Call for GSLS 2025 Papers & Poster Abstracts
The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) invites the submissions of abstracts for the presentation of free papers and posters at GSLS 2025 to be held Jan. 15-18, 2025, at the Horseshoe Las Vegas. Topics can include new and innovative concepts, clinical cases, and research on all aspects of contact lenses (such as materials, designs, lens care, etc.) in addition to related topics such as corneal and ocular surface disease, diagnosis and treatment approaches, and practice management. Submissions are being accepted now through Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. EST. Visit the GSLS website for more information.
ACO to Host Orthokeratology Masterclass
The Australian College of Optometry (ACO) will host an interactive masterclass on orthokeratology (ortho-k) in Melbourne on Aug. 11. The class will be led by Philip Cheng, an International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control fellow, and optometrist Jacinda Van, from specialty contact lens practice Richard Lyndsay & Associates.
The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and participation among attendees. In session one, Cheng will provide tips on patient selection and lens fitting, as well as managing patient expectations and using a corneal topographer. In session two, Van will guide participants through how to identify and manage unexpected ortho-k treatment outcomes and potential complications. The masterclass will conclude with a demonstration of ortho-k lens designs, led by Cheng.
The in-person masterclass has limited capacity and early registration is recommended: go.aco.org.au/orthok-24.
ABO & NCLE and NFOS to Form United Opticians Association
The American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) and the National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS) have announced the formation of the United Opticians Association (UOA), a new international organization for spectacle and contact lens optician professionals. The organization also works to connect national organizations, including the Opticians Association of America (OAA), with the ABO & NCLE and NFOS.
In addition, the ABO & NCLE Board and the National Federation of Opticianry Schools are both offering all ABO & NCLE certificants and current NFOS students a complimentary one-year membership to the UOA, valid through July 1, 2025.
Euclid to Host Orthokeratology Webinar
Euclid will be hosting a webinar on July 30 at 8 p.m., titled “Making a U-Turn When Things Go South: A Common Sense Guide to Ortho-K Troubleshooting.”
Presented by Rob Gerowitz, OD, and Christie Yee, NCLEM, COA, the webinar aims to simplify “advanced” orthokeratology (ortho-k) troubleshooting with a commonsense approach. Eyecare practitioners can learn how to save valuable chair and staff time by streamlining corneal topography capture and lens consultant communication. To register, visit https://bit.ly/4cHoNlO.
Prevent Blindness Provides Educational Resources for Dry Eye Awareness Month
Prevent Blindness is supporting dry eye awareness month, which kicked off on Monday, July 1, with free educational resources, including fact sheets and shareable social media graphics available in English and Spanish, and a dedicated web page: preventblindness.org/understanding-dry-eye. OcuSoft Inc. is partnering with Prevent Blindness in support of Dry Eye Awareness Month.
IAPB Launches 2024 World Sight Day Campaign
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) launched the World Sight Day campaign for World Sight Day, which occurs Oct. 10. This year’s campaign features Artie, the World Sight Day mascot; a suite of eye health activities pages and learning materials designed for children of all ages that can be accessed via the IAPB website; and the “Glasses of the Future” competition, which invites children to color and invent the next generation of glasses.