant service to medicine in the field of ophthalmology as a surgeon, and to professional associations."

Michael's impact has been so much more than this short description can convey.

In 1982 Ophthalmologists Dr Michael Steiner, Dr Peter Pickering, Dr John Milverton, and Dr Frank Martin united to advocate for urgent reform in the New South Wales healthcare system.
From this meeting of the minds, the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (A*O) was born.

As President of the A*O from 2014 to 2017, Michael led the Society as it successfully lobbied the Federal Health Minister of the day to squash pre-approval activity for private health insurers (PHIs). It halted the creep of inappropriate managed care strategies by PHIs, which we are now seeing arise again.

Michael was also at the helm as the A*O delivered its first annual Skills Expo, which we held this year for the tenth time. A successful legacy, that started with Michael.

Join us in congratulating Michael for his achievements.

04/09/2025

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s A*O Eye Surgery Showcase 🔬🧪🥼

We were grateful for the support from Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health Group, Libby Coker MP and Senator Jane Hume who opened the event.

Our guests at Australian Parliament House were offered the opportunity to tackle eye surgery hands on through demonstrations with leading medical technology from Alcon, Astellas, Apellis Pharma, Device Technologies, Glaukos, Lumibird Medical, Rayner and ZEISS Group.

A/Prof Kris Rallah-Baker delivered a keynote address on First Nations Doctors leading the way to Health Equity.

There was also a series of mini lectures:

👁️ Everything you need to know about Eye Disease in 5 minutes with Dr Peter Sumich, A*O President
👁️ Addressing Need and Meeting Patient Demand in Regional Surgical Care with Professor Ashish Agar, A*O Vice President
👁️Access to Innovative Eye Surgery Technologies to Improve the Quality of Lives of all Australians - delivered by Penny Stewart, ANZ Country Manager, Alcon
👁️Geographic Atrophy: We Can't Wait and See - delivered by Dr Amanda Ruth, Director of Corporate Affairs, Access and Policy, Apellis Pharma
👁️Astellas' Long-term Commitment to Ophthalmology - delivered by Tom Huang, Head of Therapeutic Area Ophthalmology and Haematology, Astellas
👁️Combining FLAC Technology with Premium Refractive IOL for Best Outcomes - delivered by Justine Ong, Product Specialist Ophthalmic Surgical, Device Technologies
👁️Ellex by Lumibird Medical: Celebrating 40 years of excellence in Ophthalmology - delivered by Nigel Goldsworthy, National Sales Manager ANZ, Lumibird Medical
👁️Galaxy: AI Spiral IOL Technology - delivered by Lisa Farquhar, ANZ Country Manager, Rayner
👁️10 Years of iStent in Australia - delivered by Glenn Fawcett, Vice President Asia Pacific, Glaukos
👁️Data Management Advances in Ophthalmology - delivered by Dane Moloney, Head of Medical Technology, ZEISS Group ANZ

The overall aim?

💡 Increased understanding of the prevalence and surgical treatment of eye disease in Australia.
💡 Increased awareness of the critical role of ophthalmologists and the A*O in access to world-class eye health technology and surgical treatment in Australia.
💡 Strategies and principles for eye services to rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
💡 Greater understanding and appreciation of innovative surgical technologies in the prevention of blindness in Australia.
💡 Strategies for improved access within the public sector to ophthalmology services.

*OEyeSurgeryShowcase

02/09/2025

It’s here! The A*O Eye Surgery Showcase at Australian Parliament House.

Members of the A*O Executive Team are joined today by their peers and everyday Canberra sight-saving Eye Surgeons as well as Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health Group, Libby Coker MP and SenatorJane Hume.

We are being supported by medical technology heavyweights Alcon , Astellas Global Health Foundation Pharma, Apellis, Device Technologies, Glaukos, Lumibird Medical, Rayner and ZEISS Medical Technology.

They’ve brought the tools and we’re guiding Canberra’s politicians and healthcare policymakers as they ‘try their hand’ at complex eye surgery — but not on real patients!

*OEyeSurgeryShowcase

01/09/2025

The team is headed to Canberra for the second A*O Eye Surgery Showcase at Australian Parliament House 🔬🧪🥼

💡 Despite being a first-world nation and a global leader in healthcare and eye surgery, an estimated 90% of all cases of blindness and vision impairment are preventable with early intervention and treatment.

💡 Over 13 million Australians (55%) reported having at least one long-term vision disorder in 2017–18. The same year, there were 957,933 Medicare claims for all surgical operations by an ophthalmologist.

Eye surgeons — ophthalmologists — are our leaders in addressing eye health diseases and conditions through surgical intervention, that often without, rob us of our sight and quality of life.

Join the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (A*O) for the second Eye Surgery Showcase and hear from speakers A/Prof Kris Rallah-Baker, Libby Coker MP , Senator Jane Hume Hume, Dr Peter Sumich and Prof. Ashish Agar about how eye surgeons and the medical technology industry work together to save the sight of Australians.

Register to attend the Showcase 👉 https://www.asoeye.org/index.cfm?module=event&pagemode=indiv&page_id=2965307

Alcon | Apellis | Astellas Global Health Foundation | Device Technologies | Glaukos | ZEISS Medical Technology | Lumibird Medical | Rayner

*OEyeSurgeryShowcase

26/08/2025

💡 How do you measure growth in private practice?

For ophthalmologists, understanding your numbers is more than just good business — it’s about building a sustainable practice for the future.

Former A*O President, Dr Brad Horsburgh knows this well. At the request of A*O members, he has once again crunched the practice cost figures to deliver a modernised version his 2010 Practice Costs Calculator.

Now reintroduced (and completely redeveloped!) as the A*O Practice Growth Calculator, this tool gives doctors, practice managers and owners the ability to:
👁️ Analyse activity and cost data in real time
👁️ Plan with clarity and confidence
👁️ Benchmark against industry standards

We’re also excited to announce our new partnership with ANZ Bank, supporting the delivery of the Practice Growth Calculator to A*O members. ANZ Health provides innovative solutions to help businesses transact, trade, manage risk, and finance plans for growth — making them the perfect partner in this initiative.

🔗 Explore the Practice Growth Calculator here: https://www.asoeye.org/practice-growth-calculator

Not a member? Join the A*O today: https://www.asoeye.org/about-us

Here’s to smarter planning, stronger practices, and a thriving future for ophthalmology. 👏

Providing a strong, united voice for ophthalmologists

19/08/2025

🌴 Heading to the Gold Coast this weekend for the QLD Annual Scientific Meeting?

👁️ Dr Louise Robinson will be presenting an update on all things A*O—don’t miss her session for insights into the latest advocacy efforts and initiatives shaping our profession.

🎉 Be sure to stop by the A*O stand for a chat with Sandra Reed, A*O Manager – Members and Partners. It’s a great opportunity to catch up, and find out about some of our exclusive member benefits - including our 25% discount for members when they refer a friend!

🧦 And if you’ve recently joined, swing by the stand and grab your complimentary pair of Super Eye Socks!

A big thank you to the amazing conference organising committee for the QLD Annual Scientific Meeting:

👏 Dr Anil Sharma
👏 Dr Lindsay McGrath
👏 Prof. Graham Lee
👏 Dr Luke Maccheron

We appreciate your dedication and effort in bringing the ophthalmology community together for another insightful and engaging event!

Full scientific programme available here: https://nectarcc.eventsair.com/ranzco-qld-branch-asm-2025/

*O

12/08/2025

Before the A*O puts eye surgery on show at Australian Parliament House this September, we can all learn more about the common affecting everyday Australians:

👁️ : Is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that can lead to vision problems.

👁️ : Anyone who has diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy.
It occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

👁️ : Is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve, which is crucial for good vision, and is often associated with increased pressure in the eye.

👁️ : Often referred to as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, is a chronic eye disease mainly diagnosed in older adults that causes central vision loss due to macular damage, the part of the retina responsible for ‘sharp’ vision.

👁️ : Geographic atrophy is an advanced form of dry AMD. It leads to cell death in the retina and results in blind spots in central vision, causing irreversible vision loss.

Alcon | Apellis Pharma | Astellas | Device Technologies | Glaukos | Lumibird Medical | Rayner | ZEISS Medical Technology

*OEyeSurgeryShowcase

07/08/2025

Dr Evan Heinecke is an ophthalmologist with a passion for eye medicine and health, with subspeciality training in paediatric ophthalmology 👶

Evan completed his general ophthalmology training at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and went on to undertake a fellowship in paediatric ophthalmology at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, where today he participates in clinical work.

He holds a Master of Public Health from University of Sydney, and is a published researcher, committed to the promotion of eye health.

In early 2020, Evan relocated to the Albury-Wodonga region with his young family, and now provides focussed paediatric and general ophthalmology services, including cataract surgery and oculoplastics at EyeClinic Albury-Wodonga.

Evan also holds an appointment as a Visiting Medical Officer at Albury Wodonga Health.



RANZCO

06/08/2025

“Trail-blazing New Fellow with a passion for patient care and being an empathic practitioner” — that’s how Dr Erica Darian-Smith is described by one of her peers ✨

Erica is an ophthalmic surgeon who specialises in corneal diseases, refractive laser surgery, ICL surgery, refractive cataract and lens surgery including complex cataract, pterygium, dry eye, and general ophthalmology.

She earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Tasmania in 2014, graduating with Clinical Distinction. She then pursued a Master of Medicine (Ophthalmic Sciences), as well as a Graduate Diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery at the University of Sydney.

Erica completed her ophthalmology training at Prince of Wales Hospital before embarking on an intensive and world-renowned two-year fellowship in corneal, refractive surgery, and external eye diseases in Toronto, Canada. There she gained subspecialty expertise in laser eye surgery and treatment of all corneal diseases, including corneal transplants. Erica is currently a Co-Director of Eagle Eye Surgeons & Laser Vision Correction, a boutique ophthalmic clinic in Sydney, as well as a Visiting Medical Officer at Nepean Public Hospital.

Along the way, Erica’s achievements have been recognised. In 2019, she was awarded the RANZCO Filipic Greer Medal for overall excellence in performance at the RANZCO Ophthalmic Pathology examination. In 2022, Erica was the recipient of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation Resident Excellence Award. Most recently, she was awarded the RANZCO Trevalyn-Smith Travelling Scholarship to subsidise overseas study.

As an accomplished researcher, her work has been published widely in high-quality medical journals, including the American Journal of Ophthalmology, the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, the European Journal of Ophthalmology, and Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.

Erica has also written a book chapter and presented her research at various international and national conferences. She is appointed as a Clinical Lecturer in the Discipline of Ophthalmology at the University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, and regularly contributes to ongoing teaching in her area of subspeciality.



Nepean Blue Mountains Health

06/08/2025

He has an eye not only for his local community, but Queensland communities in need.

Dr Josh Hann grew up in Adelaide where he completed a science degree before attaining his medical degree at the University of Sydney.

He did elective work in remote Papua New Guinea, where he would later return to provide outreach work and train young ophthalmologists.

With a focus on anterior segment and corneal disease, Josh honed his skills through specialised training in corneal transplant techniques in the Netherlands and India. He also trained in laser refractive surgery and invested in the latest technology so he could offer convenient access to laser eye treatments for local patients.

In 2017, Josh established Eastside Eye Care Ophthalmology in South East Queensland, providing the Carindale community with access to local, comprehensive ophthalmic care.

In addition to his private work, Josh works at Rockhampton Base Hospital and provides outreach services in Cape York communities, based in Weipa. As the Director of the Princess Alexandra Ophthalmology Department, he plays a crucial role in the public health system as an anterior segment and corneal specialist.

A long-time resident of Camp Hill, Josh loves spending time with his wife, two daughters, and son. He runs to stay active and plays the violin and piano. When he has the opportunity, Josh loves to travel.

RANZCO | Central Queensland Health | Metro South Health

05/08/2025

He has committed his life’s work not only to Australians and communities around Asia Pacific, Professor Nitin Verma has been an ophthalmologist for communities around the world 🌏

Nitin is a Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine, University of Tasmania and University of Sydney and has special interests in international health, macular disease, and teleophthalmology.

He has contributed to the development of undergraduate and postgraduate education at the Universities of Sydney, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea.

A former President and Vice President of RANZCO, Nitin currently chairs its Vision 2030 and Beyond and the Global Health Committee and is a Director of Vision 2020 Australia and a member of the International Engagement Committee of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

In 2000, he initiated the East Timor Eye Program to establish a self-sufficient national eye care program for the people of Timor Leste. Twenty-five years later, the program is run by the Timorese Government. In the last decade, the prevalence of blindness in Timor Leste has decreased from 7.7% to 2.9%.

Nitin is a founding member of the St John Ophthalmic Association, the global arm of St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem. He served as Hospitaller and was invested as a Knight of the Order of St John.

In recognition of his service to ophthalmology and global communities, Nitin has been bestowed with several high accolade including:

👁️ The Order of Australia
👁️ The Order Timor Leste
👁️ The RANZCO Distinguished Service Award and College Medal
👁️ The Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Distinguished Service Award and Meritorious Service Award for the Prevention of Blindness
👁️ Companion of the RACS
👁️ The Pride of Australia Role Model Award
👁️ City of Hobart Citizen of the Year, 2013.