Shared conference, shared goals
From left: Ian Humphreys, Professor Leon Davies, Rakesh Kapoor and Luke Stevens-Burt
The College of Optometrists and British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) welcomed around 900 attendees to Optometry Tomorrow 2024 at the Telford International Centre last month, which for the first time incorporated BCLA Focus.
This was the 20th year of the College of Optometrists’ flagship event, and its first collaboration with the BCLA.
In his opening speech, College CEO, Ian Humphreys, said: “I am delighted that our two organisations have come together for this collaborative event. The College of Optometrists and the British Contact Lens Association share a common goal: to advance the field of eyecare and enhance the quality of life for patients through innovation, education, and collaboration. Through this joint event, we are uniting our expertise, knowledge, and resources to achieve this shared vision.”
Luke Stevens-Burt, BCLA CEO, added: “The combining of both events allows for the exchange of knowledge and expertise between both fields.”
Artificial Intelligence was the subject of the 20th Anniversary Keynote Lecture. Delivered by Pearse Keane, Professor of Artificial Medical Intelligence at the Institute of Ophthalmology, ‘Transforming eyecare with artificial intelligence’ explained how the widespread adoption of AI will help ophthalmologists spend more time treating people with complex eye diseases, and how it can be harnessed as a force for good in both optometry and ophthalmology.
Dr Alicia Thompson delivers a lecture
Myopia was the focus of the Charter Lecture, in collaboration with the BCLA. It was delivered by Professor Kathryn Saunders, who leads the Northern Ireland Childhood Errors of Refraction (NICER) Study, the largest prospective study of eyes and vision in childhood in the UK and Ireland. Her lecture, ‘Myopia management: current evidence and future directions’, presented a future landscape of myopia and the vital role of optometrists in its management.
Dr Gillian Rudduck is inaugurated as the new College president
The event also saw a presentation by ABDO director of research, education and professional development, Dr Alicia Thompson, on paediatric dispensing.
Attendees were also able to benefit from numerous face-to-face learning and networking opportunities, interactive sessions, workshops, and industry-led talks. There were 27 practical workshops, 56 small group sessions, 12 peer review sessions and 10 business and communications skills sessions, with delegates able to attend 110 CPD sessions over the two days.
As well as the academic programme, Optomfest took place on the Sunday evening, offering visitors the opportunity to unwind and socialise with friends and colleagues, at a social celebration of twenty years of Optometry Tomorrow. The conference also featured a trade exhibition with 34 exhibitors and sponsors.
Deborah Bott, Ahalya Subramanian, David Edgar, Pouya Alaghband, John Lawrenson and Peter Campbell were the winners of the 2024 Best Early Career Poster for their poster, ‘Barriers and enablers to managing glaucoma medication adherence: an interview study with UK specialist eyecare professionals’.
Jane M. Fulton, Tsz Wing Leung, Sara J. McCullough, Lesley Doyle, Nicola S. Logan, Carly S.Y. Lam and Kathryn Y. Saunders won the 2024 Best Poster Overall, for their poster, ‘The PreMO (Predicting Myopia Onset and Progression) Risk Indicator reliably predicts future myopia in both UK and Hong Kong children’.
The event also featured the College of Optometrists 2024 AGM, which saw Dr Gillian Rudduck inaugurated as College president. All the new College council appointments can be seen here.
View photos of the event here.