Special guests: Ashleigh Peters of Wollongong City Optical
Date: 25 February 2026
Time: 12 PM (AEDT)
Location: Zoom (link will be sent 48 hours before the event)
*Live attendance fee:
- $3 for members
- $7.30 for non-members
*Attendants will receive a recording of the event for access within two weeks of the event.
TAMS is pleased to present a special webinar session with Ashleigh Peters of Wollongong City Optical, an optometrist with a special interest in dry eye disease and comprehensive eye health examinations. As a person living with indolent systemic mastocytosis and a proud parent of a child on the neurodiversity spectrum, Ashleigh maintains a compassionate and patient-centred approach in her practice, with an emphasis on flexibility and supporting the additional needs some patients may have during their eye examinations.
This webinar will explore why individuals with mast cell activation disorders (MCADs) may have an increased risk of allergic conjunctivitis, dry eye disease and blepharitis, and why symptoms such as itchiness, dryness and eyelid swelling can worsen during flares, including increased eye strain and visual fatigue.
Topics, informed by current research and evidence-based approaches to managing eye discomfort in people living with MCADs, will include:
- Advice to address triggers for eye discomfort, such as allergens, air quality, makeup, screen time and poor sleep
- Specific eye drops, ointments and eyelid cleansers that may assist with dry eye, allergy and blepharitis
- Indications for warm or cool eyelid compresses, and in-office treatments
- Oral supplementation which may support both dry eye and mast cell stability
- Improving comfort with glasses, including specialty tints, moisture chamber glasses and sleep masks
- MCADs and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and EDS’ impact on eye health
- Red flag symptoms that require further investigation
This session will be relevant for patients, carers and healthcare providers seeking a clearer understanding of how optometry can support eye health, comfort and visual function for people living with MCADs.
