Vision impairment and refractive errors in refugees presenting to community optometry clinics in Victoria, Australia.

Background: There is a paucity of data relating to refugee eye health in Australia. This study aimed at investigating the spectrum of vision impairment and other ocular conditions in refugees utilising the Victorian Eyecare Service operated by the Australian College of Optometry.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of electronic clinical records of 518 individuals (adults and children) recognised as refugees by the Australian College of Optometry and treated between January 2013 and May 2014 were identified.

Infection control guidelines for optometrists 2016.

Background: This paper provides an updated version of the paper: Infection control guidelines for optometrists 2007.

Methods: Information from peer-reviewed journal articles, guidelines from professional societies, and government health department and other websites and instructions from equipment manufacturers were considered in determining infection risk factors in optometric practice. They were used to revise the recommendations on disinfection, sterilisation and reprocessing procedures for instrumentation and other equipment used in optometric practice as well as personal infection control measures to be undertaken by staff.

Breaking down barriers to eye care for Indigenous people: a new scheme for delivery of eye care in Victoria.

This report describes the implementation of and outcomes from a new spectacle subsidy scheme and de-centralised care options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria, Australia. The Victorian Aboriginal Spectacle Subsidy Scheme (VASSS) commenced in 2010, as an additional subsidy to the long-established Victorian Eyecare Service (VES). The Victorian Aboriginal Spectacle Subsidy Scheme aimed to improve access to and uptake of affordable spectacles and eye examinations by Indigenous Victorians.

How Australian and New Zealand schools of optometry prepare students for culturally competent practice.

Background: This study is an investigation of how Australian and New Zealand schools of optometry prepare students for culturally competent practice. The aims are: (1) to review how optometric courses and educators teach and prepare their students to work with culturally diverse patients; and (2) to determine the demographic characteristics of current optometric students and obtain their views on cultural diversity.

Methods: All Australian and New Zealand schools of optometry were invited to participate in the study.

Influenza A(H1N1) and infection control guidelines for optometrists.

The emergence of a novel influenza A virus (Influenza A[H1N1]), which has not circulated previously in humans, has led to the first global influenza pandemic in 41 years. Influenza A(H1N1), commonly called 'swine flu', is a novel influenza virus made up of porcine, avian and human genes, and preferentially infects younger people. Although Influenza A(H1N1) does not appear to be likely to cause as many fatalities as previous influenza pandemics, attempts to contain it are necessary because people whose health is already compromised through underlying chronic medical conditions are at risk of death if they contract the virus.

Infection control guidelines for optometrists 2007.

Information from peer-reviewed articles, guidelines from professional societies and manufacturers' instructions were considered to determine the risk factors in optometric practice and to make recommendations for disinfection, sterilisation and reprocessing of instrumentation and other equipment used in practice and measures for personal protection. Wherever possible, all practitioners should adopt measures to decrease the risk of transmission of infection, such as single use instruments/equipment, appropriate methods of reprocessing where items are reused, routine employment of standard infection control precautions and application of more rigorous procedures for infected or immuno-suppressed individuals.

Evaluation of Melbourne Edge Test contrast sensitivity measures in the visually impaired.

Aim: Contrast sensitivity (CS) provides important information on visual function. This study aimed to assess differences in clinical expediency of the CS increment-matched new back-lit and original paper versions of the Melbourne Edge Test (MET) to determine the CS of the visually impaired.

Methods: The back-lit and paper MET were administered to 75 visually impaired subjects (28-97 years).

Normative contrast sensitivity values for the back-lit Melbourne Edge Test and the effect of visual impairment.

Background: The Melbourne Edge Test (MET) is a portable forced-choice edge detection contrast sensitivity (CS) test. The original externally illuminated paper test has been superseded by a backlit version. The aim of this study was to establish normative values for age and to assess change with visual impairment.

Aetiology and management of choroidal folds.

Choroidal folds are known to be associated with a wide variety of pathological conditions, such as central serous retinopathy, choroidal naevi, tumours and papilloedema. They may also occur with surgical procedures, especially when hypotony of the globe occurs, such as following cataract surgery, laser therapy and from post-operative choroidal oedema or inflammation. However, choroidal folds are idiopathic in the majority of cases and can be associated with benign conditions, such as hypermetropia and optic disc drusen.

Retinal neurochemical changes following application of glutamate as a metablolic substrate.

Background: Retinal neural and glial cells share an intricate relationship that includes uptake and recycling of the amino acid neurotransmitters, glutamate and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), as well as metabolic links. The aim of this work was to determine the neurochemical and morphological changes induced by the removal of glucose but with the provision of exogenous glutamate in the isolated retinal preparation incubated under aerobic conditions. The carbon skeleton of glutamate can enter the tricarboxylic acid cycle as alpha-ketogluterate, providing an alternative metabolic substrate in cases of glucose deprivation.