22 ICO Conference
ICO Annual Conference – Latest Developments in Eye Care The Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference 2022 took place from Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th May 2022 at the Kilkenny Convention Centre, Lyrath Estate. Over 200 ophthalmologists in practice and training gathered for the three-day meeting to hear the latest clinical and scientific updates and developments in the specialty from national and international eye experts. Symposia topics included a clinical session on Ocular Surface Disease; a service delivery session on 'Planning for the Future' examining Medical Retina and Telemedicine/Virtual Review, IOP Clinics and Glaucoma Diagnostic Hubs; whilst a separate symposium focused on the Integrated Eye Care Team highlighted the model of eye care implementation at national, regional and community level. A separate clinical session on Recent Clinical Trials in Glaucoma, Myopia and Retina also featured on the programme. It was a great honour and privilege for the ICO to welcome Professor Stanley Chang, K.K. Tse and Ku Teh Ying Professor of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York to present this year's Annual Mooney Lecture. A specialist in vitreoretinal disorders and surgery, Prof Chang has pioneered many of the surgical techniques currently used in this field. Parallel workshop sessions on Ocular Movement and OCTA, in addition to the paper and poster sessions (ICO Honorary Medals and prize presentations) and the SOE Young Ophthalmologist Lecture 2022 were among the other highlights of this year's reunion conference, following a two year break for the conference due to Covid restrictions. Addressing delegates, ICO President, Mr Tim Fulcher said it was wonderful to return to an in person meeting for members in 2022 following a difficult two years throughout Covid.
Professor Stanley Chang, K.K. Tse and Ku Teh Ying Professor of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Department of Ophthalmology, Annual Mooney Lecturer 2022 with Professor David Keegan, Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology and Retina (University College Dublin) and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin.
Mr Tim Fulcher, President, Irish College of Ophthalmologists with keynote speakers from the 'Delivering Integrated Care in Ireland' symposium which took place on the opening day of the OCO Annual Conference 2022 L-R Dr Margarat Morgan, Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Professor William Power, Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin; Ms Chriosa O’Connor, Optometrist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin and Professor David Keegan, UCD Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology and Retina, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin. National Clinical Lead for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening.
"Our Annual Conference has always been an extremely valuable educational meeting for the specialty and important collegiate occasion for our members. It is crucial to return to in person engagement forums to discuss the latest developments and learnings amongst colleagues, difficult and unusual cases and of course all we have learnt about our specialty and service delivery management as a result of the pandemic. “Despite the challenges of the past two years, much progress has taken place in the specialty of ophthalmology with investment into the new Integrated Eye Care Teams at community and hospital level, and the establishment of dedicated cataract theatres. There is much more to be done to address the waiting lists in ophthalmology and our focus, alongside the work of the National Clinical Programme led by Prof William Power, remains on delivering a service equipped to manage the areas of greatest patient demand. “We are very fortunate to once again be welcoming leading experts from home and overseas to the ICO Annual Conference, who will impart their exceptional knowledge to the benefit of all in attendance and our health service over the three-day meeting."
JULY 2022 • HPN | HOSPITALPROFESSIONALNEWS.IE
Annual Mooney Lecture 2022 ‘Improving the Outcomes of Surgery for Retinal Detachment’ Professor David Keegan formally introduced Professor Chang, noting the incredible contribution Professor Chang has made to the speciality throughout his career, retina in particular and his status as a pioneer of several revolutionary surgical approaches to treat complicated forms of retinal detachment which have led to improved outcomes for patients worldwide. Professor Chang’s subject for the 2022 Mooney Lecture discussed the four different methods of treating retinal detachment – pneumatic retinopexy (injection of a gas bubble, with positioning, and laser), scleral buckling alone, vitrectomy, and vitrectomy and scleral buckling. The characteristics of the retinal detachment, such as size and number of tears or extent, cannot be determined by the surgeon, but the selection of the procedure and the adjuncts used in the surgical management are critical to achieving a successful outcome. Evidence -based data on the outcomes of the different methods of the treatment for retinal detachment were discussed and surgical techniques that enhance the outcomes.
