UPFRONT

Just as Insight went to print, THE SPECTACLE SITE was acquired by EyeQ OptometristsNational Optical Care (NOC). The purchase now sees EyeQ-NOC expand its practice network to 46 locations, with another expected to join in May. The Spectacle Site acquisition comprises five practices in Victoria: Croydon North, Croydon Central, Rowville, Healesville, and Seymour, as well as Specialeyes in Canberra. The Spectacle Site’s Boronia location was not included in the deal due to a different ownership structure and will continue to operate as an independent site. IN OTHER NEWS, the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) is joining Optometry Australia’s call for a $1 million investment into a collaborative eyecare pilot to reduce ‘drop out’ from routine intravitreal injections. The ACO believes a joint approach between optometrists and ophthalmologists will improve eyecare equity. The ACO said international evidence shows optometrists can administer intravitreal injections safely. But the current regulatory environment doesn't allow this locally. The proposed pilot would look at making best possible use of optometry in the care pathway, but would involve ophthalmology oversight and, most likely, a medical doctor injecting. FINALLY, Adelaide's Nova Eye Medical says it has navigated time-consuming and complex dialogue with the US FDA to pave a clear approval pathway for its pioneering 2RT laser system for selected intermediate age-related macular degeneration patients. Melbourne’s Professor Robyn Guymer will now run a study to build on findings in the seminal LEAD trial. “2RT addresses the disease in its earlier stages. No other device or pharmaceutical does this. The LEAD study was very encouraging but was not conclusive. I look forward to starting this work, providing additional information to the FDA and then a successful study outcome," Guymer said.

n WEIRD

A 53-year-old French man who went to hospital with an itchy eye was shocked to discover the source of irritation was “more than a dozen mobile, translucent larvae” around the cornea and conjunctiva. The man told doctors he had been gardening near a farm the same day when he felt something entering his eye, according to a report in New England Journal of Medicine.

n WONDERFUL

The colour blind are being helped to see exhibits in a new light thanks to an Australian-first technology partnership. Visitors to the University of Sydney's Chau Chak Wing who have deuteranopia are being loaned visionaltering glasses that block specific light wavelengths to create signals that are better calculated by the brain and allow wearers to perceive colour better.

n WACKY

A new study has revealed people who live with blindness can remember speech and language better than sighted people. “It’s interesting that people who are blind only showed an advantage with verbal memory,” author A/Prof Marina Bedny, of Johns Hopkins University, said. “Blind people may use language like a mental tool to remember information.”

QUOTE

SETTING PRIVATE FEES

“If patients perceive your services are free, do they really value what you’re doing?” – Andrew Greer, Eyecare Plus Tamworth. Page 35.

WHAT’S ON

THIS MONTH NOSA MEETING

9 – 12 JUNE

The Neuro-Ophthalmology Society of Australia’s annual meeting will take place in Canberra. kathpoon@bigpond.com

Complete calendar page 57.

NEXT MONTH NQV CONFERENCE

9 – 10 JULY

Optometry Queensland/Northern Territory’s annual North Queensland Vision conference will be held at the Hilton, Cairns. infoqld@optometryqldnt.org.au insightnews.com.au

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CORPORATE STORE TO REBUILD AT NEW SITE

continued from page 3

Lamas + Brown shop interior before the floods. Flood waters collapsed the suspended ceiling along with the wiring and air-conditioning ducts.

On Sunday 27 February 2022, the practice performed the same protocol and Lamas thought it would pull through again.

“And then it just started bucketing. Over the next 30 hours we got something like 700mm,” Lamas said.

“I woke up at 2am, looked at the river heights and the Bureau of Meteorology was saying 12.4m, which was equalling the highest record, but I looked at river heights further upstream and knew it would be closer to 14-15m. That wasn’t a good night because it meant the water would be up into the second storey, and that proved correct, with a final river height of 14.4m.”

After completely submerging the ground floor, the water level reached 400-500mm in the second storey, destroying the suspended ceiling between the two floors, including a new air conditioner system installed nine months ago, as well as carpets and fixtures.

Thankfully, expensive devices like an OCT, topographer, visual fields system, $30,000 server, and equipment from its two consulting rooms were stored on tables above the water height.

“Another one foot of water would have caused another $350,000 damage,” Lamas estimated.

Noting the Lismore rebuild would be a months-long ordeal, he immediately sought a new location. He learned of a non-practising osteopath with rooms 15km away in Wollongbar, who happily transferred her lease to have the optometry practice operational within a few weeks.

In a cruel twist, once Lamas began clearing his Lismore practice, the town was hit with a second flood. It was the final straw for a town that, in the past five years, has endured floods (2017), the worse drought in a century, worse bushfires in 50 years and COVID.

“We were walking through the flood waters for the second time in four weeks, and that’s when my wife and I looked at each other and agreed that it seemed crazy to keep putting it all at risk. We own the building. It’s a big decision but we have decided to relocate to Wollongbar and see what happens with Lismore over the next six to 12 months – whether they move the town or put in place flood mitigation measures.

“We may end up with three practices, but right now I can’t keep risking so much money and the stress it’s putting on staff. It was fine when we had a good plan, but we now know 12.4m isn’t the maximum – it is 14.4m.”

Consistent with other business owners, Lamas was disappointed with the lack of support from governments, but has been heartened with the community response.

“It’s very overwhelming, but I’ve learned to do just a little bit each time, but still with the big picture in mind,” he said.

“I have realised this is my home. The community is what has driven the recovery. It shows the benefit of living in a rural area. We have had so many people help us. Our community, patients, and friends have been the driving force that has helped us through this. We have to thank ACBO, Optometry Australia and suppliers like VMD and Luxottica.”

Elsewhere, Specsavers confirmed its entire Lismore store and equipment were lost in the floods, requiring a full rebuild.

Despite this, Specsavers staff provided replacement glasses free for customers who lost them in the disaster.

“The team, both optometry and audiology, including retail dispensers, have been able to provide important healthcare services at Specsavers Ballina and Tweed City,” a spokesperson said.

“We are very excited to announce that we will be fully rebuilding in Lismore Square in a much larger relocated premises – where Mathers/Noni B were previously located – to provide essential healthcare services to our much loved Lismore community. We anticipate re-opening in July 2022 and look forward to seeing everyone again then.” n

“IT WAS FINE WHEN WE HAD A GOOD PLAN, BUT WE NOW KNOW 12.4M ISN’T THE MAXIMUM – IT IS 14.4M”

FERNANDO LAMAS, LAMAS + BROWN OPTOMETRIST

LONGER-ACTING THERAPIES SEEKING REG APPROVAL

continued from page 3

rest of their lives,” the organisation stated.

With few reimbursed treatments for macular diseases, MDFA said it is perhaps unsurprising they appear high on the PBS list of medications. However, more therapies are entering this space with brolucizumab (brand name: Beovu) PBS-listed last October, and a port delivery system for ranibizumab (brand name: Susvimo) and faricimab (brand name: Vabysmo), a bispecific anti-VEGF, currently under review for reimbursement in Australia.

With a considerable year-on-year increase in anti-VEGF use from 2019-20 to 2020-21, MDFA said it would be difficult to determine what directly led to this. However, with an ageing population, it estimates an additional 5,500 patients each year are diagnosed with nAMD and could benefit from anti-VEGF.

It also estimates about 55,000 nAMD patients currently receive anti-VEGF treatment. The increase (~10% per year) is in line with the combined increase in aflibercept and ranibizumab scripts.

Overall, MDFA said Australian ophthalmologists were quick to recognise the revolutionary nature of anti-VEGF treatments when they first became available 15 years ago and were pioneers in determining the most efficient treatment approach. It said

Anti-VEGFs are sightsaving treatments. Australia is recognised among the world’s best for the treatment and management of macular diseases, with patients supported by a robust healthcare system.

“The recent commitment by both major political parties ahead of the Federal election to reject the proposal to cut the Medicare rebate for intravitreal injections will see this reputation maintained,” MDFA said.

“Additionally, one new anti-VEGF treatment was recently listed for reimbursement and two more – which promise of longer intervals between treatments with the same efficacy – could enter the market soon, demonstrating Australia continues to benefit from new and innovative treatments.” n