Education’s a winner at 100% Optical

Held at ExCel London from 6–8 February 2016, the event offered attendees the chance to catch up on the most pressing issues in the profession. Amongst the many highlights, Department of Health Minister, Alistair Burt, discussed the role of optometrists and dispensing opticians in delivering a sustainable NHS and Professor Kovin Naidoo talking about the increase of myopia in his talk Myopia: A growing clinical and public health challenge of our time.

Commenting on the three-day event, Chief Executive of the AOP, Henrietta Alderman, said: “The AOP are delighted with our ongoing partnership with Media 10, and this year delivered a show that lived up to and beyond expectations.  The show delivered world class education provided by the AOP, a fantastic exhibition and an opportunity to network and bring the whole sector together under one roof. This year’s programme also provided plenty of opportunity for topical debate within the 90 plus sessions of CET, including hearing from the Minister who is responsible for optics, Alistair Burt MP, who gave delegates his view of the challenges we face and the positive role he feels we should play within primary care.”

AOP member, Mehul Patel, identified Professor Naidoo’s session as a key highlight. Mr Patel commented: “It was very interesting - a hot topic at the moment.” AOP member, Dr Joy Ekpata, added that Professor Naidoo’s session was "enlightening".

For many, 100% Optical was a chance to focus on patient needs. AOP member Sarabjit Kaur said for her 100% Optical was, “an amazing event to learn how to help people around us” with sessions available on both treating special needs patients and disease management. 

AOP members had exclusive access to education at the AOP lounge, including peer discussions, career workshops and clinical sessions. Peer discussions were particularly popular with an extra session provided on Monday afternoon to meet member requirements. 

Commenting on another successful education programme, Dr Ian Beasley, AOP Head of Education, said: “The education delivered by the AOP continues to grow in reputation attracting internationally-renowned speakers keen to showcase their work at the event. The success of the programme was undoubtedly due to its strength in depth with contributions from optometrists, ophthalmologists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians. This was complemented by content provided by experts in the field of orthoptics, psychology and even micro-robotics.”

The announcement that the AOP’s relationship with Media 10, to deliver education at 100% Optical, would continue for another three years was also welcomed during this year’s event.AOP member, Sarah Peaceful, said she was “thrilled” at the news. Mrs Peaceful said: “The combination (of the event) with the AOP, for me, makes it the best in the UK”. 

100% Optical will return for a fourth year in 2017, running from 4-6 February at ExCeL London.

For more information, please contact Emily Campbell, Marketing and PR Officer, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2040. A range of high res images are available via Dropbox.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists 

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading professional membership organisation for optometrists and other optical professionals in the UK. We support our community of 16,000 plus members to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. As a founding member of the Optical Confederation we work with others to improve eye health for the public good. Find more information at www.aop.org.uk

100% Optical

100% Optical is delivered in partnership with the AOP and our journal Optometry Today. It's London's only annual trade event for industry professionals including optometrists, dispensing opticians, contact lens practitioners, ophthalmologists and undergraduates. Working alongside award-winning events company, Media 10, 100% Optical has become the industry’s flagship annual, international event – combining creativity and innovation to expand the delegate experience.