Event stats:
- 9,680 attendees
- 160 seminars, workshops and debates
- 100% Optical returns in 2023 on February 25-27
Scotlens hijacks 100% Optical’s digital brand
Exhibitor badges, event signs and the 100% Optical website contained a hidden message from Scott Brown, optometrist, clinical director and lens designer at Scotlens, urging practitioners to join its night lenses revolution. Scotlens hijacked the event’s digital branding so that when any of the assets were scanned on a smart device, a video message from Scotlens appeared.
VCHP targets new areas
Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) said interest from optometrists and dispensing opticians across the UK during 100% Optical was high as it sought to set up new regional clinics. Karen Gennard (pictured), an optometrist who opened a VCHP clinic in Gloucester, said: ‘VCHP provides great support with contracts and setting up. Their links with many equipment and frame companies are very useful and ensure that the clinic is well equipped to provide a comprehensive eye examination and glasses when they are needed.’
‘I’m hoping to do some CPD peer review lectures, mainly the OCT and myopia control sessions. It’s a good way to kind of do lots of learning all in one day.’
Milli Shah, optometrist at Brown and White Opticians
Gone phishing
Practice staff can be the weakest link in defending a business against phishing attacks, ransomware and other malware, delegates at 100% Optical heard.
In a briefing on data security in practice, Ocuco product owner, Sunny Bharaj, outlined the key steps in understanding the data a practice holds and how it can be protected. Bharaj said a 2020 study showed that low security-awareness among employees is a leading factor in data breaches.
Key in combating phishing attacks and ransomware threats was awareness among staff to mitigate ‘user-initiated actions’ that lead to breaches. He described the practice management system as the ‘backbone’ of that protection and described the role equipment, data management and human interaction plays. Training and professional IT advice was vital for heading off potentially costly data attacks, he concluded.
Taking lenses to task
Adlens offered attendees the chance to look over its new Taskmaster lens system, which uses two overlapping lenses with three settings that cover a wide range of visual needs.
‘Taskmaster has attracted a lot of interest at 100% Optical,’ said Victoria Main, marketing manager at Adlens. ‘Several practitioners have said they know specific patients that Taskmaster will really help.’
‘The energy that we get from people here today has been fantastic. It feels really nice to be back to having face-to-face events. I came to see the equipment we can use in clinics and for educational purposes, especially brands treating dry eye conditions, such as Visufarma and Johnson and Johnson.’
Dr Byki Huntjens, senior lecturer and programme director of optometry at City University of London
Demo cataract surgery held on CHEC stand
CHEC held an interactive activity, which allowed optometrists to practise the start of cataract surgery, with the procedure shown publicly on a large screen above. A model eye was used to mirror an accurate representation of the feel of an eye. Under a telescope, the individual was advised to use a fine blade to make an incision in the cornea, then inject fluid with a small syringe into the hole made and tear away a thin film using angular fine-tipped forceps.
William Morris Eyewear stand at 100% Optical