More natural-looking coloured contact lenses, support for patients in the early stages of lens wear, and grading systems for ocular signs were among key developments at this year’s BCLA Clinical Conference and Exhibition.
Held at the ICC in Birmingham (June 6-9), BCLA 2014 attracted 1,110 registered delegates and exhibition visitors, down from 1,242 in 2013. Delegates came from 51 countries, with the largest overseas contingents from the US, Denmark, Italy, Japan and Germany. Among the 44 companies exhibiting were 11 first-time exhibitors.
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Most prominent among the product launches was the long-awaited Miru 1 day from Menicon. Its ultra-thin foil and distinctive packaging design attracted interest on the David Thomas stand.
Alcon’s monthly silicone hydrogel Air Optix Colors and Johnson & Johnson’s forthcoming daily disposable Define, announced from the podium, heralded a new era of eye enhancing contact lenses with a more natural look and improved physiology. Practice support was also a strong theme for these companies, J&J introducing its eye grading app and Alcon a programme for support staff to help new wearers through the early stages of lens wear.
For CooperVision the emphasis was on meeting every patient’s need through its extensive product range and Sauflon promoted its family of silicone hydrogel daily disposables.
This year’s BCLA conference programme was the first to be organised by coordinator Nick Rumney and the first to run from Friday to Monday. New features were introduced to the four tracks of lectures, workshops, product presentations and poster sessions.
‘One or two key ideas clearly worked, namely the business track and the oversubscribed myopia session. Highlights will undoubtedly be the BCLA/Vision Expo International Global Contact Lens Forum, On the sofa and live surgery sessions,’ said Rumney.
Outgoing president Andy Yorke said: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as president of the BCLA, culminating in yet another great conference. We set ourselves some tough objectives – some of which we achieved, some of which are still a work in progress.’
Next year the BCLA has a new venue for its 39th annual conference, the Arena and Convention Centre in Liverpool (May 29 to June 1).