The Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress to be held in Malaysia next month, will cover 16 subspeciality areas, including all aspects of clinical ophthalmology and visual sciences, organisers say.
APAO 2023 will run under the theme ‘Reconnect and Collaborate’, in recognition of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is co-hosted by APAO and the Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology.
Organisers expect 5,000 attendees at the Congress, to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Organisers expect 5,000 attendees at the Congress, to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia from 23–26 February.
Plenary Highlights
Highlights include a symposium on paediatric retina, jointly hosted by APAO and Congress co-sponsor, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
The symposium will consider how anti-VEGF has changed treatment of paediatric retina disorders, novel imaging tools that have improved understanding of microstructures changes in these diseases, and how artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can be applied to paediatric retinal diseases to improve clinical care.
A joint symposium hosted by AAO, AAO and the US National Eye Institute will explore collaborative projects in three priority areas: myopia, data science, and AI.
A third plenary symposium on glaucoma promises to be an “exciting session of ‘East meets West’”, conference organisers say. Eminent speakers from both sides of the Pacific will discuss and debate similarities and differences between epidemiology, surgical outcomes of tubes and trabeculectomy, and effectiveness of glaucoma screening, in Asia and America.
Women in Ophthalmology (WIO)
A WIO Symposium and Lunch will allow an opportunity for female ophthalmologists to be inspired by female leaders in the field. The theme for the symposium is ‘It Was Alright Until…’.
In this video-based challenging cases symposium, ophthalmologists from across the Asia-Pacific region will share how they successfully managed their most challenging cataract and refractive cases and achieved the best possible surgical outcomes.
Social Program
A comprehensive social program will accompany the Congress, with participants urged to commit to an ‘Olympic torch-style relay’, starting in their home countries and finishing with a 3km charity run in Kuala Lumpur.
Organisers say the concept behind the run is to “transmit a message of determination to promote the science and art of ophthalmology among all nations in the region”.
As well, an imaging competition will focus on the aesthetic and creative – as well as technical – aspects of ocular imaging.
The Congress Dinner has been dubbed a ‘Cultural Party’ and will include dance, music, and demonstrations of traditional arts such as weaving, batik painting, henna art, and wood carving.
Further information on APAO 2023 is available on the conference website.
