MYOPIA PROFILE FOUNDERS
Dr Kate Gifford
Director
Dr Kate Gifford is a clinician-scientist, peer educator and professional leader based in Brisbane, Australia, and a co-founder of Myopia Profile. Kate graduated from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2003 with First Class Honours and a University Medal, and was awarded her PhD in contact lens optics in myopia from QUT in 2018. She holds four professional fellowships, over 90 peer reviewed and professional publications, and has presented over 200 conference lectures around the world, primarily on clinical myopia management. Kate was the youngest ever National President of Optometry Australia from 2014-16, was awarded the inaugural BCLA President’s Award, named the QUT Young Alumnus of the Year in 2017 and named one of the world's Top Myopia Influencers in 2021. Kate holds a Visiting Research Fellow position at QUT, and was in clinical practice until late 2020, now working full-time on Myopia Profile. When not talking, thinking and dreaming about myopia, Kate is a mediocre runner, aspiring yogi, green tea addict, voracious reader and amateur travel film-maker.
Dr Paul Gifford
Director
Dr Paul Gifford is a research scientist and industry innovator based in Brisbane, Australia, and co-founder of Myopia Profile. Paul graduated from City University, London, England in 1995; completed his Masters in 2005 and was awarded his PhD in hyperopic orthokeratology and contact lens optics in 2009 from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia. Paul’s experience includes every facet of the optometry profession, from clinical practice to academia, research and industry. He holds three professional fellowships, more than 60 peer reviewed and professional publications, has been conferred several prestigious research awards and grants, and has presented more than 60 conference lectures around the world. Paul is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at UNSW and consults to contact lens industry on projects relating to product and systems design and software solutions including machine learning. In his spare time, Paul is a new tech explorer, cooking enthusiast, fancy coffee fanatic, avid reader and a much better runner than Kate.
MYOPIA PROFILE TEAM MEMBERS
Kimberley Ngu
Educational Content Developer
Kimberley Ngu is a clinical optometrist based in Perth, Australia. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2013. Having grown up in a society where myopia is a natural rite of passage for every child, Kimberley's interest in myopia management started as a graduate optometrist working with a largely paediatric population. She has also spent two years working in Singapore, where the prevalence of myopia is highest in the world, and was involved in developing and delivering educational programs for preschool children and parents on the risks of myopia. Kimberley has volunteered twice in Myanmar, supporting a teaching program developing clinical skills of the local refractionists. Outside of optometry, she spends too much time swing dancing, baking and fighting off pests in her veggie patch.
Read Kimberley's work in the CASE STUDIES domain of MyopiaProfile.com. Kimberley also manages our Myopia Profile and My Kids Vision Instagram and My Kids Vision Facebook platforms.
Connie Gan
Educational Content Developer
Connie Gan is a clinical optometrist based in Kedah, Malaysia. She graduated from the National Institute of Ophthalmic Science, Kuala Lumpur in 2017, and is a Fellow member of the Association of Malaysian Optometrists (AMO). Connie provides comprehensive vision care for children and runs the myopia management service in her clinical practice. In addition to this, Connie also participates actively in the Amblyopia and Visual Impairment Screening (AVIS) program run by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, to help detect visual impairment in preschool aged children which can affect normal development and impact learning. In her spare time, Connie is an underwater diver, swimmer and dessert addict.
Read Connie's work in the CASE STUDIES domain of MyopiaProfile.com. Connie also manages our Myopia Profile and My Kids Vision Instagram and My Kids Vision Facebook platforms.
Ailsa Lane
Educational Content Developer
Ailsa Lane is a Contact Lens Optician based in Kent, United Kingdom. With almost 20 years experience, Ailsa is a distance learning tutor for Dispensing Optician and Contact Lens Optician students through the ABDO College, and is currently completing her Advanced Diploma In Contact Lens Practice with Honours, which has ignited her interest and skills in understanding and contextualising scientific research. In 2022 Ailsa also commenced clinical tutoring in contact lens practice at City, University of London. Have been myopic since age 10 and a contact lens wearer for 30 years, Ailsa's experience on both sides of the microscope has fortified her passion for myopia control, ensuring children have their best vision now as well as healthier eyes for the future. Outside of optics, Ailsa enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids and energetic rescue pooch; as well as baking and re-reading her favourite English literature.
Read Ailsa's work in the SCIENCE domain of MyopiaProfile.com.
Ellie Arnall
Content Research and Reporting
Ellie Arnall is an experienced optometric assistant, optical dispenser and practice manager based in Brisbane, Australia. A qualified Veterinary Nurse, Ellie's family of optometrists (brother and uncle) saw her move from Vet practice into optometric practice several years ago. From late 2017 Ellie commenced working alongside Kate Gifford in their Brisbane City practice undertaking eye care diagnostics including optical coherence tomography (OCT), anterior eye imaging, axial length measurement, retinal imaging and dry eye management. A multi-talented technical whizz, Ellie's web and research skills are being combined with her clinical experience in her Myopia Profile work. In her spare time, Ellie has adventures with her faithful pooch Eva, crafts fancy cocktails and creates astounding eye makeup artistry.
Ellie's work is everywhere behind the scenes throughout MyopiaProfile.com and MyKidsVision.org.
Jeanne Saw
Educational Content Developer
Jeanne is a clinical optometrist based in Sydney, Australia. She graduated with a Masters of Optometry from the University of New South Wales in 2020. Jeanne developed a keen interest in myopia control and professional education after completing her final year university research project on international myopia prevalence, and discovering the impact of this worldwide health issue. While at University, Jeanne worked as a research assistant with leading vision scientists, and at the leading Sydney referral clinical the Centre for Eye Health. Jeanne has also consulted on development of educational materials for optometry students. When not writing for Myopia Profile or working in clinical practice, Jeanne enjoys scuba diving, reading, and trying new activities.
Read Jeanne's work in the CLINICAL domain of MyopiaProfile.com. Jeanne also writes for our My Kids Vision website, our public awareness platform, and supports development of new resources across our platforms.
Brian Peng
Educational Content Developer
Brian is a clinical optometrist based in Canberra, Australia. He graduated with a Master of Clinical Optometry from the University of New South Wales in 2020. Under the supervision of Dr Monica Jong (Global Director of Professional Education – Myopia, Johnson & Johnson Vision) his project on myopia epidemiology led him to be awarded the UNSW Research Project Prize, IMI Early Career Researcher Award, and presentation at ARVO annual meeting. Naturally, this work was followed by development of interests in myopia control, management of ocular pathology, and integrating patient education into primary care optometry. In his spare time, Brian is a fan of football (otherwise known as “soccer”), enjoys cooking, and immersing himself in car culture.
Read Brian's work on our My Kids Vision website, our public awareness platform. Brian also works on development of various new resources across MyopiaProfile.com.
Thomas Ford
Educational Content Developer
Tom is a clinical optometrist based in Adelaide, Australia. He graduated from Flinders University in 2021 and has a passion for myopia control and evidence-based eye care. Tom has experience working within a private ophthalmology group alongside ophthalmologists, being involved in the pre- and post-operative care of refractive, cataract and surgical patients in addition to the monitoring and management of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease. He also remains engaged within in the optometry community through roles with the Cornea and Contact Lens Society and Australian College of Optometry. In his spare time, you can find Tom trying new brunch locations or exploring scenic hikes across Adelaide.
Tom is busy working on development of new educational courses and resources to be shared on MyopiaProfile.com.
Judy Kwan
Educational Content Developer
Judy Kwan is a clinical optometrist based in Sydney, Australia. Judy graduated from University of New South Wales (UNSW) in 2006 and went on to complete her Masters of Optometry and Graduate Certificate in Therapeutics. She is very passionate about learning, education and development and currently holds positions in practice, student supervision and contact lens professional education consultancy. Her journey into myopia management began as a Research Optometrist for the Brien Holden Vision Institute that progressed into communicating and prescribing of orthokeratology and other myopia control methods to the paediatric and myopic kids, she continues to see across various Sydney optometric clinics. Outside of optometry, Judy goes on adventures with her two kids. In her down time, you might catch her admiring and creating arts and crafts.
Judy's extensive experience is being applied to a variety of new educational courses and resources to be shared on MyopiaProfile.com.
