NEG Conference

This year’s NEG conference, titled ‘Tools for success’, will offer the most varied programme ever – with world-class speakers and content that will impact every NEG member across the country.

Having not been able to meet up with members since June 2019, the conference – on Sunday 19th and Monday 20th June at the Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club – is a fantastic opportunity to catch up with like-minded professionals to discuss the business and clinical issues of the day.

SUNDAY 19 JUNE EMOTIONAL JOURNEY OF THE PRESBYOPE In his 10.30am CPD lecture, titled 'The emotional journey of the presbyope', contact lens optician (CLO) Jim Dickson will look at the physiological changes in the ageing eye and the patient journey. As well as looking at the opportunities, Jim will show how the way we communicate and advise on these changes can help the emerging presbyope come to terms with what can be an extremely worrying and even distressing time. "Even though for some people presbyopia will be challenging, with all the options currently available there is no better time to be a presbyope," says Jim, an experienced CLO who started as a trainee dispensing optician with Dollond & Aitchison before opening two joint venture practices of his own. He was a member of Alcon's professional affairs team in the UK, before joining mark’ennovy in 2021 as head of professional services for the UK and Ireland. He is passionate about contact lenses and enjoys supporting eyecare professionals and practices with mentoring and training. PRESERVING SIGHT THROUGH AI Next up at 11.30am is a joint presentation by artificial intelligence (AI) expert Professor Pearse Keane and scientist Dr Wen Hwa Lee: 'Preserving healthy eyesight through AI – for all'. As the speakers will highlight, advances in AI are not restricted to self-driving cars, production lines or e-commerce recommendations; one of its most promising applications is in healthcare – and eyecare is at the forefront of this revolution. But what can AI do, and how can these advances be deployed at community level? These questions will be addressed during this session.

Pearse Keane is professor of artificial medical intelligence at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, and a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Originally from Ireland,

he graduated in medicine in 2002 from University College Dublin. In 2016, he initiated a formal collaboration between Moorfields Eye Hospital and Google DeepMind, to develop AI algorithms for the earlier detection and treatment of retinal disease. In August 2018, the first results of this collaboration were published in Nature Medicine – and in May 2020, he jointly led work to develop an early warning system for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). CEO and chief scientist at the charity, Action Against AMD, Dr Wen Hwa Lee trained in genetics and molecular/structural biology. He co-directed the Oxford Martin School’s Affordable Medicines Programme, Jim Dickson and advised government representatives from different countries and charitable institutions on policy and strategy to integrate scientific, societal and economic impact. He will share the advances and potential of AI in eyecare, and how transformation can be achieve through unique collaborations. MORE PROFIT FOR LESS EFFORT Have you ever been to a conference and come away with a head full of new ideas and then done next to nothing with them? In his 'Tools for 22' presentation at 1.30pm, Andy Clark will share innovative ideas for

Professor Pearse Keane Dr Wen Hwa Lee

Andy Clark

Studies have shown that a 1-dioptre increase in myopia is associated with a 67% increase in the prevalence of myopic maculopathy (the most common and serious sight-threatening complication of myopia and the main cause of irreversible vision loss in the world). The new My-Nor Myopia Management Lenses from Norville considers the features of the central and peripheral refraction characteristic of the myopic eye, along the horizontal and vertical meridians, to create a lens design with three unique characteristics: • Horizontal Defocus • Asymmetry • Positive Spherical Blur Available in: 1.50, 1.53, 1.60, 1.67, 1.74

Norville My-Nor Lens Design

Lower level of progressive horizontal addition

Central vision with full prescription (free of defocus)

Higher level of progressive horizontal addition

The optical design features of the Norville My-Nor Myopia Management Lens consist of a central vision area, providing stable refraction at the geometric centre, surrounded by a progressive peripheral vision with asymmetrical positive/myopic defocus in the horizontal meridian.

Technology created in cooperation with ArtOptica LLCand licensed by the Brien Holden Vision Institute LIMITED. Protected by one or more US patents 7,025,460, 7,665,842,7997,727, 8,342,684, and corresponding foreign patents.

creating more profit with less effort. More importantly, Tools for 22 is not just an informative and entertaining presentation, it’s the start of a six-week programme.

All attendees at Andy’s session will be able to apply for six weeks of implementation support in group sessions with Andy and the NEG Business Club team free of charge. They will help you create action plans, bust your excuses and hold you accountable for making a real difference. At the end of the presentation, you will have discovered the tools that current NEG Business Club members say are essential right now.

At the end of the six-week programme, you will have properly implemented some or all of them, and you will even know why M&Ms are the most important sweetie to have in your practice.

Andy Clark returned to university after he qualified as an optometrist to study business before building two large practices of his own. Andy is an accomplished presenter and is passionate about creating training and development that creates long-lasting changes. This passion helped him win a National Training Award for his Optometrist Development Programme and he was co-winner of an Optician Award for the Dry Eye Project. Andy founded Practice Building in 2010. Since then, he and his team have been working very closely with hundreds of independent practice owners helping them to build secure profitable practices.

MANAGING MYOPIA With myopia high on the agenda, don't miss Andy Sander's CPD presentation at 3:30pm on: 'Myopia and Its management: it’s all a bit of a blur'. Myopia is a significant global public health and socio-economic problem and has been steadily increasing in recent decades. It is estimated that by 2050, around 50 per cent of the world’s population will be myopic. Andy will explore the latest insights related to the proposed mechanisms that drive myopia, the consequences of myopia as well as management interventions and their reported efficacy.

Andy qualified as a dispensing optician in 1987 and has more than 37 years’ experience in both manufacturing and technical dispensing optics. Andrew has previously worked for large optical chains, smaller regional groups and independent High Street practice.

As UK professional services director for Hoya Lens UK, Andy is involved with a variety of support, management and training roles. He is not only responsible for in-house company training but the creation and delivery of motivational seminars on lens product, prescription and task analysis to a wide group of professionals both in the UK and mainland Europe.

MASTER THIEF: THE PROFESSIONALS Saturday's programme will round off at 4.30pm with the conference keynote presentation by 'Master thief', Hamish Taylor. From flat beds on BA flights to the turnaround of Eurostar and Sainsbury's Bank, Hamish Taylor drives innovation in businesses, successfully leading them through times of change or challenge. As a keynote speaker, he provides business insight at all levels, from prime ministers and CEOs to frontline staff, inspiring audiences with his humorous stories, practical tools and infectious enthusiasm. "If you want a breakthrough, look outside your current environment," says Hamish, whose willingness to challenge industry norms and to place the customer at the core of all activities has seen him follow a prolific career path. Trained in brand management at Procter & Gamble, Hamish went on to become a management consultant at PwC, head of brands at British Airways, CEO of Eurostar, and CEO of Sainsbury’s Bank – all before the age of 40.

The title of 'Master thief' was attributed to Hamish by the Inspired Leaders Network, based on his record of innovation by transferring ideas between sectors: British Airways put beds in their planes with the help of a yacht designer, airport queuing was improved with the help of Disney, and Sainsbury’s Bank’s profits increased 10-fold by using retail concepts rather than the traditional banking approach.

In 2004, Hamish established his own company focused on enabling organisations to achieve breakthroughs through processes, product and people development. Hamish’s energetic, thoughtprovoking and humorous keynotes are based on a rare combination of real stories and a fantastic ability to inspire audiences with tailored advice and practical tools. Regularly featured in broadcast media, today Hamish acts as an advisor to some of the world’s largest companies assisting with specific innovation projects, customer focus and/or people leadership. "Hamish's blend of engaging delivery, mixed with real world examples from his impressive career, make him the ideal keynote speaker for this year’s conference," said NEG managing director, Phil Mullins.

MONDAY 20 JUNE IN FULL BLOOM Kicking off the Sunday programme at 9am will be Josie Barlow with, 'Menicon’s myopia control system in full Bloom'. Josie will first look at the prevalence of myopia and the current myopia management options before introducing Menicon Bloom – a complete and comprehensive system to treat myopia progression using on-label products, care systems, protocols and software.

Menicon Bloom allows the practitioner to monitor and communicate with the patient, helping to improve treatment outcomes and compliance. Josie will explore how offering myopia management treatments can enhance and build a practice and create long-term patients while reducing the risk of drop-out.

Josie is a qualified dispensing optician and CLO, with more than 30 years' experience including in both independent and multiple practice. For more than 15 years, she has worked for contact lens manufacturers and has developed and delivered CET and other lectures on a wide range of contact lens corrections. She specialises in complex lens fitting and advising peers in this area.

CONTACT LENSES: THE MUST-HAVES At 10am, there will be a presentation from CooperVision on 'Contact lenses. the ‘must-have’ in modern optometry practice'. More information will be available soon.

GOING GREEN FOR ALL Turning to sustainability in optics at 11.30am will be Millmead Optical Group CEO, James Conway, and Eyespace managing director, Jayne Abel, with their presentation, 'Going green: good for you, your business and the planet'.

Jayne and James are from optical families with a proven track record of supporting the UK’s independent opticians. Jayne is a qualified optometrist and worked both in independent and multiple practice before joining the family eyewear supply business. In 2013, Jayne and her sister

Andy Sanders Hamish Taylor Josie Barlow

James Conway Jayne Abel

Julie launched Eyespace.

James heads up the Millmead Optical Group, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. The group covers many aspects of optical supply with Optoplast cases and accessories, Jai Kudo lenses and frames from Continental Eyewear.

Both speakers share a real passion for the independent sector – recognising that in many aspects of business, partnership is essential. One area this is particularly true is in sustainability. Jayne and James are key members of the Optical Suppliers Association (OSA), with Jayne chairing the OSA Sustainability Committee.

During their presentation, Jayne and James will explain how they have approached the need for their companies and their products to be more eco-friendly, the steps they have taken already and where they hope the future will take them. They will also share some of the pitfalls, the highs and the lows of transforming products and company culture to a more sustainable platform.

Although coming from the supplier’s perspective, the presentation will provide key pointers for getting started and developing a sustainability plan for a business – and show how making small changes can make a massive difference.

NO LOOKING BACK At 2pm, Peter Thomson will present, 'Never going back: how Covid-19 has changed work for good'. "The way we work has been evolving during the 21st century as a result of digital technology and social change," says Peter. "The pandemic has acted as a catalyst to accelerate this change with enforced home working and innovative uses of technology. "This has had a fundamental impact on the organisation of work and how we live

- Peter Thomson

our lives. We are never going back to the rigid, office-based work patterns but are moving to a more flexible, hybrid model. Leaders will have to adapt their management style to accommodate the expectations of the workforce of the future."

Peter's interest in the future of work started when he was personnel director in Northern Europe for Digital Equipment, a pioneering user of technology for teleworking. Peter then became a visiting fellow at Henley Business School where he studied the changing patterns of work and the leadership implications of these trends. At the same time, he formed Wisework, a leading consultancy in the field of smart working.

In 2011 Peter teamed up with Alison Maitland to write Future Work, which became a bestselling book. His most recent book is Never Going Back: How Covid-19 has Changed Work for Good, showing how the pandemic has had a dramatic effect on how we work and the implications for leaders, society and the environment. Peter is now director of the think tank, Future Work Forum.

APPROACHES TO NUTRITIONAL ADVICE The final session of the afternoon at 3:30pm is a CPD presentation by Francesca Marchetti titled, 'Where and when should I give nutritional advice: that pragmatic approach'. "Optical professionals need to ensure that they can identify risk factors in a patient's history and lifestyle that warrant further discussion with regards to selfcare, such as smoking, family history and so on, says Francesca. "This lecture serves to present a pragmatic approach to nutritional advice, using fictional patient case scenarios to demonstrate the key learning points. For each one, peer-reviewed evidence is presented to give a balanced pragmatic conclusion."

Francesca is a graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University, and works as a self-employed independent optometrist mainly in Warwickshire and the West Midlands. She also works at Midland Eye Solihull in the refractive clinic and is clinical liaison lead. She has a keen interest in dry eye, and nutrition and the eye, and is an Association of Optometrists council member for the West Midlands. She sits on Coventry & Warwickshire Local Optical Committee, and regularly presents at conferences.

Francesca Marchetti

Register for the NEG Building for Success Conference at https://negconference.co.uk ■