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Global eye hospital specialists converge on Melbourne

July 16, 2026
Melbourne by Night

The 17th World Association of Eye Hospitals (WAEH) annual meeting 11 and 12 October

The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Eye and Ear) is gearing up to host a gathering of eye hospital professionals from around the globe as part of the WAEH annual meeting. Founded in 2007 by eight leading eye hospitals and departments, including the Eye and Ear, WAEH boasts an international network, with nearly 100 specialists and allied health representatives expected to participate in this year’s event.

“This meeting provides a great opportunity for leaders in eye health across the world to come together, collaborate and share innovations. The ripple effects of this conference extend not only to professionals within the field but also to patients, both here in Melbourne and worldwide. We take immense pride in hosting this event at the Eye and Ear and eagerly anticipate the transformative opportunities it will undoubtedly provide.” explained Chief Executive Officer, Brendon Gardner.

Over the course of three dynamic days, the WAEH conference will feature esteemed speakers and presentations from subject matter experts, addressing a wide spectrum of topics, including medical advancements, health outcomes measurement, gene therapy, sustainability, and quality and safety in eye care. Distinguished figures such as Dr. Stefan Larsson, the Founder of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM); Professor Keith Martin, Managing Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA); Associate Professor Penny Allen, Head of the Vitreoretinal Unit at Eye and Ear and Head of the Bionic Eye Project at CERA; and Dr. Carmel Crock, Director of the Eye and Ear Emergency Department, are among the notable participants presenting. 

The Centre for Eye Research Australia will also participate with expo-style interactive displays at the start of the conference which highlight many of the collaborative research projects currently being undertaken in association with the Eye and Ear, in areas including, gene therapy, ocular oncology, adaptive technology, bionic vision and macular research.

Following the Melbourne section of the program, select delegates will travel to Sydney to attend sessions at the Sydney Eye Hospital and Chatswood Eye Hospital.

Registrations are now open for specialists and allied health who wish to be a part of this unique meeting set in Australia’s only specialist eye and ear nose and throat hospital.

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