Common and Chronic Conditions of the Eye

This session aims to improve general practitioner’s knowledge and skills in the assessment, management, screening and referral pathways for a number of common and chronic conditions of the eye.

The session will be delivered in a lecture style for GPs and GP registrars. Topics to be covered include: glaucoma, blepharitis and dry eye, diabetic retinopathy and aged macular degeneration, as well as support and services available from Vision Australia.

Learning outcomes:

• Briefly outline what is glaucoma and discuss treatment options including possible side effects;
• ​Describe a range of different eye diseases that can occur in patients with diabetes and develop a safety net approach to screening and referrals by identifying guidelines and pathways in the management of these conditions;
• Identify and discuss early warning signs of AMD, determine when and which patients should be screened and briefly outline the use of anti-VEG-F injections in its management;
• Outline the diagnosis and management of dry eye and blepharitis, explain how to advise patients regarding treatments, including various types of ocular lubricants;
• List the types of supports and services available and identify which patients may benefit from low vision services and determine how they can access these services.

 

SPEAKERS

• Dr Jennifer Fan-Gaskin | Ophthalmology Consultant, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
• Dr Georgia Cleary | Ophthalmology Consultant, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
• Dr Szczepan Nowakowski | Ophthalmology Consultant, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
• Anita Egan | Orthoptist, Vision Australia

 
SPEAKERS' BIOS

• Dr Jennifer Fan-Gaskin | Glaucoma

Dr Jennifer Fan Gaskin (MBChB, MD, FRANZCO) is a glaucoma and cataract specialist. She graduated from medical school at the University of Auckland with Distinction in 2005 and completed ophthalmology training in Auckland in 2012. She then undertook two glaucoma fellowships in 2013-14 in Auckland and Melbourne, respectively. Towards the end of her 12-month fellowship in Melbourne she was actively recruited to continue her employment at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital as a glaucoma specialist. She was also offered a sought-after position at the Centre for Eye Research Australia’s Glaucoma Unit. Additionally she consults at Lansdowne Eye Clinic in East Melbourne.
Dr Fan Gaskin has a keen interest in ophthalmic research. Early in her career she was awarded a prestigious Clinical Research Training Fellowship - Career Development Award from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. During her clinical training she also completed a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) thesis examining the keratoconic cornea. She is on the board of the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia. She is a member of the Ophthalmology Liaison Committee for Glaucoma Australia, the Victorian representative on the CPD committee for RANZCO, and an examiner of the RANZCO Ophthalmic Basic Competencies and Knowledge examination.
 

• Dr Georgia Cleary | Blepharitis and Dry Eye

Dr Georgia Cleary is a cornea specialist and general ophthalmologist at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. She trained in ophthalmology in London, UK, where she also completed a PhD in the field of cataract surgery and intraocular lens design. She has completed two advanced fellowships in cornea and external eye diseases, at Moorfield’s Eye Hospital, London and then the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
 

• Dr Szczepan Nowakowsi | Diabetic Retinopathy and AMD

Dr Nowakowski obtained his medical degree at the University of Melbourne and the St Vincent’s Clinical School.  Prior to this, he completed a PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Monash University.  His training in ophthalmology was undertaken at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, where he also completed his subspecialty training in Medical Retina and Ocular Immunology.
He has Public and Academic Appointments as a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Monash Health, and Barwon Health.
 

• Anita Egan, Vision Australia | How to manage acute vision loss & services available

Anita Egan worked for many years as a clinical orthoptist across a range of settings in the public and private sector and for the last 12 years has specialised in low vision rehabilitation. In her current role at Vision Australia she provides assessment and advice on maximising functional vision outcomes for adults and children living with low vision. Her role also includes transdisciplinary professional development and community education. She is also a trainer for the Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility.
 

SCHEDULE

Registration: 12:45pm – 1:00pm

Session: 1:00pm – 5:00pm

 

Refreshments will be provided.

 

PARKING

Wilsons Car Park: 410 Albert St, or 90 Victoria Pde ($8 weekend rate, or $5.50 if you book online at www.wilsonparking.com.au/book-a-bay).

Street parking also available (some unrestricted after 12:30pm on Saturdays, please check signs carefully!)