About Us
ACO Eye Health is a part of the Australian College of Optometry (ACO), a not-for-profit organisation committed to improving eye health in our communities.
ACO Eye Health is Victoria’s only public health optometry provider and works closely with the State Government to provide subsidised care.
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Overview of ACO Eye Health
As Victoria’s only public health optometry provider, we offer high-quality, affordable and accessible eye care to all communities. Our team provides inclusive and supportive services to ensure people of all ages, languages and abilities feel welcome and cared for. Our optometry services range from general to advanced care allowing us to meet the needs of patients.
We work closely with the state government to deliver subsidised care through the Victorian Eyecare Service (VES), and its subsidiary program the Victorian Aboriginal Spectacles Subsidy Scheme (VASSS). We partner with optometry practices throughout Victoria to deliver both programs to regional communities.
Outside of our clinics, we partner with support services across the state to provide outreach care to community members facing significant challenges, ensuring quality eye care and glasses reach those most in need.
In addition to patient care, our parent organisation, the Australian College of Optometry (ACO), works to improve eye health in Australia through research and professional development programs for optometrists and training for optometry students.
Our People
Pete Haydon
(He/him)
Chief Executive OfficerPete Haydon’s current role as CEO of the Australian College Optometry began in November 2021. This appointment came after a twenty year career working in management and executive management roles within the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. He has built a reputation as a collegial leader and coalition builder, as well as a pragmatic and strong operational planner.
Following the completion of his Masters-level tertiary qualifications he continued to advance his executive education in governance, strategy, workforce and leadership at some of the world’s most respected business schools. Pete’s personal philosophy and lifelong commitment to humanitarian principles have a strong alignment with those of the ACO.
[email protected]
Tim Fricke
(He/him)
Director of Research and EducationTim Fricke is an optometrist, researcher and international development practitioner. Before returning to the ACO in 2023, Tim has held clinical, teaching, research, management, and leadership roles in private, public, community health, hospital and refugee camp settings, including Director of the Brien Holden Foundation. He has extensive paediatric clinical experience, supervised post-graduate research in paediatric eye care and health economics, has taught undergraduate and post-graduate eye care courses, and provided continuing professional development across Australia as well as overseas.
Tim has researched vision development, epidemiology, quality of life and access to eye care and he has also assisted the development of local systems & skills for providing primary and specialised eye care in a range of countries. He is an honorary senior fellow at the University of Melbourne and is completing a PhD in ophthalmic epidemiology at UNSW Sydney.
[email protected]
Kylie Harris
(She/her)
Director of OperationsStarting her healthcare career as an optometrist, Kylie leveraged her strong clinical background to develop a diverse skillset across numerous fields of specialist medicine, focusing on improving patient experience and outcomes. Kylie has held numerous leadership roles within eye health, and is respected for her collegiality, acumen, sector expertise, project management skills, and ability to cultivate positive workplace dynamics.
Joining the ACO in 2023, Kylie is passionate about establishing sustainable and inclusive care models for all Australians. She believes in the transformative power of strong relationships between healthcare providers having personally witnessed how effective communication can reduce patient anxiety and elevate the quality of care. Guiding the Operations team, Kylie is dedicated to advancing an outstanding workplace environment that forms the bedrock of delivering exceptional, personalised services to our patients.
[email protected]
Chelsey Seamer
(She/her)
General Manager, People and CultureChelsey Seamer was appointed as General Manager, People and Culture (formally known as Head of People and Culture) in July 2020. Passionate about maximising culture initiatives and enhancing employee relations, Chelsey aims to improve the overall employee experience. With a Diploma in Human Resource Management, Chelsey possesses a comprehensive understanding of the organisation from the ground up, brining valuable insights to her role in People and Culture. Chelsey began at the ACO in 2012, initially in a patient services position, and later transitioning to the role of Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer in 2016. This diverse background has shaped her unique perspective and approach to work, proving beneficial for both the ACO and its staff.
[email protected]
Renaldo Tomasiello
(He/him)
Chief Financial OfficerWith over 18 years of Senior Financial Management and Corporate Services experience, Renaldo brings a fresh approach to the many facets of the Corporate Governance process. A qualified CPA with an extensive background in Community Health, Aged Care, Disability and the Events Management sectors, Renaldo’s career highlights include the successful rollout of integration of CMS data and accounting systems including the implementation of business intelligence tools for value-added operational and strategic reporting. Driven by the motivation to bring automation and cost efficiencies to back office processes, Renaldo aims to provide business partnering support and added value whilst also maximising the profitability of the organisation.
[email protected]
Dr Nelofar (Nellie) Deen
(She/her)
General Manager, City ClinicsCertOcTher, Doctor of Optometry, FACO
Dr Nellie Deen graduated with a Doctorate of Optometry in 2004 from SUNY College of Optometry, New York. She completed externships in Paediatrics and Vision Therapy at the Beth Israel Hospital in New York and in Ocular Diseases at the Newington Veterans Hospital in Newington, Connecticut.
Nellie relocated to Melbourne in 2004 and was awarded her OCANZ certificate of Competency in Optometric Examination that year. Nellie joined the ACO in 2007, and is currently Head of Specialist Services and Clinical Care. Previous ACO roles include Lead Optometrist of Paediatrics Services and Lead Optometrist in Clinical Teaching. Nellie is a member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), Optometry Australia and the Australian College of Optometry. She has presented at the Australian Vision Convention (AVC) Conference, Early Childhood Learning Conference and SEMO Conference.
Mae Chong
(She/her)
General Manager, Satellite ClinicsBOptom, FACO, GradCertOcTher, PGradDipAdvClinOptom
Mae is a clinical optometrist with special interest in the fields of low vision, paediatric optometry and ocular diseases. She is an experienced clinical instructor and is also actively involved in clinical research. Mae has presented lectures, workshops and tutorials to many audiences including optometrists, students and allied health professionals. A national level classifier with the Paralympics Australia, Mae is involved in the evaluation of vision impaired athletes. As General Manager Satellite Clinics, Mae oversees our network of Melbourne clinics, excluding our main location in Carlton.
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Josephine Li
(She/her)
General Manager, Rural VES and Outreach ProgramsBOptom, FAAO, FACO, PGCertOcTher, PhD
Josephine completed her Bachelor degree in 2004, Graduate Certificate of Ocular Therapeutics and PhD in Science in 2008 at the University of Melbourne. Josephine has held various roles at the ACO including Staff Optometrist, Acting Lead Optometrist of Outreach Services and has led clinical research studies. Her professional interests include ocular diseases, clinical research and providing eye care services for people with multiple disabilities. As General Manager of Rural VES and Outreach Programs, Josephine’s role involves providing outreach eyecare services to disadvantaged communities and working closely with regional optometry partners to deliver the Victorian Eyecare Service (VES).
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Lisa Lisperguer
(She/her)
General Manager, Dispensing and Laboratory ServicesLisa has worked in every facet of the optical industry including sales, operations and business development over the past 18 years within corporate and independent organisations and joined the ACO in 2023 as the General Manager for Patient Services & Dispensing.
To deepen her analytical and strategic skills, Lisa completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) through the Australian Institute of Business and graduated in 2023.
At the ACO, Lisa is most passionate about uncovering new ways of working and improving efficiencies to ensure the organisation is set up for success into the future. She is equally focused on improving the patient experience at the ACO whilst continually developing her teams to accomplish shared goals and celebrate successes.
Diversity & Inclusion
ACO Eye Health strives to ensure a culturally safe, welcoming and inclusive eye care service and work environment for all people.
Accessible eye care Diversity & Inclusion
Policies & Reports
View our policies and reports, such as Annual Reports and current strategic plan.
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Contact usLatest News
Flying Doctor Mobile Eye Care Service
October, 2024The Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria (RFDS Victoria) and ACO Eye Health have partnered for over ten years to deliver the Flying Doctor Mobile Eye Care service, a program which provides comprehensive optometry services to remote and rural communities throughout Victoria. Over the decade-long partnership, the mobile service is estimated to have saved patients 5,032 hours of travel time.
For many living in remote communities without fixed services, the time and cost of travelling hundreds of kilometers for optometry care is challenging. Despite the fact that more than 90% of vision impairment is preventable or treatable, missing regular eye health checks or treatment is too often a reality of rural living, and risks more serious future health concerns. Established by RFDS Victoria, the Mobile Eye Care service is an integral element in their mission to deliver preventative care to rural communities.
Visiting Disability Service with Scope
September, 2024The Visiting Disability Service (VDS) is a crucial component of ACO Eye Health’s broader Outreach Services, providing eye care services to patients with physical and intellectual disabilities delivered in safe spaces, within community residential units or day facilities. First established in 1997, ACO Eye Health has developed great partnerships with support organisations such as Scope, DoAbility and Life Without Barriers, to deliver optometry care to people with disabilities.
The demand for optometry services for people with disabilities has increased significantly over the last 10 years and we are committed to removing any barriers to accessing care.
Meet the Raffoul Family
July, 2024Dad of four, Leo Raffoul, attends the ACO’s Myopia Clinic with his sons Charles (16), Julian (15), Pierre (14), and Leon (12) for myopia control. The family first visited ACO 8 years ago for a routine eye test.
“We thought we’d get their vision and hearing checked before starting primary school, that routine stuff. There were no obvious signs of eye issues at all until it was picked up here. I hadn’t heard much about myopia before [the boys were diagnosed] and the optometrists started to tell us about shortsightedness.”
Noel’s life-saving eye test
June, 2024Noel McPyke has been a long standing ACO Eye Health patient visiting the Frankston Clinic for many years. It was the clinic’s accessibility that first made him book an eye test with ACO Eye Health. In 2021 Noel attended a consultation, with staff optometrist Luke Burns, as he needed some intervention with his long-standing glaucoma. During the consult, Luke found a Hollenhorst plaque (cholesterol embolus) in an artery in Noel’s eye. He was advised that this was associated with a high risk of stroke and would need further investigation.
When we subsequently met Noel he recalled, “Luke organised for me to go see my doctor who in turn suggested I go see a specialist.” Upon further testing, his carotid artery was found to be heavily blocked and Noel underwent a lifesaving procedure within a few months. Stressing on the impact this has had on him he said, “had I not had the eye consult done I probably would have died, simple as that.”
Governance Update
May, 2024The Australian College of Optometry (ACO) and National Vision Research Institute (NVRI) held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 30th May at its Carlton headquarters. It welcomed Members and stakeholders to celebrate recent ACO achievements, share organisational updates and announce three election seats.
Returning Council Members Sophie Koh (ACO President) and Darrell Baker were reappointed for a further two-year term. The ACO welcomes newly appointed Councillor Lien Trinh, a dedicated public health optometrist with experience in project roles in Indigenous Eye Health, the Fred Hollows Foundation, Rotary Australia and the Brien Holden Foundation. Lien joins a diverse team of optometrists and skill-based professionals who volunteer their expertise to provide strategic and governance oversight.
The meeting acknowledged the significant contributions made by outgoing Council Members, Rodney Hodge (elected member 2018-2024) who served a term as President during challenging times from 2020 to 2022, and Denise Gronow (skill-based member 2015-2024), who served as Treasurer between 2015 -2023.
During the evening Members voted to pass a Special Resolution proposing updates to the ACO Constitution. The changes recommended by the Constitution Review Committee reflect modern evidence based best practice governance, and include changes in terminology, replacing ‘Council’, ‘Councillor’ and ‘President’ with ‘Board’, Director’ and ‘Chair’. Other governing changes will affect Board structure and Director term length, among others.
Sophie Koh, ACO Board Chair stated, “The ACO is a large not-for-profit organisation that is growing, and it was important to ensure our Constitution supports us as we strive towards our strategic goals. Conducting a holistic review of our governing principles and adjusting to ensure these reflect modern best practices is essential to position us for the future success.”
I would like to extend my thanks to the ACO Members Elisse Higginbotham and Ian Bluntish who joined Sayuri Grady, ACO Board Director and lawyer, and myself to form the Constitution Review Committee and worked diligently to determine a set of recommendations. ”
She continued, “It continues to be an exciting time of change and growth at the ACO. I am honoured to serve its mission of accessible public health, innovative research and optometric education and training alongside a team of diverse, passionate Board Directors.”
Several ACO Awards were presented at the AGM, including the induction of Dr Nellie Deen as an ACO Fellow. The ACO’s most prestigious award, ACO Honorary Life Membership is presented to those who have provided distinguished and meritorious service to the ACO and/or the optometry profession. This year the Honorary Life Membership was awarded to John Cronin and Jean Walters. Further awards are outlined in the list below.
The ACO 2023’s Annual Report was also launched during the AGM and can be viewed online here.
Grad Showcase 2024
March, 2024What an incredible evening of learning and sharing at our Graduate Showcase on Tuesday 12 March! We couldn’t be prouder of our second-year graduate program optometrists for sharing their experiences working on such fascinating cases and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
We are blown away by the breadth of cases tackled by these early career optometrists. The standard of care provided, and the depth of insight displayed were nothing short of impressive. It’s clear that the future of optometry is in incredibly capable hands!
A heartfelt thank you to the optometry students, ACO members and our ACO colleagues who joined us for this event. Your engagement made the event all the more enriching and impactful; we hope you walked away feeling as inspired as we did.
NVRI Lions funding agreement
December, 2023The NVRI is delighted to announce it has secured a three-year funding agreement with the Victorian Lions Foundation.
The pledge of support is the latest in a long history between our two organisations, which first began in 1974 before the Lions Vision Research Fund was officially established in 1979. With the benefit of Lions’ funding over the past five decades, the NVRI has been positioned to pursue valuable research and contribute findings to the broader vision research field in Australia and internationally.
The new funding agreement follows a shift in our work towards translational, clinical research which aims to improve access and equity in eye care. This step in the NVRI’s research is closely aligned with the ethos and mission of the Australian College of Optometry (ACO), which the NVRI sits within. The ACO is focused on improving eye health outcomes through direct clinical services to underserved communities, as well as evidence-based professional development to optometrists across Australia and New Zealand.
Bulk billing extended to all children
November, 2023ACO Eye Health is proud to announce it has extended bulk billing to all eye examinations for children under the age of 18, with immediate effect from October 30 2023. The public health eye care provider hopes that the extension will remove any financial barrier to paediatric eye care.
The change to billing includes all paediatric services including its Children’s Clinic and advanced Myopia and Binocular Vision clinics in Carlton, as well as services provided at the ACO Eye Health’s seven satellite clinics throughout Melbourne. Established in response to the increasing rate of myopia, ACO Eye Health’s Myopia Clinic is the only public health clinic of its kind in Victoria.
ACO Eye Health has always been, and continues to be, at the forefront of excellence in paediatric eyecare. Led by optometrists with expert training in their field, the Children’s Clinic employs state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to assess each case. Treatment plans are always tailored to individuals based on the best evidence practice to achieve the optimal health outcome.
This dedication to clinical excellence is matched only by its commitment to public health optometry. The not-for-profit organisation feels strongly that cost should not deter families accessing the eyecare a child requires, including access to advanced care such as axial measurement available through its Myopia Clinic. Many of ACO Eye Health’s services are heavily subsidised and provided at a lower cost, including myopia control options.
Zeinab Fakih, Manager of Paediatric and Rehabilitation Services, played a significant role in securing the extension of bulk billing for all children aged under eighteen years.
She commented, “We are thrilled to be extending bulk billing to include all paediatric examinations at ACO Eye Health. We are very aware that risks to children’s eye health are increasing, particularly with the rising prevalence of myopia. Early intervention is essential to offer the best outcome for a child’s long-term eye health. Cost simply should not be a factor in whether a child can access eye care.”
Kylie Harris, Director of Operations, said, “The decision to take this next step in removing financial concerns reflects the ethos of ACO Eye Health. We are committed to ensuring high quality, equitable eye care for everyone who needs it and as an organisation, we’ll always explore how to improve accessibility to our services.”
In addition to removing financial barriers, the ACO Eye Health’s Children’s Clinic welcomes children with complex needs who may otherwise struggle to access care in other optometry settings. Equipped with highly trained optometrists, the public health paediatric clinic supports children with developmental or health conditions and special needs to access the care that they need.
Eye care professionals are reminded that referrals are not required to attend ACO Eye Health but are always welcome.
*For Medicare eligible consultations only*.
25 years at VAHS
October, 2023As true with many things, great public health work is achieved in no small part through collaboration and partnership with organisations that care deeply about the communities they support. One such partnership is the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) clinic embedded in the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) in Fitzroy, which is celebrating 25 years of operation.
Read about our 25 years of optometry care at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in Fitzroy here
Dementia-friendly eye care
September, 2023Dementia Awareness Week is a timely reminder of the obstacles those living with dementia experience when accessing healthcare, including optometry services, and the steps we must take to create a dementia-friendly future.
Dr Marianne Coleman, Clinical Vision Research Fellow with the ACO’s National Vision Research Institute and the University of Melbourne’s Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, has collaborated with Dementia Australia Research Foundation to examine how we can improve the experience of receiving eye care for people with dementia and family caregivers supporting them.
Throughout this research, Marianne has worked closely with people living with dementia, family caregivers (both supported by a social worker) and eyecare professionals to identify and remove barriers to eyecare. Improving access to eyecare and thereby promoting better eye health helps people with dementia maintain their independence and live at home for longer.
From this work, Marianne has produced information booklet about dementia-friendly eye tests and eyecare. Designed in consult with Dementia Advocates, the booklet responds to the concern that people with dementia and carers were unsure whether the dementia diagnosis was relevant to their eye examination, or what would change about their experience if they notified the optometrist in advance. The new resource enables them to communicate the type of dementia they have and any difficulties they might face during the examination, such as spatial navigation issues, concentration problems or decreased energy levels.
ASRC outreach eye clinic
May, 2023Asylum seeker and refugee communities experience significant barriers in accessing eye health services due to cost, Medicare ineligibility, low health literacy, language barriers and limited knowledge of Australian health service systems. Providing care in ‘standard’ setting is unlikely to reach those most in need or produce the best results.
In 2022, ACO Eye Health, in partnership with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), set up an outreach eye care clinic at ASRC’s Health Centre in Footscray to deliver culturally appropriate eye care services to asylum seekers and refugees. Supported through the Perpetual IMPACT Philanthropy Program, the clinic has been established based on ACO Eye Health’s expertise and knowledge from running an embedded clinic at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service for the past 25 years.