mivision Issue 38, Aug 2009

Well, this year’s Odmafair, the largest optical show in the Southern Hemisphere, is done and dusted … and although it was under an enormous stress-test, according to the general consensus, it was still a success.

Yes, there was a 20 per cent decline to 120 exhibitors this year compared to the record 149 exhibitors in 2007 and visitor attendance over the three days of 5,438, a decrease of 25 per cent from the 2007 record of 7,365 visitors, nevertheless, the feedback from exhibitors was unanimous.

Their verdict was: “The decision-makers turned up this year and sales were up”.

In this issue we take a long, hard look at the trade show and talk to key opinion leaders and exhibitors about its future. I think you’ll find their thoughts most enlightening.

We also talk to four recently graduated eye care professionals, an ophthalmologist, two optical dispensers and an optometrist and discover they all have one thing in common … they all entered the profession by accident. They are “The Accidental Eye Care Professionals”.

mivision is honoured to have the celebrated Gabi Hollows contributing to this edition with her first hand account of how she helped open the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu, Nepal … an event that marked the completion of Tilganga’s transition from an outpatient eye care facility to an international standard, tertiary level eye care hospital which will improve eye care in the Himalayan region.

In the mieyecare section, optometrist Rebecca Weng shares her expertise in helping to understand the origins of dry eye, one of the most common complaints of patients presenting for an ocular examination.

We have also prevailed on Tim Kilham, a chartered accountant of 30 years experience to advise our readers on what we have headlined “The Swings and Roundabouts of Franchising”.

And when it comes to eyewear fashion, Sharon Smith is the guru. This month she declares that this year’s summer collections mark the return of sunglasses as an essential wardrobe addition, and she also looks at the impact Ray-Ban has had on pop culture.

We also bring you an Australian perspective on ARVO, all the very latest news and look at what’s new in technology and developments in both Australia and around the world.

Enjoy this issue.

Mark Cushway
Managing Editor

Contents -August 09 mivision

	News – mivision presents all the news both locally and from around the world.
	mistory – The Accidental Eye Care Professionals. Norm Lipson writes about eye care professions that have markedly changed over the past decade or two.
	mifeature – From big ideas, big things grow. Gabi Hollows writes about the completion of Tilganga Eye Centre in the Himalayan region.
	mievent – Odmafair 09: the Decision Makers Cometh. This year, the largest optical show in the Southern Hemisphere – the eye into the optical industry – was under its biggest stress test. Writes Mark Cushway.
	mievent – ARVO, An Australian Experience. The annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) was recently held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. from 3 to 7 May.
	miophthalmology – Pterygium Surgery. Professor Lawrence Hirst writes about the surgical treatment for pterygium.
	micolumn – As I see it. Geoff Lawson writes about the England Cricket board and there willingness to do almost anything to win the Ashes back.
	mioptometry – Optometry Association Report. Happenings and events from Australia and New Zealand’s Optometry Division.
	mieyecare – Rebecca Weng writes about Dry Eye Complaints and Lid Wiper Epitheliopathy.
	miequipment – The Science and Investment of Spectacle Customisation, by Jim Kokkinakis
	mibusiness – Tim Kilham writes about the Cause and Effect of Franchising. He explains the steps to consider when entering into a franchising agreement.
	mibusiness – Dreams can still come true. The Australian drea of buying your own home is getting harder as banks tighten their lending criteria, writes Andre Karney
	mifashion – Ray-Ban, The Genuine Fashion Icon. The impact Ray-Ban eyewear has had on pop culture has been profound. Writes Sharon Smith.
	mifashion – Summer Sunglasses: the glamour in simplicity. Sharon Smith writes about this year’s summer collections marking the return of sunglasses as an essential wardrobe addition.
	miproducts – mivision showcases four new hot products: Bolle New Wraparound RX Program : Zeiss Individual Framefit : Essilors Varilus Physio 360 and Lucentis.