Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO)

A landmark moment at this year's Skills Expo: we were proud to present the inaugural Kerry Gallagher Medal to Dr Michael Steiner. This new honour recognises outstanding contribution to the ophthalmology community and the values Kerry Gallagher has championed throughout his service to the sector. Congratulations, Dr Steiner - a worthy first recipient. 👏 Watch as Michael shares his perspective on the remarkable advances in ophthalmology that have transformed patient care, and why continued innovation remains so important for the future of eye health. Read more in our MiVision story: https://lnkd.in/gvbtMNxV

The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists has this week joined National Seniors Australia in raising concerns about the Government's proposal to remove the higher private health insurance rebate for Australians aged 65 and over. Their argument is a practical one, and it deserves attention. Gold-tier cover is what funds many of the sight-saving procedures older Australians rely on, including cataract surgery. If the cost of that cover rises, some will drop or downgrade it and the surgery they were relying on moves into a public queue. As ASO Chief Executive Katrina Ronne put it, private cover can be the difference between having a procedure now and losing months of clear sight in a public queue. National Seniors estimates the change could add more than $1,000 a year to premiums for a couple on Gold cover. Their Chief Executive Chris Grice makes the point that many of these Australians have paid premiums for decades and that now, when affordability matters most, it has been swept from under their feet. These are not partisan organisations. They are a peak medical body and a consumer advocacy group representing older Australians and they are asking for a more balanced approach that protects people who depend on timely care. The proposal is before the Senate and we are trying to block it. If you are interested in this issue I encourage you to contribute to the Senate inquiry. https://lnkd.in/g3wdduz2 Anyone can provide a submission.

⏳ Last chance to register! Registrations for our Emotional Intelligence webinar close tomorrow, so don't miss your spot. Emotional intelligence is one of the most powerful (and most overlooked) skills in healthcare. Join us to learn how to read a room, manage pressure, and build stronger connections with your patients and your team. Log in and register now! - https://lnkd.in/gnsJrWUC #MaterEducation #EmotionalIntelligence #ProfessionalDevelopment #Healthcare

The Human Edge in an AI World: ASO Skills Expo Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future possibility. It is here, it is evolving rapidly, and it is already reshaping the way medicine is practised. However, as Katrina Ronne writes, conversations about AI at the recent Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) Skills Expo, were never centred on fear. Across two days at the recent ASO Skills Expo, ophthalmologists, healthcare leaders, governance bodies, and industry representatives came together under the theme ‘AI and the Human Edge’ to explore what technological change means for healthcare professionals, and ophthalmology in particular. https://lnkd.in/gEpbTyBY #AustralianSocietyofOphthalmologists #ASO #ASOSkillsExpo #HumanEdge #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ophthalmologists #ophthalmology #HealthcareLeaders #IndustryRepresentatives #HealthcareProfessionals #SmallIncisionCataractSurgery #SICS #VisionCare #HealthCommunication #ClinicalPractice #PatientCare #mivision Katrina Ronne Joel Pearson, PhD Ellie Fink

The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) says it has lodged a submission with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) opposing the re-authorisation of Honeysuckle Health Pty Ltd and nib health funds limited, as part of ongoing advocacy around health insurance. In its latest EyeWatch publication, ASO vice president Dr Justin Sherwin said it was “one of the most significant advocacy interventions we have made this year”. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) Optometry Australia Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ)

National Seniors Australia is grateful to the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) for supporting our Health Costs campaign and helping to raise awareness of the impacts of the proposed cuts. Many older Australians have paid private health insurance premiums for decades – often throughout their entire working lives. Now, when affordability matters most, they should not be asked to pay more for the cover they've relied on. National Seniors Australia believes a more balanced approach is needed – one that protects older Australians, maintains access to timely care, and avoids unintended pressure on the public health system. You can help make a difference. Register your support for our Health Costs campaign today. The bigger our numbers, the louder our voice, and the stronger our case for protecting healthcare for older Australians. Join the campaign through the link in ASO's post.

Dear Mr Albanese, Don't Lose Sight of Our Seniors. The Federal Government is proposing to reduce the higher private health insurance rebate for Australians aged 65 and over, so the rebate is the same regardless of age, from 1 April 2027 if legislated. National Seniors Australia estimates the change could add more than $1,000 a year for a couple on Gold cover and push tens of thousands of seniors to drop or downgrade their cover. Gold cover is what funds much of the sight-saving surgery older Australians rely on, including cataract surgery. Pricing seniors out of that cover will lead to months in a public queue, with their vision and their independence waiting with them. The ASO is proud to stand with National Seniors Australia and their Health Costs campaign. 🔗Join the campaign - https://lnkd.in/gasVTDKf 🔗Read the media release - https://lnkd.in/giaZarwu #DontLoseSightOfOurSeniors #PrivateHealth #Ophthalmology #SeniorsHealth #EyeHealth

When Melbourne ophthalmologist Dr Rahul Chakrabarti mentioned on a Friday that a particular software upgrade would make cataract surgery safer, he expected the usual process of committees, approvals and lengthy deliberations. Instead, by Monday, the upgrade was done. As he explains, it’s not just what happens under the surgical microscope that leads to strong cataract surgery outcomes. Many gains come from less visible systems, interactions and processes working together behind the scenes to deliver success. Vision Eye Institute Vision Hospital Group The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) Kylie Bennett Amanda Cranage

Nominations are now OPEN for World Ophthalmologist Day! 👁️ They don't make headlines, but every single day ophthalmologists across the world are quietly changing lives, one restored sight at a time. Behind every clear morning, every familiar face seen again, every bit of independence held onto a little longer, there's someone who made it happen. The ASO created World Ophthalmologist Day in 2023, and since then, it has become an internationally recognised event celebrated by our profession across the world. It is the one day a year we can shine a light on our community! Know an ophthalmologist who goes above and beyond for their patients, their community, or the profession? Nominate them today🌟 Selected nominees will be celebrated across our socials in the week leading up to World Ophthalmologist Day on 8 August, and featured in the ASO Members' Bulletin. 🔗 Nominate now: https://lnkd.in/g3dqrdSw #WorldOphthalmologistDay #ASO #Ophthalmology #EyeCare #Australia