Professional Development

Download a registration form here and also view our Continuing Education Policy which will advise you on attendance at events, cancellations, discount etc.

Attendance at Courses (excluding Staff Support Courses) will earn participants 7 CPD points.

Courses

Saturday 20 March, 1.30pm - 5.30pm
Oncology Update - Lumps, Bumps and Pigment Clumps

This course, presented by Dr Willie Campbell and Dr John McKenzie,will cover the diagnosis and management of a variety of common and not so common anterior and posterior segment ocular tumours, with particular emphasis on recent advances in treatment. The differentiation of conjunctival, iris and choroidal naevi
from melanomas will be discussed, with a view to enabling the practising optometrist to decide which naevi are safe to observe and which should be referred for ophthalmological opinion.

Wednesday 24 March, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Support Staff Course 1: An Introduction to Optometry: Terminology, Fundamentals of Lens and Frame Selection, Prescriptions and More

Knowledgeable and well-trained ancillary staff can make all the difference to the efficient workings of your practice. This course is for staff who are new to optometry. It will be conducted by speakers who are specialists in specific optometric fields. The course will outline basic terminology, fundamentals of lens and frame selection, prescriptions and more. Course includes refreshments/lunch and handout materials.

Tuesday 20 April, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Staff Support Course 2: Optometry for Experienced Staff: Handling Emergencies, Visual Fields and Working with Contact Lenses

This course is for experienced support staff who are interested in updating their knowledge and skills relating to different aspects of service delivery in an optometry practice. Offering a combination of theory and practice, the program will review the intricacies of ophthalmic lenses, prescriptions, contact lenses and solutions. Problem solving will also be discussed, looking at common issues and different scenarios that can occur in relation to dispensing and also with patient customer service. It will provide plenty of opportunities for participants to ask questions and to share experiences with others.

Saturday 24 July, 1.30pm - 5.00pm
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Refresher Course

This course, presented by Dr Doug Roydhouse and Dr Heather Mack, will explore the ophthalmic complications of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The diabetic component will cover predisposing risk factors for retinopathy, the stages of the condition, treatment and prognosis. The cardiovascular lecture will commence with an anatomical overview and the topics for discussion will include ischaemic optic neuropathy, retinal artery occlusion and retinal emboli.

Saturday 4 September, 1.30pm - 5.00pm
Autoimmune Refresher Course

This course, presented by Dr Tony Hall, will deal with autoimmune disorders that optometrists might encounter in clinical practice. These include rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, temporal arteritis and Graves' disease. The pharmaceutical remedies including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents will be discussed. Side effects of the respective treatments will also be considered.

Saturday 13 November, 1.30pm - 5.00pm
Ocular Theraputics Refresher Course (OTRC) on Infection

This course will focus on the diagnosis and management of anterior eye infections. Optometrists are now competent to provide remedies for a number of these conditions including conjunctivitis and keratitis. The presenters will review general pathology, microbiology and pharmacology. They will consider the different approaches to treatment and will address other relevant issues such as drug resistance, integrated care and public health challenges. (This course will be of interest to all practitioners).