The Patricia Lance Lecture is presented by a person ‘eminent in the field of vision’.

The lecture is presented at the Annual Scientific Conference of the Orthoptics Australia (OA) by invitation of the Council of the OA.

Background Information

Patricia Mary Lance completed her training in orthoptics in 1941 at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, the second year the training course was offered in NSW.

Patricia Lance was a foundation member of the OA and among other positions held that of president for a record six terms of office. She contributed regularly at Annual Scientific Conferences and in subsequent years at International Orthoptic Association Congresses.

She helped draw up the constitution of the International Orthoptic Association (IOA) and became Australia’s first IOA Representative on the Council of Management. She was later elected to the Permanent Scientific Committee of the IOA.

In 1948 Patricia Lance was appointed Tutor Orthoptist for the Sydney based training school and in 1973 was appointed Head of School with the formation of the New South Wales College of Paramedical Studies (later renamed Cumberland College of Health Sciences). She held this position until her retirement in 1987.

In 1969 Miss Lance was made an Honorary Member of the OA in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the both the orthoptic profession and the Association. This award was later converted to Fellow of the OA.

Patricia Lance's long and devoted service to her profession was formally recognised in 1979 when she was awarded an MBE for services to health.

In October 1987 the Council of the OA decided that a lecture to be known as The Patricia Lance Lecture should be inaugurated in 1988 and that this lecture should be presented at the Annual Scientific Conference of the OA by a person eminent in the field of vision, on invitation of the Council of the OA.

Past Presenters of the Patricia Lance Lecture

1988    Elaine Cornell (Inaugural)
1989    Alison Pitt
1990    Anne Fitzgerald
1992    Carolyn Calcutt
1993    Assoc Prof Judy Seaber
1995    Dr David Mackey
1997    Robin Wilkinson
1998    Kerry Fitzmaurice
1999    Pierre Elmurr
2005    Dr Kathryn Rose
2006    Dr Frank Martin
2008    Stephen Vale
2009    Dr Michael Coote
2010    Prof David Ben-Tovim