John Dixon Salt (chairman) and Roy Midwinter (treasurer) from the Ophthalmic Antiques International Collectors Club at the AIO conference in Warwickshire, 2023
Delegates attended the Association for Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians' (AIO) annual conference in Kenilworth, Warwickshire on October 7-8.
The two-day programme comprised three streams covering a diverse mix of topics, including: research presentations on future light-based therapies (by Professor of neuroscience, Glen Jeffery and astronomer Prof Robert Fosbury, UCL); the challenges of myopia management (Andrew Copley, product manager and head of professional services at Rodenstock) and insights into the world of domiciliary optometry (Simon Raw, optometrist at the Outside Clinic).
Alongside more clinical and research-focused sessions were topics of growing interest such as wellness and coaching (Sheena Tanna-Shah, optometrist and founder of Inspiring Success), diversity and inclusion (Wasim Sarwar, optometrist and co-founder of the Optom Academy), and social media management (Garry Kousoulou, dispensing optician and social media consultant).
Inside the exhibition hall there was ample opportunity for delegates to network with representatives from across the sector, including stands from this year’s platinum sponsors: SpaMedica and the Eyewear Company.
Delegates also had the chance to gain hands-on experience with the latest developments in ophthalmic instrumentation; for example, a VR based visual fields analyser.
CPD and networking were not the only benefits on offer; Pam Ernest (professional affairs consultant, at Johnson & Johnson Vision) and Elaine Yorwarth (optometrist and practice owner in Tonbridge) were the lucky winners of the hamper raffle.
Next year’s event is expected to take place at the same venue in October 2024. Further details will become available on the AIO website closer to the time.