Global Eye Health
RANZCO works beyond Australian and New Zealand borders to improve eye health care in the Asia-Pacific region. By working with other ophthalmic societies, international eye health organisations, local governments, health departments and health professionals, RANZCO is helping to strengthen eye health care systems and build capacity for a skilled and sustainable ophthalmic workforce in the region.
RANZCO’s global eye health initiatives are led by the College’s Global Eye Health Committee and include providing support for outreach services, education and training, equipment procurement and advocacy activities. Currently, RANZCO is supporting initiatives in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu.
2025
Following the 2025 APAO meeting in New Delhi, a delegation of RANZCO Fellows was invited to visit Jankikund Hospital in the central Indian town of Chitrakoot, which has a large eye hospital attached to it: Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya (SNC). The aim of the meeting was to foster research collaboration, enhance patient care in both countries by learning from each other and to collaborate with and support the Chitrakoot Hospital. Read the full report and see some photos from the visit below.
2024
A major highlight in 2024 was the Global Eye Health Workshop, a two-day event organised by the Global Eye Health Committee. This workshop brought leaders in ophthalmology together with 200 eye health professionals from across the Pacific region to address critical challenges, including the provision of oculoplastic and orbital surgery and the diagnosis and treatment of retinal and macular diseases in low-resource settings. See here for some reflections on the workshop from participants.
ISMSICS: Australian and New Zealand Chapter
The Australian & New Zealand Chapter of the International Society of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgeons (ISMSICS) was launched during the RANZCO Annual Scientific Congress in Brisbane in October 2022. The purpose of this chapter is to promote the learning and advances in the technique of manual small incision cataract surgery for fellows and members in Australia, New Zealand and the wider Pacific islands. Read more about ISMSICS and upskilling opportunities.
The Comprehensive Cataract Conference (CCC) 2025 will host the 6th Biennial International Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgeons (ISMSICS) to be held in Delhi at the India Habitat Centre from 7-9 November 2025.
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