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As it was, the moving tribute paid to him at the start of the day's proceedings reminded all of his positive contribution to the contact lens world. Most fittingly, some of Ron's beloved jazz music was played. An uplifting moment that he would have very much appreciated.
AirOptix Individual
The educational element of the day began with Dr Tim Giles (global head of professional services for specialty lenses) introducing the new AirOptix Individual lens due to be launched at this year's BCLA.
This lens (of which we had a sneaky preview at the American Academy before Christmas - Optician, January 12, 2007) is to be available in powers ranging from +20DS to -20DS, in two different diameters and a range of base curves. At last the benefits of silicone hydrogel material will be available to patients with previously prohibitive ametropia or ocular anatomical variation. Interested readers should look out for the lens at the forthcoming BCLA Conference.
The potential benefits of the lens were underlined by the next speaker, Professor Wolfgang Sickenberger, who had been involved in clinical trials of AirOptix Individual run at the University of Applied Science in Jena. He had fitted many patients, some with high ametropia, some with unusually large horizontal visible iris diameter, and here presented case studies illustrating their successful correction with the new lens where previously they had been unable to be adequately fitted. He also introduced some novel concepts to aid the clinician in fitting soft lenses. One way of helping to predict the base curve of choice, bearing in mind the limits of central corneal keratometry in soft lens choice, was to use corneal/scleral profiling. This simple technique involves the lining up of the slit-lamp slit over and perpendicular to the limbus. The kink in the line so produced usefully implies the steepness of the cornea to sclera angle and, if steep, then a shorter base curve might be better chosen. He also advocated that all clinicians look for LIPCOF (lid parallel conjunctival folds) when assessing a patient for dry eye. The presence of LIPCOF might suggest a lower water but higher Dk lens choice, such as a silicone hydrogel.
CLs wearers feel better
Hot on the heels of her recent lecture at the College of Optometrists Conference, Dr Fiona Fylan (Leeds Metropolitan University) gave an excellent summary of the way patients cope with various vision correction modalities. She cited several studies comparing the quality of life of spectacle wearers with contact lens wearers. It appears that contact lens wearers have increased confidence in many areas, including self perception and driving ability. Fylan also pointed out that, with specific regard to self appearance, contact lens wear allowed a patient to choose a designer pair of sunglasses which might otherwise be unavailable to them if corrective lenses could not be introduced to the frame.
Fylan also introduced the concept of 'cognitive dissonance'. This relates to the negativity a patient may feel after being disappointed. A patient may really look forward to having new contact lenses so that when a practitioner says they are not suitable (something that sadly still happens despite nearly everyone now being suitable for a trial) they succumb to a negative frame of mind that may have a negative effect on their future outlook.
It may well be that a patient's reluctance to try new modes of correction may be traced back to previous negative experiences with practitioners and it is up to us to turn this situation around.
Grand finale
Most delegates looked forward to the final presentation, now that Brian Tompkins' reputation as a skilled entertainer as well as educator precedes him.
He did not let anyone down as was immediately obvious the moment he entered the newly dimmed auditorium carrying a flaming torch. The hotel had been pre-warned to switch off the sprinkler system. He then offered the audience the chance to guess a number of food items cryptically presented and then related them to contact lens work.
For example, having identified butter, the audience then heard about the problems of lipid deposition and meibomian gland dysfunction on contact lenses. He emphasised throughout the importance of keeping both the consulting room and shop floor experience as 'fun and funky' as possible to ensure patient confidence and loyalty. The grand finale involved him putting all the ingredients together and flambéing them. An interesting ending to an excellent day of learning.
Ron would have been proud.