UNSW Optometry and Vision Science

13/10/2026

SOVS Paper of the Week: This study explores combining conventional antibiotics with membrane-active peptides to enhance activity against WHO-priority multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative ocular pathogens and identify promising strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Background/objectives: Multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens are a major cause of severe ocular infections, yet treatment options are increasingly compromised by escalating antibiotic resistance. Membrane-active peptides (colistin and Mel4) offer the potential to...

09/10/2026

Congratulations to PhD candidate Xiaona Ping, who was awarded the 2026 International Society for Contact Lens Research (ISCLR) Hikaru Hamano Travel Fellowship in recognition of her top-ranked student abstract.

Her project explores how virtual reality can provide a real-time, personalised approach to evaluating contact lens wearer experience. By assessing visual performance in real time, VR-based assessments may help patients make better informed decisions about lens selection.

Xiaona is supervised by Professor Padmaja Sankaridurg (pictured below), Professor Juno Kim and Dr Nayuta Yoshioka.

Well done Xiaona!

08/10/2026

Today is World Sight Day - a timely reminder to prioritise our eye health and .

Everyone, everywhere should have access to eye care that is accessible, available and affordable. Take a moment today to book an eye examination, protect your vision and encourage others to do the same.

https://www.unsw.edu.au/medicine-health/our-schools/optometry/optometry-clinic

08/10/2026

Congratulations to Dr Mukesh Kumar on receiving a 2026 Dorothy Carlborg Research Award from the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia (CCLSA)! 🎉

Mukesh’s research focuses on the ocular surface, tear film and contact lens wear, with particular interests in contact lens discomfort, scleral lenses, corneal physiology and ocular surface health.

The Dorothy Carlborg Research Award supports research in the cornea and contact lens field. This is the second time Mukesh has received the award, following his previous success in 2023.

Congratulations, Mukesh!

06/10/2026

Congratulations to Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith, Dr Sharon Oberstein, and Dr Kathleen Watt on their well-deserved promotions to Associate Professor, effective 1 January 2027.

This is a wonderful achievement and recognition of their outstanding contributions to UNSW and the School of Optometry & Vision Science.

We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you. 🎉

06/10/2026

Effective dry eye management can make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives.

In this video, UNSW Lecturer Gina Chapman-Davies explains how patients may return feeling more relaxed, positive and grateful for the improvements they’ve experienced.

Learn more about effective communication and evidence-based dry eye management in UNSW’s Dry Eye Disease: Diagnosis & Management Short Course: https://bit.ly/DryEyeShortCourse

05/10/2026

What does dry eye care look like in practice?

For UNSW School of Optometry & Vision Science Lecturer Gina Chapman-Davies, it means bringing patients into the conversation.

During a dry eye consultation, Gina takes patients through their diagnostic testing, explaining the results as they go. By the end of the testing, patients have seen and discussed their results with Gina, helping them understand their diagnosis and management plan.

Explore this practical, patient-centred approach to dry eye care in UNSW’s Dry Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management Short Course.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/DryEyeShortCourse

01/10/2026

Last chance to enrol in our Dry Eye Short Course!

Hear from course convenor Associate Professor Nicole Carnt about the course, which starts next week.

Find out more and enrol: https://bit.ly/DryEyeShortCourse

https://youtu.be/0905wFlEYhw

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

30/09/2026

Our UNSW Dry Eye Short Course starts next week.

Join our team and learn how to:
• diagnose and manage dry eye with confidence
• identify key risk factors for dry eye disease
• devise short- and long-term management plans for dry eye disease

Our short course is:
• 100% online
• five weeks

Proudly sponsored by Melcare Biomedical Pty Ltd and Alcon (Gold Sponsors).

Don't delay - enrol now: https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/professional-development/course/dry-eye-disease-diagnosis-and-management

11/09/2026

Last week, UNSW School of Optometry & Vision Science joined Optometry Australia at the Rural Health Pathways Showcase at ICC Sydney.

The event gave high school students the opportunity to explore study and career pathways across the health professions and connect with health professionals.

Students learned more about optometry and the important role eye care plays in supporting health and wellbeing. Through interactive workshops, they were shown a range of optometry equipment used in eye care.

Thank you to our student ambassadors, Halle and Bennett for representing , sharing their knowledge and engaging with students throughout the event.
UNSW Optometry and Vision Science Student Society