June 3 is World Orthoptic Day, a day to recognise the contribution that orthoptists around the world make to improving eye health.
Orthoptists are eye health professionals who specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and non-surgical
Dr Myra McGuinness
management of eye disorders. At the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), orthoptists work in a range of areas include research, research governance and clinical trial coordination.
Dr Myra McGuinness works as a biostatistian at CERA. While her job is to analyse data from CERA studies, Myra states that her clinical training as an orthoptist has been invaluable in her work.
“I associate each number with a real person that I have seen in the clinic, and that brings great meaning to my work,” she said. “I have real job satisfaction knowing that I am having an impact on people’s quality of life by contributing to improvements in vision.”
“World Orthoptic Day gives me the chance to reflect on the amazing opportunities I have had while working overseas and in regional Victoria as an orthoptist, as well as on the inspirational people I have been able to work with.”
