In Australia, the first known case of Spanish flu – also referred to as ‘pneumonic influenza’ in this country – was reported on 10 January 1919.1 Fifty days later, on 1 March 1919, the very first issue of Clinical and Experimental Optometry – then called The Commonwealth Optometrist – was published.2 Notwithstanding the significant morbidity, mortality, social upheaval and economic disruption associated with such a pandemic, this timing was fortuitous from the perspective of ophthalmic...
