UPFRONT

Just as Insight went to print, ALLERGAN confirmed Prednefrin Forte eye drops are available once again. Due to manufacturing issues, there had been a shortage, but Allergan stated it had worked closely with its global counterparts in the last 12 months to ensure its return last month. The therapy is approved for severe inflammation (non-infectious) of the eye, such as acute iritis, iridocyclitis, scleritis, episcleritis, uveitis, resistant ocular allergy and inflammation following eye surgery. In its absence, Allergan arranged a Section 19A approval for Pred Forte Prednisolone acetate eye drops 10mL (UK). “Allergan will cease supply of Pred Forte Prednisolone acetate … but it will remain available in pharmacies for several weeks." IN OTHER NEWS, Dr James Muecke was appointed South Australia’s next Lieutenant Governor. Premier Mr Steven Marshall announced the ophthalmologist would succeed Professor Brenda Wilson AM who has served since August 2014. “[Dr Muecke] is one of South Australia’s favourite sons, a true pioneer in blindness prevention and an incredibly accomplished eye surgeon – dedicating 32 years to his humanitarian work,” Marshall said. “The 2020 Australian of the Year comes to this role with a wealth of national and international experience, and I very much look forward to working with him.” FINALLY, new research has revealed Canberra is the world’s best city for eyesight. Online UK retailer Feel Good Contacts analysed 100 capital cities, looking at several factors including noise, light and air pollution, the prevalence of vision loss in each city, and national healthcare index scores to indicate which were the healthiest and most at-risk for maintaining good eye health. The Australian capital had an overall eye health score of 9.47, enjoying some of the lowest levels of air, noise and light pollution, meaning eyes were less irritated and benefitted from more restorative sleep.

n WEIRD

Pranksters have stuck googly eyes on numerous Adelaide landmarks. The most notable of these was The Big Scotsman statute above Scotty’s Motel, which the bandits used a cherry picker to reach in an early morning mission. Other locations included KFC, Dan Murphy’s, Adelaide Crows headquarters and a Jim’s Handyman van, ABC reported.

n WONDERFUL

Queenslanders Mr Scott Preston and Mr Nathan Price have benefitted from a new traineeship for people who are blind or have low vision. Run by Vision Australia and supported by the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) wage subsidy scheme, the traineeship has allowed the pair to complete tertiary qualifications while undertaking paid work with the not-for-profit organisation.

n WACKY

Melbourne optometrist Designer Eyes in Glenroy has been left with a $20,000 damage bill after the luxury business was ram-raided. A four-wheeldrive drove into the shopfront in an overnight theft, with the burglars taking $5000 worth of designer sunglasses – including pairs of Tom Ford and Tiffany & Co, 9News reported.

STAT

OBA MEMBERS

In 2020/21, 38 notifications lodged were against 44 optometrists, according to new Optometry Board of Australia data. Full report page 26.

WHAT’S ON

THIS MONTH ASO EXPO 2022

18 – 20 MARCH

The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists’ annual event is taking place at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne. info@asoeye.org

Complete calendar page 57.

NEXT MONTH AVC 2022

9 – 10 APRIL

This year's Australian Vision Convention clinical program promises a line-up of over 30 world class speakers at Sea World Resort. infoqld@optometryqldnt.org.au insightnews.com.au

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MILLIONS NEEDED FOR INDIGENOUS EYE HEALTH

continued from page 3

With the current fee at $24.20, OA’s modelling suggests this grossly underrecognises the true cost, discouraging optometrists. It believes a more realistic figure would be $85 per visit. It would come at a minimal budget cost of $500,000 annually due to their infrequency, but could increase service delivery by 10%.

Elsewhere, the organisation proposed $18.1 million over five years for VOS, whose services have tripled during the past decade. By putting the scheme on a firm financial footing, it would reach more First Nations people, with indications more than 21,000 additional VOS-supported eye examinations per annum are needed.

Geographic access to eyecare also forms part of the basis for OA’s next proposal on intravitreal injection (IVI) services. At a cost of $500,000 over two years, OA believes there’s the opportunity to pilot collaborative care models to enhance access to IVIs in regional and rural areas.

Although ophthalmology bodies are against optometrists physically administering IVIs, OA stated the pilot would see local optometrists work with visiting ophthalmologists for treatment planning, patient management and support, as well as conducting and electronically transmitting OCT scans.

“It is envisaged that the pilot would be undertaken in two separate locations, including one that would enhance access to IVIs in remote Indigenous communities, working in partnership with local Aboriginal Health Services,” OA stated.

“The pilot would be developed ... with relevant local health providers, health professional groups and patient representatives, and would be independently evaluated with a view to informing a broader rollout of innovative IVI care models.”

Elsewhere, OA recommended the government invest $500,000 over two years, which it would match dollar-for-dollar, to continue its ‘Good vision for life’ public awareness campaign. It also proposed $500,000 over two years to build eye health awareness among primary health professionals such as GPs, practice nurses, specialists and allied health professionals.

90-DAY CATARACT SURGERY RULE In its submission, Vision 2020 Australia outlined 11 recommendations.

At the top of its list was $65 million in additional funding to support the government’s commitment to end avoidable blindness in Indigenous communities by 2025, through full implementation of the 'Strong Eyes, Strong Communities' recommendations.

Another important proposal called for funding of ophthalmology staff specialist positions in the public system and new eye health workforce strategies that improve access to cataract surgery and intravitreal injections in regional, rural and remote areas.

“Vision 2020 Australia recommends implementing a 90-day rule for cataract surgery, whereby patients are to be seen within 90 days of requesting an outpatient visit for assessment and operated on within 90 days of booking – and reporting of performance against this.

“[We also propose] an increase in publicly funded and/or affordable access to intravitreal injection and benchmarks implemented that measure reach and timeliness. For this to be successful, mandated improvements are needed to the collection and reporting of outpatient/ specialist clinic data. This would provide greater clarity on the expediency of initial appointments and treatment and ongoing access to sight saving treatment.” The organisation’s other recommendations included: • $26.4 million over four years to tackle "the blindness crisis" in Papua New

Guinea. • Additional $14 million per annum for disability inclusion in Australia’s aid program. • $5.04 million over four years to trial an on-call eye health and vision coaching and support service for disability and aged care workers and assessors. • A dedicated vision mission within the

Medical Research Future Fund of $150 million over 10 years. • A national evidence-based framework for the early identification and management of vision and eye health problems in 3.5 to 5 year-old children.

OPHTHALMOLOGY PROPOSALS RANZCO head of advocacy Mr Gerhard Schlenther provided a list of recommendations from the college split into five areas.

Among its four proposals under ‘service delivery and preventative healthcare’, RANZCO called for measures to improve timely access to geographically available,

“GRANT FULL SPECIALIST MBS BILLING RIGHTS TO FIFTH (FINAL) YEAR OPHTHALMOLOGY TRAINEES WORKING UNDER SUPERVISION IN REGIONAL AND REMOTE AREAS”

GERHARD SCHLENTHER, RANZCO publicly funded ophthalmology outpatient services, which it recently highlighted as a major issue in NSW.

In its six ‘Close the gap’ initiatives, it said funding was required for an adequate number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers/liaison officers, to coordinate and facilitate services. Institutionalisation of Indigenous community control into funding schemes and service delivery models is also needed to ensure Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are part of the decision-making process. It also reiterated the need for funding of scholarships and enrolment in specialist training programs to grow the Indigenous workforce and leadership development.

The college’s five ‘workforce and training’ proposals included investment in more urban training posts in the public system, and the Regionally Enhanced Training Network (RETN), which is essential to sustainably address workforce maldistribution.

“[RANZCO also calls for the granting of] full specialist MBS billing rights to fifth (final) year ophthalmology trainees working under supervision in regional and remote areas to address the maldistribution of doctors.

“Also, set reportable KPIs for all specialty training – not just ophthalmology – as well as for outpatient and inpatient service delivery, making state governments and local health districts more accountable for training and outpatient service delivery.”

Its six-point 'sustainability and climate change’ proposal featured the establishment of a national Sustainable Healthcare unit and a Climate Solutions Fund to support sustainable practices in healthcare and reduce the sector’s significant emissions. n

Optometry Australia believes the current Medicare fee for optometric domiciliary services grossly under-recognises the actual cost.