UPFRONT Just as Insight went to print, BIENCO, a national consortium of clinical, scientific and governance experts, including the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service, was launched by NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research Mr Brad Hazzard. The group will develop bioengineered eye tissue for corneal blindness, and involves two leading Australian corneal specialists: Professor Gerard Sutton, also co-medical director for the NSW Tissue Bank, and Professor Mark Daniell, who is also a researcher at The
University of Melbourne and Centre for Eye Research Australia. The project is being funded through the Medical Research Future Fund 2021 Frontier Health and Medical Research Initiative. IN OTHER NEWS, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency reported fewer complaints about the conduct of Australian optometrists in 2021, with a higher proportion of cases also resulting in no further action. The latest ‘notifications’ data showed there were 38 notifications lodged against 44 optometrists. This compares with 41 complaints against 55 optometrists in 2019/20. In terms of the 50 cases that were closed in 2020/21, 74% resulted in no further action, up from
61% the year before. FINALLY, Optometry Victoria South Australia (OV/SA) appointed Ms Ilsa Hampton as its new CEO, following the departure of Mr Pete Haydon to the Australian College of Optometry. Hampton is an experienced health sector leader, holding senior executive and leadership roles in aged care and social and community services. She was most recently CEO at membership organisation Meaningful Ageing Australia, where she grew the organisation significantly, undertook advocacy with government and key stakeholders, and delivered education and evidence-based practical resources for members. Hampton takes up the permanent CEO role this month.
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11-15 Buckhurst Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 T: 03 9690 8766 www.primecreative.com.au Publisher Christine Clancy
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Editor Myles Hume myles.hume@primecreative.com.au
Researchers have developed a high-tech sleeping bag that could solve spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). Astronauts place their lower body in the vacuum-equipped sleeping bag, which pulls down body fluids that naturally float into the head and can reshape the back of the eye. n
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WONDERFUL
Inspirational speaker and author Julie Woods, who is legally blind, climbed the world's steepest street in Dunedin to highlight Blind Low Vision Week. With her guide, she reached the top of Baldwin St in 12 minutes, as she aims to walk every street in the southern New Zealand city. n
Journalist Rhiannon Bowman
WACKY
Smartglasses to be released by Apple in 2022 will reportedly operate on the company’s proprietary M1 chips. Rather than being physically or wirelessly connected to a cellphone, this will allow the glasses to run independently, on par with its computers.
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INDEPENDENT SUCCESS "For independent optometry to continue to flourish, practice owners need to commercialise their special interests" – departed ProVision CEO Mr Steven Johnston. Full report page 62.
WHAT’S ON
Complete calendar page 61.
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