Held five years ago this summer, the London 2012 Olympics is already receding into memory but many of the stadia and facilities created for the Games continue to be used. The Olympic Stadium has been renamed the London Stadium and repurposed as the home of football side West Ham United.
The Arnold Hills Room, a private dining club on match days with impressive views of the pitch area, provides the venue for No 7 Contact Lenses to host 30 eye care professionals.
The sold out event serves as an opportunity for those interested in fitting orthokeratology contact lenses in practice to learn the various aspects of selecting and managing patients, plus a look at the business benefits. The related topic of myopia control is also covered and three CET points are available to attendees.
After a welcome and introduction from No 7 sales and marketing manager Danny Pepper, the majority of the morning is on corneal topography. The first part is a lecture delivered by Katie Harrop, professional services manager at No 7.
Harrop says that measurement of the corneal shape or contours is centuries-old but modern systems allow the collection of large amounts of information. These systems can be divided into those using a projection technique, used by ophthalmologists, and reflection techniques, more common in optometric practice and for orthokeratology. Within the subset of reflection videokeratoscopy the advantages of different designs are assessed.
The information captured by such devices is generally displayed on colour maps which divide into three types, each suited to specific tasks. Axial maps are typically used to determine the corneal shape. Tangential maps are good for looking for peripheral irregularities and determining positioning of orthokeratology lenses, while height data maps are often used for determining the final lens parameters.
Harrop goes on to explain difference maps which show changes in the cornea and what to look out for on them to identify conditions such as keratoconus. Tears, lids and corneal surface regularity can all affect the quality of topography achieved and should be considered. Summarising the session, Harrop says topography can increase first time success with contact lens wearers and allow the fitting of unusual corneas with lenses.
Hands on
After the lecture it is time for attendees to get hands on with the Medmont E300 Topographer, which is distributed by No 7, by dividing into four groups. Each is led by an expert who demonstrates the techniques.
Before lunch there is time for a guide to orthokeratology theory in which Harrop says modern orthokeratology contact lenses have come a long way since they first came to market in the 1960s. Today orthokeratology involves overnight lens wear with a stable fit, larger amounts of myopia corrected and full correction attempted with the first pair.
Patients chose orthokeratology primarily because it offers reversibility, freedom and comfort, says Harrop before presenting data suggesting from a safety perspective orthokeratology is comparable to daily wear soft lenses. Fundamentally orthokeratology works by inducing a flattening of the central cornea, which then is able to focus the light correctly on the retina.
After lunch Harrop explains how to fit orthokeratology lenses, taking the attendees through patient selection, initial assessment and collection to follow up appointments which utilise slit lamp and topography. She identifies candidates as including soft lens wearers, patients who have dropped out of contact lenses, spectacle wearers and patients who ask about refractive surgery.
James Procter, UK sales manager at No 7, then gives attendees some details of the various pricing structures for the Eyedream orthokeratology lens and also suggestions on how to market it. Attendees expressed interest in the local press campaigns that No 7 organises to support its clients.
The final part of the day is given over to the ever more pressing matter of myopia control. Harrop summarises the current thinking on myopia control and then explains the role orthokeratology can play in this. A final session from Indie Grewal highlights his own tentative first steps into orthokeratology and the central role it now plays in his practice.
‘The day was well received by all the delegates,’ says Pepper. ‘Next up we have a product launch at the Shard in London on June 6 . The launch is for ICD FlexFit, an evolution of the popular ICD miniscleral design, and will be hosted by Randy Kojima, its co-designer. It’s the perfect opportunity for practitioners who see patients with irregular corneas to learn about the latest technology.’