Young Optometrists

28/10/2025

We would like to give a huge thank you to Sukanya Iyer and Mandy Huynh for presenting at our ‘Paediatric Pearls: Eye Testing & Visual Perception Essentials‘ webinar tonight.

Sukanya graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2019 with a Bachelor of Vision Science and a Master of Clinical Optometry. She began her career in 2020 in Sydney’s Hills District, gaining valuable experience in a busy metropolitan setting before relocating to Canberra in 2022. After serving as Managing Optometrist for a busy corporate practice, Suki transitioned to a dual role, working alongside a local ophthalmologist at Clarity Eye Surgeons and providing full scope independent eye care at Evolve Optometry in Gungahlin.

Mandy Huynh (they/them) graduated from the UNSW with a Bachelor of Vision Science and a Master of Clinical Optometry in 2019. They began their career focusing on myopia management and orthokeratology, where they developed a growing passion for paediatric care and the long-term impact they could make in children’s lives. Mandy later expanded their expertise in behavioural/developmental optometry, deepening their interest in understanding how vision affects learning, development, and quality of life. Today, Mandy is a proud practice owner at Eye Definition Optometrists in Wolli Creek, where they work alongside Sheila Lam to bring high quality care in their respective optometric passions.

We hope this talk has been informative for all attendees and that it will strengthen your confidence with assessment, diagnosis and management of eye conditions, particularly accommodative and binocular disorders, in paediatric patients.

Our webinar and events are FREE for all YO members. If you are not a member and would like to join, you can sign up https://www.yoptoms.com/Membership

Our next event is the YO XMAS Party in December - we look forward to seeing you all then!

27/10/2025

15/10/2025

ASHM - Spotlight on Ocular Syphilis
Online Webinar 6-7pm Thursday 30th October
Registration: https://ashm.org.au/education/spotlight-on-ocular-syphilis/

This 1-hour webinar in collaboration with Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) will guide clinicians through recognising when to consider ocular syphilis in the differential diagnosis, highlight the common clinical features to look out for, and build confidence in interpreting syphilis serology results.

12/10/2025

Thank you to Dr Neera Jain to presenting the 'Diagnosis to Delivery' talk to our ACT YOs last week, which focused on collaborative glaucoma management. Thank you to our members who attended.

05/10/2025

AGM + Webinar: Tuesday 28th October from 7pm via Zoom
2i CPD hours have been applied for.

Register: https://www.yoptoms.com/event-6370129

Join us for Paediatric Pearls: Eye Testing & Visual Perception Essentials, a practical two-part webinar designed to sharpen your skills in paediatric eye care. Presenters Sukanya Iyer and Mandy Huynh will share their top tips for effective testing, vision perception assessment, and tracking evaluation in children.

28/09/2025

Owning an optometry business is like mixing clinical know-how with a bit of entrepreneurial hustle. It’s all about balancing patient care with running the show behind the scenes. In this blog post, we’re so fortunate to speak with Amanda Duffy, who’s the owner of Eyecare Plus Belmont and Edgeworth.

In this interview, we’ll be diving into her what made her transition into being a practice owner, the obstacles she’s met on the way, and advice she’d give to young optometrists who want to establish their own practice as well.

Read our interview here: https://www.yoptoms.com/Blog/13546634

24/09/2025

A message from our friends at Optipro:

Optipro is excited to invite YO members to the Optipro 2025 Roadshow, a unique national event created to strengthen and celebrate the future of independent optometry in Australia!

It is happening across three cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
The Roadshow events brings together the people, products, and ideas shaping the industry. It’s your chance to experience the best of what’s next in eye care while building connections that matter.

Here’s what you can look forward to on the day:
• Innovation on display – see the latest products, technologies, and solutions from
leading suppliers.
• Insights that matter – learn from industry experts and business leaders on how to
grow and future-proof your practice.
• Connections that count – network with peers, suppliers, and mentors over food,
drinks, and conversations.
• Exclusive opportunities – access promotions and offers available only at the Roadshow.

Attendance is completely free and open to all in the optical profession, whether you’re an
established practitioner, part of a practice team, or at the start of your optometry career.

Register here to secure your spot:

www.optipro.com.au/2025-roadshow

21/09/2025

We are thrilled to welcome Aram Nazarian into our Young Optometrists subcommittee team!

Aram graduated from Deakin University in 2024 and is now working in independent practice with a focus on public health. Their practice runs the CEYEC program with Westmead Eye Hospital.

11/09/2025

R U OK? inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life.

You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener.

Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:

1. Ask R U OK?
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in

11/09/2025

VOTE HERE: https://www.hollows.org/other-ways-to-support/fred-awards/fred-awards-vote/

Our friends at Eyes of Hope have been nominated as one of the top four finalists from across the country for this year's Fred Awards and would greatly appreciate your vote for 2025 Fred Hollows Humanitarian of the Year.

Eyes of Hope is a remarkable mobile eye clinic co-founded by Shenouda, Marc, and Raj. Driven by a desire to provide accessible healthcare, they bring free eye care and glasses directly to some of Australia’s most vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers, and individuals without Medicare. By removing the barriers of location and cost, their clinics restore not only vision but also dignity and opportunity. With a growing team of dedicated volunteers and industry partners, their initiative is a powerful example of how simple, practical action can profoundly change lives.

Voting for The 2025 Fred Awards will close at 5.00pm AEST on Friday 24 October 2025.

10/09/2025

Calling Canberra Optometrists! Join us for our final ACT CPD event for the year!

YO is honoured to have Dr Neera Jain join us for an insightful session delving into all things glaucoma. This talk will cover the essentials - from early diagnosis to co-management strategies - with a focus on working collaboratively with ophthalmology to achieve the best outcomes. Don’t miss out! Register now!

Free for YO members and YO student members!

https://www.yoptoms.com/event-6338769

Special thank you to CooperVision for their unwavering support of Young Optometrists for making these events happen!

10/09/2025

Last Wednesday we held a social event with YO full members, and it was so good to see so many familiar faces and catch up over Thai food and Pilates!

Did you know YO has social events throughout the year as a way to connect and wind down? This is all free for all YO full members, you can message us for more details on how to join!

Thank you for hosting us and Coopervision for the support!