In recent years, RANZCO has steadily increased its involvement with international ophthalmology development projects, especially in our neighbouring regions of South-East Asia and the Pacific.
As part of this increased involvement, RANZCO has developed a number of guidelines and policies that govern all aspects of involvement of RANZCO Fellows and staff in international development projects. These guidelines have now been reviewed and updated, and will be gradually uploaded to the RANZCO website in the upcoming weeks. All development guidelines are available in the RANZCO Policies portal.
It is only fitting that the first updated guideline to be released today is RANZCO’s Contributing to International Ophthalmology Development guideline. This guideline sets out some of the basic conditions that any Fellow who is considering becoming involved with international ophthalmology development should consider.
In particular, this document offers a tool to help Fellows assess possible involvement in international projects. The detailed checklist (pages 4-11) sets out a comprehensive list of particular aspects of international projects which should be taken into consideration. These development practices are based on best-practice approaches for international development, and are compatible with existing Australian and New Zealand aid frameworks. The list covers a varied list of topics, covering the organisation itself (part A), the proposed project (part B), and the proposed assignments (part C).
RANZCO strongly encourages Fellows who consider involvement with international programs to utilise these guidelines, and in particular the checklist, to better assess proposed projects and their projected impact.
Further international development guidelines have been reviewed and updated, and will be released via the RANZCO website over the coming weeks.
For any information regarding RANZCO international development programs and international development guidelines, please contact Gail Van Heerden.
With Daffodil Day (26 August) bringing much needed attention to cancer awareness and research, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) is highlighting the importance of protecting your eyes from UV exposure which can lead to eye cancers. So slap on a hat and slide on some shades!
RANZCO is promoting awareness of the protective benefits of wearing sunglasses, especially wraparound sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes from UV rays and protect against eye cancer.
Ophthalmologists treat eye cancers affecting the eyelids, the surface of the eye, inside of the eye and around the eye in the orbit. Cancers on the eyelids and the surface of the eye are the most common and are similar to other skin cancers. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is more common than Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) followed by melanoma. Cancers inside the eye are rare, but can be aggressive and can even affect babies and young children.
“Prolonged exposure of the eyes to UV radiation can cause permanent eye damage including cancers on the surface of the eye and skin cancer around the eyes. It is therefore important to always protect your eyes and the eyes of your children from the sun’s harmful UV rays,” advises Sydney-based ophthalmologist Dr Jenny Danks.
“When it comes to sunglasses,” says Dr Danks, “the price tag is not always a good indicator of the quality of protection. Instead, aim for close-fitting wraparound sunglasses with UV-blocking lenses. Wraparound sunglasses provide the best protection by reducing direct and reflected UV radiation. They block the light coming from the sides that can be focused by the cornea to cause pterygiums (also known as surfer’s eye) and surface skin cancers. A broad-brimmed hat also provides great protection and can reduce UV radiation to the eyes by up to 50%.”
“People may not be aware that the darkness or colour of the sunglasses lens does not indicate the level of UV protection. It’s important to go for sunglasses that meet the Australian/New Zealand Standards, which define lenses according to the amount of UV radiation that is able to pass through. Lenses with a rating of two or above provide a good UV protection,” explains Dr Danks.
Because UV radiation is maximum in the middle of the day, it is most important to avoid sun exposure and provide sun protection from 9 am until 3 pm in winter and from 10 am until 4 pm for summer time. Since UV rays are able to penetrate clouds it is equally important to protect your eyes on overcast days. Sun exposure is increased with reflective light, making water sports and snow sports higher risk. Children spend a lot of time outdoors, so it is important for them to wear UV-blocking sunglasses as well as a hat.
Symptoms of eye cancer can include:
– Lump on the eyelids
– Repeated ulceration
– Unresolved redness of eyes
– Pigmented area
– Loss of ‘red eye’ on photographs
– Significant visual symptoms
Protecting your eyes:- Wear sunglasses when outdoors, even on a cloudy day
– Be aware of increased risk with water activities
– Avoid sun exposure 10 am – 4 pm in summer
– Aim for wraparound sunglasses that meet the Australian/New Zealand Standards.
– Wear a broad-brimmed hat as this reduces UV radiation to the eyes by 50%
To ensure that your sunglasses provide the adequate UV protection, you can have them tested by an optometrist. If you are concerned about your vision or you’ve noticed potential symptoms of eye cancer, speak to your GP who can refer you to an ophthalmologist (a medical eye specialist).
For more information, please see RANZCO’s Position Statement on UV Eye Protection.
Melbourne’s Laneways are a throwback to the city’s Victorian heritage where they formed part of the Hoddle Grid designed to provide service passages for horses and carts. From a somewhat dubious past, where the Laneways were used as slums during the Gold Rush, they have become a hub of unique food, coffee, alcohol and shopping experiences. Despite a certain level of gentrification, the laneways are also home to urban artists who leave their colourful marks on the walls. The Laneways have developed an international following and are often portrayed in tourism promotions, film and television. It’s also important to note that Laneways is used as a catch-all to describe what in reality is a variety of lanes, places, arcades and streets.That’s Melbourne provides an excellent guide to the al fresco eateries, one-off shops and cosy little bars that occupy the laneways threading throughout the city. Each arcade has its own individual character and charm; check out their website to find out more.
In 2016, RANZCO will play its part in Melbourne’s Laneway culture by replicating these well-known and celebrated structures as part of its Welcome Ceremony. Below, RANZCO’s Professional Conference Organiser, Denise Broeren, explains;
“The idea this year is about providing an opportunity for as many Fellows as possible to start the Congress with some collegial interaction. In the past we have chosen venues for the Welcome Reception that highlighted the unique attractions of the destination. But it was often difficult for those attending meetings to reach the venues in time. So this year, we’ve combined the concept of the Laneways of Melbourne with making it easy to get to by holding it in the Convention Centre. So after the Saturday meetings and workshops it’s just an easy stroll to discover the eclectic mix of street art, buskers, food and culture that Melbourne is famous for.
“When you arrive you’ll be directed down ‘Flinders Lane’ or ‘Little Bourke’, enjoying street art and buskers along the way. Arrive in ‘City Square’ to the aromas of live cooking stations serving up the multicultural delights that Melbourne is famous for – from souvlakis to san choy bau and dumplings, paella to croquettes – you will delight in the colours, sounds, aromas and tastes that Melbourne is famous for.”
Kirk Pengilly encourages Australians to donate $1 for every year they have enjoyed good sight
For the first time in its nine-year history, The Eye Surgeons’ Foundation, as part of its annual community awareness campaign JulEYE, asked Australians to donate $1 for every year of good sight they have experienced. Outlining this new messaging, a new national community service advertisement (CSA) featuring JulEYE Ambassador Kirk Pengilly gathered significant support from Australian media outlets.
The Eye Surgeons’ Foundation, a national not-for-profit organisation, changed its name from The RANZCO Eye Foundation earlier this year to provide a clearer vision of the vital work it does through Australasia. The new CSA brings that vision to life.
The foundation is recognised for its vital work in medical eye research and sustainable development programs across Australia and the region. This year, the Foundation wanted its call for donations messaging to be more prominent in its annual JulEYE campaign. With 75% of Australians suffering from unnecessary vision impairment and the other 25% needing a cure, it is only through the continued support of world-class research and investment in the future of eye health diagnoses, treatments and cures that the Foundation can continue to make a real difference.
The direct appeal by Kirk Pengilly for the CSA was a concept developed by Morey Media and produced by Brightworks. It was seen via the Seven Network, WIN, Prime 7 and a variety of Foxtel channels across both their metropolitan and regional markets. In addition, Shopper Media Group featured ads in their new SmartLite™ digital advertising panels in over 101 shopping centres across the country. The Foundation cannot thank the individual media outlets enough for their philanthropic support of JulEYE 2016.
The CSA shows INXS band member and Ambassador for JulEYE Kirk Pengilly telling his personal story in what is an earnest appeal: “When I was 27 I almost lost my sight to glaucoma. Had it not been for pioneering eye research and surgery my life would have been very different. We need to continue to fund vital research to find new treatments and cures to prevent eye disease.”
JulEYE is about Australians thinking about and looking after their sight. The Australian community has the power to save our sight and the sight of others — now and into the future. Donations to fund vital research will deliver profound and lasting outcomes in eye health. We implore all Australians to donate and to help us create a future where no one is blind.
Our final tip for healthy eyes: Wear sunglasses!
Our fourth tip for healthy eyes: Keep your eyes safe!
Our third tip for healthy eyes: don’t smoke
Our second tip for healthy eyes: have regular eye checks
Many of us take our sight for granted until something goes wrong. We have put together five simple tips to help maintain a healthy vision.
Our first tip: Eat a healthy diet
According to the National Indigenous Eye Health Survey, Aboriginal children have better vision than non-Aboriginal children, but by the time they are adults they are six times more likely to experience blindness. 94% of vision loss for Aboriginal patients is preventable or treatable, where accessible eye care services are available.
Stakeholders from across the eye care sector were invited to come together at the NSW Rural Doctors Network’s Sydney office on Tuesday 26 July to commence the first of many discussions about improving access to eye care services for Aboriginal patients in NSW and the ACT. Representatives from the Commonwealth Department of Health, Optometry Australia’s NSW Branch, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and outreach optometry and ophthalmology representatives were present. The group agreed there is a need to support sustainable access to eye care services for Aboriginal patients. Importantly, many of the organisations present offered to provide advocacy, health promotion and other skills to enhance access to eye care services for Aboriginal patients where a local need is identified. Participants also agreed that the role of community controlled health service delivery should be central to any needs assessment or co-ordination planning.
