Dr Jacqueline Beltz – Founder of Okkiyo eyewear and Melbourne ophthalmology
As an ophthalmologist, sometimes I need to help patients navigate vision loss – and one of the most powerful things I can offer them is hope. Jo embodies that hope in action.
Through #livewellwithvisionloss, she shows that life with low vision can be bold, adventurous, and deeply fulfilling. Whether she’s indoor skydiving, surfing, confidently applying eyeliner on camera, or patiently teaching me how to walk with a white cane while blindfolded beside a swimming pool, Jo demonstrates courage, humour, and an extraordinary willingness to step outside her comfort zone. That spirit is contagious.
She does not minimise the challenges of vision loss, she acknowledges them honestly. But she also refuses to let them define the limits of her life. Her positive, proactive approach to disability is exactly what so many patients need to see: that independence, confidence, and joy are still absolutely possible.
I am so grateful for the example she sets and cannot wait to recommend her resources to my patients. Jo is living proof that while vision loss changes life, it does not diminish its potential.
Dr Jacqueline Beltz is a leading Australian ophthalmologist, surgical educator, and founder whose work bridges clinical excellence, innovation, and inclusive design. She completed medical school in Tasmania in 2000 and ophthalmology training in Victoria in 2009, followed by two years of subspecialty training in corneal transplantation — one of which was spent living and working in Italy. Dr Beltz is a highly respected cataract, corneal transplant, and refractive surgeon who lectures widely and has authored numerous research papers and textbook chapters. She dedicates the majority of her time to public practice at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne and also works in private practice. Additionally, she holds an honorary appointment with the Centre for Eye Research Australia and is deeply involved in surgical education, running platforms such as GENEYE for trainees and peers.
Dr Beltz is also the founder of Meet Dr Jacqueline Beltz – OKKIYO founder bio and the visionary behind OKKIYO eyewear and cosmetics for sensitive eyes, an ophthalmologist‑designed beauty brand created to empower people with sensitive eyes and vision conditions. Frustrated by the common clinical advice to avoid makeup, she developed a range of products that avoid typical irritants while helping users feel confident and expressive — with features like accessible packaging and formulations suitable for those with dry eye, allergies, or other sensitivities.
Through her clinical leadership, surgical teaching, and entrepreneurial work, Dr Beltz inspires patients and professionals alike to prioritise eye health without compromising personal style, inclusivity, or quality of life.