UPFRONT

Just as Insight went to print,

O=MEGA21

organisers cancelled the event scheduled for September 2-4 in Melbourne. “While there was a possibility that O=MEGA21 could be rescheduled in its original format, uncertainty around the ongoing spread of COVID-19 together with many people’s reluctance or inability to travel, meant postponing would have been an unwise decision,” ODMA chair Mr Robert Sparkes said. For optometrists relying on the event for their CPD requirements, Optometry Victoria South Australia announced the return of the Southern Regional Congress to take place virtually on the same dates. IN OTHER NEWS, well-known Australian optometrist Dr Tony Adams died on 16 July. Professor Konrad Pesudovs paid tribute to his mentor and the man he described as “Australia’s greatest optometrist”. He said Adams’s accomplishments were innumerable but include Dean of Optometry at University of California, Berkeley (1992–2001) and president of the American Academy of Optometry (1998–2000), among a host of awards. Adams obtained a bachelor's degree from the University of Melbourne in 1962. He went to Indiana University before joining Berkeley in 1968. FINALLY, triumphant tales of community-based trachoma programs in Western Australia have featured in a newly launched The West Australian Trachoma Storybook, highlighting the importance of primary prevention of the disease that predominantly affects Indigenous communities. The Public Health Advocacy Institute WA, part of Curtin University, produced the book led by the organisation’s Dr Melissa Stoneham. “Screening is critical but primary prevention is equally important and so the storybook showcases 13 of these initiatives across regional WA,” she said.

n WEIRD

A UK surgeon removed 27 lost contact lenses from a woman's eye after spotting a “bluish mass” during a cataract work-up. The 67-year-old put the discomfort and dryness down to her age. She had been wearing monthly disposables for 35 years but didn't get her eyes checked regularly.

n WONDERFUL

A tiger's eye has been saved in what is believed to be the first operation of its type in the world on a big cat. A hood graft procedure was performed on Ratna, a 17-year-old Sumatran tiger, at the UK’s Shepreth Wildlife Park, to treat a corneal ulcer. The eye had previously been operated on for a cataract.

n WACKY

The English football team has been charged by Europe’s governing body after a laser was shone on to the face of Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in the Euro 2020 semifinal. Despite the disruption, he saved Harry Kane’s shot from the penalty spot, but the striker scored on the rebound.

STAT

SCOPE-OF-PRACTICE

It's not unusual for non-urgent patients to wait more than 300 days for their initial ophthalmology outpatient appointments in the public system – Optometry Australia. Full report page 44.

WHAT’S ON

THIS MONTH EURETINA 2021

SEPTEMBER 9-12

The society has undertaken a wideranging digital transformation over the last six months to meet the demands for the virtual event this year. euretina@euretina.org

Complete calendar page 49

NEXT MONTH AUSCRS 2021

OCTOBER 20-23

The Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual conference is set to host a worldclass line up of speakers in Noosa. office@auscrs.org.au insightnews.com.au

Published by:

11-15 Buckhurst Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 T: 03 9690 8766 www.primecreative.com.au Publisher Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au Editor Myles Hume myles.hume@primecreative.com.au Journalist Rhiannon Bowman rhiannon.bowman@primecreative.com.au Business Development Manager Alex Mackelden alex.mackelden@primecreative.com.au Client Success Manager Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au Design Production Manager Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au Art Director Blake Storey Graphic Design Michelle Weston, Madeline McCarty Kerry Pert Subscriptions T: 03 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au

The Publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from the advertisers and contributors against damages or liabilities that arise from material published. © Copyright – No part of this publication be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the publisher.

BUREAUCRACY FRUSTRATES BUSINESSES

continued from page 3

and rent (without the Leasing Code of Conduct) but also means they cannot stand down employees because technically they can open for business.”

Specsavers ANZ director of optometry Dr Ben Ashby said during the past 18 months the company had learned a lot about operating an optometry business across multiple lockdowns in various states and territories.

“One thing I think we have all learned is not to be too ready to try and predict what is around the corner. There have been so many surprises since March 2020 that it is wisest to expect more surprises over the coming months while the vaccine rollout is administered and completed,” he said.

“On a bright note, thus far, each easing of restrictions has seen a strong practice bounce-back with so many patients and customers wanting to re-book the eye test they have missed and update their prescription eyewear as they had previously planned to do. In tandem with this, our store teams will be focussed on prioritising those with the most pressing care needs and bringing them safely into the practice to ensure they are up-to-date.”

Mr Philip Rose, national business development manager of Eyecare Plus, said on the other side of the Sydney lockdown, its independent practices would be focussed on catching up on the large patient recall backlog.

“It is also quite likely that we will see a resurgence of business activity in our practices as was experienced after the first lockdown and also in Melbourne after past lockdowns,” he said.

“The big unknown is, how will the absence of JobKeeper work out on consumers in general and particularly on our patients? With less discretionary income and less confidence to spend, both factors are possibly going to affect the post-recovery period, but who knows? With over 50 daily cases infectious in the community, it is also hard to see when the restrictions will be lifted.”

Optometry NSW/ACT CEO Mr Andrew McKinnon said his information suggested many optometrists were seeing four to six patients a day instead of the 15 they normally might. The absence of JobKeeper had been an issue for owners.

“JobKeeper was clean and simple, everyone understood it. The new support packages are convoluted and the rules unclear. I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve had from members asking if I think they are eligible because they can’t work it out themselves,” he said. “When will

"ON THE OTHER SIDE, YES BUSINESS WILL COME BACK. OPTOMETRY BOUNCED VERY STRONGLY IN 2020 AND I SUSPECT IT WILL BE THE SAME THIS TIME"

ANDREW MCKINNON, OPTOMETRY NSW/ACT the situation improve? My personal estimate is another four weeks (end of August), but I suspect that between now and then Sydney will return to a staged opening, with much of the city semi-released, but the LGAs with the numbers will remain pretty tightly controlled. On the other side, yes business will come back. Optometry bounced very strongly in 2020 and I suspect it will be the same this time.”

Mr Andrew Pham, of Eye Mechanics – an independent practice that opened in Gregory Hills in the southeast in December 2019 – said the business had experienced a significant drop in income lately, making it eligible for the NSW Government subsidies. "We expect the payments to tide us over as we have kept all of our staff this time round, but how long we can go like this remains to be seen," he said.

“Once lockdowns are lifted, we expect a surge in bookings given many patients' annual or biyearly reviews have fallen within the lockdown periods. This is additional to new patients who are increasingly experiencing computer vision syndrome. Our patients have cited that working from home has resulted in significantly increased screen time compared to when at work. We've seen a substantial uptick in dry eye management." n

ASO SPEARHEADS UNITED FRONT AGAINST GROUP

continued from page 3

government to review it or a suggestion that there be a regulator to oversee it. Or maybe they’ll say this is an unregulated area that should be,” Sumich said.

“We told the ACCC we would very much like to make sure this doesn’t just go through to the wicketkeeper without something to suggest the government has to look at it.”

Cutting through to policymakers was the focus of the ASO’s campaign called Send the Eagle Home, a reference to Cigna Corporation and US-style managed care. It received the backing of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Council of Procedural Specialists (COPS) Australia, Australian Private Hospitals Association and Medical Surgical Assistants Society of Australia.

Sumich said the campaign – which involved a series of radio advertisements and social media posts – garnered 100,000 shares on Facebook, as well as 30,000 interactions on the platform.

“But most noteworthy was the way in which the medical profession came together,” he said.

“There were 120 applicants on an ACCC pre-determination conference call. Only three were in favour of Honeysuckle, everyone else was in opposition. You had the AMA, COPS, all speciality societies and the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges, which you don’t see very often.”

In it’s draft decision, the ACCC ruled Honeysuckle could operate for five years,

Dr Peter Sumich, ASO. as opposed to the 10 years initially sought. However, the ASO believes this should be limited to 12 months only with a formally agreed format for review in 12 months.

Large providers Medibank, Bupa, HCF, or HBF in Western Australia also aren’t allowed to join the general buying group for hospital contracting, medical gap schemes and general treatment networks.

But those health funds can join a Broad Clinical Partners Program whereby Honeysuckle signs agreements with medical specialists so customers aren’t charged out-of-pocket costs for hospital treatment. However, this must be capped once it represents more than 40% of the private health insurer market in any state or territory. n