Dry Eye Association NZ Public Education & Networking Event 2025

Dry Eye Association NZ Event Draws Full House

The New Zealand chapter of the Dry Eye Association (DEANZ) held its second Public Education & Networking Event on 18 May 2025, in the foyer of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland. Led by Professor Jennifer Craig, the Ocular Surface Laboratory hosted the event in partnership with Re:Vision, with sponsorship from Bausch + Lomb and BioRevive. The event brought together a lively crowd of people living with dry eye and their supporters for a day of education, discussion, and connection.

A highlight of the day was the small-group discussion session, where attendees shared personal experiences with dry eye. Common themes included difficulty accessing care – especially in rural areas, limited public funding for treatment, and a need for better coordination between optometrists and other health professionals. These conversations underscored the importance of patient voices in shaping more empathetic and effective eye care systems.

Morning presentations featured engaging talks from researchers Dr Ally Xue and Jordan Cooper (Ocular Surface Lab), Associate Professor Stuti Misra, ophthalmologist Dr Jay Meyer, and optometrist Adele Jefferies. Topics ranged from hormonal influences and light-based therapies to the impact of cosmetics on the ocular surface. DEANZ Chair Bas Crutzen closed the session with a moving account of his personal journey with dry eye.

Attendees also enjoyed lunch and networking, visiting sponsor booths and learning about current research from the Ocular Surface Lab team. An interactive blink test led by PhD candidate Catherine Jennings added a fun, competitive twist to the afternoon, followed by myth-busting with Dr Kalika Bandamwar and a live ocular exam demo from Professor Craig.

The day wrapped up with an enthusiastic call for future events. For all who attended, it was truly a day to remember!

FEATURED IMAGE – Teamwork makes the dream work!
(L–R, front row) Dr Kalika Bandamwar, Nicholas Atmadja, Catherine Jennings, Dian Zhuang
(L–R, back row) Nusha Mirza, Prof Jennifer Craig, Bas Crutzen (Chair, Dry Eye Association NZ), Adele Jefferies, Dr Jay Meyer, Assoc Prof Stuti Misra, Jordan Cooper, Julie Cullen
(Absent: Dr Ally Xue)