Dry Eye, Contact Lenses, Myopia Management and Instrumentation Sessions Highlights Organization’s Expertise in Specialty Segment.

The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has announced its largest-ever participation in the upcoming Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS). The annual conference is expected to attract prominent researchers, clinicians and educators from 35 countries later this month in Las Vegas.

“The range of CORE-led sessions on dry eye, contact lenses, myopia management and instrumentation across four days reflects how we have taken a markedly increased role in the specialty segment, which is growing more exciting by the year,” said CORE Director Lyndon Jones, PhD, DSc, FCOptom.

For the first time, GSLS is opening with two pre-meeting interactive workshops. “Contemporary Dry Eye Disease Practice” features CORE’s Dr. Jones and Karen Walsh, BSc(Hons), PGDip, MCOptom plus Aston University’s James Wolffsohn, MBA, PhD. The high-energy session, slated for Wednesday, January 22 at 6 p.m. PDT, showcases and demonstrates multiple elements that can be incorporated into diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management dry eye patients.

On Friday, January 24, Drs. Jones and Wolffsohn partner again in the 10 a.m. PDT general session to discuss “A Clear Vision on Dropouts.” Moderated by educator and consultant Eef van der Worp, BOptom, PhD, the presentation focuses on three aspects behind the dropout phenomenon to stabilize and increase the wearer base.

Later that day, Drs. Walsh and Jones bring attendees inside one of the latest diagnostic devices for the dry eye arsenal. “Working Smart: Streamline Your Dry Eye Practice with New Technology – Medmont” begins at 1:30 pm PDT.

On Saturday, January 25 at 9 a.m. PDT, “Dry Eye and Contact Lenses: Harmony or Havoc” pairs Drs. Jones and Walsh to review methods to determine if patients truly have dry eye disease, discuss various approaches used by companies to manage contact lens discomfort, and describe the science behind these approaches.

Just prior to the conference close, beginning at 2:20 p.m. PDT, a panel of prominent researchers addresses “A 2020 Vision on Specialty Lens Care.” Dr. Jones collaborates with Shalu Pal, OD, Kelsey Steele, OD, MS and Loretta Szczotka-Flynn OD, PhD—plus moderators Karen DeLoss, OD, and Dr. Van der Worp—to share academic and clinical viewpoints on best practices in specialty contact lens solutions, hygiene and handling.

In addition to its presentations, a CORE venture will be represented among the conference’s scientific posters. “Deposition of fluorescently tagged lysozyme on contact lenses in a physiological blink model” provides insights on daily disposable lenses using OcuBlink, the CORE-affiliated in vitro eye model that accelerates ophthalmic product research and development.

In parallel with GSLS, CORE Clinical Scientist Debbie Jones, BSc, FCOptom, will be a featured speaker at CooperVision’s annual Educator’s Meeting regarding the MiSight® 1 day contact lens clinical study for slowing the progression of myopia in children. CORE has been the largest site for the multi-year landmark study, which is now entering its seventh year.