Orthoptics Australia

Orthoptics Australia Orthoptics Australia is the national peak body representing Australian orthoptists. www.orthoptics.o

Orthoptics Australia (previously the Orthoptic Association of Australia) was formed in September 1944 as a professional association primarily aimed at providing its members with up-to-date education and resources, and upholding the professional practice standards of orthoptists. Orthoptics Australia became the 3rd orthoptic association to be inaugurated world-wide, after the UK and USA. In 1967, t

he International Orthoptic Association was established, with Orthoptics Australia named as a founding nation member. In 1986, Orthoptics Australia was incorporated under the NSW Associations Incorporation Act 1984.

For the 2026 Census, we encourage all orthoptists to carefully and accurately report their profession, qualifications, a...
07/08/2026

For the 2026 Census, we encourage all orthoptists to carefully and accurately report their profession, qualifications, and employment information. To support consistent reporting across the profession, we have provided the following guidance.

Providing detailed and accurate information strengthens national workforce data and supports future workforce planning, advocacy, and recognition for the orthoptic profession.

30/07/2026

🚨 Last Chance! Abstracts Close Tomorrow!!🚨

Time is running out! Abstract submissions for the 2026 Orthoptics Australia Conference close tomorrow, Friday 31 July.

Don’t miss your chance to present your work, share your expertise, and connect with orthoptists from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

Whether you’re a student, clinician, educator or researcher, we encourage you to submit.

đź“… Deadline: Tomorrow, Friday 31 July!!!
📩 Submit now before it’s too late!

24/07/2026

🚨 Abstract Deadline Approaching! 🚨

The countdown is on! Submit your abstract by Friday 31 July and take the opportunity to share your expertise, showcase your work, and connect with orthoptists from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
Whether you’re a student, clinician, educator or researcher, we’d love to hear from you.

đź“… Deadline: Friday 31 July
đź“© Submit now and be part of the conversation.

08/07/2026

📢 Call for Abstracts - OA Conference 2026

Have research, clinical cases, service improvements, innovations, practical insight or more to share? We’d love to hear from you!

🗓️ Abstract submissions close 31 July 2026
We encourage practitioners, researchers, educators, and students to submit and be part of an inspiring conference program.
Visit: orthoptics.org.au/conference-/abstract-submissions/

24/06/2026

đź“ŤAuckland, New Zealand
📅 6–9 November 2026

The 2026 Orthoptics Australia Conference is coming to Auckland!

Join us for four days of education, innovation, connection and inspiration as we bring together the orthoptics and eye health community from across the region.

Save the date - we can’t wait to see you there.

05/06/2026

Because I am an orthoptist, “I saw what was possible and transformed how care was delivered, reducing wait times, expanding access, and building a service that continues to grow.”

Matthew McCarthy is a Senior Orthoptist at Gold Coast University Hospital, where he played a pivotal role in reshaping ophthalmic service delivery. From a starting point of no orthoptic service at all, he introduced orthoptist-led diagnostic care, reducing waiting times from two years to just weeks and significantly increasing clinical capacity.

By integrating orthoptists into essential diagnostics such as visual fields, biometry, and angiography, Matthew helped redefine team-based care, laying the foundation for a growing, multidisciplinary workforce.

05/06/2026

Because I am an orthoptist, “I consider the anatomy and physiology that operate the eyes and implement strategies that activate normal function, aimed at restoring functional and safe ocular use.”

Neryla Jolly is a Neuro Orthoptist working across Royal Ryde Hospital and Epping Eye Surgery, supporting patients with brain injury, stroke, spinal conditions, and cortical vision loss to regain independence through improved visual function.
Her work brings together complex sensory and motor assessment with targeted rehabilitation, using approaches that link ocular and vestibular systems to restore movement and function. As she describes, “I test the sensory and motor function of the visual apparatus and use that information to help the patient cope better with their life skills… to achieve improved function and independence.”

Through tailored interventions, Neryla supports outcomes that can be life-changing-from restoring eye movements after neurological injury to expanding a patient’s field of single vision so they can safely return to driving.

05/06/2026

Because I am an orthoptist, “I bridge the gap between clinical vision care and real-world disability support, translating vision impairment into meaningful, fundable outcomes that improve independence and access.”

Nathan McKnight is an orthoptist and Director of Functional Vision Group, with previous experience as a Technical Advisor at the National Disability Insurance Agency. His work spans low vision care and disability systems, supporting individuals with complex needs through functional assessments, assistive technology, and environmental modification.

Drawing on both clinical expertise and in-depth knowledge of the NDIS, Nathan works to address gaps in recognition and access, ensuring people with vision impairment receive supports that truly reflect their daily challenges-advocating for the vital role of orthoptists in disability care.

04/06/2026

Because they are orthoptists, “they go beyond the clinic walls to ensure patients in regional Australia receive the specialist eye care they deserve.”

The Orthoptists of are at the forefront of improving access to eye care for regional communities through the Griffith Eye Clinic. In a setting where patients would otherwise travel hundreds of kilometres or face significant delays, this outreach service is transforming access to timely ophthalmic care.

At the heart of this initiative, orthoptists deliver far more than clinical support. They lead and integrate care across the patient journey-providing “pre-operative assessments and diagnostic testing to surgical support, patient education, care coordination, and post-operative management”-ensuring every patient receives safe, seamless, and high-quality care.

Through their expertise, adaptability, and unwavering patient-centred focus, these orthoptists are not only delivering care—they are actively reducing healthcare inequity and redefining what access to specialist services looks like in regional Australia.

04/06/2026

“Because I am an orthoptist, the skills I have learnt in different arenas, and the networking at conferences with peers and colleagues, has allowed me to expand my scope of practice beyond the traditional clinical settings.”

Val Tosswill is a Senior Orthoptist Patient Educator at with a diverse career spanning clinical practice, education, research, and advocacy. She shares, “Most of the week I am a patient educator for people with glaucoma, but I also run a business for ocular image reading/grading in ophthalmology clinical trials, undertake best-corrected visual acuity certifications for clinical trials, develop/edit/submit documentation for clinical trial ethics approval and study commencement, provide strategic input for a project to Stop Blindness in Bangladesh, and perform orthoptic assessment to people with a disability living in group homes.”

Val’s extensive experience reflects a commitment to expanding orthoptics beyond traditional roles and applying clinical skills across a wide range of impactful settings.

Address

PO Box 7345
Beaumaris, VIC
3193

Telephone

+61395866080

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