- OT
- Professional support
- AOP
- Tools of the trade
Tools of the trade
OT puts the spotlight on the equipment companies exhibiting at 100% Optical 2016, as well as the education which will be offered from the hub
14 December 2015
February’s 100% Optical trade show will offer practitioners the opportunity to browse a comprehensive range of the latest optical equipment under one roof, with a variety of new and returning companies confirmed to exhibit at the show.
Held at London’s ExCeL Exhibition Centre on 6–8 February, international companies present and based in the show’s Equipment & Machinery Hub will include Heidelberg Engineering, Carl Zeiss, Haag-Streit UK and Associated Optical.
Returning to the show, across the three-day event, Heidelberg Engineering will be showcasing its latest imaging technology for its upgradable multimodal imaging platform, the Spectralis.
Speaking to OT about the tool, marketing communications manager at Heidelberg Engineering, Emily Malbon, said: “The Widefield Imaging Module is the newest addition and provides a 55 degree field of view for all Spectralis fundus imaging modalities.
“Covering the macula, the optic nerve head and areas beyond the vessel arcades in a single image, the Widefield Imaging Module facilitates comprehensive diagnostics. The high-resolution, high-contrast scanning laser images captured with this Spectralis module offer diagnostic capabilities superior to conventional fundus photography.”
Equipment for all
100% Optical event director, Nathan Garnett, shares the ethos behind the show
Our ethos with 100% Optical has always been to create an event where visitors can see and try products and equipment before they buy.
Exhibition stands are often inviting places, with the representatives on-hand being very knowledgeable about their products; this is what makes a trade show tick. However, it is also important to combine this with the opportunity to try new equipment in an educational environment as well, and to have a selection of products that practitioners can try and compare and contrast against.
100% Optical has more equipment on display this year than ever before, and the Equipment & Machinery Hub will once again provide visitors with the chance to try the latest equipment for themselves, first hand, while gaining valuable CET points as they do so.
There really is nowhere else where practitioners can gain this hands-on experience and advice with the latest technology, all curated by professional optometrists, leading eye surgeons and the AOP.
Practitioners who register for 100% Optical will be kept up-to-date with the latest CET sessions as and when they come online and are available to book. They will also be sent an electronic discount booklet, enabling them to make a number of savings during the show, making their trip to 100% Optical in February extremely worthwhile.
Looking forward to February’s show, marketing manager at Haag-Streit UK, Sharon Mills, told OT: “Haag-Streit UK had a very successful 100% Optical this year, so we are delighted to be returning to the ExCeL again for 2016. 100% Optical provides us with an excellent opportunity to meet with the optometry community and we look forward to another interesting and successful event.”
Returning to the show for a third consecutive year, Carl Zeiss will be present to showcase its complete practice solution, from its Essential Line of basic diagnostic devices through to its latest Cirrus HD-OCT technology.
Throughout the show, the equipment manufacturer will also be holding a number of on-stand workshops, with further details to be released shortly, confirmed Emma Baynes, marketing and communication executive at Carl Zeiss.
Having exhibited at 100% Optical since it was established, speaking about the benefits which the event brings, Ms Baynes told OT: “We feel that 100% Optical has quickly become a key event in the optical calendar, as both a trade show and educational event.
“With a growing number of attendees and exhibitors each year, 2015 was very exciting and we are expecting even bigger things for 2016.”
Reinforcing this message for Heidelberg Engineering, Ms Malbon said: “For the past two years 100% Optical has provided the perfect platform for Heidelberg Engineering to showcase how Spectralis multimodal fundus and OCT imaging can differentiate High Street practices, while the AOP-organised educational programme has given us the opportunity to raise the standard of imaging to improve patient care in the community.”
Having recently confirmed the establishment of a new faculty by the Heidelberg Engineering Academy, its first event will be hosted on the second day of the show (7 February) at the Sunborn Yacht, close to the ExCeL. It will be made up of like-minded optometric professionals who are “passionate about promoting enhanced clinical services, and developing clinical confidence in a multi-modal imaging approach to improved patient care in the community,” Heidelberg Engineering explained. The networking event will share the personal experiences of optometrists who have made a success of OCT in practice.
Education for all
Complementing the exhibition, within the hall there will also be a dedicated education stream, featuring equipment-related lectures, as well as some talks covering hot topics in optics.
During the show, speakers will take to the stage to discuss everything from OCT and glaucoma to refractive surgery in 2016 and vitroretinal surgery.
Featuring in the presentations is Heidelberg Engineering’s director of clinical services, Chris Mody, who will host a session on the opening day of the show (6 February) which aims to help delegates understand how OCT images are acquired, develop a structured approach to image analysis and interpretation, and will cover appropriate management and referral strategies for retinal disease.
Expected to be a highlight from the hub during Sunday’s programme (7 February) is Neelam Patel discussing Modernising today’s practice – maximising the use of new technologies. Optometrist Ms Patel will take to the stage to discuss advancements in technology in optometric practice and how practitioners can increase the use of current technology in their practice, as well as successfully introduce new technology.
On the final day of the event (8 February), Fight for Sight Speaker Network member, Dr Christos Bergeles, will talk robots and how they can be used to aid vitreoretinal surgery.
During the lecture, entitled Developing robots that push the boundaries of minimal invasiveness in vitreoretinal surgery, Dr Bergeles will explain how robotic systems which can perform surgical tasks, provide assistance to clinicians, and expand their capabilities for faster patient recovery times, are being developed.
He will also discuss with delegates the current technological trends, as well as the potential clinical applications for these systems, with the aim of discussing both the pros and cons of robotics in ophthalmology.
Speaking on the final day of the show will be Alzheimer’s Research UK research fellow, Tim Shakespeare, and UCL Partners’ senior project manager, Sian Jones. They will take to the stage for a talk on Dementia – understanding the needs of patients in a clinical setting, which aims to inform delegates about the disease, how it presents and its prevalence.
For more information, to register and to book sessions, visit the 100% Optical website.
Advertisement
More AOP articles
-
James Dawson: “If you love what you do and want to ensure that the voices of dispensing opticians are heard, this is a role for you to get your teeth into”
-
Stewart Mitchell: “Fresh voices are always important”
-
Francesca Marchetti: “It has opened up a whole new world of optometry for me”
-
A deductive approach to binocular vision anomalies
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to join the discussion. Log in