EAOO Meeting Report

Barcelona has been the epicenter of European optometry for four days between 11th and 14th of May 2017. Along with an excellent scientific program, the European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO), the Consejo General de Colegios de Ópticos Optometristas (CGCOO) and the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) met to shape the future of optometry practice across Europe. The topic of this year was focused on the Impact of Technology in Eye Care.

Over 750 attendees coming from all over the world had the opportunity to meet world class specialists and discuss the clinical and research advances presented in the form of lectures including keynote addresses, clinical, scientific and education presentations, workshops, Special Interest Groups, and more than 100 poster presentations. Some of the topics discussed included the effects of blue light on ocular tissues, electronic displays (smartphones, tablets, etc) use at different ages, the role of intensive near work on myopia onset and progression, the role of state of the art technology in diagnosis and management of eye disease and the latest evidence on treatments have been among the topics raising more interest.

An important aspect of this meeting has been also the appointment of the new Board of Trustees, including its new President and President Elect as well as new members of the Education Committee that have already started working on the next meeting to be held in Pula (Croatia) 11th to 13th May 2018. Twelve members were awarded Fellowship of the EAOO this year. Our OVN-special fellow is Maurice Heunen! Congratulations Maurice.

The EAOO’s goal is to unify the scope of practice promote awareness of optometry across Europe. As the scientific arm of Optometry and Optics across Europe is fueled by an increasing number of members of clinicians and members involved in research at faculties, R&D units and companies.