Gerry & Johnson Optometrists have been providing people of all ages with excellence in vision care since 1995.

Our practice has special interest and expertise in providing vision training for disorders of eye teaming, especially for children’s vision where eye coordination problems can affect learning. We are also renowned for our expertise in contact lenses, from disposables to custom designs.

Our practice incorporates cutting edge diagnostic equipment, at a level equal to many eye surgeons, to ensure the most comprehensive examination of your vision and eye health.

During the examination your clarity of vision, eye coordination, eye muscle balance and focussing ability will be evaluated. The health of your eyes will be thoroughly examined to check for any current or future risk of eye disease like glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration.

Our aim is to give you the vision to achieve your best.

Kate Johnson

BAppSc(Optom)Hons, GradCertOcTher(QUT), FBCLA, FIACLE, FCCLSA, FAAO

Optometrist and Contact Lens Practitioner
Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber
Clinical Instructor and Visiting Lecturer (QUT)
PhD Candidate (QUT)
Practice Owner

Kate Johnson graduated from QUT in 2003 with First Class Honours and a University Medal. She completed QUT’s Graduate Certificate of Ocular Therapeutics in 2006 to become an Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber. Kate joined Patrick Gerry Optometrists, now Gerry & Johnson Optometrists, in early 2005 and took over the practice in July 2007. Kate's particular areas of specialty are children's vision, binocular vision (management of eye coordination disorders which affect school, work and sport) and contact lenses, including Ortho-K, a specialised contact lens procedure for shortsightedness. Just this year Kate has commenced a part-time PhD examining the interaction between eye teaming and coordination and contact lenses for children and young adults with shortsightedness.

In the past two years Kate has achieved four professional fellowships which give her internationally recognized expertise in contact lens practice, general optometry and teaching. Kate teaches for a half-day per week as a clinical supervisor at the QUT School of Optometry Specialist Contact Lens Clinic, and is also a Visiting Lecturer at QUT. Along with five Contact Lens Supervisor colleagues, Kate won the QUT Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching for 2010.

Kate is the current President of the Optometrists Association Australia QLD/NT Division and has been involved in the QLD/NT Division for seven years. In 2011-12 she is also the QLD Director on the National Board of the OAA.

Kate has been an invited speaker at national and international conferences on the topics of OrthoK, Binocular Vision, and numerous Contact Lens topics. She has published in and reviewed for international peer-reviewed journals as well as being a regular contributing author to national publications of the Optometrists Association Australia.

Kate's current professional fellowships and memberships include:

• Fellow of the British Contact Lens Association (FBCLA)
• Fellow of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (FIACLE)
• Fellow of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia (FCCLSA) and past National Vice-President
• Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO)
• Member of the Optometrists Association of Australia
• Member and past National Treasurer of the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania
• Member of the Orthokeratology Academy of America.

Kate has recently presented lectures at:

• Queensland Vision Congress, Gold Coast 2010
• British Contact Lens Association Conference, 2010 and 2011.
• Orthokeratology Society of Oceania, Eighth Congress, Gold Coast 2010
• International Cornea and Contact Lens Congress, Sydney 2010
• Australian Vision Convention, Gold Coast 2011
• North Queensland Vision Conference, 2011
• NSW Ski Conference, Thredbo 2011
• American Academy of Optometry Meeting, Boston 2011

You can email Kate at kate@gjo.com.au
For any emergencies, contact Kate on 0411 109 076

Marissa Cassimatis

BAppSc(Optom)Hons, GradCertOcTher(QUT)

Optometrist and Contact Lens Practitioner
Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber
CASA Credentialled Optometrist

Marissa graduated from QUT in 2009 and has just completed her Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics to become an Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber. Marissa is a CASA Aviation Credentialled Optometrist giving her the ability to conduct eye examinations for pilots (both new and renewal of pilot's licence). Before joining Gerry & Johnson Optometrists in 2011, Marissa worked in corporate optometry, but has found her ability to customize each consultation to each patient is more suited to independent optometry with no limitations placed on clinical decision making.

To compliment her skills Marissa is fluent in Greek and is actively involved in the Greek community. She is also involved with the Optometrists Association Australia QLD/NT Division as a Board observer and member of their Education Committee.

Marissa’s particular areas of clinical interest include paediatric optometry; binocular vision disorder diagnosis and management (eye teaming and coordination for school, work and sport); contact lens fitting for children and adults of all ages; utlising the latest technology to diagnose, intervene and prevent vision loss; myopia control and intervention with children and teenagers; and Aviation optometry.

Marissa's current professional memberships include:

• The Optometrists Association of Australia
• The Orthokeratology Society of Oceania
• The Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia

Marissa has recently presented lectures at:

• Multidisciplinary Health Symposium, Sunshine Coast 2011
• EXPOsing Diabetes Congress, Cairns 2011.

You can email Marissa at marissa@gjo.com.au.

Courtenay Lind

BAppSc(Optom), MPhil, BMus, LMusA, AMusA

Optometrist and Contact Lens Practitioner

Courtenay graduated from QUT in 2010. She joined GJO after working in Hobart where she was involved with the Optometrists Association of Australia, TAS division, as a Board observer. In 2012, Courtenay will commence training for her Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics, to become an Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber. She is also proud to be assisting in the Indigenous Eye Health Program.

Courtenay also holds a Bachelor and Masters degree in Music Performance from the University of Queensland, and has completed a scholarship program to study at Melbourne's Australian National Academy of Music. In 2011, Courtenay was a Board member at state level for the Australian String Teachers Association. Courtenay continues to perform as a seasonal orchestral member with various groups, including Brisbane's Camerata of St Johns, and has a large base of young cello and piano students, whom she has enjoyed tutoring for over a decade.

Courtenay's particular areas of optometric interest include paediatric optometry, orthokeratology and the diagnosis and co-management of eye pathology. She finds particular interest in problem solving for patients who require unique answers in lens design to assist occupational, performance based or sporting scenarios.

Courtenay's current professional memberships include:
- The Optometrists Association of Australia
- The Orthokeratology Society of Oceania

You can email Courtenay at courtenay@gjo.com.au

Elle de Wet

BMassComm (QUT)

Practice Manager

Elle joined our practice in April 2009 as a receptionist and optical consultant, and has since moved into the Practice Manager position. Elle has a Bachelor of Mass Communication (QUT) which gave her specific experience in public relations, journalism, marketing and graphic design. Elle handpicks all of our stylish spectacle frames and sunglasses and is responsible for many innovations which make your visits to us easy and enjoyable. She can answer just about any optical question and is an expert in sourcing tricky-to-find optical products like prescription diving goggles, safety frames and vision training (eye exercise) equipment.

Elle keeps GJO running like clockwork and enjoys helping our patients to select the latest technology lenses and the perfect frames for their needs, or ensuring that they never run out of contact lenses! She enjoys the challenge of helping to run a busy practice, and applying her media communication skills, while also maintaining the friendly and helpful environment we aim to provide to you at GJO.

You can email Elle at elle@gjo.com.au

Katie Storrs

Optical Consultant and Receptionist – Full Time

Katie joined Gerry & Johnson Optometrists in April 2011 as a full time optical consultant and receptionist. Katie keeps the front desk running smoothly by managing the appointment book and providing full optometrist support. When you receive an sms reminder about your appointment, a reminder postcard to return for another visit, or your glasses or contact lenses are delivered by courier, they have all come from Katie! Katie has five years of past retail experience, and particularly enjoys interacting with all of our wonderful patients of all ages with her nonstop cheerfulness. Katie is in charge of our lolly jar - if you are good during your appointment she’ll let you have one!

You can email Katie at katie@gjo.com.au

Anna Reimers

Optical Consultant and Receptionist – Part Time

Anna joined the practice as our part-time receptionist and optical consultant in January 2008. Combining University studies with part time work at GJO since then, at the end of 2011 Anna will graduate from a Bachelor of Medical Imaging at QUT, and sadly will leave us to pursue her career as a Radiographer. Kate, who is Anna's big sister, never managed to convince her to study Optometry – but Anna has always excelled at the eye section of her anatomy studies! Anna is GJO’s resident bookkeeper and manages the financial side to keeping our patients’ eyes happy. She enjoys helping adults and children alike to pick their favourite frames and is knowledgable in the latest optical technologies. You will see Anna anywhere from 2 to 5 days a week, in at Gerry & Johnson Optometrists, depending on her University timetable. Even when she's not working, she regularly visits!

You can email Anna at anna@gjo.com.au

Leah Brown

Optical Consultant and Receptionist – Part Time

Leah has been a patient of Gerry & Johnson Optometrists since she was in primary school, and in January 2011 was brave enough to ask Kate for a job! Leah works at GJO part-time around her university studies; Bachelor of Design in Architectural Studies. Leah’s particular flair for graphic design can be seen on display at GJO in the various posters and digital media she has crafted. Leah has been wearing OrthoK contact lenses for many years and so is especially knowledgable in the experience of this special type of correction for shortsightedness (myopia).

You can email Leah at leah@gjo.com.au