PROGRAM
Saturday May 2
CPR Refresher Course
Optometry Victoria South Australia members have the opportunity to complete a CPR refresher course prior to Melbourne Interactive.
Time: (Practical component of course only)
Group 1 - 9:00am to 10:00am and
Group 2 - 10:00am to 11:00am
Venue: Room M3, Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, 65 Queens Rd, Albert Park VIC 3004
Cost: $75
If you are interested you can express your interest by contacting Chynnae Jewell at c.jewell@optometry.org.au.
AEST
11:00am-12:30pm
REGISTRATION
12:30pm-1:00pm
CONFERENCE OPENING
OVSA Board President
Welcome to Country
The Aboriginal people of Melbourne are the Traditional Owners of the lands, collectively known as Naarm, comprising the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the East Kulin Nation. They have maintained a continuous, spiritual, and cultural connection to this land for over 2,000 generations.
1:00pm-3:00pm
CPD: 2Ti
SAME PRESSURES, EXPANDED SOLUTIONS: Changes to the glaucoma care landscape
In this session, we will review the barriers to glaucoma care and the consequences of not acting, discuss multiple models to improve patient access and outcomes and also discuss future scope of practice changes. We will also discuss the requirements of patient-centered collaborative care models and finish with an interactive case-based discussion, focusing on glaucoma cases requiring collaborative care and/or use of expanded scope.
Learning Objectives
Analyse the glaucoma care workforce maldistribution and the sub-optimal utilisation of optometrists in glaucoma care.
Discuss different workforce implementation theories to improve glaucoma care access and outcomes.
Discuss the ideal components in an agreed collaborative care model.
Evaluate the usefulness of newer clinical tools in glaucoma care including for population-based screening.
Apply this knowledge in clinical practice.
Our Speaker
Daniel is an experienced optometrist with special interests in glaucoma, dry eye, specialty contact lenses and profession advocacy. Daniel is also a CASA credentialled optometrist, co-chairs OA’s glaucoma communities of practice and education group and was one of the first recognised credentialled advanced practitioners in glaucoma. Daniel’s primary work is as Lecturer in Optometry at Deakin University where he contributes to the clinical placements team and works within his areas of interest in the Deakin collaborative eye care clinic, and additionally he works in clinical practice in regional Victoria.
Daniel Thomson
3:00pm-3:30pm
AFTERNOON TEA AND EXPO
3:30pm-5:30pm
CPD: 2Ni
CHALLENGING CONVERSATIONS IN EYE CARE
Steph and Tanya will present examples of challenging consult scenarios in role play as practitioner and simulated patient. Tanya will be in role (as simulated patient) and out of role (as a communication expert) to share communication strategies to help navigate tricky situations.
Learning Objectives
Confidently tackle challenging conversations.
Utilise a mini communication tool to apply in clinical encounters.
Our Speakers
Tanya Edlington
Tanya Edlington is a Conversation Specialist and founder of The Conversation Clinic Pty Ltd. She uses her training as an actor and facilitator to provide practical and fun communication education. Tanya is also a trained conflict coach and observes that many obstacles and difficulties at work and in life can be met by developing our capacity as communicators. Tanya’s teaching currently includes communication for second year paramedics students at Monash University and Building Culture and Collaboration as part of the Certificate in Clinical Governance at the Australasian Institute of Clinical Governance.
Dr Stephenie Tiew
Dr Stephenie Tiew is a board-certified ophthalmologist in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Europe. She is a Visiting Medical Officer at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and consults in private practice in Victoria.
Dr Tiew graduated from the University of Manchester and completed her ophthalmology specialist training in the North West of England. She subsequently undertook triple fellowship training, gaining subspecialty expertise in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery, as well as paediatric ophthalmology.
She is passionate about delivering high-quality, personalised eye care and is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for every patient. Dr Tiew also has a strong interest in medical education and clinical transformation, with a focus on improving patient care through innovation and best practice.
Tanya Edlington
Dr Stephenie Tiew
5:30pm-6:30pm
NETWORKING AND EXPO
6:30pm-8:30pm
CPD: 1 (0.5T)
VEI SPONSORED SESSION AND DINNER
“What do I do when my patient asks about refractive surgery?”
Managing assessments and referrals for patients interested in refractive surgery
Our Speaker
Associate Professor Abi Tenen
Associate Professor Abi Tenen is a highly respected ophthalmic surgeon with extensive expertise in refractive surgery, cataract and lens procedures, keratoconus management, and corneal treatments including collagen cross-linking. Her current practice focuses on refractive surgery and corneal conditions, where her broad experience with advanced technologies enables her to deliver customised, holistic care plans for each patient. A dedicated educator and advocate, A/Prof Tenen has held long-term academic appointments at Monash University and Charles Sturt University and has been actively involved in charitable and teaching pursuits. A pioneer in ophthalmic innovation, she helped introduce the femtosecond laser to Australia and continues to contribute to cutting‑edge research, while frequently presenting at national and international conferences and serving on specialist advisory boards.
She consults at Vision Eye Institute Melbourne & Blackburn South. She operates at Camberwell Day Surgery.
LUMPS, BUMPS & WHEN TO JUMP: Navigating eyelid anatomy and referral pathways
Our Speaker
Dr Helen Garrott
Dr Garrott is an internationally trained Australian and British ophthalmologist with over 15 years of experience, specialising in oculoplastics, lacrimal, and orbital surgery. She has advanced expertise in orbital procedures, complex tear duct surgery, eyelid cancer management, and is recognised as a leading specialist in thyroid eye disease, offering both medical and surgical treatment options. Dr Garrott completed prestigious oculoplastic fellowships at Bristol Eye Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital in the U.K, and holds public appointments at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Monash Medical Centre. Dr Garrott consults at the Vision Eye Institute Camberwell rooms and operates at Vision Day Surgery Boroondara and Camberwell.
A/Prof Abi Tenen
Dr Helen Garrott
8:30pm
CLOSE
PROGRAM
Sunday May 3
AEST
7:30am-8:30am
CPD: 1i
COOPERVISION SPONSORED BREAKFAST
PATIENT STORIES, CLINICAL STRATEGIES: Managing myopia and presbyopia
This interactive, case-driven session guides optometrists through several patient cases spanning the spectrum from myopia control to presbyopia. Attendees will gain expert insights from fellow optometrists who will share their clinical considerations and management for each scenario. This will be further enhanced by peer-to-peer conversation, comparing perspectives and clinical approaches.
Learning Objectives
Discuss myopia control treatment selection in the context of a binocular vision disorder.
Identify key considerations for myopia control treatment cessation.
Discuss considerations for multifocal contact lens selection for more complex presbyopic prescriptions.
Describe the features and benefits of Binocular Progressive System™.
Our Speaker
Julia obtained her optometry degree from UNSW and has practised in diverse settings with special interest in contact lenses and myopia management. Beyond her clinical roles, she enjoys mentoring optometry graduates and frequently presents at CPD events and conferences. Since joining CooperVision in 2018, she divides her time between professional affairs and clinical practice in Sydney.
Julia Kwok
8.30am-9.00am
SHORT BREAK & NETWORKING
9.00am-11.00am
CPD: 2Ti
Dr Sky Chew
THAT BLOODY OLE VITREOUS!
A whirlwind tour of the vitreous and common (and not-so-common) pathologies that an optometrist will likely encounter in their lifetime! This will include a short, structured talk on causes of vitreous opacities including the benign, the vision-threatening (e.g., vitreous haemorrhage and its causes) and the life-threatening.
There will be lots of case studies with photos and videos of Dr Chew’s encounters in the wild with these conditions.
Learning Objectives
Describe and identify the common and serious causes of vitreous opacities and vitreous haemorhage.
Triage and refer the different causes above in a timely manner.
Our Speaker
Dr Sky Chew is a quadruple-fellowed ophthalmologist, with subspecialist skills in vitreoretinal surgery, medical retina and complex cataracts. Having also done fellowships in paediatric ophthalmology and uveitis, he is comfortable managing all forms of general ophthalmology conditions as well. Most importantly (for the crowd here), he does enjoy teaching optometrist colleagues, and welcomes any questions or queries via text or email!
11am-11.30am
MORNING TEA AND EXPO
11:30am-12:30pm
CPD: TBC
SESSION TBC
12:30pm-1:30pm
LUNCH AND EXPO
1.30pm-2.30pm
CPD:1
This presentation explores the often-overlooked lifestyle and environmental factors that significantly influence the onset and progression of childhood myopia. Drawing on current evidence and real-world clinical experience, it reframes lifestyle modification as an essential component of the myopia management toolkit.
Learning Objectives
Identify key lifestyle and environmental risk factors associated with childhood myopia onset and accelerated progression.
Recognise which children benefit most from targeted lifestyle counselling based on their risk profile.
Evaluate the impact of lifestyle changes over time and adjust management plans accordingly.
Our Speaker
Emmy is the Principal Optometrist at Eye & I Optometrist in Melbourne, Victoria. She graduated from University of Melbourne with ocular therapeutics in 2007 and further pursued her interest in paediatric vision care by completing an advanced certificate in children’s vision.
Her passion lies particularly in myopia management, paediatric care and ocular disease management. Emmy is a strong advocate for increasing awareness of eye health within the community. She has presented at national conferences and webinars in collaboration with organisations such as Johnson & Johnson, Diabetes Victoria and the Vision Initiative. She served as the media spokesperson for World Sight Day in 2020
RETHINKING MYOPIA MANAGEMENT:
The missing lifestyle piece
Emmy Cui
2:30pm