Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS

GSLS Free Paper Session: (from left). Drs. Mari Fujimoto, Erin Tomiyama, Juan Gonzalo Carracedo RodrÌguez, and Jaume Paune. Standing: Dr. Ed Bennett (moderator). Photo courtesy of Dr. Jaume Paune

A look back

Despite difficult circumstances due to the Corona pandemic, the Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) took place in Las Vegas from January 19 to 22 in presence. For those who could not attend the event, however, the organisers have a special ace up their sleeve. In the summer, the symposium will get an additional online-only extension. Special speakers and an interesting lecture programme will be included. By Silke Sage

But first, a look back to Las Vegas. In total, the GSLS featured around 30 educational workshops, general lectures and sessions on all specialty lens topics with a focus on myopia management, scleral lenses, irregular cornea management, dry eye, multifocal contact lenses and specialty lens practice management. There were also more than 120 scientific posters, several free lectures presenting the latest research findings, and nearly 40 sponsored presentations where attendees could learn about new specialty lens designs. In conversation with GlobalCONTACT, the organisers were quite satisfied with the conference and exhibition, although with just over 600 participants, only about half the usual number of visitors showed up in presence. "Considering the circumstances we all have to live with at the moment, we consider it a very successful event," says co-organiser Professor Dr. Edward Bennett of the Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, adding: "There were also some last-minute cancellations among the exhibitors, but most of them came. I was able to make sure through personal conversations that they were very pleased, both with their decision to participate and with the attendance."

HIGHLIGHTS 2022

Edward Bennett complimented the high standard of the lectures offered. He reports: "I always give our lectures chair, Jason Nichols, my summary of positive and constructive thoughts about the meeting, and it was difficult to find any negatives.

Dr. Edward S. Bennett (right), Thomas E. Anastor GPLI Distinguished Service Award 2022 and Jan Svochak Kenneth W. Leonhard (left). Winner of the Honorary Recognition Award 2022 and Chris Pantle Naomi “Jo” Svochak GP Practitioner of the Year Award 2022: Dr. Stephanie L. Woo (right) and Dr. Bennett

GSLS Education Committee: Karen DeLoss OD, Patrick Caroline FCLSA, Jason Nichols OD, PhD (Chair), Lynette Johns OD, and Ed Bennett OD, MSEd. Photo: GSLS

A highlight in my opinion was the presentation ‘Myopia control: treatment showdown 2.0’, moderated by Jeff Walline with an excellent panel consisting of Pauline Cho, Kate Gifford, Sally Dillehay and Ashley Wallace-Tucker. A series of seven practice cases were presented and each panel member spoke in favour of a different treatment option: 1) orthokeratology, 2) soft multifocal lenses, 3) myopia control with spectacle lenses and 4) low dose atropine. The audience was then asked which modality they thought was indicated in this particular case."

VIRTUAL GSLS

From June 9 to 11, the classic symposium will be expanded for the first time with an additional purely virtual version of the GSLS-V. Jason Nichols, who is the programme chair, told us more about this: "We have planned four lecture series coorganised by international special lens organisations from Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America. We believe this will be the most international GSLS we've ever had!" The preliminary programme is something to be excited about. You can follow the link directly in our GlobalCONTACT app or find it here: www.clspectrum.com/gsls-virtual/agenda n

Mark your calendars: The next classic GSLS will take place again from January 18 to 21 in Las Vegas, Horseshoe (at the old Bally's Hotel & Casino).