02 October 2016
A high-quality, comprehensive education offering that has something for the entire practice team is guaranteed when 100% Optical opens its doors at London’s ExCeL Exhibition Centre on 4–6 February next year.
Organised and delivered annually by the AOP, the education programme for 2017 will feature content designed specifically for the optical assistant to the dispensing optician and the pre-reg to the optometrist. Already scheduled to take to the stage during the three-day show are academics Dr Maggie Woodhouse, Dr Janis Orr and Professor Ed Mallen, to name but a few. They will be joined by optics and ophthalmology experts, including Professor Bruce Evans, Nick Strouthidis and Allon Barsam.
To enable practitioners to receive the education that they want with ease, staggered start times will be introduced across the lecture programme. This has been established to provide delegates with the time they need to move between the six education stages located around the exhibition hall.
Top topics
From children’s vision and dyslexia, to refractive surgery, as well as vision and driving, a wide range of topics will be explored during the 2017 100% Optical education programme, much of which will be CET accredited.
Taking to the Main Stage at the show, Moorfields Eye Hospital consultant ophthalmologist, Nick Strouthidis, will offer delegates some top tips for using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in glaucoma practice.
Talking to OT about the key messages he will share during his CET-accredited lecture, Mr Strouthidis said he wanted clinicians to “see that OCT is a useful tool that can assist them in their diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma.” From inside the testing room to the operating theatre, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Allon Barsam, will return to the 100% Optical Main Stage for a second consecutive year to educate delegates about refractive surgery.
As the use of OCT in High Street practice grows, Mr Strouthidis will highlight why it is an important tool for practitioners to utilise. “OCT is incredibly versatile – capable of imaging the optic disc, peripapillary nerve fibre layer, macular and anterior segment in exquisite detail,” he explained. “It is increasingly becoming the only game in town in terms of glaucoma imaging. As our experience with it increases, and technology improves, it will become more reliable and play an increasingly central role in glaucoma management,” he added.
"It's a fun and dynamic show that offers a great environment for optometrists to interact with their peers, industry and invited speakers"
However, Mr Strouthidis gave the caveat that: “Any clinician using OCT needs to remember that the OCT does not make decisions, the clinician does – the decision-making process is influenced by the integrity of the data supplied by the OCT.
“The OCT information should be weighed up in the context of the rest of the clinical history and risk factors.”
A refractive focus
From inside the testing room to the operating theatre, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Allon Barsam, will return to the 100% Optical Main Stage for a second consecutive year to educate delegates about refractive surgery.Mr Barsam revealed that his CET-accredited talk will look at the various treatment options there are currently for vision surgery. “I will try to provide the audience with an understanding of which interventions are most suitable for different patient groups depending on age, prescription and other vision considerations…as well as debunk some of the common myths regarding refractive surgery,” he explained.
TIPS FOR TOTS – DR MAGGIE WOODHOUSE
Why is it important for optometrists to be comfortable testing children?
The earlier a visual defect is picked up, the better the prognosis for treatment. The earlier a significant refractive error is corrected, the easier the child's learning will be. Therefore, it is crucial that children's eyes are tested at a very young age. And if a practitioner is going to be successful at testing children, they must feel comfortable doing it.
What are your three top tips when testing children?
1. Think about the process from the child's point of view
2. Talk to the child, not about the child
3. Adapt the test to the child, not the child to the test.
What key messages do you hope delegates take away from the lecture?
That anyone who likes children can be successful at testing them.
Is there one step a practitioner could take after listening to your talk to change the way they practise for the better?
Modify your appointment system to make sure you have plenty of time to see a child patient.
For Mr Barsam, it is important for optometrists to be informed about refractive surgery because they can help potential patients make better-informed decisions. “Many patients will make a decision on refractive surgery using the internet and speaking to friends. Some will also ask their optometrists opinion. Therefore, if the optometrist is able to be involved in the decision-making process for patients, they can help guide them in the appropriate direction and refer them to an appropriate consultant,” he explained.
Having attended 100% Optical earlier this year, Mr Barsam encouraged practitioners to attend. “It’s a fun and dynamic show that offers a great environment for optometrists to interact with their peers, industry and invited speakers,” he emphasised.
The other side to driving
Having previously taken to the stage at optical conferences across the UK and Europe, David Crundell, a professor in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, will take to the Main Stage to discuss Spotting dangers on the road: eye movements and hazard perception.
Admitting that his views could be considered controversial to an optical audience, Professor Crundell asserts: “Much research does not support the view that the largest contributing factor to motor collision statistics is low level visual problems or poor visual acuity, the evidence is just not there.”
With the belief, and research to back it up, Professor Crundell will explain that, while most motor collisions are due to human error, they are mainly the result of distractions and a lack of attention, not a person’s visual acuity.
Having worked in the field for over 20 years, Professor Crundell’s talk will explore how higher order skills, specifically hazard perception, is the pivotal contributor to driving collisions.
Professor Crundell concluded that while it seems very simplistic: “The most important thing is that drivers must be looking in the right place at the right time to spot a hazard. Drivers build their skills in this through experience and training and ultimately, this skill is more important than visual acuity.”
Registration for 100% Optical 2017 is now open. For more information on when booking for the education programme opens and to register, visit the 100% Optical website.
In full bloom
"100% Optical has established itself as the largest gathering of optical professionals in the calendar year, and it has done so in just three outings," writes 100% Optical event director Nathan Garnett.
"This gives us tremendous confidence in planning for the future, as we stick to our core values of creating an event for professionals up and down the country.
"The AOP, as well as partners including the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, the LOC Support Unit, the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers and the Royal College of Art have all come together over the last four years to ensure the delivery of education and content that ticks all the right boxes for our attendees in their day to day working life.
"Overall, 100% Optical 2017 is shaping up to be another excellent event, with more parties, fantastic speakers, new features and thousands of new products for the practice"
"Our mix of exhibitors has evolved so that a truly international and diverse selection of products and services can be accessed through the show to help the professional practice gain the competitive edge it needs to thrive. This experience has enabled 100% Optical to evolve, and will make 2017 its best show yet I am sure.
"One of the most important awards ceremonies in the optical calendar will also now take place during 100% Optical. The AOP Awards ceremony is always a great night out, and are a true recogniser of talented professionals, as well as practices and organisations of real excellence. We are delighted that it will be taking place at the ExCeL, on the Sunday evening of 100% Optical.
"Overall, 100% Optical 2017 is shaping up to be another excellent event, with more parties, fantastic speakers, new features and thousands of new products for the practice – it’s certainly worth planning early so we can help you utilise your time with us most effectively.
"See you in February."