OCT conference hailed a success

AI expert Professor Pearse Keane discusses challenges and opportunities

Topcon Healthcare, a division of Topcon Corporation, hosted its National OCT Conference at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales, earlier this month, following a three-year hiatus due to Covid restrictions.

The 117 delegates who attended the conference on 12-13 March had the opportunity to accrue more than 30 CPD points. Day one was focused on OCT, while myopia management was in the spotlight on day two.

Opening the programme was Dr Christiana Dinah, consultant ophthalmologist and R&I director at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, presenting on OCT and OCT-angiography in diabetic eye disease. There were nine different OCT-related workshops across three tracks, and an opportunity to join clinical case discussions with Edward Farrant, Andrew Thornton, Maged Nessim, Professor Paulo-Eduardo Stanga and Samer Elsherbiny as facilitators.

There were three clinical lectures from Lorcan Butler, Dr Winfried Amoaku and Professor David Henson, covering topics including the latest research in OCT and the diagnosis of papilloedema.

Professor Pearse Keane, consultant ophthalmologist and professor of artificial medical intelligence, gave the closing keynote and spoke on the ‘Challenges and opportunities in eyecare in the 21st century’.

Catherine Chisholm chairs a panel discussion

The second day, Myopia Monday’, included lectures, panel discussions and case discussion workshops, again across three tracks. These brought delegates the very latest clinical evidence from this fast-moving field to apply in practice.

Dr Matilda Biba and Professor James Wolffsohn wdiscussed the unexpected role of choroidal thickness in myopia and the latest evidence base for myopia management, respectively. Sarah Farrant facilitated a session on using technology to enhance outcomes in specialist clinics, and Topcon’s own clinical affairs specialist, Danielle Lee, ran two sessions of the skills track. There were also two peer reviews with Dr Keyur Patel and Sarah Farrant.

Catharine Chisholm chaired the closing panel discussion on ‘How to make myopia management work for you’, along with Professor Wolffsohn, Sarah Farrant, Professor Nick Rumney – and ‘guest panellist’ AI chatbot ChatGTP.

Delegate Laura Williams, an optometrist at BRR Optometry, said after the event: “The quality of the lectures was excellent. The highlight for me was learning new clinical pearls when using OCT to investigate for signs of papilloedema, as well as getting a more detailed overview of how we can use the equipment in practice to a further level when managing pathology. It was also great to be provided with an overview of the current research that is ongoing regarding myopia and to have a small group discussion on using the MYAH in practice to help aid the management of these patients.”

Jane Williams from Eyewear Creations in Barnstable, commented: “I thought the conference was an absolutely huge success. The speakers were diverse and the content was new and refreshing. The venue was perfect, the best one I’ve been to.”