As the new cycle of CET points begins, the College of Optometrists is advising delegates to book early to secure their place at Optometry Tomorrow 2007 (Sunday 11 and Monday 12 March, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Hotel). The Conference programme has already proved popular with delegates from across the country and those attending will be able to earn up to 16 CET points over the two day lecture and workshop programme.
More CET points available!
As well as lectures, delivered by leading academics, interactive, hands on clinical workshops to enable delegates to develop their practical skills; and seminars, smaller, more interactive lecture style sessions, each delegate will also receive a “virtual lecture programme” in DVD format. These virtual lectures, (accompanied by the relevant "PowerPoint" presentation), will feature presentations from Dr Maggie Woodhouse and Mr Keith Bates. One CET Point is available for successful completion of the accompanying MCQs for each lecture.
A challenging and innovative programme
The interactive programme incorporates a visual field debate, designed to emphasise the problems associated with routine visual field screening and to highlight the issues around detecting glaucoma in a primary care setting. Professors Chris Hammond and David Henson will consider whether visual field testing should be performed routinely on everybody over the age of 40.
Nick Rumney’s workshop on Optical Coherence Tomography will offer an exciting introduction to the science of coherence tomography and will utilise Topcon real time OCT to demonstrate its effectiveness in ocular examination, enabling delegates to compare and contrast other methods of examination and gain hands on experience of using this technique.
Local Ophthalmologist, Mr James Talks from Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, is a founder member of the PDT users group in the UK and involved in clinical trials of new treatments for AMD and vascular conditions. Mr Talks will address delegates with his lecture “Veg to VEGF – a revolution in macular degeneration treatment”. This timely address will focus on enabling delegates to understand the symptoms of wet AMD, the signs of AMD and the different treatment options.
Professor Bruce Evans, Director of Research at the Institute of Optometry will deliver “Binocular Vision: Orthoptics for the busy optometrist”. This presentation will give an overview of the terminology diagnosis and classification of binocular vision anomalies with a view to identifying those conditions that can be treated by the optometrist, those that require treatment and those that require referral or no action.
Essential workshops addressing record keeping and regulatory changes are proving highly popular with delegates. The record keeping session, presented by Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser to the College and to Kent Primary Care Trust will look at examples of records taken from practitioners, discussing what lessons can be learned from these, giving delegates an insight into what can go wrong and enabling them to critically analyse their own records. Dr Blakeney said, “theoretical talks on record keeping are fine but this workshop will concentrate on real examples of what can and has gone wrong to help delegates improve their records and reduce the chance of problems happening to them.”
Social events
For the first time ever the College plans to run a “Partner Programme” alongside the Conference. The events are designed to offer partners a taste of the North East whilst College Members enjoy the Conference. One place partners will have the opportunity to visit is Beamish, the North of England open-air museum in County Durham.
The College has developed a reputation for hosting the Conference’s Gala Dinner in unusual and interesting venues and this year will be no exception. The Gala Dinner and entertainment will be held at Newcastle’s Centre for Life, an award winning science centre, conducting world class research in stem cell, genetics and regenerative medicine. Delegates will be able to explore hands on displays, enjoy champagne, canapés and the thrills and spills of the 3-D motion ride; taking a seat they’ll be transported into the heart of an action-packed 3-D film.
College Marketing Communications Manager, Ellen Barber commented, “Our conference in 2006 was the biggest and most successful to date. In putting together this year’s programme we have built on that success and aim to deliver an exciting and innovative event that will appeal to optometrists wherever they practise and whatever their preferred learning style”.
For further information please call 020 7766 4342 or e-mail.
With thanks to sponsors
Platinum sponsor:
Gold sponsors:
CIBA Vision UK Limited
Johnson and Johnson Vision Care
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Silver sponsors:
Keeler Limited
Optos plc
Optician
Scotlens