Ocularists Association of Australia

OAA member, Camille Loyer regularly attends the American Society of Ocularists meetings.

This year she was invited to present a course to the interns – Paediatric Eye Loss.

She is passionate about her work with children and was thrilled to be able to share her knowledge with the next generation of Ocularists.

Camille Loyer and Rose Knowles attended the RANZCO Congress in Melbourne, proudly representing the Ocularists Association of Australia.

They enjoyed many valuable conversations with surgeons, strengthening collaborative relationships and raising awareness of the work Ocularists do across the country.

Our members came together in October 2025 for our general meeting and CPD training in Adelaide.

It was a great opportunity to reconnect, learn from one another, and continue strengthening the professional bonds that support our work across Australia.

And of course, no trip to Adelaide would be complete without a visit to the iconic Adelaide Oval – or enjoying a glass of Knowles Brothers wine.

Annette Watts and Jennifer Hebel travelled to the Vision Conference in Townsville to speak with optometrists and eye specialists about caring for patients with an artificial eye.

Their sessions focused on recognising when a prosthesis needs replacing or polishing, identifying abnormal findings within a socket, understanding how dry eye disease affects artificial eye wearers, and knowing when a referral to an Ocularist is appropriate.

It was a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and strengthen collaborative care for patients across the region.

Jenny and Paul Geelen travelled to Lisbon, Portugal for the 2024 European Ocularist Association meeting, joined by fellow members Jim Morphett and Annette Watts.

With such a small global Ocularist community, these gatherings every two years are a rare and valued opportunity to learn, share ideas, and reconnect with colleagues from around the world. When the chance comes up, we all do our best to be there.

Jenny Geelen featured in a TV segment answering a common question: Are artificial eyes still made of glass?

Jenny explained that while they once were, modern prosthetic eyes are now almost entirely made from acrylic—safer, more durable, and custom-fitted to each patient.

The episode also highlighted the detailed artistry involved in painting an iris, the use of implants to improve movement, and the unique, family-taught skills that make ocularists such a rare and internationally sought-after profession.

Read: ABC Education: Can We Help?: Artificial Eyes: How are they made?

The publication of Peter Knowle’s thesis: The Outcome of Ocular Prosthetic (Artificial Eye) Reconstruction was completed as part of his Master of Clinical Science degree.

His work contributed valuable insights to the field and added to the growing body of research supporting best practice in ocular prosthetics.

In 2019, several OAA members travelled to Athens for the European Ocularist Association meeting.

The program was filled with learning, meeting new colleagues, and seeing firsthand how laboratories in Greece differ from those in Australia. The hospitality was unforgettable – the food was stunning, the wine was flowing, and there was no shortage of dancing.

OAA members attending included Annette Watts, Jennifer Hebel, Paul Geelen, Emily Geelen, Nick Puls, Jim Morphett and Peter Knowles.

Presenter Emily Geelen:

Delivered an insightful presentation on the use of aesthetic conformer shells – temporary, painted prostheses fitted at the time of eye removal surgery.

These shells are designed to closely resemble the patient’s natural eye and are typically worn for around eight weeks before the definitive prosthesis is made.

Emily outlined how this approach, developed about 20 years ago to meet patients’ immediate need for a natural appearance post-surgery, has now become standard practice for many ocularists.

The process includes early consultation, careful selection and customisation of the shell using measurements and photographs, and ongoing adjustments as the socket heals.

While some surgeons still prefer clear conformers for clinical visibility, Emily highlighted that aesthetic shells have not been associated with increased complications.

Importantly, they offer significant psychological benefits – helping reduce distress, support confidence, and provide a more natural appearance during the early recovery period.

Once the definitive prosthesis is fitted, the aesthetic shell can also serve as a useful spare.

Although Kerri Wilson (Sydney) was unable to attend, her thoughtfully prepared presentation on the psychology of eye loss was delivered on her behalf.

The session explored the emotional impact of eye loss and the vital role ocularists play in supporting patients through this journey.

Kerri’s material guided us through key psychology concepts, including universal human needs and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs , offering a useful framework for understanding patient experiences. She also highlighted Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s grief model from On Death & Dying , outlining the stages of normal grief as well as other forms such as anticipatory and disenfranchised grief.

The presentation encouraged meaningful discussion about the varied ways patients process loss, and how we as ocularists can respond with empathy and clarity. It also addressed compassion fatigue within healthcare, reminding us of the importance of self-care in clinical practice.

Finally, Kerri’s content touched on the sensitive issue of sudden patient death – acknowledging the emotional impact on clinicians and offering practical guidance on managing records and closure.