Milan, The Place To Be…And Not Just For Fashion Week!
Back in 2012, ex-Laser technician, Eleanor Cairns shared her experience following the ESCRS (European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons) conference in Milan.
London Vision Clinic staff made another impressive appearance at the ESCRS conference in Milan this year. With a record 18 talks between them, Dr Dan, Mr Glenn Carp and research manager, Tim Archer had an extremely busy few days. Indeed Dr Dan is such a popular speaker that perhaps a time turner from Hogwarts might come in handy next year!!
The ESCRS Congress gives the clinic an excellent platform for sharing their groundbreaking research. Glenn was impressed by the amount of coverage given to procedures such as ReLEx and Presbyond (or PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision, as it is known at the clinic)
“It’s amazing to think how many people are now taking an interest in PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision when the team at London Vision Clinic are responsible for developing the technique before Zeiss ever thought to look into it”
ReLEx was also widely represented throughout the congress with Dr Dan himself giving two talks during a Zeiss symposium which was packed to the rafters. The first was based on refinements to PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision and the other focused more upon developments in ReLEx. Dr Dan has worked extensively on ReLEx settings with Zeiss and so the end result of procedures here at LoVC can appear somewhat more refined than some other clinics, however, there were still some fascinating discussions on how popular the technique is becoming. In particular Dr Ekktet Chansue, who practices in Thailand, put forward a compelling argument as to why the minimally invasive ReLEx procedure is now his treatment of choice.
With such a vast assortment of interesting topics covered over the five days of the conference it also acts as an exceptional forum for learning. With 13 members of London Vision Clinic staff descending on Milan this year we all made the most of the material available, squeezing in as much as we could. With the nurses and technicians attending an assortment of talks varying from discussions on cataract surgery in children to Cross-Linking treatment the subject matter couldn’t have been more varied, and this all serves to expand our field of knowledge.
I personally also found it extremely rewarding to be exposed to some of the more advanced lectures, particularly during an instructional course put together by Dr Dan himself. The course centred around the effect of cataract and corneal refractive surgery on visual function. Dr Dan’s own discussion, based on maintaining visual quality (contrast sensitivity), led to so much further discussion that eventually we had to be politely asked to vacate the room as we had overrun and the next course was due to start. Listening to the brainstorming in the room was certainly educational, if at times a little over my head!
We also found some other slightly more unusual seminars to attend, for example four of our nurses took part in a Wetlab workshop on refractive surgery for nurses and technicians. Nurse Emily told me,
“The Wetlab experience was great, we were able to use pig eyes to cut flaps and it was quite exciting to be able to see things from the surgeon’s point of view.”
Not everyone’s cup of tea I’m sure, but nurses do like to get their hands dirty! Emily also told me how useful it was to be able to visit the exhibition and meet some of our suppliers,
“It’s nice to now be able to put a name to a face, particularly with staff from Zeiss and Malosa who we deal with so frequently.”
So as you can see with such a great deal to see and do the conference seemed to fly by in a whirlwind, but we can’t wait to be caught up in it again next year. ESCRS Amsterdam 2013 watch out!!