Optician takes a look at what learning opportunities will be available at 100% Optical.
What not to do
In this talk the Association of Optometrist’s head of professional discipline, Cassandra Dighton, and solicitor Nan Mousley, will explore the impacts of dishonesty in the sector and educate practitioners on its consequences.
They will explore the legal definition of dishonest and reflect on cases they have been involved in to identify common mistakes made by optometrists in practice.
- Dishonesty and the optical sector: 14:30-15:30 April 23 and 10:45-11:45 April 25 at the AOP Lounge
Myopia on the agenda
The World Health Organization’s World Report on Vision, released in 2019, highlighted that myopia is of growing concern. Since its release, myopia has become a more prominent issue in eye care.
Andrew Sanders, professional services director at Hoya Lens UK, will host a workshop about myopia management. He will lead a discussion on current myopia intervention strategies and their suitability for different patients.
Ed Mallen, professor of physiological optics at the University of Bradford, will also consider myopia management. He will explore the ocular threats of myopia and the theories on the increase of its prevalence. He will also consider the various interventions to slow progression.
- Myopia discussion workshop: 14:30-15:30 April 23 and 12:00-13:00 April 25 at the Dispensing Workshop
- Myopia – Pathways to therapy: 12:00-13:00 April 23 at the Main Stage
Impacts of AI
Once considered the preserve of science fiction, artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to make its impact felt in several sectors. Spa Medica’s medical director Alex Silvester will be exploring the what, how and when of the new technology’s relationship to ophthalmology.
In his session, Silvester will explore the impact deep learning has had on the analysis of fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography and visual fields. He will also update attendees on the opportunities for telemedicine that AI could provide, including its possible use for screening, diagnosis and monitoring eye disease in primary care and community settings.
- AI in ophthalmology: 13:30-14:30 April 23, 24 and 25 at the Future Practice Consulting Room
Preventative eyecare
The positives of behavioural change, and how to communicate these effectively to patients, will be explored by Shelby Temple, co-founder and director at Azul Optics, and Essilor’s Transitions category consultant, Emily Morris, and brand consultant, Alice Porter.
In their lecture, Morris, Porter and Temple will educate delegates on how to advise patients on modifiable risk factors to protect their ocular health. Their talk will explore the scientific backing for various behaviours that patients can adopt or integrate into their lives and the risk factors for the UK’s leading cause of sight loss: age-related macular degeneration.
- Preventative eye care: 13:15-14:15 April 23, 24 and 25 at the Future Practice Refraction Suite
OCT expertise
Heidelberg Engineering’s clinical affairs manager, Tim Cole, and Topcon’s clinical affairs manager, Nicola Bennett, will present lectures on how to better interpret optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Cole says that while nobody is born with an innate ability to interpret OCT images, becoming confident at identifying and diagnosing clinical features of them is achievable through quality education.
- How to become an OCT expert: 10:45-11:45 April 23, Optical Academy
- Building the jigsaw – OCT interpretation: 10.45-11.45 April 24, Optical Academy
Talking contacts
In a session designed for all members of the optical team, Rakhee Thakrar, professional affairs associate at Bausch and Lomb, will run through how to effectively communicate with patients, cover the different types of contact lenses available and bust myths around patients’ suitability for their wear.
Thakrar will also offer tips and advice on methods practices can use to promote their contact lens offerings.
- Let’s talk about contact lenses: 16:45-17:30 April 23 at the Future Practice Diagnostics Suite