Themed ‘Patient and practice success’, the 2024 Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) Connect conference was an opportunity for members to connect models of visual development with vision therapy practice, connect behavioural optometry practice teams, as well as connecting with friends and colleagues in the world of behavioural optometry.
More than 110 optometrists and vision therapists attended ACBO Connect 2024 on the Gold Coast in July.
The keynote speaker, United States optometrist Dr Brenda Montecalvo, Chair of the American Optometric Association Vision Rehabilitation Section and Past President of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, presented on a range of clinical and theoretical subjects.
Her presentations covered diverse issues such as assessment and management of strabismus; vision factors for handwriting; autism and vision; assessment and management of vision issues for patients who have suffered a stroke; vision factors related to mathematics; and recent research on the functions and implications of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in the retina.
Canadian optometrist Dr Angela Peddle, Founding President of the Canadian Optometrists in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation Association, outlined the principles and practice of programming and delivering vision therapy for a range of visual conditions, such as accommodative-convergence dysfunctions, eye movement dysfunctions, concussion-related vision problems, and learning-related vision issues.
Attendees were then tasked with designing management plans for these conditions, including spectacles and vision therapy, and comparing different approaches with Dr Peddle’s management. The activity generated valuable discussion and learning opportunities.
ACBO sponsors Rodenstock Australia, BOC Instruments, Good Optical, and FAL Lawyers, were kept busy with attendees mingling during breaks with the exhibitors, asking questions, and inspecting and purchasing equipment.
The annual dinner, themed red and blue, or red and green (testing and therapy glasses) was a great success and the annual auction of perfectly aged wines from Rockford and other Barossa Valley producers helped to raise AU$5,000 for the Susan Larter Vision Trust. The Trust is named in honour of optometrist Susan Larter, who passed away suddenly when she was President of ACBO. It makes funds available for patients who otherwise cannot afford optometric vision therapy.
The evening concluded with colleagues catching up, and some dancing.
The ACBO Connect 2024 conference was a great success with excellent education shared with wonderful colleagues and friends, and it is so helpful to be able to immediately put into practise what we learnt in the lectures and workshops.
Steve Leslie BOptom is an Emeritus Fellow of the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists.
Marissa and Rick Good from Good Optical Services.
From left: Sally Doyle, Sean McIlvin, Carolyn McIlvin, and Alexandra Licciardi.
From left: Steve Leslie, Soojin Nam, and Liz Wason.
Senta Smak, Alex Rigby, and Sasha Sergejew from Rodenstock.
Rhys Munzel and Courtney Remington from FAL Lawyers.
Carl Dutoit and Joseph Justo from BOC Instruments.
