On stage at 100% Optical: Discussion workshop: Great conversations in myopia management

In the lead-up to 100% Optical 2024, OT reached out to a selection of speakers from the education programme to find out more about the sessions on offer, the topics that will be explored, and what visitors can expect. See the series on OT’s page dedicated to 100% Optical. 
 

Could you give us an insight into the topic your session will cover?

Through my role with the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS), we deliver CPD where we look back at existing or previous complaints to learn from them. Last year we delivered a session on Great Expectations around myopia management. This year, we are flipping that around to be more forward-looking, aiming to help people think about the criticality of having the right conversations to set themselves and their patients up for success with the exciting emerging world of myopia management.

What are some of the key messages you wish to highlight?

There are two things, the first is that you can’t ignore this. The data and evidence we are getting around the new products coming to market, our ability to slow down the rate of myopic progression and all that entails for the maintenance of ocular health in society in the future – I don’t think registrants can ignore that. In order to meet their professional obligations, they have got to get interested in this subject.

The second, is that I have a hypothesis that the limiting factor on optometry’s ability to manage myopia in society will not be the products that are available, but our ability to have the right conversations with parents and patients so that they understand what myopia management is and isn’t.

This is why I focused this CPD around having great conversations; to focus on developing the ability to have those important conversations with parents, so that they understand why this is such a big opportunity and why it is so important.

Who is this topic for? Who might benefit the most from joining?

My dream audience is a mix of experiences. Interestingly, when we’ve trialled this session with small groups of registrants, we found that as opposed to last year when everybody seemed to be in the foothills of the myopia management journey, what has been fascinating is seeing a spread of experience in discussions. Having a range of experience in discussion workshops is perfect, because it is a brilliant platform for early adopters to share insights and experiences to those who are new.

What do you hope the top takeaway will be for attendees?

I hope they run towards myopia management as the most exciting opportunity for our profession that has emerged in recent years, and that they run towards as much CPD on the subject as they can. Since I wrote last year’s session, the insight, data, and research that is flooding out of this area is increasing what we know and enabling us to fine tune the messaging.

2024 marks 10 years of 100% Optical. How do you feel about being part of a milestone year for the optical show?

I have presented at most of the shows. I would like to go on record and say a huge thank you to Ian Beasley [head of education at the AOP, and OT clinical editor], because the agenda is really tight for CPD activity at the show and I appreciate the fact that he found a slot for the OCCS session. I’m really grateful that we have the opportunity to talk to registrants about this really important subject.

Read more of OT’s coverage ahead of 100% Optical here.

Sign up for the show online. Due to popular demand, as the event approaches, readers are encouraged to review and cancel any sessions that no longer fit in with their plans for the show, in order to release capacity for others to attend. Space is reserved in the programme for walk-ins, allocated on a first-come first-served basis.