The last 12 months has seen the continuing expansion of our successful and inclusive teaching program here at QEI. Our doctors have improved the level of eye care available to every Queenslander, via our talks and workshops for trainee eye surgeons, practising ophthalmologists, optometrists and general practitioners; and through direct public education via the media.
The monthly Grand Rounds program continues to be highly successful and a useful forum for local specialists to discuss complex cases with their colleagues, often to the benefit of the patient. In addition, these meetings provide excellent training opportunities for our future eye specialists.
Weekly registrar lectures by many Brisbane specialists were hosted in our QEI lecture theatre, as well as “hands-on” microsurgical workshops for trainees in QEI’s state-of-the-art video microscope wetlab. pictured 
QEI’s specialists presented teaching cases to other ophthalmologists at many conferences, and also taught hundreds of GPs and optometrists how to promptly and accurately diagnose eye disease. More than two hundred medical students attended our eye workshops, in which these doctors of the future are trained in the detection and treatment of common eye diseases.
Our staff specialists remain in close contact with their colleagues around the world, and contributed to doctor and patient education internationally through their international conference appearances, journal articles and textbooks.
It has been gratifying to create, and then maintain, the teaching program at QEI over the last four years but now it is my privilege to hand over this role to Professor Ravi Thomas, an internationally respected teacher and clinician who joined our staff in 2008. I am sure our vital teaching role in the ophthalmic community will continue to go from strength to strength under Professor Thomas’ direction.
Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all donors. Without loyal and dedicated support to the Prevent Blindness Foundation, none of this would be possible.
Sharing our new found knowledge and expertise in preventing blindness, preserving sight, and treating preventable eye conditions, means a brighter-looking future for everyone. 
