A team from the Terrace Eye Centre (TEC), consisting of Drs Sunil Warrier and Matthew Cranstoun as well as Anaesthetist Dr Conrad Macrokanis, and experienced TEC Ophthalmic assistants, returned to Longreach this October

to continue the good work established by Dr Bill Glasson. Dr Glasson, a Longreach local, established these trips in 1989  with the aim of providing an Ophthalmological service to the hard-working people of rural and regional Northwest Queensland.

Since their inception, these visits have been designed to limit the burden of travel to the people of Longreach and surrounding areas, and with the recent addition of Zeiss diagnostic OCT, YAG laser with selective laser trabeculoplasty capability, and Zeiss Humphrey Perimeter, the consulting suite at the Longreach Hospital is now a fully equipped, state-of-the-art clinical centre.

In addition to the new equipment, the Terrace Eye Centre’s visiting surgeons continue to provide comprehensive general and subspeciality ophthalmology care and over the 4 days of this trip, were able to perform over 35 cataract procedures as well as intraocular stenting for glaucoma, sutured intraocular lenses, and complex oculoplastics and skin cancer removal. Over 150 patients were cared for during the visit and it was deemed a great success by all involved.

Of note, sincere gratitude must also go to the staff and members of the Longreach Hospital and Health Service, whose tireless work also ensures that the service can continue. We look forward to continuing these valuable and collaborative clinics into the future.