CAKE Post (APACRS 2023 Edition) - Issue 1

And We’re Off: APACRS 2023 Starts Now

by Brooke Herron

Welcome to the 35th Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS 2023) annual meeting. For the next three days, we’ll bring you the latest news and updates from the meeting — so make sure you check out our CAKE Post online every day!

Ah, Singapore…

It’s good to be back. And it’s even better to be here at APACRS 2023 for the first full three-day annual meeting since COVID-19 crashed the party. That’s right, from June 8 to 10 attendees from Asia and beyond will enjoy a fun- and scientific-filled feast of anterior segment information — all from the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. So, let this serve as a guide for APACRS 2023: We’ll cover can’t-miss highlights and some of the most enlightening sessions.

Serendipitously, Media MICE CEO and CAKE Post Publisher Matt Young’s jacket colors blend with the Welcome to Singapore greeting here. Always in style!

CONNECTING THE DOTS:

INDUSTRY SYMPOSIUM

Experts discuss their use of various premium technologies to deliver optimal surgical outcomes and improve patient satisfaction.

Moderator

A/Prof. Clement Tan Woon Teck · Singapore

Performance of enVista® and LuxSmartTM with the EVO Formula Dr Yeo Tun Kuan · Singapore

Early experience with the LuxSmartTM Toric (Extended Range of Vision) IOL Dr Ben LaHood · Australia

Enhanced Depth of Focus (DOF) post cataract extraction in refractive patients

Prof. Jodhbir Mehta · Singapore

Redefining Excimer Laser Technology with TransEpi PRK

Dr Robert Edward Ang · Philippines

Panel Discussion

Friday June 9th 2023

12:45 TO 13:40 HOURS

LEVEL 3 - ROOM 331

MEET THE EXPERTS

Please join our experts to further discuss premium surgery through the latest B+L technologies

B+L Booth C15

9

Friday June 9th 3.15pm to 4.15pm

The scientific committee sure hit the nail on the head with this year’s theme, “NEXUS — Connecting Everyone and Everything.” This focus certainly feels relevant after the last few years of disconnection. And based on the master classes, symposia and events taking place during APACRS 2023, it’s clear that this will be a meeting full of connections… so, let’s jump in!

Scientific sessions: Sharing knowledge and experience

First up is the “meat” of any ophthalmic meeting: the scientific symposia. Co-hosted by the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and the Asia Cornea Society (ACS), this year’s program is packed full of important and interesting morsels on the topics that matter most to today’s anterior segment specialists.

Look out for cutting-edge sessions on intraocular lenses (IOLs), the latest surgical techniques, as well as how to manage complicated cataract cases — with advice from renowned experts that can be applied straight into clinical practice. Further, make sure to catch some of the sessions on glaucoma (including new insights into angleclosure!), infectious keratitis (diagnose and treat before it’s too late!), and corneal surgery (new techniques abound!).

Looking to “master” some of the latest surgical techniques… or just looking for a refresher? Then you will not want to miss the meeting’s Master Classes on June 8, where the world’s best ophthalmic educators will lead classes on today’s key topics in ophthalmic surgery. These include toric IOLs, biometry, phaco alternatives, pterygium surgery, refractive surgery, and more! (Check the program and add at least one of these Master Classes to your calendar.)

To further embrace our connections, there will also be a joint symposium hosted by APACRS, ASCRS and ESCRS on cataract and refractive surgery, titled “Trending Technologies: Highway to the Future.” This is another session that shouldn’t be missed, as the world’s leading cataract and refractive societies unite to explore trending technologies — specifically, separating the tech that attendees should seriously consider utilizing from the less useful and effective options. (Add to your calendar: Friday, June 9, 11:00-12:30)

Continuing the spirit of “connecting everything,” mark your calendar for “Top Gun: Top Cataract Surgery Tips.” This highly informative session will offer practical tips that surgeons can connect and implement directly into the operating theater. (Add to your calendar: Saturday, June 10, 16:0017:30)

In addition to these highlights, delegates should also make time to check out the plethora of surgical video symposia, industry lunch symposia, free papers and e-posters during APACRS 2023.

Opening ceremony and awards: Honoring eye care experts

The eye care festivities really kick off on Day 2, beginning with the Opening Ceremony and APACRS Lim Lecture. During the Opening Ceremony, delegates will hear welcome messages from Organizing Chairman Dr. Chan Wing Kwong (Singapore) and Guestof-Honor Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Singapore).

Following these introductions, stay tuned for the opening address from APACRS President Prof. Yao Ke (China), whose remarks will further cement this year’s theme. “‘NEXUS –Connecting Everyone and Everything’ heralds a new era for us to reconnect and restart the exchange of cuttingedge topics and techniques after the challenging times,” said Prof. Yao in the program’s welcome message. (Add to your calendar: Friday, June 9, 9:0010:30)

What’s more, during the Opening Ceremony, this year’s award recipients will also be recognized — this includes the APACRS Certified Educators

Cont. from Page 1 >>

(A.C.E.), the APACRS Gold Medal, and the prestigious APACRS Lim Lecture.

APACRS Lim Lecture

As the highest award of the APACRS, the Lim Lecture recognizes ophthalmologists who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of cataract and refractive surgery. This year, the lecture was awarded to Prof. Gerd Auffarth (Germany), who will speak on “Current and Future Development in Intraocular Implants with New Materials.”

Prof. Auffarth is chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, director of the David J. Apple International Laboratory for Ocular Pathology, and director of the International Vision Correction Research Centre (IVCRC). He has been named as one of the most influential people in ophthalmology worldwide (most recently in 2022) and has garnered more than 200 awards for his scientific contributions. Further, Prof. Auffarth has published more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and 370

book chapters, and delivered more than 1,500 lectures and 1,000 invited speeches. His expertise focuses on biomaterial and implant research in cataract and laser surgery, and he was the first surgeon to implant a toric, aspheric, multifocal IOL and has developed several IOL prototypes. (Add to your calendar: Friday, June 9, 10:00-10:30)

APACRS Gold Medal

Zooming in on Asia-Pacific, the APACRS Gold Medal recognizes ophthalmologists for making significant contributions to developments in cataract and refractive surgery in the region. This year’s recipient, Dr. Fam Han Bor, holds a number of senior appointments at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore) and is credited as the founding head of anterior segment surgery.

Dr. Fam’s primary interests are furthering the fields of visual optics, wavefront science, IOL calculations, corneal topography, contact lens and eye modeling, biofilms, and phaco technology. He has actively published

in leading peer-reviewed journals over the past 20 years and holds a patent for an enhanced occlusion removal system for use during phaco. In addition, Dr. Fam has given more than 500 presentations and 50 instructional courses on cataract and refractive surgery and biometry.

APACRS Certified Educators (A.C.E.)

Three renowned surgeons will be recognized for their contributions to continued education and skills transfer in anterior segment surgery: Prof. Jodhbir Mehta, Dr. Mahipal Sachdev and Clinical Assoc. Prof. Mohamad Rosman.

Networking and events: Connecting after hours

After a long day of scientific symposia, there’s no better way to end Day 1 of APACRS 2023 than catching up with friends and colleagues at the Welcome Reception. All delegates are invited to attend the reception, which will be held in the exhibition hall of Suntec Singapore and will feature both local Singaporean food and culture. (Add to your calendar: Thursday, June 8, 17:3019:00)

The “after-hours” fun continues on Day 2 — and don’t forget the popcorn — because it’s time for the APACRS Film Festival Symposium and Awards Ceremony. So, kick back, relax and be educationally entertained by the best surgical video offerings from AsiaPacific and beyond. Winning films in each category will be shown in full with a discussion between the judges and producers following each screening. (Add to your calendar: Friday, June 9, 16:00-17:30)

With its impressive scientific program, APACRS 2023 promises to offer an exceptional educational experience. But perhaps even more importantly, the annual meeting once again provides a unique platform for connecting with colleagues and friends from around the world — and sharing knowledge and experiences to further anterior segment practice in the region.

A Must Side Trip

APACRS 2023 welcomes you to the beautiful Garden City of Singapore

by Tan Sher Lynn

As you embark on a fulfilling academic sojourn at the 35th Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS 2023) annual meeting, why not take the opportunity to explore and enjoy the vibrant and intriguing city-state of Singapore?

Even though Singapore is one of Asia’s smallest countries, it packs a lot of punch — offering a rich, urban, and cultural experience like no other.

As a modern and dynamic city set amid lush greenery, boosting sophisticated infrastructure and avant-garde

architecture, Singapore is the perfect destination for shopping, dining, and sightseeing. Attractions are ample and easily accessible, transportation is convenient, and local cuisine is a musttry! What’s more, there is no shortage of art and heritage and cultural landscapes in Singapore.

The crown jewel of Asia

As you step out of the Singapore Changi Airport arrival hall, taking a short 10-minute walk will lead you to the tallest indoor waterfall in the world — the 40-meter high HSBC Rain Vortex at The Jewel. You will surely find yourself in awe of this architectural marvel while you enjoy the cool breeze, as water pours from a massive hole in the roof into an indoor rainforest that is the Shiseido Forest Valley.

More than a shopping center, The Jewel also boasts a host of entertainment and recreation activities like the Canopy Park, located on the

top floor. Here, you can let the child in you run loose as you bounce on nets and go down giant slides, all while taking in the views of the naturethemed entertainment and retail complex.

Less than 20 minutes car ride from the airport will take you to the city center where you’ll be greeted by the iconic Marina Bay Sands, standing so majestically against Singapore’s modern skyline. This architectural wonder is the epitome of the ultimate, luxurious lifestyle. Offering posh hotel rooms, suites, restaurants, and shops boasting luxury brands, Marina Bay Sands also provides breathtaking views of the city at the SkyPark Observation Deck. In addition, it boasts one of the world’s most spectacular rooftop infinity pools, the world’s largest greenhouse — Gardens by the Bay, and the spectacular and innovative ArtScience Museum.

Home to a diverse collection of over 1.5 million plants that hail from every continent except Antarctica, the 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay nature park is mesmerizing, to say the least. It is also worth a visit at night, when the Supertrees are illuminated, offering an experience like no other.

Modern buildings and attractions aside, Singapore is also rich in culture and heritage. Take a taxi to Chinatown for its Peranakan-style shophouses, traditional food, historic temples, and hip bars. Or visit the many enthralling museums in the city, such as the National Museum of Singapore, which tells the history and culture of the country, as well as the National Gallery Singapore, which owns the largest public collection of modern art in Southeast Asia (over 9,000 works).

From hawker to fine dining

Although small in size, Singapore is certainly not lacking in a wide range of dining options, from cheap but legendary hawker dishes to Michelinstarred restaurants. The food the city-state offers is as diverse as its multicultural heritage, which is made up of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian ethnicities.

For the best of local cuisine, you certainly do not want to miss a trip to the hawker centers, which are the heart and soul of Singapore’s food scene. In fact, Singapore’s hawker culture is so distinctive that it became a part of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.

We suggest that you check out these hawker centers: Hong Lim Market & Food Centre for pork noodles and curry puffs; Maxwell Food Centre for Hainanese chicken rice, roasted meat, and crispy fritters; and Amoy Street Food Centre for rice dumplings, char kway teow, and fish soup.

Other favorites that you should try are chili crab, nasi lemak, bak kut teh (meaty pork ribs cooked in a broth of herbs and spices), biryani rice, Indian rojak, fried radish cake, and fried oyster omelet. Meanwhile, those who have a sweet tooth should definitely go for the ice kacang, cendol, or an assortment of Nyonyah kuihs (traditional cakes).

It’s noteworthy that Singapore also has one of the best bar scenes in Asia, if not the world. Those that make it to the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022 include Jigger and Pony, Mo Bar, Manhattan, Republic, and No Sleep Club. So, if you are into creative cocktails and liquid inspiration, be sure to check out these award-winning watering holes.

Getting to Suntec Convention Centre

Suntec City, which houses the Suntec Convention Centre where APACRS 2023 is held, is an exciting destination by itself — offering diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences in one location.

From Changi Airport, you can reach Suntec Convention Centre via taxi, city shuttle, mass rapid transit (MRT), or bus. A taxi or private transfer takes about 20 to 30 minutes, the city shuttle takes about 40 minutes, and the bus takes about one hour.

All in all, we wish you a fruitful meeting and a smashing time in Singapore!

Stop, Collaborate… and Effectively Manage Dry Eye Disease

Diagnostic and treatment devices team up to provide disruptive DED solutions leading to improved tear film quality and quantity

by Brooke Herron

Topcon (Singapore) and Espansione Group (Bologna, Italy) are collaborating to bring innovative solutions to dry eye disease patients in Southeast Asia and beyond — and at APACRS 2023, attendees can experience these devices first-hand…

Dry eye disease (DED) causes a significant burden worldwide … but even more so in Asia, where it enjoys a 20% prevalence.1 This high DED incidence means that reliable diagnostics and effective treatments are required to improve symptoms and quality of life. As a result, Topcon and Espansione Group have teamed up to knock out DED in Southeast Asia with an innovative (and disruptive) diagnostic and treatment device combination: MYAH and eye-light®.

As a globally-oriented business, Topcon develops solutions that solve major challenges in eye health: A prime example of this mission is illustrated by MYAH, a unique and multifunctional device for myopia and DED diagnosis and management. Meanwhile, Espansione Group is driven to create new paradigms in ophthalmology by providing the best medical technologies, as evidenced by eyelight®, which includes cutting-edge, light-based treatment for safe and effective patient care. Topcon will now be the sole distributor of Espansione Group’s full portfolio in Southeast Asia.

Set your sights on this powerful DED combo

Perhaps best known for its myopia management capabilities, Topcon’s MYAH is an all-in-one device that offers optical biometry, corneal topography, pupillometry and contact lens fitting. However, this evolving platform also provides the necessary tools needed to diagnose and manage DED, too. There are four tear-related acquisition modes available on the MYAH: blink assessment (BLINK), Meibomian gland imaging (MEIB), tear meniscus height measurement (TMH) and non-invasive tear break-up time (TBT), which is a fundamental measurement in the diagnosis and management of ocular surface disease. Together, these tools provide physicians with a reliable DED diagnosis and insights into managing this multifactorial disease.

Once a diagnosis is made, Espansione Group’s eye-light® steps in to deliver highly effective and completely noninvasive therapies that significantly relieve DED symptoms for longterm management. As an all-in-one

treatment powerhouse for ocular surface health, eye-light® features two of the company’s core technologies: Light Modulation® Low-level Light Therapy (LM® LLLT) and Optimal Power Energy® Intense Pulsed Light (OPE® IPL). Both light-based technologies have proven safety and efficacy in numerous clinical studies — including more than 30 scientific papers on LM® LLLT technology in the past few years, alone. In fact, a 2023 paper2 found that “LLLT significantly improved tear film production and stability along with ocular discomfort symptoms in patients with DED owing to MGD.”

Considered to be a groundbreaking partnership, this alliance promises to raise the bar in the management of dry eye and many more ocular surface conditions (e.g., chalazion, blepharitis, Sjögren’s Syndrome and Demodex) in Southeast Asia and beyond — making the final score win-win for both physicians and patients. Indeed, when used together, these complementary devices — MYAH and eye-light® — can offer powerful, synergistic solutions for comprehensive patient care, as well as opportunities for eye care professionals to build and grow their practice.

To learn more, visit the Topcon booth #A34 from June 8-10 at APACRS 2023

References

1. Cai Y. Wei J, Zhou J, Zou W. Prevalence and Incidence of Dry Eye Disease in Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ophthalmic Res. 2022;65(6):647-658.

2. Giannaccare G, Vaccaro S, Pellegrini M, et al. Serial Sessions of a Novel Low-Level Light Therapy Device for Home Treatment of Dry Eye Disease. Ophthalmol Ther. 2023;12(1):459468.

From Seoul to Singapore

It’s always happening with Media MICE surrounding APACRS

Media MICE met up with Singapore Optometric Association President Ken Tong on Wednesday to talk about ophthalmology and optometry crossover issues

Media MICE was at APACRS Seoul for our first Livestream with Johnson & Johnson Vision at APACRS Seoul in 2022. The 3rd happens again at APACRS 2023.

Director Chris McBride spotted an Ishihara color vision test book at an eye care clinic on Wednesday

Media MICE

CEO Matt Young performed a LIVE booth walkthrough in Seoul for the first time in 2022, and has logged many more LIVE show steps since then.

Media MICE visited eyesight.sg on Wednesday, a vision care clinic in Singapore, to understand how optometrists and ophthalmologists can work better together

Creative

Welcome to Singapore for APACRS!