Association News

‘Agenda-setting’ BCLA Clinical Conference to shape the future of contact lens practice around the world

The global eye care professional network’s “unquenchable thirst for learning” ensured the success of the first in-person BCLA Clinical Conference & Exhibition in four years, with delegates from around the world gathering to hear the latest research and guidance from industry-leading experts.
 
Having been moved online due to COVID restrictions during the pandemic, the conference bounced back in style with delegates from around the globe enjoying a packed programme featuring some of optometry’s leading names.
 
Held at Manchester Central, the three-day event featured keynote presentations, lectures, peer reviews and hands-on workshops detailing the latest clinical insights and demonstrating the latest technology available to practitioners. 

BCLA chief executive, Luke Stevens-Burt, said: “Bringing together the leading lights in contact lenses and anterior eye for the first BCLA Clinical Conference in four years has been a huge honour. 
 
“The world has been through so much since everyone was last together here in Manchester but our members have shown incredible strength and resilience to not just withstand everything thrown at them but to thrive under that pressure.
 
“Their seemingly unquenchable thirst for learning continues and the standard of lectures and presentations has been incredible – showcasing cutting edge science and research and translating that into impactful techniques for use in everyday practice.
 
“Myopia management, dry eye disease and the tear film remain key areas of interest and the BCLA is as determined as ever to give our members access to the insights that can make a difference to the everyday lives of their patients. This has been a real agenda-setting conference. These three days will drive evidence-based best practice.”
 
This year’s BCLA Medal address was given by Professor Eric Papas, entitled ‘How football, luck and good people saved me from the golf course’.
 
Eric discussed his career path from his early days in practice to his key role in developing silicone hydrogel lenses, citing major influences including Ross Maskell, Richard Abadi, Graeme Young and Brien Holden.
 
Dr Sonia Trave-Huarte delivered the Irving Fatt Memorial Lecture, which looked at dry eye management and treatment studies and how they can support evidence-based dry eye practice.
 
Rabia Mobeen delivered this year’s Da Vinci Award presentation on the subject of how dendritic cells’ response to immediate soft contact lens wear is impacted by their physical contact with nerves in the human corneal epithelium. Read more...

Award recipients and competition winners at the 2023 BCLA Clinical Conference

Have you thought about applying for BCLA Fellowship? 

Invitations are open to join a select group of 200 leading eye care professionals across the globe by applying to become a BCLA Fellow.

The BCLA Fellowship scheme recognises a member’s esteem in the field of contact lenses and the anterior eye. It allows them to use the postnominals FBCLA, highlighting their commitment to the Association and significant contributions they have made to eye care. 

Submissions for 2023 are now open. Fellowships will be presented at the BCLA Clinical Conference and Exhibition in Manchester next June. The deadline date for submission is 28 February 2023.
To gain a Fellowship of the BCLA, members of the Association (excluding online and student members) must be awarded 50 points by the academic committee and subsequently satisfy the committee of their contact lens and / or anterior eye credentials in an oral assessment based on the evidence presented. Find out more about the scheme here.

BCLA Medal Address: Prof Eric Papas (Pictured left with BCLA President Rakesh Kapoor) 

Irving Fatt Memorial Lecture: Dr Sonia Trave-Huarte

BCLA Da Vinci Award: Rabia Mobeen

The Diane Gould Photographic Competition Winner: Mhamed Ouzzani 
First runner up: Elizabeth Chetty 
Second runner up: Moatez Billah Mekki 

Poster Competition Winner: Fakhruddin Barodawala
First runner up: David Berkow
Second runner up: Cristina Arroyo del Arroyo