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.

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.

04/06/2026

Because I am an orthoptist, I see what Myasthenia Gravis can hide, drawing on both clinical expertise and lived experience to recognise patterns others may miss and advocate for more inclusive, responsive research.

“Living with MG has shown me the realities of working with a fluctuating debilitating condition, which is why I support research frameworks that recognise lived experience as an asset and enable meaningful contribution at every stage, even when physical capacity varies.“

Suzann Beaupark is a Myasthenia Gravis research orthoptist working across clinical practice, research, and advocacy in Australia. Her work focuses on improving early recognition of MG, advancing lived experience co-design in research, and strengthening the role of orthoptists in rare disease diagnosis and care.

04/06/2026

“Because I am an orthoptist I remain passionate about maximising vision screening outcomes for children and am working with colleagues to optimise screening protocols in China.”
Kathryn Rose is Professor of Orthoptics at the Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney. Her work focuses on improving paediatric vision screening and strengthening global collaborations to ensure earlier detection and better outcomes for children’s visual development.

03/06/2026

“Because I am an orthoptist, my role extends beyond clinical assessment and management. It is also about reducing inequity in access to eye care and helping bridge the gap between metropolitan and rural services.”

Mahnoor Nabil Ikram is a Clinical Orthoptist at Central Queensland Health, delivering eye care across hospital clinics and regional outreach services throughout Central Queensland. Working with the St John Eye Van and supporting visiting ophthalmologists, she helps bring essential eye care closer to people who might otherwise travel hours to access services.

Driven by connection and a commitment to equitable healthcare, Mahnoor works to ensure patients receive timely, compassionate care regardless of where they live. Through outreach and continuity of care, she is helping improve access to eye health services for rural and regional communities.

01/06/2026

“Because I am an orthoptist, I bridge the gap between ocular health and how the brain uses vision. I look beyond what the eyes can see, to understand the seeing brain and advocate for those whose visual needs are often overlooked.” Krish Zlotin, founder of The Seeing Brain.
 
🧠 Krish is an orthoptist and founder of The Seeing Brain, a mobile vision service supporting children and adults with neurological differences, including CVI. Krish provides functional vision assessments at home, school and community settings, focusing on individuals whose challenges are not explained by standard eye tests. Through collaborative, client-centred approaches, Krish translates assessment findings into practical strategies that enhance understanding, accessibility, and meaningful vision support across the lifespan.

01/06/2026

Happy Orthoptics Awareness Week! This year we are celebrating the positive impact we have on those around us because we are Orthoptists.

To kick off the week of celebrations, Payton has a special message for the Orthoptists at and all Orthoptists everywhere. Thank you for celebrating OAW with us!

Looking forward to seeing everyone’s morning teas and celebrations! Enjoy your cakes 🎂

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PO Box 7345
Beaumaris, VIC
3193

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+61395866080

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