BCLA Focus ‘brings back the buzz’ with hit hybrid event

BCLA Focus ‘brings back the buzz’ with hit hybrid event

 A new hybrid conference has been hailed a hit, with both in-person and online delegates highlighting the “winning formula” of BCLA Focus.

The event was held on Saturday, 11 June and Sunday, 12 June, both online and ‘live’ at The Vox Conference Centre in Birmingham. It looked at the past, present and future of contact lenses, giving eye care professionals the opportunity to hear from global experts, with keynote speakers from around the world.

BCLA Focus featured a live lecture stream and workshop sessions while also honouring all new BCLA Fellows since the start of the pandemic and all those who have completed certificates in Dry Eye and Myopia Management.

Professor James Wolffsohn was awarded the coveted BCLA Medal and received a standing ovation from a packed audience.

BCLA chief executive, Luke Stevens-Burt, said: “For two years eye care professionals have been stuck inside their practices and unable to discuss new research, see new technology or see each other in-person. Seeing the looks on people’s faces as they finally caught up with old friends is something that will live long in the memory.

“The atmosphere throughout the weekend was amazing, and BCLA Focus certainly bought back the buzz. Initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with delegates saying we found the winning formula for this kind of event.

“We were able to bring the expertise of leading global figures to a worldwide audience for a programme that has got everyone thinking about the way we view contact lenses and anterior eye.”

Highlights from the event included a scleral lens ‘super-session’ with the Global Specialty Lens Symposium which saw an international panel, featuring Shreeti Lakhani, Sophie Taylor-West, Karen DeLoss and Patrick Caroline, discuss their unique experiences and viewpoints of incorporating scleral lenses into their practices.

A session presented by Karen Walsh, David Webley and Krupa Patel, and sponsored by CooperVision, explored what drives long-term satisfaction, including discussing what healthy lens wear entails, and how to maximise comfort and vision across a lifetime of wear.

Associate Professor Nicole Carnt and Clinical Professor Deborah Jones discussed children and contact lenses and Dr Shehzad Naroo and Professor Philip Morgan asked what will we learn over the next 10 years that is likely to change clinical practice?

A number of workshops were held over the weekend, on topics including corneal topography and biometry theory and practice, orthokeratology, refining and adjusting sclerals, demodex and advanced dry eye.

The event featured a well-attended exhibition space and networking opportunities. CooperVision was Partner Sponsor and Alcon and Menicon were Associate Sponsors.