IACLE MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN AOCLE ANNUAL WORKSHOP

IACLE members Wim Borst from the Netherlands and Javier Gonzalez-Perez from Spain were selected to participate in the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators annual workshop. Each year the AOCLE offers an enriching program to its educator members. They welcome IACLE representatives to participate and benefit from the valuable education they provide. This year the annual workshop was held at the Michigan College of Optometry, USA from 2 - 5 June.

The continued support and collaboration between AOCLE and IACLE offers IACLE a great networking opportunity and support for members. The AOCLE members have been generous in sharing teaching resources, ideas and openly partnering with IACLE members and schools to establish communications and assistance.

Compliments that Wim and Javier were readily welcomed and represented IACLE well were received from members of AOCLE and reports of their experiences reflected a valuable exchange for the delegates personally and professionally. Thanks to the AOCLE for their continued collaboration with IACLE members and programs.

IACLE EUROPE MEETS AT THE BCLA

Judith Morris (European IACLE President) again rallied the European members for an IACLE Update and Business Meeting held in conjunction with the Annual British Contact Lens Association Conference in Brighton, United Kingdom in early June. Following a short presentation of IACLE's progress throughout the region, a discussion forum brought to light any issues from members and industry. A lively discussion resulted with increased interaction between members and industry to create a plan forward for IACLE Europe into 2006. The BCLA is an excellent opportunity each year to gather IACLE members in Europe, creating a forum for the exchange of ideas and to facilitate future planning

COLOMBIA AND MEXICO EDUCATOR MEETINGS TEACH LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMICS

During June 2005 IACLE conducted two educators meetings; one in Bogota, Colombia and a second in Mexico City, Mexico. Over 50 educators attended the meetings, which were an excellent opportunity for interaction, updating knowledge on contact lens topics and to discuss and plan the future activities of IACLE at their institutions and countries. The meetings took place at La Salle University, (Bogota), the 2nd and 3rd of June and at the Instituto Politecnico Nacional, (Mexico City), the 23rd and 24th of June.

The academic topics presented were: Anatomy and Physiology of the Anterior Segment; Corneal Oxygenation and Contact Lenses; Biomicroscopy; RGP Fitting; and Contact Lens Complications.

A Leadership Workshop was conducted with the goal of promoting team work. One objective of the high-energy session was to raise the level of knowledge of the student through IACLE programs. Moreover, the main idea was to improve leadership skills in the educators so their future action in their countries created a strong commitment to IACLE future directions as well as increase their active leadership and participation at their schools.

It was agreed that all the institutions would increase the use of the IACLE Contact Lens Course and educational resources IACLE provides. Educators were quite pleased with the organization and quality of the meeting. IACLE thanks Fernando Ballesteros, Ruben Velazquez and Julio Torres for their support and cooperation in the organization of the IACLE meetings.

INSTITUTIONS VISITED IN COLOMBIA AND MEXICO

To maximize the opportunities during the trips to Colombia and Mexico, Percy Lazon, (IACLE Latin American Regional Coordinator) visited the following academic institutions:

- Fundacion Universitaria San Martin, Bogota, Colombia
- Fundacion Universitaria del Area Andina, Bogota, Colombia
- Universidad de La Salle, Bogota, Colombia
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias de la Salud, Unidad Milpa Alta(IPN)
- Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM)
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias de la Salud, Unidad Santo Tomas(IPN)

IACLE had the opportunity to meet with the Deans of the schools for the purposes of discussing IACLE programs and activities. With cooperation, a real partnership could be achieved to continue the IACLE mission of raising the level of contact lens education in their countries. The Deans recognized and acknowledged the IACLE support that had been fundamental in the development of the contact lens course at their institutions. They encourages the continuation and strengthening of this partnership for raising the level of knowledge of the educators and students.

OF INTEREST TO IACLE MEMBERS - 11th INTERNATIONAL MYOPIA CONFERENCE

Myopia is reaching epidemic proportions in East Asian urban cities and parallel increases may be found in other parts of the world. The 11 th International Myopia Conference Singapore 2006 will serve as a platform for research scientists and clinicians to present the latest findings in myopia research. Specifically, the etiology of myopia from animal and human work, interventions to decrease the progression of myopia, ocular morbidity associated with myopia and the genetics of myopia are some of the topics included in an interesting and attractive scientific program. Click here for more information

IACLE would like to thank the industry sponsors who support global contact lens education
CIBA Vision
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc.
Bausch & Lomb
AMO
Ocular Science Inc.
Alcon Laboratories
CooperVision Inc.
Menicon Europe