Joint conference will bring Visionaries together

The British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) will mark the 25th anniversary of the Medical Contact Lens and Ocular Surface Association (MCLOSA) by teaming up to present a joint programme in November within the BCLA Visionaries conference in London.

New BCLA president Professor Sunil Shah said the partnership with MCLOSA, a sub specialist ophthalmology interest group with a focus on the cornea and external eye disease, has the potential to improve clinical care.

He added: “As a corneal specialist, I have been involved in the BCLA and worked with optometrists, CLO’s and industry for many years. A joint conference with MCLOSA, which I hope will be the first of many, will allow the multidisciplinary group that forms the BCLA to interact with the MCLOSA members to the benefit of both groups and hence ultimately the clinical care that is provided.”

MCLOSA is focused on innovations in contact lens practice, clinical care and medical management of contact lens wear, and the role of contact lens in different eye diseases.

MCLOSA President Mr Alex Shortt said: “The modern management of patients with dry eye, corneal and ocular surface diseases requires expert input from both optometrists and ophthalmologists. Both groups of professionals require highly specialised skill sets to achieve the best outcomes for patients.

“It is the 25th Anniversary of MCLOSA this year and collaborating with the BCLA is the perfect way to mark the milestone.

“This joint conference is an exciting collaboration which will see the UK’s leading optometrists and ophthalmologists come together to exchange knowledge and develop their ocular surface and contact lens skills for the benefit of patients.”

The joint meeting encompassing BCLA Visionaries, will be held on Friday, November 30 at the Royal College of Physicians. Further details will be released in due course via www.bcla.org.uk