Accomplished US optometrist Dr Brenda Montecalvo headlined the recent Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) conference on the Gold Coast that welcomed more than 110 optometrists and vision therapists from across the country.
“The 2024 ACBO Connect Conference was a great success with excellent education shared with wonderful colleagues and friends,” said ACBO executive director Mr Steve Leslie. “And it is so helpful to be able to put into practice on Monday what we learnt in the lectures and workshops.”
Ohio’s Dr Montecalvo, the keynote speaker for the event that took place 6-7 July 2024, is the chair of the American Optometric Association Vision Rehabilitation Section, and past president of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association.
At ACBO, she presented on a range of clinical and theoretical subjects including assessment and management of strabismus; vision factors for handwriting; autism and vision; assessment and management of vision issues for patients who have suffered a stroke; vision factors related to mathematics; and recent research on the functions and implications of ipRGC cells in the retina.
Speaking alongside her was another international guest, Canadian optometrist Dr Angela Peddle who is the founding president of the Canadian Optometrists in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation Association.
She outlined the principles and practice of programming and delivering vision therapy for a range of visual conditions such as accommodative-convergence dysfunctions, eye movement dysfunctions, concussion-related vision problems, and learning-related vision issues.
Attendees were then tasked with designing management plans for these conditions, including spectacles and vision therapy, and comparing different approaches with Dr Peddle’s management. This generated valuable discussion and learning opportunities, ACBO said.
ACBO 2024 sponsors Rodenstock Australia, BOC Instruments, Good Optical Services and FAL Lawyers, were kept busy with attendees mingling during breaks with the exhibitors, asking questions, and inspecting and purchasing equipment.
“The annual dinner was a great success along the theme of red and blue or red, and green (testing and therapy glasses),” Leslie said.
“So too was the annual auction of perfectly aged wines from Rockford and other Barossa producers which helped to raise $5,000 for the Susan Larter Vision Trust, named in honour of optometrist Susan Larter who passed away suddenly when she was president of ACBO, and which makes funds available for patients who otherwise cannot afford optometric vision therapy. The evening concluded with colleagues catching up, and some dancing.
Awards winners
The 2024 ACBO Connect Conference also featured an awards ceremony where three members were recognised for their outstanding service to patients and the profession.
The Keith Woodland Award was presented to Ms Lesley Vedelago, of Vedelago Optometrists in Browns Plains, Queensland, for her outstanding contribution to behavioural vision care.
“Receiving the Keith Woodland award was a huge surprise to me. I feel so honoured to be recognised for having played a role in contributing to behavioural optometry particularly in neuro-optometric rehabilitation and chronic fatigue syndrome,” she said.
“My passion for neuro-optometric rehabilitation was fuelled after a family member was affected by a traumatic brain injury 37 years ago and my mother with a stroke. Early in my career it was clear to me that there was a significant role that behavioural optometry could play in vision rehabilitation of our TBI, stroke and neurologically challenged patients (including CP, CFS, MS, ADD, ADHD, Autism spectrum etc) significantly improving their quality-of-life.”
The Graham Peachey Award was presented to Ms Liz Wason, from EyeSense in Leederville, Western Australia, for her contribution to behavioural education.
“When I look at the list of previous awardees, I am humbled to be included in such an esteemed and admired group of people who have educated and inspired me throughout my career,” she said.
“I believe in sharing my skills and knowledge with the intent that in some capacity I may contribute to the betterment of our profession in providing exceptional patient care. ACBO is such a wonderful group of caring and insightful optometrists who I consider as intelligent and caring colleagues, so I am grateful and a little shocked to be acknowledged in this way.”
The President’s award for significant contribution to ACBO and behavioural vision care went to Mr Steve Leslie, executive director of ACBO and also from EyeSense in Western Australia.
“I started the journey of learning behavioural optometry concepts and clinical practices in 1983, and learned as much as possible from Australian pioneers including Graham Peachey and Chris Henderson, and American practitioners like Don Getz and Bob Kraskin, and I have enjoyed sharing the never-ending learning process with many great colleagues who are dear friends,” he said.
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