Need Help?

The Australia and New Zealand Strabismus Society (ANZSS), the Strabismus Special Interest Group, commonly known as the ‘Squint Club’ is a subspecialty interest group of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO).

The Squint Club was formed and chaired by Prof William (Bill) Gillies in 1991. An Inaugural Congress of the group was held in Melbourne in 1992. In 2004 Professor Bill Gillies, who had founded the ‘Squint Club’ and guided its development, announced his retirement as Chair and Prof Frank Martin was elected in his place. By 2010, the group had reformed into the Australian and New Zealand Strabismus Society (ANZSS). In recognition of Bill’s contribution, a ‘Bill Gillies Lecture’ has been held at ANZSS annual scientific meetings since 2014.

A sub-committee of the Society reviewed the MBS item numbers relating to strabismus and paediatric ophthalmology and made recommendations to the College. These recommendations led to significant Federal Health Department changes regarding management of strabismus and paediatric ophthalmic patients. In addition, the ANZSS worked with the College and the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) to raise government and community awareness of the severe shortage of the paediatric ophthalmology workforce. ANZSS holds symposiums, workshops and case studies especially tailored for the general ophthalmologist, enhancing knowledge and skills in strabismus management nationally and internationally.

The membership ANZSS includes ophthalmologists and orthoptists interested in strabismus management, research and education. ANZSS is a regional member of the International Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Council (IPOSC) and The World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (WSPOS).