The ICO Eye Care in Focus Annual Conference for the extended eye care team takes place at The Gibson Hotel in Dublin on Tuesday, 19th September from 8am-4pm.
The College invites ophthalmologists, general practitioners, optometrists, dispensing opticians, orthoptists, ophthalmic nurses and technicians working across the private and public service to join us for this unique, 1-day clinical education event for the extended eye care team.
View programme
CME Accredited - 6 CPD Points
Chair: Mr John Doris
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, University Hospital Waterford and President, Irish College of Ophthalmologists
8.00am Welcome Refreshments
8.30am Session 1: Refractive Surgery
Assessment of the refractive surgery patient
Ms Elaine Corrigan
Optometrist, Wellington Eye Clinic, Beacon Medical Campus, Dublin
Orthoptic considerations in refractive surgery
Ms Gillian O'Mullane
Clinical Specialist Orthoptist, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street
Examining the options and different procedures available to patients
Prof William Power
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and Blackrock Health
10.10am Demonstration of Healthlink
Healthlink is the National Health Messaging web service which allows the secure transmission of clinical patient information between Hospitals, Health Care Agencies and Medical Practitioners. A demonstration of how the service operates and the key benefits will be presented at the conference.
10.30am Refreshments
11.00am Session 2: Visual Impairment and Supporting Your Patients
This session will discuss the ways in which the eye care team can support visually impaired patients while in the clinic, referral guidelines and the importance of timely intervention.
A clinician's perspective on visual impairment support
Ms Janice Brady
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, University Hospital Waterford
A general overview of NCBI services
Ms Kristina Millar
National Insights and Impact Manager, NCBI
The Eye Clinic Liaison Service – Route To community support and service
Ms Hilary Devlin
Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, NCBI
The Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) service operates in Dublin in the Mater, Temple Street and the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear hospitals. The aim of the ECLO is to provide timely support to patients at the point of, or as close to diagnosis as possible. ECLO, Hilary Devlin will explain to the audience what it is like to do this role and how important it is for patients to know support is on hand.
The Patient's Perspective - Panel Discussion
Chair: Kevin Kelly, National Strategic Partnership Manager, NCBI
The College is delighted to welcome patients to the panel discussion to share their experience.
12.30pm Keynote Speaker: Mr Ian McKinley
"SCNF - Second Chance Never Forget"
Former professional rugby player, Ian McKinley, who lost vision in his left eye as a result of an on-pitch incident in 2010 will share his story.
Through incredible determination and resilience, and the development of special goggles to protect his right eye, Ian returned to the game following the incident, playing for Treviso in Italy and eventually getting the call up for the Italian National team.
Ian retired from international rugby in 2021 and has continued to be an advocate for protective eye wear in the sport.
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Session 3: Glaucoma
Capacity in glaucoma services: Engaging with primary care optometry
Dr Robert Harper
Optometrist, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Honorary Professor of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester
Adult glaucoma care pathway across community and hospital
Dr Margaret Morgan
Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist, CHO 7 & Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin
An overview of the nurse specialist led glaucoma clinic over the past 12 years in Beaumont Eye Department.
Ms Elaine Brennan
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Glaucoma Clinic, Eye Department, Beaumont Hospital
4.00pm Meeting Close