Eye2Eye Winter 2017 Feature Article

Highlights from RANZCO’s 49th Annual Scientific Congress 2017

RANZCO’s 49th Annual Scientific Congress held in Perth was a great success!

Here is a sneak peak look at an article from the Summer edition of EYE2EYE, wrapping up the highlights of 2017 Congress. See more in the full Summer edition coming soon!

Interview with Ophthalmologist Dr Shuan Dai

I am vocationally trained in ophthalmology in Beijing, China and again in Auckland, New Zealand. I am a consultant ophthalmologist specialising in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. I spend two thirds of my time working in the Eye Department of Greenlane Clinic Centre and Starship Children’s Hospital of Auckland District Health Board, the tertiary eye care centre for Auckland and New Zealand. I am the clinical lead in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus and principal supervisor for the paediatric ophthalmology fellowship program. I am the chair of New Zealand Paediatric Ophthalmology Interest Group. I am the visiting paediatric ophthalmologist for the Blind and Low Vision Education Network of New Zealand (BLENNZ) which is the national centre for children with severe visual disability. BLENNZ is recognised as one of the world’s best facilities for children with special needs and low vision. I am very proud of being part of their team and contributing to their success. I have an honorary senior lecturer appointment in the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland. I have been a supervisor for PhD, MD, junior research fellows, registrars and medical students. I enjoy clinical research and have published over 40 peer reviewed journal articles. I spend a third of my time in my private practice through Eye Doctors, Ascot Hospital in Auckland.

Why did you decide to make it your profession to help people with their eyes?
I decided to become an ophthalmologist when I was age 10, when one of my distant relatives lost vision in one of his eyes due to cornea infection. Seeing him struggle with getting employment, marriage etc. made me want to become an eye doctor so I can help people like him. I went to medical school, once I completed the internship, then got direct entry into three years’ vocational ophthalmology training in Beijing. During my ophthalmology resident training in Beijing, I developed a strong interest in paediatric ophthalmology which led me to a clinical research fellowship job in England. My interest in helping people in need took me to Lebanon where I worked as a volunteer ophthalmologist for Lebanese and Palestinian refugees. In 1995, I moved to New Zealand with my wife, Hong Duan, a GP specialising in children and women’s health.

Why do you believe vision is such an important sense to look after?
Over 90% of our information is acquired through the visual system and it gives people the ability to see his/her world and the world of others. It gives us the joy of appreciating the beauty of life and the universe. Observing the suffering of many of my patients over the years in my ophthalmology practice I became even more appreciative of the value of “being able to see”. I feel very privileged to be in a position where I can make some difference, however small or large that might be, to other’s vision needs.

What is one thing you want all people to know about looking after their eyes?
With advances in knowledge and technology most eye diseases can be treated effectively if they are identified early. We need to empower everyone in our community to become a champion for raising awareness of eye diseases in our world to prevent unnecessary visual loss, especially visual loss in younger children from congenital cataract and vitamin deficiency where delayed diagnosis is still common.

Interview with Ophthalmologist Dr Nicholas Toalster

I am an eye doctor at Sydney Eye Hospital where I work as the Corneal Fellow. I look after patients from across New South Wales and Australia with problems of the front of their eyes, performing operations such as corneal transplants. I have worked in eye healthcare since 1999, having completed degrees in optometry, medicine and ophthalmology surgical training. My passion is training the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Why did you choose ophthalmology as a profession?
Starting my career in eye care was more luck than choice, but once I began helping patients on a daily basis I was hooked. Because of the profound effect eye disease had on my patients and the dramatic improvements they achieved with modern therapies, I derived a great sense of satisfaction from my work and decided to further my training and medical specialisation.

Why do you believe vision is such an important sense to look after?
My patients invariably tell me they could lose any of their senses but not their vision. Ours is a visual world, with more and more of what we do dominated by the need to see. More importantly I think that our eyes are more closely connected with our emotional selves than just about any other part of our body. We understand and interact with those around us by seeing and people connect to us through our eyes.

What would you like people to know about looking after their eyes?
I would like everyone to know that treatments for eye conditions these days are, for the most part, amazingly effective. So much so, even I am amazed quite often. You can’t go wrong having regular eye checks and, at the first sign of problems, make sure you see an eye care professional.

Interview with Ophthalmologist Dr Robert Griffits

Interview with Ophthalmologist Dr Robert Griffits
I have been practicing ophthalmology at Lake Macquarie since 1994. Located 120 kilometres north of Sydney, Lake Macquarie adjoins the City of Newcastle, and is classed as regional.
The scope of regional practice has some elements of both capital city and rural practice. I am a general ophthalmologist, meaning that I treat a spectrum of eye disorders by medical and surgical modalities. Most ophthalmologists in rural and regional centres tend to be generalists in contrast to capital city practice where there seems to be a much more entrenched sub-specialisation model prevailing.

Life is good both professionally and in lifestyle. Whilst I was educated and grew up in Sydney, I have never regretted leaving the big smoke. The community is socially cohesive and friendly, with an enduring sense of community. Patients are appreciative and thankful of medical practitioners. I live and work within my community of patients.
Referral to the practice is still largely on the basis of word of mouth rather than advertising or a need to go out and chat up the referrers. A medical reputation and competency is a common subject of discussion at the local bowling club, and my hairdresser generally can give me a fair indication about how I am tracking. My ophthalmology colleagues in the area are generally collegial, and we work well and constructively together.

Why did I choose Ophthalmology?
Well, a few years out of medical school, I decided that I would like to become a specialist, and the choice was either anaesthetics or ophthalmology.
Fortunately, I choose Ophthalmology, and I have never regretted it. I don’t think that I am neurotic enough in the form of obsessive compulsive behaviour to be an anaesthetist. A few of my friends are anaesthetists, and a look in any of their clothes draws will reveal neatly bundled paired socks, carefully iron handkerchiefs and all manner of ritualistic behaviours. There is a clear role for the obsessive compulsives in the professions, and that is for anaesthetists and airline pilots.

Ophthalmology is about careful attention to detail, even minutiae, be it in the nuances of the eye examination, or in the execution of fine ophthalmic surgery. I like doing things with my hands, either when making things in my shed, or when at work in the operating room. In particular, I like fine careful strokes, rather than the broad course strokes such as when cutting open someone’s belly. The rewards of ophthalmology are immense.

Why do you believe vision is such an important sense to look after?
Sight is arguably the most important of the senses. Sight is required for so many aspects of everyday life. We need it for ease of navigation and awareness of proximity. We need it for occupation and recreation. Most of all we need it to fully appreciate the wonderful beauty of the amazing life on earth. The current ophthalmology techniques and technologies are just so effective at restoring and maintaining sight. Ophthalmology just keeps on getting better.

Can you tell us about the benefits of eye surgery?
Cataract surgery is incredibly successful and cost beneficial. Since I started practice the procedure has evolved from one which patients approached with trepidation to one that is considered passé. Cataract surgery results are really significantly better, it is safer, and involves less inconvenience. Let’s not forget the people whom have made it so: the pioneers in new surgical techniques, the research scientists, as well as the engineers whom have given us such amazing technologies and instrumentation.

Advances in therapeutics have meant that we can successfully treat the wet form of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion. We now have many drugs to treat glaucoma. There has never been a better time to practice ophthalmology.

Interview with Ophthalmologist Dr Neil Murray

Interview with Ophthalmologist Dr Neil Murray
I have been a general ophthalmologist for 26 years. During this time, I have been privileged to work mainly in New Zealand, but also in Australia and a number of developing world countries as well. I have seen the burden of visual impairment and blindness firsthand in these countries. They are, in large part, preventable. I am passionate to see sustainable services delivering quality interventions, such as cataract surgery. I remain humbled by the life changing outcomes that can be obtained even in the most trying circumstances. To this end, I am involved in governance and eye care education with RANZCO, and continue to have developing world involvement with RANZCO, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ. My wife Tania and I have two adult children, both of whom work in public health, and two lively granddaughters. I enjoy hiking, and am currently working on my stand up paddle boarding skills (with some way to go yet!).

Why did you decide to make it your profession to help people with their eyes?
Why did I choose ophthalmology? Quite simple really. I am myopic. An ophthalmologist prescribed my first pair of contact lenses. I was intrigued. After finishing medical school, I was still interested enough to take up a rotation in ophthalmology. I found the unique mix of medicine and surgery refreshing. The rest, as they say, is history. I love my job.

Why do you believe vision is such an important sense to look after?
Eyes are so small, yet arguably the most critical sense we have. I have found this to be most apparent when people lose their sight, even more so when it can be restored.

What is one thing you want all people to know about looking after their eyes?
Have regular eye check-ups – schedule them in!

Why you should attend this year’s Annual Scientific Congress in Perth!

With less than one month to go until RANZCO’s 49th Annual Scientific Congress kicks off, we look at some of the top reasons you don’t want to miss out on one of the most exciting eye care events in the region!

1. Keep up to date with the latest news and developments in eye healthcare

Congress is a great excuse for you to socialise with your peers and discuss the latest and greatest innovations, techniques and advances in eye healthcare. You can be sure to walk away with some great memories and a wealth of knowledge!

2. An exciting line-up of international and local speakers not to be missed

This year, we have a fantastic line up of internationally renowned experts and distinguished local speakers who will be covering exciting developments in everything from glaucoma, cataract surgery, refractive surgery, international development, ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, and paediatric ophthalmology. To view this year’s complete list of speakers, visit RANZCO’s Congress website here: http://ranzco2017.com/speakers/

3. Participate in CPD accredited courses and seminars that will help your professional and personal development!

This year, we are pleased to present a number of activities, courses and opportunities to enhance your ophthalmic knowledge. Once again there will be a number of non-scientific courses and symposia taking place including ‘Ethics and Professionalism; Crossing the Line’ and ‘Stepping up to the Challenge of the Future’— an important session covering off workforce survey results; area of need; the changing face of medical records and CPD, audit and revalidation.

We’ve also brought together a number of facilitators to present the RANZCO Professional Development Workshop on Saturday 28 October. This CPD accredited session will include updates and information from experts exploring a broad range of topics including practice and personal investment strategies, working collaboratively with allied health, social media and advertising and more. Full program details are available on the ‘other meetings’ page of the congress website.

4. Mingle with industry in the exhibition hall

We have great line up of sponsors and exhibitors to showcase product advancements and industry trends. Don’t miss out on the inside scoop on new and upcoming products, equipment and technologies!

5. Catch-up with old colleagues at our exciting social functions

There will be plenty of opportunities for you to mingle and catch up with friends and colleagues with several exciting social functions planned during this year’s Congress. Some of the stand-out events include the Welcome Ceremony, Congress Dinner and, the Graduation and Awards Ceremony and President’s Reception. Take advantage by participating in as many social activities as you can. There’s bound to be a networking event to suit everyone­ – where you can engage and learn in a relaxed setting all while you enjoy some of the country’s best local food and produce!

6. Celebrate the achievements of your peers at the Graduation and Awards Ceremony

Help new Fellows celebrate as they embark on their ophthalmology careers by taking part in the Graduation and Awards Ceremony. The Graduation and Awards Ceremony is a great opportunity for experienced Fellows to share their wisdom and industry knowledge with new graduates.

The opening address at this year’s Graduation and Awards Ceremony will be delivered by Professor Fiona Wood, a world leading plastic surgeon, burns specialist and researcher, who also spearheads the Fiona Wood Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to ground breaking scientific and clinical research into pioneering new treatments for healing burns and minimising scarring.

Registration is still open. To register, please visit: http://ranzco2017.com/registration/