This year’s Orthoptics Australia July Scientific Meeting was held on Saturday 25th July at the stunning Pier Geelong, Cunningham Pier.  There were about a hundred delegates in attendance.  Delegates typically comprise mostly orthoptists, but also ophthalmologists, researchers, representatives from ophthalmic technology and pharmaceutical companies, and current orthoptic students. An international keynote speaker from the Netherlands, Mr. Jan Roelof Polling presented as well as several distinguished ophthalmologists, including Drs Andrew Narita, Merv Ferdinands, Trent Roydhouse and Anna Pang.

Thanks to the opportunity from Orthoptics Australia, I am very pleased and honoured to present “Reach & Match – Social inclusive educational kit empowers children who are blind and visually impaired”. I understood this topic would be really different from any of the other presentations. However, I hope to use a different perspective, my skills and experience to improve the quality of experience for children who are blind and visually impaired.

I felt very grateful that a lot of delegates were intrigued to find out the applications and features on the social inclusion educational tool, particularly those working with vision impaired paediatric patients who could potentially benefit from this tool.  I was really nervous before the presentation, however I was really thankful and cheered up by the feedback among the orthoptists sitting around me. It was a great opportunity to make new friends with the orthoptists who work for hospital, Vision Australia as well as in private sectors.

– Mandy