Speakers
 |
Adrian Bell
BAppSc(Optom) FACBO FCOVD
Mr Bell graduated from QUT in Brisbane, Queensland in 1985. Around that time he spent time on the Queensland OAA Council as Student member. After working in Brisbane for two years he moved to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to practice in Caloundra. His practice sees a large number of children as well as adult patients. Adrian was a foundation member of the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists. He holds fellowships with the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (USA) and with ACBO. He was an ACBO Board member for over ten years including four years as ACBO President.
|
 |
Celia Bloxsom
BAppSc(Optom)Hons GradCertOcTher
After graduating with first class honours from QUT in 2000 along with the Don Noack prize for contact lens studies, Celia Bloxsom joined an inner city Brisbane practice specializing in contact lenses in 2001 where she developed skills fitting all contact lens types,including those for keratoconus, peripheral marginal degeneration and corneal grafts, as well as paediatric contact lens fitting. It was there that Celia also began fitting Orthokeratology lenses. Her enthusiasm for the modality led her to become Secretary for the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania in 2003, a position that she still holds today. Celia also practices as a supervising clincian at QUT's contact lens clinic and, along with her fellow contact lens supervisors, was jointly awarded the QUT Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in 2010. Celia currently consults full-time and is Group Clinical Eyecare Manager of Envision Optical on the Gold Coast.
|
 |
Associate Professor Celia Chen
MBBS MPHC PhD FRANZCO
Associate Professor Celia Chen completed her medical degree at the University of Adelaide followed by a Masters of Public Health and a PhD at Flinders University. She undertook her ophthalmology training in South Australia and proceeded to a clinical and research fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Celia has returned to Adelaide in 2007 following her fellowship and is a consultant ophthalmologist at the Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University. She has several peer reviewed publication and is the recipient of both national and international scholarships and awards including the American Australian Education Fellowship, NHMRC National Institute of Clinical Studies fellowship and South Australian Science Excellence award. |
 |
Dr Brendan Cronin
MBBS (Hons) DipOphthSci LLB B.Com FRANZCO
Dr Brendan Cronin is the lead Corneal and Anterior Segment Surgeon and the Director of Education at the Queensland Eye Institute. Dr Cronin grew up on the Gold Coast and completed his medical and ophthalmic training in Brisbane. He trained in his subspecialty of Corneal, Refractive and Anterior Segment Surgery at the prestigious Manchester Royal Eye Hospital in the United Kingdom. He performs all types of corneal transplant surgery, pterygium surgery, cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery. Dr Cronin is undertaking research into corneal stem cell transplantation and has a keen interest in teaching ophthalmology. His textbook Ophthalmology For Medical Students is sold in Audiobook format worldwide. |
 | Prof Nathan Efron (Bausch + Lomb Brunch Speaker) PhD DSc FAAO(Dip CCLRT) FCCLSA FBCLA FIACLE FACO Nathan Efron is Research Professor in the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Queensland University of Technology, and holds a joint appointment in the School of Optometry and Vision Science. He has served as President of both the Contact Lens Society of Australia (1981) and the British Contact Lens Association (1997). He lectures extensively world-wide, particularly in the field of the ocular response to contact lens wear, and has published over 750 scientific papers, abstracts and textbook chapters, and has written/edited 6 books. He has won numerous research awards, including the BCLA Gold Medal (2001) and American Academy of Optometry’s Glenn Fry Award (2010). |
 |
David Foresto
BAppSc(Optom) GradCertOcThera DPA
David Foresto is the President of Optometrists Association of Australia QLD/NT division. David has interests in specialised contact lenses and therapeutics working predominantly with keratoconus, post-graft fittings and infantile aphakia, as well as lecturing across Australia on these topics. David has a practice in Brisbane and is also a guest lecturer at the QUT School of Optometry. |
 |
Dr Stephen Godfrey
MBBS (QLD) FRANZCO He is a graduate of the University of Queensland, Medical School and trained as an intern at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. After seven years as a general practitioner and country medical superintendent in the central west of Queensland, Dr Godfrey completed his ophthalmology specialists training in Brisbane. These credentials led him to work in Taunton Hospital in Somerset, England before he settled on the Gold Coast in 1999, and began his private practice. Dr Godfrey is currently a VMO at the Gold Coast University Hospital, training and supervising registrars. He has held this position since 1999. He regularly lectures in Australia. He is heavily committed to the outreach eye surgery program with the CYEHP - (Cape York Eye Health Program) in remote North Queensland, consulting, and operating on members of this remote area. Dr Godfrey is general ophthalmologist treating all eye conditions, with a special interest cataract and ocular plastic surgery. Dr Godfrey performs surgery at Pacific Private Hospital - Southport, John Flynn Private Hospital - Tugun and the Gold Coast University Hospital at Southport. |
 |
Jason Holland
BAppSc(Optom)(Hons) GradCertOcTher CASA CO
Mr Holland graduated from QUT in 1994 and commenced work as a locum Optometrist in 1995, spending time consulting in all corners of Australia. In 2002 he became the National Director of Optometry for the Optical Superstore Group. Mr Holland commenced work with Ophthalmologist and Anterior Eye Specialist, Dr Andrew Apel, in 2001 and has since been providing pre and post operative assistance at his Brisbane rooms. His special interests include managing dry eye, the co-management of glaucoma and the fitting of contact lenses, in particular rigid lenses for challenging corneas. |
 |
Dr Frank Howes
Dr Howes has strong interests and fellowship training in anterior segment ocular disease related to the cornea angle and crystalline lens, and the delivery and maintenance of quality visual function. The strong relationship between these parts of the ocular system has fuelled his interest in corneal disease, keratoconus and ectasia, glaucoma, and lens/cataract surgery.
Dr Howes obtained his fellowships in these areas in the USA Canada and the UK. He was Director of Ophthalmology Services in West Yorkshire UK prior to invitation to join Vision Eye Institute in Australia. He also holds a Professorship at Bond University, Reviews for the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, and has written a number of articles and text book chapters in glaucoma and cataract surgery. |
 |
Inez Hsing
BAppSc (Optom) (Hons) GradCertOcTher
Inez graduated from QUT in 2008 with First Class Honours and a University Medal. She was also awarded the OAA (QLD & NT Division) Clinical Excellence Award at the completion of her studies. Inez worked in private practice for a number of years after graduation, and completed her Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2013. Currently, Inez works with Brisbane-based ophthalmologist Dr Matthew Russell in the co-management of ocular disease, with a particular focus on macular and vitreoretinal conditions. She has developed special interests in clinical assessment of macular pathology and therapeutic management of anterior segment disease and glaucoma. |
 |
Dr Anthony Kwan
MBChB MD FRCOphth FRANZCO
Dr Anthony Kwan undertook his medical training in the UK and ophthalmology training at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. He obtained a postgraduate research doctorate (MD) from the University of London in retinal transplantation. He was head hunted to Brisbane in 2006, and became Director of Vitreoretinal Surgery at the Queensland Eye Institute and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Queensland. He is a member of the Queensland Branch RANZCO Qualification and Examination committee, on the board of the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia, and was a retinal section editor for the journal - Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. He holds grants from ORIA and NHMRC. He currently serves as the Director of Ophthalmology, Mater Hospital, Brisbane. |
 |
Dr Chris Layton
BAppSc (Hons) MBBS (Hons) D.Phil (Oxford) FRANZCO
Dr Layton is an optometrically trained Brisbane ophthalmologist, and practices adult comprehensive ophthalmology with a focus on lens surgery and macular diseases at Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane. He is a Rhodes Scholar and holds a PhD in diabetic retinopathy and retinal disease from Oxford University. He recently returned to Australia to establish and lead the Ophthalmology Research Unit at the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation, where he directs investigations into retinal disease and diabetic retinopathy. Outside of ophthalmology, Dr Layton is President of the Oxford University Society (Qld) and has interests in education, indoor volleyball and classical history. |
 |
Marissa Megaloconomos
BAppSc(Optom) GradCert(OcTher) FBCLA
Marissa graduated as an optometrist from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane and has completed the Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics. Aside from working part-time at an independent optometry practice in Brisbane, Marissa is also employed by an ophthalmologist with a sub-specialty in the cornea and anterior eye to assist with pre- and post-operative patient examinations. Marissa has lectured at past Optometry and Allied Health conferences in Australia and is also a clinical supervisor at the QUT School of Optometry Clinic. Marissa was appointed a director of the Optometrists Association of Australia state board for Queensland and the Northern Territory in 2013 and has gained a professional fellowship with the British Contact Lens Association. |
 |
Dr Chrys Michaelides
MBBS
Dr Chrys Michaelides, a University of QLD graduate, is currently working in Brisbane as a General Practitioner. Chrys has been running diabetes-specific mini clinics in general practice since 1988 driven by his special interest in the management of diabetes in a primary care setting. He has been involved in the development of GP division diabetes programs where his interest in diabetes spread to the monitoring of glycaemic control in 2007. He has made available to health care professionals the data from The Mapping Glycaemic Control Across Australia project, including presenting this research both locally and internationally. Chrys is on numerous advisory boards dealing with GP education and continues to contribute to the development of educational programs aimed to help optimize outcomes for GPs and their patients. His interest is in "whole of patient" management and as such belives strongly in individualising interventions. In 2013 he is working with his Medicare Local developing a chronic disease portal to better manage population health issues. To help his peers he is developing a suite of cardiometabolic decision and management tools designed to optimise outcomes for patients, time management for GP's and business outcomes for practices. Currently he is working with the Greater Metro South Brisbane Medicare Local developing a chronic disease portal to guide interventions to the health care and public community. |
 | Nicola Peaper (Essilor Australia Breakfast Speaker) BSc(Hons)OphthalmicOptics Nicola Peaper qualified as an optometrist in the UK in 1985 and practiced in independent and corporate optometry for 20 years. In 2001/2 she was Ophthalmic Adviser to Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Health Authority in London. Since moving to Australia in 2005 she has been employed by Essilor Laboratories Queensland to advise on procedures with input in to quality. In 2011 she joined Essilor Professional Services Department and is employed as State Training Manager, Queensland. |
 |
Jack Phu
BOptom (Hons) BSc
Jack Phu graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry (Honours) and Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales in 2011, where he was also awarded the ACO Outstanding Graduate Award. He currently practices in an independent optometry practice in Cabramatta, New South Wales, with special interests in glaucoma co-management, anterior eye disease and orthokeratology. He is currently completing a Master of Public Health at the University of Sydney, and gives guest lectures to undergraduate optometry students at the University of New South Wales. He is also the education coordinator and one of the founding members of Young Optometrists. |
 |
Tim Roberts
BPharm(Hons) AACPA
Tim Roberts is a registered community pharmacist from Brisbane. Tim completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy (honours) at the Queensland University of Technology in 2008 and has worked across a number of various roles in the pharmacy industry. Working mostly in community pharmacy, Tim is also accredited by the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacists to provide Home Medicines Reviews (HMR’s) – a medication management review initiative which aims to ensure that patients are managing their medications safely and effectively. Tim is currently employed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the national peak body representing community pharmacy. Tim works out of the Queensland branch of the Pharmacy Guild in the professional services division, providing ongoing education and training for pharmacists and intern pharmacists as well as supporting pharmacist members in implementing professional service initiatives. Tim continues to work as a locum community pharmacist and consultant pharmacist, with a keen interest in increasing professional services and clinical roles for pharmacists and helping patient’s better understand and manage their medications. |
 | A/Prof Mark Roth FAAO Associate Professor Mark Roth is a clinical optometrist with a degree in pharmacology. Apart from consulting in private practice and teaching at the University of Melbourne, he lectures extensively in Australia and overseas in the area of ocular therapeutics. Mark currently holds a wide variety of positions related to ocular therapeutics education and advocacy. He is also the clinical editor of the “Optometry Pharma “ publication. Mark's main diversions outside of optometry include coffee, pinot noir, cooking, cycling and world football. |
Dr Heather Russell MBChB (Hons) RCOphth FRANZCO Dr Heather Russell is a Staff Specialist in General and Paediatric Ophthalmology at the Gold Coast University Hospital. She graduated from the University of Glasgow, Scotland and following speciality training, went on to undertake two fellowships in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, firstly in Edinburgh and then in Auckland.Dr Russell was part of a Scottish-Malawi link programme, aimed at promoting the development of a sustainable paediatric ophthalmology service in the country. She is also part of a charitable organisation which undertakes regular ‘cataract camps’ in rural Ethiopia. Dr Russell is involved with the clinical teaching of Griffith University and Bond University medical students, and in the training of ophthalmology registrars. She has published numerous scientific papers, and is the co-author of a book chapter on ocular findings in non-accidental injury in infants. | |
 |
David Stephensen (Also Bausch + Lomb Brunch Speaker)
BAppSc(Hons)(Optom) B.Bus GradCertOcTher CASA CO FCCLSA
David owns a specialty contact lens practice that also sells spectacles. His primary practice is located in the southside Brisbane suburb of Moorooka. He also visits a CBD practice. David is a Fellow of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia and has been actively involved in The Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia for many years holding both the Queensland Chapter Presidency and the National Presidency during this time. Currently he is the Chair of the Case Report Section for the Fellowship programme of the CCLSA. As well as his undergraduate Optometry qualification, David also holds a business degree, majoring in the area of Logistics and Operations Management. David was amongst the first graduating class of the QUT Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2005, making him one of the first therapeutically qualified Optometrists in Queensland. David has worked in association with Dr Andrew Apel in the field of toric intraocular lens optics, particularly in applying toric intraocular lenses to complex cases. David has interests in anterior segment eye conditions, toric intraocular lenses, contact lens correction for presbyopia, orthokeratology and in contact lens correction of abnormal corneas – particularly pellucid marginal degeneration, post graft, and keratoconus. |
 |
Dr Nathan Walker
BAppSc(Optom)(Hons) MBBS(Hons) FRANZCO
Dr Walker is a Gold Coast ophthalmologist who underwent subspecialty fellowship training in Oxford (Oxford Eye Hospital) and London (Moorfields Eye Hospital) in the field of Vitreoretinal Surgery. He has extensive experience in vitrectomy surgery for routine and complex retinal conditions as well as complex cataract surgery and ocular trauma. He also manages common medical retinal conditions and performs retinopathy of prematurity screening for premature babies. He has published numerous scientific papers, has an academic appointment with Griffith University Medical School, and was involved in a retinal gene therapy project at the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, which will be ongoing for several years. |
 |
Ann Webber
PhD MS BAppSc(Optom)(Hons) FAAO
Dr Ann Webber completed her initial optometry training through QIT, then pursued post-graduate research degrees at the University of Houston and QUT. Her PhD thesis explored the impact of amblyopia on fine motor skills and self-esteem in children. Ann established her independent private practice, Clarity Optometrists, in Brisbane in 1991, and currently is based at Bulimba. Ann continues to engage in clinical research and hosts undergraduate optometry students with a special interest in paediatric optometry on their on clinical rotations. |
 |
Emily Woodman
BAppSc (Medical Science) BAppSc (Optom) Hons GradCertOcTher PhD candidate (QUT)
Emily graduated from QUT in 2009 with First Class Honours and a University Medal. She then worked in private practice in inner-city Brisbane and developed a particular interest in the therapeutic management of eye disease. Over the last four years Emily has been involved in the clinical supervision of QUT Optometry students in the areas of primary care, contact lenses, and therapeutics; and contributes to several undergraduate units including ocular pharmacology, binocular vision and contact lens studies. She is currently completing a PhD at QUT examining the link between near work and myopia development in a university population. Her research has been published in international peer reviewed journals such as Vision Research, Optometry and Vision Science, and the British Journal of Ophthalmology. |
 |
