Australian Society of Ophthalmologists

20/08/2026

📢 Our submission is in, and time is running out to submit yours.

The A*O has lodged its submission opposing the Bill to cut the private health rebate for Australians aged 65 and over. Our patients are older Australians, and this cut will force them to drop their cover and be listed onto public cataract lists already running months to years, where delay means falls, lost licences and lost independence.

👉 Read our submission: https://www.asoeye.org/content.cfm?page_id=6991821¤t_category_code=22853

Submissions to the Senate inquiry close tomorrow. If you've been meaning to make one, now is the time.

Make a submission here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/PvteHealthIns

*OAdvocacy

17/08/2026

⏰ Tomorrow, 6:30pm AEST: Understanding the A*O Practice Overheads Study

Private specialist fees are too often labelled excessive, with no mention of what it actually costs to deliver ophthalmic care. The A*O Practice Overheads Study will put hard evidence behind that conversation, and this webinar is where members find out how.

Hear directly from the people leading it:

▪️ Anthony Crook, Economist at Pioneering Economics
▪️ Dr Bradley Horsburgh, Chair of the RANZCO Medicare Advisory Committee and past President of the A*O and RANZCO

📅 Wednesday 18 August, 6:30pm to 7:30pm AEST

Understand the study now, so you're ready to complete the survey when it lands. The stronger our response, the stronger our case to government.

Register: https://www.asoeye.org/index.cfm?module=event&pagemode=indiv&page_id=6818067

*O

11/08/2026

⏰ A*O ACADEMY WEBINAR | Medico-legal insights: common causes of complaints and claims in ophthalmology

What does the medico-legal risk landscape actually look like for ophthalmologists, and how can you get ahead of it?

Join the A*O and MDA National for a practical session unpacking the AHPRA and MDA National claims and calls statistics specific to ophthalmology. Using real-world case data, we'll explore the red flags, emerging risks and recurring themes behind complaints and claims, then turn to the practical strategies you can put in place to identify and mitigate risk in your own practice.

You'll walk away knowing:
- Where the most common sources of medico-legal risk sit, based on AHPRA and MDA National data for ophthalmologists
- How to spot red flags, emerging risks and recurring themes from real case data
- Practical strategies to mitigate medico-legal matters in your practice

Speaker: Anna Capsanis, Claims Manager (Solicitor), MDA National. A former registered nurse turned health lawyer, Anna brings deep experience across medical negligence, coronial law, professional regulation and clinical governance.

Convenor: Peggy Ekeledo-Smith, A*O Member, Head of Practice, Moreton Eye Group and a barrister of nearly two decades.

📅 Wednesday 12 August 2026, 12noon AEST
⏱ 40 min presentation + 20 min Q&A
✅ RANZCO CPD accredited: 1 hour total (0.5 Education, 0.5 Reviewing Performance)

Register now: https://www.asoeye.org/aso-academy

*OAcademy

10/08/2026

What does it really cost to save the sight of Australians?

That's the question at the heart of the A*O Practice Overhead Costs Study 3.0, and we need our members' help to answer it.

Twice before, in 2009 and 2018, our members stepped up to document the true cost of running an ophthalmology practice: staff, premises, IT, equipment, and the growing overheads of delivering high-quality specialist care. That evidence has been invaluable in defending the profession against unfair criticism.

Now we're building the third dataset, and the timing matters. Findings will inform the Senate Inquiry into Access and Affordability of Specialist Medical Care.

It's confidential, de-identified, and reported only in aggregate. It does not capture income data, only the real costs of treating Australian patients.

Sound advocacy depends on sound evidence. If you're an ophthalmologist, your participation is essential.

📅 Survey closes 10 September. Download the survey from our website - https://www.asoeye.org/practice-overheads-survey-v3

🎥 Webinar with economist Anthony Crook and Dr Bradley Horsburgh: Tuesday 18 August, 6:30pm AEST. Register at www.asoeye.org/index.cfm?module=event&pagemode=indiv&page_id=6818067

Check your inbox for details, or reach out to the A*O team.

09/08/2026

08/08/2026

Today we celebrate World Ophthalmologist Day and recognise the incredible work ophthalmologists do to help people see life more clearly.

Their years of specialist training, dedication to patient care and commitment to advancing eye health make a lasting difference to individuals, families and communities every day.

To all ophthalmologists, thank you for the impact you make.

08/08/2026

Today is World Ophthalmologist Day!

At Cura Day Hospitals Group, we are proud to work alongside exceptional ophthalmologists whose skill, expertise and dedication help restore sight, preserve vision and improve quality of life for countless patients.

Through life-changing procedures that treat conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma, our ophthalmologists play a vital role in preventing vision loss and helping people maintain their independence and wellbeing.

Today, we thank all the ophthalmologists who operate in our hospitals for their unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding patient care and making a meaningful difference every day.

08/08/2026

Happy World Ophthalmologist Day!

Today, we celebrate the dedication, skill and compassion of ophthalmologists around the world who work tirelessly to protect and restore the precious gift of sight.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible ophthalmologists at Coastal Eye Centre for the exceptional care, expertise and support you provide to our patients every single day. Your commitment to improving lives through better vision makes a lasting difference to our community.

Please join us in thanking Dr Fleming, Dr Campbell and Dr Young for the vital work they do today and every day. 💙

08/08/2026