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ICO Leader Letter

July 2011, Volume 8, Number 7

1. Highlights of the Pan-American Congress

Organized by the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO) and the Argentine Council of Ophthalmology, the 29th Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology was a rousing success; 5,157 people attended the event between July 6-9, 2011 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Please join me in congratulating our colleagues who received the following Medals and Awards at the Opening Ceremony:

• Edward Maumenee Distinguished Services Medal: Richard L. Abbott, MD (USA)
• Benjamin F. Boyd Humanitarian Award: Michael W. Brennan, MD (USA), Natalio Izquierdo, MD (Puerto Rico), Richard K. Lee, MD (USA), Stephanie Jones Marioneaux, MD (USA), Mr. Nelson R.A. Marques (Brazil), Mildred M.G. Olivier, MD (USA)
• Gradle Medal for Good Teaching: Rubens Belfort Jr., MD, PhD (Brazil)
• Troutman-Véronneau Prize: Bruna Lana Ducca, MD (Brazil)

The following lectures were featured presentations during the Congress:

• Consejo Argentino de Oftalmología (CAO) Lecture Omar R. López Mato, MD (Argentina) Presbicia, arte y ciencia, pasado y futuro
• Moacyr E. Alvaro Pan-American Lecture Richard L. Abbott, MD (USA) The link between medical malpractice risk management and quality of care in cataract, cornea, and refractive surgery: What have we learned?
• Gradle Lecture Enrique S. Malbrán Sr., MD (Argentina) Las ectasias corneales post quirurgicas: Clínica y tratamiento
• American Journal of Ophthalmology (AJO) Lecture Eduard C. Alfonso, MD (USA) Fungal Keratitis: Past, Present and Future

– Bruce Spivey, MD, ICO President

2. Second Regional Conference for Ophthalmic Educators Held in Buenos Aires

We received an overwhelming response for our second regional Conference for Educators in Buenos Aires at the Pan-American Congress. The Conference was organized to help ophthalmic educators learn more about modern educational theory, methods and tools and develop relationships that will enable them to enhance educational programs and ultimately raise the level of eye care in their region.

The Conference was co-sponsored by the ICO, the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO) and the Argentine Council of Ophthalmology (CAO). Supported by The Allergan Foundation, the Conference was held in conjunction with the 19th Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology (www.paao2011buenosaires.org.ar), July 7–9, 2011.

The first Conference, which was held in March in Sydney, Australia, was considered an outstanding success, with 97% of participants supporting organization of future conferences for educators.

– Karl Golnik, MD, Chair, Steering Committee on Regional Conferences for Ophthalmic Educators

3. Advocacy Workshop Held in Buenos Aires

On July 6, 2011, we held a half-day advocacy training session at the PAAO Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Workshop sought to give "Advocates" who have been designated by their ophthalmologic societies to work with the ICO – and others who are interested in advocacy, including ophthalmologic society leaders – tools and strategies to help generate financing and other support for eye care and prevention of vision loss.

It featured an evaluation of VISION 2020 progress and advocacy initiatives in Latin America, a report on advocacy successes in Australia, China and India, and cases studies from Brazil, Chile and Colombia. There was a lively discussion of advocacy strategies and resources.

The presentations will be available on the ICO Web site. For resources for advocates, see: www.icoph.org/enhancing_eyecare/advocacy_vision_2020.html.

– Serge Resnikoff, MD, PhD, ICO Director for Advocacy

4. Trachoma Web Site Shows Progress in Disease Elimination

The International Coalition of Trachoma Control (ICTC) has recently launched a Web site featuring maps of where SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial-cleanliness and Environmental-improvement) strategies are being implemented.

Although rarely seen by ophthalmologists in “developed” countries, trachoma is still the world’s leading cause of infectious blindness. The World Health Organization, VISION 2020 and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness have joined with the ICTC as a global coalition of partners committed to help trachoma-endemic countries reach the goal of eliminating blinding trachoma by the year 2020. International non-governmental development organizations (NGOs) have been working together to support the national Ministries of Health in achieving the SAFE strategy.

By sharing a common goal and vision, the individual achievements of donors and NGOs can make trachoma a disease of the past. The ICTC Web site can be accessed at: www.trachomacoalition.org.

– Hugh Taylor, AC, MD, ICO Research Committee

5. AOF Announces Launch of Web Site

We are very happy to announce the African Ophthalmology Forum (AOF) Web site is up and running. The AOF has many exciting projects in the pipeline including development of a newsletter to keep you informed and actively involved in the changing the face of ophthalmology in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The AOF celebrated its second year in March, and our aim is to represent the interests of national and sub-regional ophthalmological societies across Sub-Saharan Africa as well as the members in those societies.

The AOF’s creation was facilitated by the ICO and the Middle East African Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO). To learn more about the AOF please visit our Web site at: www.aofsite.org.

– Henry Nkumbe, MD, AOF General Secretary

6. WOC 2012: Early Bird Registration Ends July 31

The World Ophthalmology Congress® (WOC) 2012 is now just seven months away. The WOC is your opportunity to attend a truly international meeting with an excellent scientific program of more than 500 scientific sessions.

You can still take advantage of early bird registration rates, which end on July 31, 2011, by registering now at: www.woc2012.org/register_online.html.

The online hotel booking system is also open for registered delegates. There are great properties at all price ranges. Visit the accommodation page of the WOC Web site (www.woc2012.org/hotels.html) for the full list of participating hotels. We are sure you will find an option that suits your preference.

The WOC will be held February 16-20, 2012, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. For monthly updates, details on the scientific program, and the most up-to-date information, you can sign up to receive the WOC 2012 e-newsletter at: woc2012.org/join_maling_list.html.

See you in Abu Dhabi!

– Abdulaziz AlRajhi, MD, President, WOC 2012

Upcoming ICO Meetings and World Ophthalmology Congresses

Conference for Ophthalmic Educators, Busan, Korea, April 12:
New Techniques to Enhance Teaching and Learning

• Register online to attend: icoph.org/rsvp/Busan

World Ophthalmology Congress Meetings

• WOC2014: Tokyo, Japan, April 2-6, 2014, www.woc2014.org
• WOC2016: Guadalajara, Mexico, February 5–9, 2016
• WOC2018: Barcelona, Spain (provisional selection, dates to be announced)

More News

For more news of the ICO and international ophthalmology and resources for ophthalmologic leaders, see the ICO Web site at www.icoph.org.

Request for Other News and Resources

Do you have other news of international ophthalmology or know resources (particularly on the Web) that would be valuable to ophthalmologic leaders? Please let us know at leader@icoph.org.

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