Hello all. So pleased that we’ve nearly come out of January and will hopefully enjoy lighter evenings soon!
This year we have the IOC in Brisbane 27-29th June 2025 (education forum on 26th June 2025) and we’re hoping to see many UK and ROI orthoptists there for what promises to be an exciting programme (https://ioc2025.com.au/). Professor Fiona Rowe has been chosen to deliver the prestigious Burian Lecture at the IOC for her lifetime scientific and evidence-based clinical contributions to orthoptics and vision science.
Since my last update, the IOA Council of Management met in Oslo in May 202. The IOA has redeveloped their website highlighting specific sections that align with the IOA strategy, so please check it out. As BIOS members, you are all automatically members of the IOA.
On that note, the IOA will be hosting their 50th Annual General Meeting on 1 February, 2025. We have put together a mini symposium, “Expanding Horizons in Orthoptic Practice: Advanced Roles and Innovations” including a program of excellent speakers:
- Professor Helen Davis (UK): Orthoptics; the extended and advanced role
- Sue Silvera: Scope of Practice of Orthoptists (Australia): IOA survey results
- Kate Hon (UK): Advancing Orthoptic Practice in Paediatric Ophthalmology
- Jonathan Drury (UK): The eyes have it. A different approach to Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology
Please register here to join the AGM and the symposium.
The Education and Research committee of the IOA, chaired by Linda Colpa and I, were tasked to develop a policy for survey requests through the IOA. This is currently in the final stages of development and will set out guidelines/checklist for how an orthoptist can submit a survey for review to then be distributed to a National Association’s membership through the IOA.
In case you missed it the winner of the World Orthoptic Day Zeiss Video Challenge 2024- ‘Orthoptists making a difference’, Amy Landau from Belgium won gold, Rida Khalid from the UK secured silver and Raquel Aleixo from Brazil taking bronze. You can check out their videos on Facebook (https://fb.watch/xjv42lIaaf/)
The IOA teamed up with WSPOS to deliver an online webinar, “Accommodation related disorders: what should we be focussing our attention on” on the 26th October 2024 with a number of UK presenters including Professor Anna Horwood, Louise Allen and myself presenting work on AC/A ratio, CVI and Smartphone use. You can still catch this and any other freely accessible webinars here.
The IOA are still looking to fill the position of Treasurer. This is a great development opportunity to get involved in the IOA and contribute to the board of trustees by providing strategic direction, setting policies, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance. You would also get the opportunity to attend Council of Management meetings hosted in various IOA member countries. If you require any further information, please email: [email protected] or myself.
Jignasa Mehta
Representative for the International Orthoptic Association (IOA)
[email protected]