Since its opening in 2010, the Hoya Faculty in central Budapest has hosted education events attended by more than 5,500 eye care practitioners from all around the world.
Optometrists, opticians, ophthalmologists and allied health professionals from around Europe, the US, South Africa (to name but a few places of origin) have enjoyed themed education events mixing lectures, practical workshops and interactive discussions.
Work hard
Events are run periodically throughout the year and are focused on professionals from different countries. The last event of this year was aimed at UK practitioners and, as is typically the case, ran over three days. Guest lecturers and experts in their fields share their knowledge usually on a single theme.
Recent events have, for example, include one focused on binocular vision, while the session I attended had a more general theme concerning new developments in eye care. This brief allowed delegates to participate in CET-accredited discussions on topics such as complaints procedure and the implications of the GOC Standards of Practice in the UK.
I was involved in a group session looking at the influence of apps and downloadable software in clinical management and education (both of practitioners and patients). Another speaker, Jessica Gowing from Great Ormond Street Hospital and recent Optician author, ran a session on paediatric dispensing which included ever-useful hands-on experience.
There was also an obvious opportunity for experts to discuss their involvement in the development of Hoya’s new technologies, such as the Eye Genius system for vision and binocular status assessment, and the 3D printing technology in the Yuniku tailored eye wear system.
Play hard
I love the fact that Hoya have ascribed to one of the better mottoes in life. No faculty event is complete without a busy social schedule too, and the location of the faculty in the heart of the city, indeed next to the famous Christmas market, make it ideal as a centre for various adventures ranging from river tours, fine dining, and even a Trabant race. I was lucky that the only fumes to affect me this time were the heady aromas of various mulled wines pervading the centre as I gave my talk. It is definitely worth contacting your Hoya representative for further information about these events.