What do a graduate optometrist from New South Wales and a New Zealand-based dispensing optician have in common? They’ve both won trips to Specsavers Australia & New Zealand’s biggest professional development events after sharing their knowledge.

Numerous high-quality case studies were sent in by both Specsavers and non-Specsavers optical professionals as part of the case study competition facilitated by Specsavers’ professional journal, ProFile. These were subsequently assessed by a five-member judging panel composed of key Specsavers Support Office staff.

The optometry case studies were judged on their relevance to the prevention of avoidable blindness and vision loss, and the clarity of the rationale behind diagnosis and treatment / management. The dispensing case studies were judged on how well the dispenser understood and communicated the impact that lens selection and parameters would have on the wearer, and on the educational merit and applicability of the case study’s discussion points and learning outcomes.

Tyson Xu from Specsavers Nowra Stockland has been named the Optometry Grand Prize Winner for his case study on normal-tension glaucoma and has won a ticket, flights and accommodation package to the 2019 Specsavers Clinical Conference.

“Case-based learning is the most effective tool for us as practitioners to see theoretical knowledge come to life and learn from each other to provide best patient outcomes,” Tyson commented.

Lesley Hooson DO from Specsavers Lower Hutt has won a similar travel package to the 2019 Specsavers Dispensing Conference as the Dispensing Grand Prize Winner. Lesley’s case focussed on dispensing suitable spectacles for a patient with age-related macular degeneration.

“We never stop learning, so if we have an interesting case and research new information about it, it is a good opportunity to share our new knowledge with our peers, as it is bound to be useful in the future,” she said.

In addition, the following five Runner-Up Winners each received a $200 gift card:

The ProFile team would like to thank all the optometrists and qualified dispensers who entered their case studies into the competition.

Special thanks also go to the 2018 ProFile Case Study Competition judging panel:

  • Dr Ben Ashby, Director of Professional Advancement
  • Jeena Tan, Optometry Development Consultant
  • Sophie Stephan, Graduate Optometry Development Manager
  • Richard Couch, Head of Ophthalmic Lenses & Dispensing
  • Steve O’Leary, Director of Product.

All seven winners will have their case studies published in ProFile in the coming months – subscribe to the ProFile newsletter to have the winning entries and future case studies delivered direct to your inbox.

ProFile accepts case study submissions year-round from both Specsavers and non-Specsavers optometrists and qualified dispensers, with a view to sharing knowledge between optical professionals and promoting the advancement of the broader optometry profession. For more information, view the ProFile case study submission requirements.