Who Are We?

OSO’s Vision

The Orthokeratology Society of Oceania’s vision is to be recognised and trusted as the leading authority on orthoK in Oceania. We exist to expand the safe use of orthoK in our region. We are additionally dedicated to helping reduce the impact of the global myopic epidemic.

OSO’s Mission

The Orthokeratology Society of Oceania’s mission is to promote research, professional development and networking in the orthoK and myopia control field. We provide superior education to optometrists and orthokeratology practitioners at both beginner and expert levels. We communicate with other health providers and the general public to increase awareness about the benefits of orthoK and the importance of myopia control.

Board Members

President

Gavin Boneham

Gavin has 22 years of experience fitting orthoK and loves that orthoK can slow myopia progression and therefore potentially save someone from vision loss in the future. He enjoys the company of the people who fit orthoK as they are all enthusiastic, passionate people. In his spare time, he likes reading a wide range of subjects from sports to philosophy.

Vice-president / Secretary

Celia Bloxsom

Celia has been fitting orthoK for 15 years and receives great delight from people’s happy reactions at being able to see without glasses! In addition, as she gets to know her OK patients personally during the fitting process, she finds experiencing how orthoK has helped their lives a fantastic personal reward. She embraces “geek chic” – loving Star Wars and Chanel in equal measures!

Treasurer / Membership Coordinator

Lee Pepper

Lee Pepper has been in optometric practice for 35 years. He has served as a part-time lecturer and visiting clinical supervisor in the contact lens clinic at the University of NSW and has also consulted to the profession in clinical instrumentation. He is currently principal optometrist and practice owner of Vision Excellence, operating at Norwest in the Hills District of Sydney, Australia.

Lee has practised orthokeratology for the last decade, deriving satisfaction from the ability to prevent myopic eye disease. He volunteers his time for the OSO, believing it to be the most passionate professional society he has ever encountered. Lee is a keen player and administrator of football (soccer), having represented UNSW and is now involved in developing the sport of walk football for older adults in Australia.

Education Coordinator

Kathleen Watt

Kathleen has been fitting orthoK for 8 years. She enjoys getting to know the children and watching them grow. She is passionate about promoting orthoK and ensuring we have experienced, well-educated practitioners working in the field.

Marketing Coordinator

Philip Cheng

Philip Cheng (Marketing Coordinator) is a leading Australian practitioner in orthokeratology and myopia control. Director of the Myopia Clinic Melbourne, located in Kew East, he has the experience and privilege of looking after hundreds of children across Melbourne for orthoK treatment and other interventions to slow the progression of their myopia. He is well known in the industry as an advocate for myopia care, is a regular presenter and writer on myopia management, and a mentor for fellow optometrists and students in this area.

A high myope himself, Philip understands what it means to grow up with vision deterioration from this progressive eye condition. He is passionate about giving today’s kids the opportunity of maintaining better eyesight and eye health in life, through advances in myopia research, knowledge and treatment technologies.

Membership Coordinator

Andrew Sangster

Andrew Sangster is a New Zealand-based optometrist, practising in Central Wellington. He has been fitting OrthoK lenses since 2002 and is a Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (IAOMC). Andrew has been actively involved in the profession of optometry, serving two terms as President of the NZ Association of Optometrists. He has been a mentor to other optometrists in OrthoK and other specialty contact lenses and also is an Honorary Teaching Fellow for the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Auckland. Outside of optometry, Andrew enjoys sports of many codes, cooking (and eating) and gardening – especially if it involves power tools.

Gavin Swartz

Warren Trac

Assistants

Team not found

Fellowship Chair

Fellowship Chair

Shonit Jagmohan

As well as helping optometrists in Australia and New Zealand fit orthoK, Shonit was involved in the research & development team that developed Innovative Contacts Forge orthoK lenses. He is the Fellowship Chair of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (IAOMC) for Oceania, and is the Director and Principal Optometrist of the renown Melbourne-based specialty contact lens practice, Vision Camberwell. 

Over the last 12 years, Shonit has been slowing myopia progression by fitting custom orthoK lenses to children as young as five, and is one of few practitioners regularly fitting hyperopic orthoK. He volunteers his time running the Fellowship program that awards optometrists who demonstrate mastery in OrthoK fitting, and gets immense satisfaction knowing optometrists are applying their advanced knowledge to slow myopia progression.

Further Education Opportunities

International Academy Certification in Myopia Management (IACMM)  

The candidate must demonstrate mastery of specific skills including epidemiology of myopia,  myopia-related pathology, data needed to assess risk and progression including axial length, and all therapeutic options (including orthokeratology) available to manage this epidemic disease. Certification is granted after successfully passing a written and oral examination.

Fellowship in the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC)

This fellowship requires the candidate to possess the IACMM (see above) as well as having undergone hundreds of hours of study/training specific to advanced orthokeratology.  The fellow must demonstrate mastery of specific skills including fitting complex cases and advanced troubleshooting. The FIAOMC is awarded after the candidate is examined on 3 highly complex OrthoK cases, passed a written and two-hour oral exam. The FIAOMC is the gold standard representing the highest level of knowledge, ethics and patient care in the field of myopia management and orthokeratology.

For Patients

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