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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