World Ophthalmology Congress:

News from the XXIX International Congress in Sydney in 2002

Sydney Congress news headlines:

• Highlights of the 2002 World Meeting of Ophthalmologists
  
  
• Ophthalmologists urged to participate in VISION 2020
  
  
• Australian model for implementation
  
  
• How to play a role in VISION 2020
  
  
• Grants support ophthalmologists from developing countries
  
  
• Profits to support research and education
  
  
• Medals awarded at International Congress

Highlights of the World Meeting of Ophthalmologists

More than 4,300 ophthalmologists from nearly 100 countries participated in the XXIX International Congress of Ophthalmology, April 21 - 25, 2002 in Sydney, Australia.

Highlights of the Congress, included:

• four days of stimulating scientific sessions, with 90 courses and 1200 posters
  
  
• a variety of symposia and presentations on VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, international ophthalmology's Vision for the Future and other initiatives for the preservation of vision around the world, and
  
  
• performances by the Australian Ballet and stars of Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House.

Ophthalmologists urged to participate in VISION 2020

Ophthalmologists and ophthalmologic societies can play a leading role in the Global Initiative to Eliminate Avoidable Blindess by the Year 2020, VISION 2020 - The Right to Sight and make a critical contribution to preservation of vision around the world.

That was one message from representatives of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and the World Health Organization at various symposia at the International Congress in Sydney.

Australian model for implementation

One example of effective participation cited was the involvement of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and Centre for Eye Research Australia in the formation of VISION 2020 Australia, which was launched in 2000 and has 45 partners involved in:

• Raising public awareness of the importance of vision as a human right,
  
  
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which have 10 times the amount of blindness of other Australians,
  
  
• Increasing awareness of eye care.

How to play a role in VISION 2020

If you are interested in participating in VISION 2020, the best resource is the Web site at www.v2020.org, according to IAPB and WHO leaders.

Or contact ophthalmologic societies or international Non-Governmental Development Organizations (NGDOs) who are active in your country.

International Congress President Peter Hardy Smith, MD (left); IAPB President Hannah Faal, MD; and ICO President Fritz Naumann, MD, following signing in Sydney of the Declaration of Support for VISION 2020: The Right to Sight.

Grants support ophthalmologists from developing countries in Sydney

More than 55 ophthalmologists from developing countries were able to attend the International Congress of Ophthalmology in Sydney with the help of travel grants.

The Congress allocated AUD 50,000 to support 50 participants, the International Ophthalmic Industry Society (IOIS) added AUD 5,000, and the Singapore National Eye Center also contributed.

Profits to support research and education

All profits realized from the International Congress by the host Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists were used to create a foundation for research, education and humanitarian purposes.

Medals awarded at International Congress

At the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Ophthalmology in Sydney, the following medals selected by the ICO were awarded:

• Jules Gonin Medal to Professor Fritz Naumann
• Jules Francois Medal to Professor Bradley Straatsma.
• Duke-Elder Medal to Professor Peter Watson.

The Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis premier medal, the Bernardo Streiff Medal, was awarded to Professor Bruce Spivey.

Next: A list of past meetings of the International Congress of Ophthalmology

Also see: Information on future Congresses