Skip to main content

Practical Ophthalmology: Conference & Workshop

Practical Ophthalmology: Conference & Workshop

Enhance your confidence and clinical skills in veterinary ophthalmology!

Join us for the return of the Practical Ophthalmology Conference & Workshop in 2026 — an immersive, hands-on learning experience led by Dr Mark Billson, Dr Allyson Groth, and Dr David Maggs.

Mark Billson, Allyson Groth, and David Maggs will place special emphasis on performing a high-yield ophthalmic exam with the instruments already in your clinic, choosing the best diagnostic tests, perfecting ophthalmic surgical techniques, and discussing which drugs to use when.

All 3 speakers work with referring vets on a daily basis and their philosophy is to emphasise a group of concepts that they call 'TIWIKIPS' (or 'Things I Wish I'd Known In Practice') with the ultimate goal that you leave the course saying "I am going back to try this in my practice next week". 

Enrolling in this course will provide you with a full day of theory that you can put into practice in the following full day practical workshop. There will be opportunities for ophthalmic examination with live dogs and hands-on surgery in the wet lab using cadavers. You will unlock new knowledge and enhance your practical capabilities while immersing yourself in an enriching educational experience. 

Prerequisite: You must complete the 1-day conference part of this course to do the 1-day workshop.

Past Participant:

Very informative, engaging, and practical for anyone who either works in GP and just want to gain more confidence in eyes or those who have special interest in ophthalmology. The weekend granted me with solid foundational knowledge and practical insights that I can't wait to bring home and share with my colleagues at clinic. Dr David, Dr Mark and Dr Allyson are all extremely genuine, kind, and approachable. I am really grateful that I made the decision to participate in the conference and workshop.” 
Dawn

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Carry out and interpret a complete neuro-ophthalmic examination (cranial nerves, responses, and reflexes).
  • Conduct a thorough assessment of the anterior segment (eyelids, conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and lens) and interpret your findings
  • Examine and evaluate the fundus (vitreous, choroid, tapetum, retina, and optic nerve) as part of a complete fundic examination.
  • Use and interpret common ophthalmic diagnostic tests (aqueous flare, Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain, tear film breakup time, nasolacrimal flush, rebound and applanation tonometry).
  • Learn and practice surgical techniques for correction of entropion, ectropion, “cherry eye,” and indolent ulcers; eyelid tumour removal; and enucleation.


Program

Who should enrol?

This course is suitable for qualified veterinarians. Veterinary students are welcome to enrol in the conference only.

 

 2-days (Conference + Workshop)

Conference Only

Registrant Type  Early Bird Full Rate   Early Bird   Full Rate 
Member*  $2988 $3145  $715 $750
Recent Grad / Part-Time Professional Member  $2845 $2865  $450 $470
 Student Member  N/A  N/A  N/A $376
eMember / Non-Member  N/A $3640  N/A $980

*Members include: Practice, Professional and Academic members.

Workshops and Conferences
Saturday, 28 February 2026 to
Sunday, 01 March 2026
9:00 AM
20 CPD Point/s
Early Bird
23 Jan 2026

Veterinary Science Conference Centre
Regimental Drive
The University of Sydney NSW
Workshops and Conferences
Saturday, 28 February 2026 to
Sunday, 01 March 2026
9:00 AM
20 CPD Point/s
Early Bird
23 Jan 2026

Veterinary Science Conference Centre
Regimental Drive
The University of Sydney NSW

Join the CVE

Become a member today to receive member pricing

Join Now

Sponsor/s

Workshop Sponsor
Workshop Sponsor

Tutor/s

Mark Billson
BVSc PhD DVOphthal DipVetClinStud MRCVS
Dr Mark Billson graduated from the University of Sydney in 1990. He developed an interest in eyes early on in his career that led to research into a bacterial eye disease in cattle...
Allyson Groth
BVSc MANZCVS DACVO
Allyson grew up in Gippsland, Victoria, and completed her veterinary degree at the University of Melbourne. After working as a tutor at Sydney University Veterinary School she comp...
David Maggs
BVSc (Hons) Dipl. ACVO
Following graduation from the University of Melbourne in 1988, David spent 5 years in mixed practice throughout Australia, England, Scotland, and Wales. He then completed small ani...
Mark Billson
BVSc PhD DVOphthal DipVetClinStud MRCVS
Dr Mark Billson graduated from the University of Sydney in 1990. He developed an interest in eyes early on in his career that led to research into a bacterial eye disease in cattle...
Allyson Groth
BVSc MANZCVS DACVO
Allyson grew up in Gippsland, Victoria, and completed her veterinary degree at the University of Melbourne. After working as a tutor at Sydney University Veterinary School she comp...
David Maggs
BVSc (Hons) Dipl. ACVO
Following graduation from the University of Melbourne in 1988, David spent 5 years in mixed practice throughout Australia, England, Scotland, and Wales. He then completed small ani...

Invalid Event Selection

This event either doesn't exist or is no longer available.

Return to Continuing Education

Practical Ophthalmology: Conference & Workshop

Practical Ophthalmology: Conference & Workshop
Improve your understanding and capabilities in veterinary ophthalmology! Mark Billson, Allyson Groth, and David Maggs will place special emphasis on performing a high-yield ophthalmic exam with the instruments already in your clinic, choosing the best diagnostic tests, perfecting ophthalmic surgical techniques, and discussing which drugs to use when. All 3 speakers work with referring vets on a daily basis and their philosophy is to emphasise a group of concepts that they call 'TIWIKIPS' (or 'Things I Wish I'd Known In Practice') with the ultimate goal that you leave the course saying "I am going back to try this in my practice next week". Enrolling in this course will provide you with a full day of theory that you can put into practice in the following full day practical workshop. There will be opportunities for ophthalmic examination with live dogs and hands-on surgery in the wet lab using cadavers. You will unlock new knowledge and enhance your practical capabilities while immersing yourself in an enriching educational experience.

Enhance your confidence and clinical skills in veterinary ophthalmology!

Join us for the return of the Practical Ophthalmology Conference & Workshop in 2026 — an immersive, hands-on learning experience led by Dr Mark Billson, Dr Allyson Groth, and Dr David Maggs.

Mark Billson, Allyson Groth, and David Maggs will place special emphasis on performing a high-yield ophthalmic exam with the instruments already in your clinic, choosing the best diagnostic tests, perfecting ophthalmic surgical techniques, and discussing which drugs to use when.

All 3 speakers work with referring vets on a daily basis and their philosophy is to emphasise a group of concepts that they call 'TIWIKIPS' (or 'Things I Wish I'd Known In Practice') with the ultimate goal that you leave the course saying "I am going back to try this in my practice next week". 

Enrolling in this course will provide you with a full day of theory that you can put into practice in the following full day practical workshop. There will be opportunities for ophthalmic examination with live dogs and hands-on surgery in the wet lab using cadavers. You will unlock new knowledge and enhance your practical capabilities while immersing yourself in an enriching educational experience. 

Prerequisite: You must complete the 1-day conference part of this course to do the 1-day workshop.

Past Participant:

Very informative, engaging, and practical for anyone who either works in GP and just want to gain more confidence in eyes or those who have special interest in ophthalmology. The weekend granted me with solid foundational knowledge and practical insights that I can't wait to bring home and share with my colleagues at clinic. Dr David, Dr Mark and Dr Allyson are all extremely genuine, kind, and approachable. I am really grateful that I made the decision to participate in the conference and workshop.” 
Dawn

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Carry out and interpret a complete neuro-ophthalmic examination (cranial nerves, responses, and reflexes).
  • Conduct a thorough assessment of the anterior segment (eyelids, conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and lens) and interpret your findings
  • Examine and evaluate the fundus (vitreous, choroid, tapetum, retina, and optic nerve) as part of a complete fundic examination.
  • Use and interpret common ophthalmic diagnostic tests (aqueous flare, Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain, tear film breakup time, nasolacrimal flush, rebound and applanation tonometry).
  • Learn and practice surgical techniques for correction of entropion, ectropion, “cherry eye,” and indolent ulcers; eyelid tumour removal; and enucleation.


Program

Who should enrol?

This course is suitable for qualified veterinarians. Veterinary students are welcome to enrol in the conference only.

 

 2-days (Conference + Workshop)

Conference Only

Registrant Type  Early Bird Full Rate   Early Bird   Full Rate 
Member*  $2988 $3145  $715 $750
Recent Grad / Part-Time Professional Member  $2845 $2865  $450 $470
 Student Member  N/A  N/A  N/A $376
eMember / Non-Member  N/A $3640  N/A $980

*Members include: Practice, Professional and Academic members.

When
28/02/2026 9:00 AM - 1/03/2026 5:00 PM
AUS Eastern Summer Time
Where
Veterinary Science Conference Centre Regimental Drive The University of Sydney, NSW 2006 AUSTRALIA
Registration
Online registration not available.