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Welcome to the 2025 Annual Optometry Conference
We are delighted to welcome you to the 2025 NZAO Conference, held over two inspiring days of learning, collaboration, and connection. This year’s theme, “Advancing Optometry: Innovation, Ethics & Patient Care,” reflects our commitment to exploring the evolving landscape of eye health and the values that guide our profession.
Join us at the beautiful Distinction Hotel in Rotorua on 17 & 18 October 2025, where leading experts, practitioners, researchers, and industry partners will come together to share insights, challenge ideas, and shape the future of optometry.
With a diverse programme featuring keynote presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, the conference is designed to foster meaningful dialogue and empower attendees with practical knowledge and innovative approaches to patient care.
Whether you're here to deepen your clinical expertise, engage with peers, or discover emerging technologies, we hope this conference provides a valuable and enriching experience for all.
Programme
Day 1 – Friday 17th October
|
Time |
Session Description |
Speaker(s) |
|
08:00 – 08:45 |
Registrations Open |
|
|
08:45 – 09:00 |
Conference Opening |
|
|
09:00 – 10:00 |
Keynote Address |
Dr Jacqueline Chua |
|
10:00 – 10:30 |
Cultural Talk |
Carlton Irving |
|
10:30 – 11:00 |
Morning Tea And Networking |
|
|
11:00 – 11:30 |
Ethics Talk |
Carlton Irving |
|
11:30 – 11:45 |
Clinical Eye Health Network Update |
Speakers TBC |
|
11:45 – 12:00 |
Update On Laser Training |
Kenny Wu |
|
12:00 – 13:00 |
Lunch Break (Sponsored By Eye Institute) |
|
|
13:00 – 13:30 |
Session Title TBC |
A/Prof Stuti Misra |
|
13:30 – 14:30 |
Session Title TBC |
Dr Jacqueline Chua |
|
14:30 – 14:45 |
Phd Talk |
Jaymie Rodgers |
|
14:45 – 15:00 |
Phd Talk |
Amelia Hardcastle |
|
15:00 – 15:15 |
Masters Talk |
Richard Johnson |
|
15:15 – 15:45 |
Afternoon Tea & Networking (Sponsored By Alcon) |
|
|
15:45 – 16:15 |
Session Title TBC |
A/Prof Stuti Misra |
|
16:15 – 16:30 |
Session Title TBC |
Rebecca Findlay |
|
16:30 – 16:45 |
Session Title TBC |
Eye Institute |
|
16:45 – 17:00 |
GP Liaison Update |
Dr Hans Vellara |
|
17:15 – 18:15 |
Drinks & Networking (Free Night) |
|
Day 2
|
Time |
Session Description |
Speaker(s) |
|
07:45 – 08:30 |
Breakfast Session |
Alcon |
|
08:30 – 09:00 |
Session Title TBC |
Dr Jacqueline Chua |
|
09:00 – 09:30 |
Ocular Oncology |
Dr Riyaz Bhikoo |
|
09:30 – 10:30 |
NZAO AGM (Members only) |
|
|
10:30 – 11:00 |
Morning Tea & Networking |
|
|
11:00 – 11:30 |
Panel Discussion: OCT and Retinal Imaging: Standard of Care or Over-Reliance? |
Dr Chua, Dr Bhikoo, Richard Johnson, EI |
|
11:30 – 12:30 |
Special Interest Group Breakout Sessions |
|
|
Paediatric Optometry |
Samantha Simkin, Rebecca Findlay, Jo Black |
|
|
Advanced Contact Lens Fitting |
Andrew Kim, Vicky Wang, Robert Ng |
|
|
Binocular Vision & Neuro-Optometry |
Niall McCormack, Richard Johnson |
|
|
12:30 – 13:30 |
Lunch Break (Sponsored By EI) |
|
|
13:30 – 13:45 |
Session Title TBC |
Colin Parsoe |
|
13:45 – 14:45 |
Session Title TBC (Ethics) |
Jon Warner |
|
14:45 – 15:15 |
Photon Therapeutics |
Simon Dean |
|
15:15 – 15:45 |
Afternoon Tea & Networking |
|
|
15:45 – 16:30 |
Alan Styles Memorial Debate |
|
|
16:30 – 16:40 |
Medmont Research |
Robert Ng |
|
16:40 – 16:50 |
Eyecare For Africa |
Niall Mccormack |
|
16:50 – 17:00 |
Closing Remarks |
|
|
19:00 – 00:00 |
Conference Dinner |
|