OCI MARKS ITS PRESENCE IN 18th VISION 2020 CONFERENCE

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The 18^th Vision 2020 conference was successfully hosted by Christian Medical College on 5-7^th July 2024 at Ludhiana, Punjab. The Optometry Confederation of India (OCI) has been taking part in the Vision 2020 conference for almost 11 years and thereby has paved the way for more contributions from the optometry industry towards eye care.

This year Vision 2020 conference had one day additional for a pre-conference workshop, that was held on 5^th July 2024. Optometry Confederation of India organized a three-hour workshop on the “Paediatric Visual System Assessment’ workshop led by Dr. Nooruz Zaman and Mr. Sebin Sebastian.

OCI contributed to the main sessions held on July 6-7,2024, by delivering three oral presentations, giving three invited talks, and chairing a panel. Two oral presentations were done on the “Vision for a Cause” Project and Optometrist Locator- a Unique initiative by OCI. The invited talks were on the Role of an Optometrist in Myopia Advocacy and Awareness, Community and School Eye Screening Strategies and Challenges for refractive error, and OCI-led service delivery model- integrating academic institutions into service delivery. OCI’s CEO Ms. Lakshmi Shinde,

Ms. Paula Mukherjee (COO), and Ms. Harshada Kale (Education Head) were invited to talk. All the talks were very well received by the participants.

Ms. Lakshmi Shinde (CEO, OCI) was invited to chair the first session on “Evidence for community intervention in screening for eyecare priorities” along with Dr. GVS Murthy.

The OCI awards were distributed to the winners. Dr. Nooruz Zaman was honored as the “Best Optometrist of the Year” and Dr Shakeel Ahmed received the “Public Health Contribution” award. The awards were presented by Dr GVS Murthy (Board Director, OCI) and Ms. Lakshmi Shinde (CEO, OCI).

The number of Optometrists attending Vision 2020 conferences has increased over the years exponentially. Not only they are actively participating in scientific sessions but also winning awards leaving their mark behind.

Experts consider conferences a dynamic concept where people from different expertise meet and discuss various challenges, and ideas, gain knowledge, etc. Conferences are always a great tool to network, share knowledge and expertise, and gain insight from other’s experiences. The Vision 2020 meeting succeeded in this mission admirably. Representatives from OCI actively participated in exchanging opinions on the current state of legislation and practice rights.