We’re excited to announce that registrations are open for the the ACO’s first in-person Seminar Series event in three years!

Join us at the ACO’s headquarters in Carlton for the October iteration of our FREE Seminar Series events. Refreshments will be provided from 6pm, with seminars from 7pm.

Places are strictly limited, so please ensure to secure your place by registering as soon as possible. Instructions for registration through the members portal can be found here.

Seminars Overview

Neuro-ophthalmology: how to diagnose the most common presentations to optometry (a case-based presentation)

Presented by Dr Rahul Chakrabarti

Diplopia is an infrequent but important symptom presenting to optometry practice that requires careful assessment and triage. This case-based presentation from Dr Rahul Chakrabarti will discuss the most common presentations involving diplopia that might present to optometry practice, including symptoms, signs, and how best to clinically assess these patients.

The need for careful history taking will be emphasised as one strategy to ensure that these cases can accurately be triaged into those that do or do not require onward referral for medical investigations, and how urgently medical assessment might be required.

About Dr Rahul Chakrabarti:

Dr Rahul Chakrabarti is a Melbourne trained general ophthalmologist who completed his medical training at Monash University, and ophthalmology training at the Eye and Ear. He is the current Director of Ophthalmology Training for Victoria. Dr Chakrabarti has additional sub-specialty training in adult and pediatric strabismus and neuro-ophthalmology a having completed fellowships at the Eye and Ear and Alfred Hospitals.

Dr Chakrabarti has a special interest in ophthalmic surgical education and is involved in virtual reality cataract surgery simulation training of eye registrars. He holds consultant positions at the Eye and Ear’s Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Ocular Diagnostic Unit, The Alfred Hospital, Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Ophthalmology at Monash University, Clinical Lecturer in Ophthalmology, The University of Melbourne. His current research interests include surgical education research, ocular trauma, neuro-ophthalmology and electrodiagnostics.

Dr Chakrabarti is also in private practice at Essendon Eye Clinic and Northwest Eye Specialists in Melbourne, and also services rural and regional communities at Mildura Eye Specialists. Dr Chakrabarti also has sub specialty experience in medical retina and ocular trauma, having completed a research thesis in diabetic retinopathy at the start of his ophthalmology career and continues to manage a complex range of retinal patients, including performing anti-VEGF injections and 2RT laser. He also works closely with several AFL clubs currently as club ophthalmologist and has a particular interest in sports-related ocular trauma.

Neuro-optometry: how to manage the most common presentations to optometry

Presented by Clare Campitelli

Following appropriate investigation, diagnosis and treatment of a neuro-ophthalmic condition, patients will rely on optometrists to provide solutions to their diplopia, blurred vision and other visual changes which can result. This is crucial to restoring a high quality of vision to provide solutions for work, home life and recreation, and is important to maintaining quality of life for these patients.

This presentation from experienced optometrist Clare Campitelli, who provides neuro-rehabilitatative vision care will discuss the assessment and management of patients who present with visual consequences from a variety of neurological conditions such as cranial nerve palsies, concussion and traumatic brain injury.

About Clare Campitelli:

Clare Campitelli joined Daniel at Vision on Koornang Carnegie in 2005 when it was branded as Duldig & Russo Optometry. She became co-owner in 2011. Clare brings over 25 years of experience and further education in behavioural optometry, vision therapy and neuro optometric care.

Clare obtained her optometry degree in 1993. She worked with Russo & Associates Optometry for 15 years, developing her skills and completing her Masters and Fellowship in Behavioural Optometry. She has been on the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists ( ACBO) Fellowship exam board since 2013 and has been the chairperson of this board since 2016

Clare completed the post graduate certificate in ocular therapeutics in 2008 She completed the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology course in the diagnosis and treatment of retained primitive reflexes in 2014. In September 2023 she has become amongst the first group to complete the new ANOC program (accreditation in neuro optometric care).

Clare still gets a buzz from helping someone to have a better quality of life due to better visual efficiency and control. She has years of experience managing children – particularly those who are struggling in the classroom due to inability to focus (visually). Inefficient vision can also happen in adulthood and she is increasingly seeing adult patients who have strabismus, or who are recovering from a brain injury or suffering from migraines or visual snow. This has led to a strong interest in neuro optometric care – an area of vision care which brings great rewards and is never ever dull.