Chris Bennett: The big conversation

Alcon’s role in putting together its eponymous conversation (In Focus) deserves recognition for creating a culture of communication so sadly lacking within optics.

The delicious irony of the Alconversation is that the primary finding of the forum is the need for optics to communicate. It certainly succeeded in making that happen.

The Alconversation provides the opportunity for questions to be posed to representatives of the optical bodies and an ophthalmologist was added to broaden the spread of opinion. Alcon had asked for the discussion to be positive and forward-looking with the focus on what had gone well during the year in review rather than looking to apportion blame. From the podium there was unanimity on topics such as better working with ophthalmology, communicating eye care messages to the public and promotion of products.