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.