Insights from the BCLA Asia conference 2024 with Helen Liaw

In this latest BCLA podcast, hosts Karin Brown-Balvert and Fakhruddin Barodawala chat with Helen Liaw. She shared insights from the recent BCLA ASIA conference held in Chengdu, China. The BCLA ASIA was held in collaboration with the 2024 West China International Myopia Control and Eye Care Symposium from March 8th -9th, 2024. Helen shares the updates about the myopia practice's in the different regions which were presented as research presentations during the conference.

In this podcast, hosts Karin Brown-Balvert and Fakhruddin Barodawala chat with Dr Marta Vianya-Estopa and Dr Byki Huntjens about their recent article: "Current approaches to soft contact lens handling training – Global perspectives". They share key findings from the survey covering different contact lens teaching methods and strategies global partitioners incorporate when teaching neophyte soft contact lens wearers. If you wish to explore more in-depth findings, the open-access paper is available in the December 2023 edition of the Contact Lens and Anterior Eye (CLAE) Journal.

In this podcast, hosts Karin and Fakhruddin chats with Karin Van Hees about the role of axial length measurement in myopia management. Karin shares insights on how Axial Length measurement can play a crucial role in determining Myopia Management efficacy and also how the data of Axial Length measurement can be used in patient counselling. She invites everyone to join Daisy Laan and herself during the webinar on the 27th February where they will explain in detail about the use of Axial Length and how to use the growth charts for patient education. This webinar is free for everyone to attend and you can register here.

The first podcast of the year 2024 where hosts Karin and Fakhruddin discuss about the contact lens industry with the BCLA President, Rakesh Kapoor. Rakesh shares his thoughts on the CL industry and the role of practitioners to make patients aware that they can wear contact lenses. He related this discussion to his presidential address and also the Editorial which was published in CLAE in the February 2024 edition.

In this podcast hosts Karin Brown-Balvert and Fakhruddin Barodawala interview the Dr Sònia Travé Huarte. Dr. Sonia recently delivered the IRVING FATT MEMORIAL LECTURE  at the BCLA Clinical Conference that was held in Manchester in June 2023. This podcast gives an overview of the session moderated by Dr. Sonia on Contact lens discomfort. She also dives deep into the evidence of the different management options available for our patients suffering from dry eyes and provides insight into how this evidence-based approach can be used in clinical practice.

In this podcast hosts Karin Brown-Balvert and Fakhruddin Barodawala interview the recent BCLA Dry Eye Practitioner of the Year 2023 - Sharon Flora. Sharon discusses the clinical side of dry eye diagnosis and management. She also shares the importance of patient education for the success of the treatment options which you can offer. She also encourages everyone who manages patients with dry eye to apply for the BCLA Dry Eye Practitioner award.

In this podcast hosts Karin Brown-Balvert and Fakhruddin Barodawala interview Dr Jacinto Santodomingo-Rubido about the Myopia Free Paper Session held at the BCLA Clinical Conference earlier in June 2023. Dr. Santodomingo briefly summarised the findings of his presented research, he also gave an overview of the other papers which were presented during the session which he moderated. He was also pleased to share with us the newer findings of his research on the efficacy of orthokeratology lens wear in reducing the axial elongation of the eye in children.

In this podcast hosts, Fakhruddin and Karin, discuss the latest evidence published in the specialist contact lens edition of CLAE (the scientific journal of the BCLA) with Neil Retallic and Karin van Hees-Teuben. The conversation uncovers the importance of evidence to put into clinical practice. The specialist contact lens edition for CLAE was kindly supported by CooperVision and Menicon. BCLA members can also watch the webinar delivered by Katie Harrop and Josie Barlow which speaks about the specialist edition of the CLAE in further detail.

There is anecdotal evidence that we now see more patients having complaints of dry eyes - specifically post-pandemic. This could attribute to a lot of factors including the time spent on digital devices in recent times. In this podcast, BCLA Medal Award Winner for 2023, Prof Eric Papas shares his research experiences with Karin and Fakhruddin from the BCLA Digital Learning Committee about the incidence and prevalence of dry eyes. He also provides clinical tips on how this research translates into clinical practice and how can a clinician better diagnose patients with dry eyes. The lecture is part of the 2023 BCLA Clinical Conference and Exhibition in Manchester. Depending on when you listen to this there is still time to register for the conference and learn more from Prof Eric Papas' Medal Lecture where he will discuss his spectrum of work including the development of silicon hydrogel contact lenses, fitting contact lenses for patients with albinism, ocular surface response to contact lens wear and many more. *Eric Papas is Emeritus Professor in the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales. He holds degrees in physics and optometry and has spent much of his career in research related to the ocular surface and contact lenses, with periods spent working in clinical practice, industry and academia.

Technology plays an important role in health care and it makes patient care more efficient and less time-consuming to a certain extent. In this episode, hosts Karin Brown-Balvert and Fakhruddin Barodawala, from the BCLA Digital Learning Group discuss with guests, Dr. David Berkow and Mr. Brian Tompkins, on the latest technological advancements in Scleral Lenses and Myopia Management. The guests also share their personal experiences and shares tips on how to embrace technology for the betterment of our patients. This podcast is an overview of the BCLA webinar broadcast on the 19th of April 2023. The live webinar and recording are available to BCLA members. To find out more about BCLA membership, please visit www.bcla.org.uk