PRESS RELEASE
Friday, December 15 2017

Visionaries 2017 hears of pledge to ‘wage war on myopia’ by breaking down traditional barriers

A “paradigm shift” is needed to break down barriers between general practice and eye care professionals and eliminate old-fashioned ways of working – according to a senior GP.

Speaking as part of a cross-industry debate on the management of dry eye disease at Visionaries – a day long conference hosted by the British Contact Lens Association, Dr Waqaar Shah said he wanted to see optometrists brought in to play an integral role in wider health management.

He said: “We have to work better across different organisations. We should bring optometrists into the extended primary care team and break down those barriers that currently exist and result in an old-fashioned way of working. 

“The cross-fertilisation of ideas between practitioners is of fundamental importance. The industry has been sub-specialised to such an extent that specific knowledge is not being disseminated. We need to see a paradigm shift in thinking.”



The debate, featuring a panel consisting of representatives from optometry, general medicine and member associations, asked how examinations are currently carried out, who should be managing dry eye disease in the community and what changes should be made to current ways of working.

Professor Teifi James, who hosted the multi-disciplinary debate, queried the “archaic” thinking of using baby shampoo as a treatment for dry eye disease, likening it to “folklore handed down by generations of ancient priests”.

Panel members included Colin Davidson from the College of Optometrists, consultant rheumatologist Professor David D’Cruz, Elaine Mann, advance clinical pharmacist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Andrew Price from ABDO, IP optometrist Nick Rumney. Professor Sunil Shah and Professor James Wolffsohn.
 
More than 170 people attended the sold-out event, held at the Wellcome Collection in London on Wednesday, December 13. 

A packed programme also saw presentations from Prof James Wolffsohn – who examined the findings of the recent TFOS DEWS II report on dry eye – and Anna Sulley, who looked at retention rates of new contact lens wearers.



Meanwhile, the annual Pioneers medal was awarded to Dublin-based eye surgeon Ian Flitcroft, who used his concluding lecture to declare the start of WWM  - the Worldwide War on Myopia.

He said: “The calculated risks from myopia are comparable to those between hypertension, smoking and cardiovascular disease. It’s the most prevalent medical condition on the planet and it’s rising generation by generation in the developed world. It should be the biggest news story in medicine.

“There are 2,150 million people with myopia, compared to 671 million who are obese, yet obesity dominates the headlines. That needs to change.

“The current generation – ‘Generation M’ – is going to be the most myopic the world has ever seen. We can’t simply stand by and do nothing. We need to wage war on this and arm ourselves with weapons to fight back.”

Visionaries also featured an exhibition as well as sponsor sessions from Alcon, Aveo, CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Mark’ennovy, Menicon, Novartis, Thea Pharmaceuticals and Topcon.

BCLA chief executive Cheryl Donnelly said: “This was a stellar line-up of speakers and every delegate will have gone home with a gem or two which they can use in everyday practice. 

“The day addressed three of the key issues in contact lenses – dry eye, myopia and retention rates – and it was pleasing to see the profession come together for the multi-disciplinary debate. 

“That will hopefully be the launch-pad for a new era of collaborative working and the sharing of ideas and best practice for the benefit of the people that matter most – our patients.”

The date for next year’s Visionaries was also announced – with the event scheduled to take place on Thursday, 8th November 2018.

For more information visit www.bcla.org.uk


Notes to editors

• For further information, or to arrange further interviews, please call Daniel Owens from Orange Juice Communications on 07909 916668 or email [email protected]