With abstracts from 26 countries, the clinical program for O=MEGA23/WCO4 has been curated to offer a broad base of subjects for delegates to choose a personalised schedule for their areas of interest.
The latest research and insights will be presented in various forms: keynote presentations, full lectures, short paper presentations, dedicated sponsor sessions and poster sessions. For optometrists, sessions will be accredited for continuing professional development (CPD) hours/points.
Insight has canvassed the program and listed below some oral presentations taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre that might be of interest to Australian optometrists, covering many hot topics in the industry right now.
Note: the program is subject to change. For updates, refer to the conference website.
Friday 8 September
What can corneal immune cells and sensory nerves tell us about eye and systemic health?
Anterior eye and oral medication
Laura Downie1 and Holly Chinnery1
1The University of Melbourne
10.30-11.30am
Learning Objectives
• Describe the immune cell subtypes in the cornea, and how these cells are important for maintaining the health of the ocular surface and for deriving therapeutic effects
• Appreciate how corneal in vivo confocal microscopy can be used as a non-invasive tool that provides unique insight into eye and systemic disease, and the use of different therapies
• Understand the bidirectional interaction between corneal immune cells and sensory nerves, and how this interplay can be leveraged to develop new therapies to treat corneal disease
Combination of low-dose atropine and optical myopia control methods in children with myopia progression
Myopia management
Joanna Przeździecka-Dołyk1, Aleksandra Danielska2
1 Ophthalmology Clinical Centre SPEKTRUM, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Polish Society of Ophthalmologists
2 Ophthalmology Clinical Centre SPEKTRUM
1:30-2:30pm
Learning Objectives
• The proper diagnosis including the cycloplegic refraction and binocular vision changes and proper structured approach enables better compliance of the children and their guardians to the proposed treatment as well good treatment results
Saturday 9 September
Computer vision syndrome: do blue-light filtering lenses (and other therapies) help?
Other
Andrew Anderson1, Laura Downie2
1 Dept of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne
2 The University of Melbourne
9-10am
Learning Objectives
• Quantitively appreciate how much blue light is emitted from electronic screens, and how this relates to emissions from natural light sources and to safety guidelines regarding blue light exposure
• Understand what recent randomised controlled trials say about whether blue-filtering spectacle lenses are effective in treating computer vision syndrome
• Appreciate what a recent review of the randomised controlled trial evidence says about the efficacy of various other therapies (e.g. the use visual hygiene protocols, and of oral supplements) for alleviating computer vision syndrome
Oral options: what our patients can put in their mouths to help their dry dye
Dry eye
Adele Jefferies
Matthews Eyecare, Cornea and Contact Lens Society of New Zealand, New Zealand Association of Optometrists
9-10am
Learning objectives
• Understand the current benefits, risks and prescribing recommendations of oral medications in the management of dry eye disease in Australia and New Zealand
• Understand how some lifestyle habits can impact signs and symptoms of dry eye disease
• Understand the current evidence surrounding nutrition, including essential fatty acids, and its impact on dry eye disease
Unanswered questions in myopia management
Myopia management
Kate Gifford1 and Paul Gifford2
1 Myopia Profile Pty Ltd, Queensland University of Technology
2 Myopia Profile Pty Ltd, University of New South Wales, Sydney
9-10am
Learning Objectives
• Explain the general evidence-base for myopia management interventions based on age and refraction
• Discuss approaches in understanding comparative efficacy of myopia control treatments
• Determine what represents a successful long-term outcome in childhood myopia management
Prevalence of myopia amongst children presenting to optometrists in Australia and New Zealand
Myopia management
Joseph Paul1, Pamela Tse1, Duchesne Markham1 and Ben Ashby1
1 Optometry Department, Specsavers Australia and New Zealand
11:30am-12:30pm
Learning Objectives
• Identify trends in the prevalence of myopia in patients who presented to a cohort of optometric practices in Australia and New Zealand
• Understand the prevalence of myopia in Australia and New Zealand in a global context
Effects of short-term wear of myopia control spectacle lens on binocular functions of myopic children
Paediatric binocular
Fatin Nur Najwa Norazman1, Bariah Mohd-Ali2, Mizhanim Mohamad Shahimin2 and Norliza Mohamad Fadzil2
1 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Universiti Teknologi MARA
2 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
11.30am-12.30pm
Learning Objectives
• To investigate visual function changes following short-term wear of DIMS lenses among myopic children
• To determine accommodation function changes following short-term wear of DIMS lenses among myopic children
• To determine vergence function changes following short-term wear of DIMS lenses among myopic children
Learnings from implementing a myopia control clinic in a public health optometry setting
Myopia management
Zeinab Fakih1, Nellie Deen1
1 Australian College of Optometry
11.30am-12.30pm
Learning Objectives
• Describe the challenges, limitations and outcomes of implementing a myopia control clinic in a public health setting
• Identify barriers to myopia control in a public health setting
• Understand the need for a targeted framework when managing children with myopia from a low socioeconomic background
Migraine: what’s optometry got to do with it?
Systemic disease
Bao Nguyen
The University of Melbourne
2.30-3.30pm
Learning objectives
• Recognise migraine, based on symptomatology
• Know the clinical vision tests that might be confounded by migraine
• Appreciate how optometrists and other eyecare professionals can play an important role in the management of migraine
Sunday 10 September
Strategies to promote mental wellbeing and avoid burnout in optometry
Other
Lisa Jansen
University of Western Australia
9-10am
Learning Objectives
• Summarise the factors that lead to burnout in optometry
• Outline evidence-based strategies to improve mental health and wellbeing
• Discuss the importance of education in skill development to increase resilience
• Explain the factors in workplace culture and design that impact professional satisfaction
Implementation and scalability of shared care models for chronic eye disease: a realist assessment informed by health system stakeholders in Finland, the UK, and Australia
Public health
Lisa Keay1, Belinda Ford2, Blake Angell2, Hueiming Liu2 and Andrew White3
1 Optometry Australia, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
2 The George Institute for Global Health
3 Sydney University
9-10am
Learning Objectives
• Understand the importance of local context in implementing new models of care
• Learn about key determinants of successful implementation and scalability
• Apply these concepts to current challenges in eyecare delivery
Building paediatric eyecare capability via project echo tele-mentoring in Australia
Professional Practice (ethics, communication skills and evidence into practice)
Melinda Toomey1
Lisa Keay1, Ann Webber2 and Kerrie Ren1
1 University of New South Wales
2 Optometry Australia, American Academy of Optometry (FAAO)
2:30-3:30pm
Learning Objectives
• Understand current paediatric eyecare knowledge gaps experienced by optometrists
• Understand how Project ECHO tele-mentoring program can improve practitioner capabilities
• Understand the benefits of engaging in tele-mentoring programs for both practitioners and patients.
More reading
O=MEGA23/WCO4 is Australian optical’s golden opportunity
ODMA announces judges for Awards for Excellence; winners to be revealed at O=MEGA23
Leading academics probe computer vision syndrome and blue-light lenses at O=MEGA23/WC04
