SAOA marks its 2014 Optometry Conference, SAOAConnex14 in Style

South African Optometric Association(SAOA) recently marked its SAOA Connex14. The event which included scientific presentations, product exhibitions and cocktail party was held in Cape Town at the International Convention Centre. This conference was of world class standard, with extensive lectures presented by leading industry experts.

The 2014 South African Optometric Association Coference Expo Connections(SAOA Connex 14) which took place between 13th to 15th August, was an opportunity for Optometrists in South Africa and beyond to formally and informally share with colleagues, meet long last seen friends and gain the full quota of CPD points for the year. Optometrists were informed on the latest developments in our profession by world-renowned speakers at the prestigious Cape Town, International Conference Centre. Interestingly, 2014 is the 90th anniversary of the SAOA.

Exhibition stand

The President of SAOA Dr.Nina Kriel, welcomed all the delegates and reassured them that they will have a fulfilling time at the conference and in Cape Town.

Part of attractions at the cocktail party was a lucky dip, in which Kgaogelo Mosana whose ticket was drawn by Sam Dalais emerged as the lucky winner of the trip to Silmo in Paris.

The speakers at the event included Prof. Nathan Efron amongst others. Nathan Efron, lectures extensively world-wide, particularly in the field of the ocular response to contact lens wear, and has published over 800 scientific papers, abstracts and textbook chapters, and has written/edited 7 books that have appeared in a total of 15 editions and foreign translations. His most recent title is 'Contact Lens Complications, 3rd Edition' (Elsevier, 2012). Professor Efron has won a number of prestigious international awards, including the 'Contribution to Optics' award (Optician, UK, 1997), the British Contact Lens Association's Dallos Award (1992) and Gold Medal (2001), the Peter Abel Award (Association of German Contact Lens Specialists, 2000), and the American Academy of Optometry's Garland W Clay Award (1980), Max Schapero Award (2003) and Glenn A Fry Award (2010).

Group entertains at the cocktail party

The exhibitors included Zeiss Group, Optimax, Coopervision SA, Optimag, Optimxa amongst others.

While Nigeria leads with the highest number of Optometrists in Africa, South Africa leads in terms of  practice standards and infrastructure.

The winner of the lucky dip Kgaogelo Mosana , receives his ticket to Silmo in Paris.

A collaborative and integrated eye care model in optometry is now the norm across Canada

 

Considering the current challenges in the Nigerian health sector, there is need for Optometrists to learn to do more. This would make Optometrists more relevant. At the same time, the need for more collaboration with Ophthalmologists and other health care professionals cannot be over emphasized. This could be achieved in the public sector through advocacy. Already, there are such models in the private sector and there is a need for more.

 

IRIS the Visual Group is delighted that as of April 15th, Ontario residents will enjoy increased options for eye care services. Following the approval of new regulations for optometrists by the government ofOntario, a collaborative and integrated eye care model in optometry will be the norm across Canada. IRIS has been supporting this model across Canada for over 25 years, with over 500 Optometrists, Opticians and Ophthalmologists collaborating under the same brand to provide Canadians with the best vision care. “Today is a historic day for our industry that will allow all Ontarians to have better eye health and long-term vision for years to come,” says Dr. Francis Jean, Optometrist and IRIS President. “I am proud to say that IRIS has been a key stakeholder in helping all Canadians experience better vision,” he adds. IRIS played a key role in initiating these regulatory changes while providing the government with insight about the benefits of collaboration between eye care professionals. In 2008, a group of IRIS and independent optometrists formed the Coalition of Ontario Optometrists for Reform (COOR) to contest the rules and regulations of optometry in the province at the time. IRIS collaborated with both the College of Optometrists of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Optometrists to help achieve this milestone for eye care in the province. These new regulations will significantly modernize the practice of optometry in Ontario. By enabling optometrists, opticians and ophthalmologists to work closely together, higher standard of eye care for patients can be ensured. This is because solutions and treatments for issues related to corrective lenses, pathology and other eye conditions can be approached in a collaborative manner with the patient. Furthermore, the new regulations will facilitate access to prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses as well as provide patients with greater choice and convenience when seeking vision care. Supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council, this integrated model helps doctors build an optometric practice that offer patients a wide range of professional services in addition to eye examinations under one roof. “I am passionate about elevating eye care to a level of reverence and value in society,” says Dr. Daryan Angle, Executive Vice President at IRIS, “This is why I am very proud to have collaborated on the advancement of the practice of optometry inOntario. It is my belief that this will improve the quality of vision care for Ontarians,” he adds. IRIS the Visual Group operates 163 stores across Canada, of which 14 are located in Ontario. The company also runs two laser surgery centres (one in Quebec and one in Langley, British Columbia). Every IRIS location gives patients access to: eye health and vision examinations; treatment of certain eye diseases; contact lens fittings; eyewear adjustments binocular vision evaluation as well as consultations for laser vision correction. These services are all provided under the care of an Optometrist and/or a licensed Optician working together to provide the best solutions. Patients can choose from a wide selection of frames, sunglasses and eyewear accessories with the assistance of a team of professionals to help them find the best option to match their face shape and lifestyle so they can experience better vision. The company plans to continue expanding its network across the country, including in Ontario Source:The IRIS visual group NOTE: The story of IRIS The Visual Group began in 1986 when Dr. Francis Jean opened his first Optometry practice in his hometown of Baie-Comeau, Quebec. Dr. Francis Jean then founded a buying group, engaging several like-minded Optometrists that adopted the IRIS trademark in 1990. Since 1990, IRIS has established itself as the most important branded group of Optometrists, Opticians and Ophthalmologists dedicated to improving the vision health standards of Canadians. Over the last 25 years, IRIS the Visual Group has become the largest network of eye care professionals in Canada. Thanks to a distinctive concept and commitment to highest quality products and services, IRIS has managed to differentiate itself in the eyecare industry.

Poor Grades Explained by Vision Problems

As the various institutions of learning, especially our primary and post primary schools set to resume in September this year; parents and guardians will be concerned about the vision health of their children or wards. No wonder, there is often an increase in the number of students or pupils brought to the eye clinic at this time of year. As Optometrists it is our duty, to enlighten parents on how important it is for their children to be healthy vision wise. Imagine how a child with astigmatism or hyperopia would struggle with near work which is very necessary for academic excellence.

 

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) has explained the association between poor grades and vision problems. See the article below.

Poor Grades Explained by Vision Problems: College of Optometrists in Vision Development offers hope to parents of struggling readers

When school resumes in August, educators, parents, and students will strive to improve reading levels. According to the Common Core Curriculum, “Students will be challenged and asked questions that push them to refer back to what they’ve read.” Yet, according to Ida Chung, OD, FCOVD, and President of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), “students who have eye coordination and eye movement problems struggle to read and have trouble remembering what they read which will make this task nearly impossible. That’s why we observe August as International Children’s Vision and Learning Month , to help educate the public on this vital issue.”

Getting to the root of a child’s reading struggles can be difficult. Parents typically see multiple experts often starting with the basics, which includes an eye exam. It makes it tough for parents when they suspect that their child has a vision problem yet the experts say nothing is wrong.
For example, Jeremy Doernemann was a good student and got good grades; his problem was he couldn’t get anything done in school. His mother, Donna, explains, “First and Second grade were not as bad as Third and Fourth Grade. That is when he really struggled. I dreaded coming home from work, because I knew the 'Homework Hell' would begin… I asked the Pediatric Ophthalmologist several times if Jeremy’s struggles at school were related to his eye problems. He said ‘absolutely not.’ He said it had nothing to do with his ability to learn and concentrate. I didn’t agree with him but I did not know what to do and who to turn to.”
Jill Anderson ran into a similar situation. Her daughter Morgan avoided reading and struggled with reading comprehension. In an effort to find out why her daughter struggled, Mrs. Anderson states, “I took Jill to a general eye doctor who told us her vision was fine and she didn’t need any help.”
Fortunately for both Jeremy and Morgan, their parents found out about optometric vision therapy and now they no longer struggle with reading and schoolwork.
Mrs. Doernemann shares, “Vision Therapy changed my son’s life. There are no more tears! Jeremy is able to work faster on homework with better concentration. I no longer hear him say, ‘I CAN’T DO IT!’”

Nine months of tutoring at a prominent learning center and Morgan had no major improvements. After doing optometric vision therapy, her mother proudly states, “Reading is much easier for her. Morgan’s grades have improved and her confidence has greatly improved.”

Taben Randall was one year behind in math and writing. Taben was very fortunate that the school nurse actually discovered that his right eye did not track smoothly. His teacher had heard of vision therapy and provided some contacts for his parents to pursue.
Taben’s father, Timothy Randall, is pleased to report that testing, on the Woodcock Johnson III test, before and after vision therapy shows that over the course of only 18 months, “Reading gained 4 grade equivalents, Math gained 3 grade equivalents, and Writing gained 3 grade equivalents."

“It is our hope that this year’s observance of International Children’s Vision and Learning month brings greater awareness of the visual link to reading and learning . A lot of children and their families are struggling unnecessarily,” states Dr. Chung; “When a vision problem is at the root of a child’s difficulties with reading, optometric vision therapy can make all the difference.”

 

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development(COVD), www.covd.org is a non-profit, international membership association of eye care professionals including optometrists, optometry students, and vision therapists

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NIGERIAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION-Communique of its 38th Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference with the theme Advancing Optometry in Nigeria; Advocacy and Education at Orchid Hotels, Asaba, Thursday 17th -Saturday, 19th July, 2014

 

 
In addition to discussing issues affecting Nigeria, the health care system in Nigeria and Optometry profession, the resolutions below were made.

The association urged all state governments to partner with the association for improved quality eye care services for the rural populace.

NMA Excos Suspended and Re-instated as Strike Continues

Contrary to reports by some sections of the media that the on-going  industrial action by the Nigerian Medical Association has been suspended; the truth is that the strike action is still on.

The Dr. Kayode Obembe led National Officers had bowed to serious pressure by government in a meeting which had Dr.Chris Ngige a medical doctor and senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in attendance and decided to suspend the strike. However, this did not go down well with the delegates from the states and other NMA groups especially the National Association of Resident Doctors(NARD) because, the national officers do not have exclusive powers to take such a decision.  This led to a suspension of the national officers and the setting up of a caretaker committee in the Emergency Delegates Meeting(EDM) that took place early hours of today seventh h of August, 2014, after the announcement of the strike suspension.

"If enough quorum had been formed in the EDM, the excos would have been impeached," an insider said, in a chat with Optometry Excellence. "It took series of pleas by the elders in NMA before the national officers were reinstated."

At the moment, due to the detection of Ebola virus in Nigeria, and subsequent death of two victims, NMA has been under serious pressure to suspend the one month old strike.

"Can you imagine what would have been our fate, if the Ebola patient was rushed to a teaching hospital like LUTH; where there are more doctors and other health workers? There, consultants, residents and others would gather to learn as the patient is seen. Of course, there would be many handshakes afterwards. And yet hazard allowance is a paltry 5,000 naira." The insider said. " A nurse has died out of Ebola, even though she had kitted up before meeting the patient... Once a doctor dies, his salary is stopped that month, imagine the fate that his/her family would face."

Increase in hazard allowance of doctors is one of the demands of NMA. Now that doctors are seriously needed to go back to work, amidst the Ebola scourge; would government bulge to NMA's demands? Only time will tell.