2010 Conference - The New Forest The Balmer Lawn Hotel, Brockenhurst The 8th UK based conference of the Association for Independent Optometry (Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians) took place at The Balmer Lawn Hotel in the beautiful National Park of the New Forest in Hampshire. AIO members, Pat and Robbie Cameron Davies had organised a superb weekend based just outside Brockenhurst, where ponies, cattle and pigs roamed freely around the hotel. The weekend started on Friday evening with an enjoyable dinner of local fare and a lot of catching up with AIO friends not seen since last year. After dinner, one of the New Forest rangers gave a very interesting insight into the workings of the National Park. AIO Chairman, Linda Penny, opened the Conference on Saturday morning, and welcomed the first speaker Dr Richard Hull, the senior Consultant Rheumatologist at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. His talk ‘The Joint and the Eye; Partners in Disease’ examined the interface between diseases of the eye and rheumatic and multi-system connective tissue disease and covered manifestations of acute uveitis, chronic uveitis, scleritis, retinitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and cranial arteritis.
Adam Booth, son of long standing members of AIO, Judi and Peter Booth, and consultant ophthalmologist at Queen Alexandra Hospital spoke on “AMD: Legends, Myths and the Future”. His lecture covered clinical symptoms and signs, the historical background to current treatments, the debunking of some of the myths surrounding treatments and an insight into potential new treatments for AMD, presented interesting new procedures and ideas to discuss with patients. Another “chip off the old block” Caroline Burnett Hodd, daughter of Rita and Nigel Burnett Hodd, spoke on ‘New Lenses for Difficult Eyes’. As one member pointed out AIO has to be congratulated on not only running excellent conferences but also on breeding lecturers to speak at them! Caroline’s CV is formidable. Having gained a PhD in Particle Physics she worked in the computing industry before retraining as a Maths and Science teacher and working in inner city London schools. She then undertook a Masters in Neuroscience and while studying visual neuroscience decided that eyes were actually really interesting. Having gained a first class degree in Optometry she joined the family practices and specialises in contact lenses. She gave a fascinating talk on some new lens developments aimed at improving the fitting of irregular corneas due to high astigmatism or keratoconus, including hybrid RGP/soft lenses and custom made soft lenses. The morning’s lectures ended with what might have appeared to be a light-hearted session; “The Colour of your Patients Psyche” given by Ian Loveday. Ian is the senior Optometric partner of Cameron Davies, Opticians in Hampshire and a specialist in contact lens practice, as well as being a clinical investigator with Visioncare Research, he has worked closely with other contact lens manufacturers on professional advisory panels and new product clinical trials. Ian explained how the understanding of personality helped patient/practitioner communication to the benefit of all and gave confidence when dealing with colleagues and staff. The final speaker of the morning was Nick Payton, the Asia Regional Manager for Audley Travel who gave a brief resume of the AIO trip to Thailand next March and said there are still a few places left The afternoon was beautiful, warm and sunny, and in keeping with the retro theme for the gala evening the tour buses, circa 1950, were from the Southampton and District Transport Heritage Trust and driven by its members on tours of the forest. The top of the open top bus was soon full of members keen to visit Beaulieu Motor museum or Bucklers Hard. Those without hard hats chose the covered bus destined for Exbury gardens. Suffice it to say it was a great afternoon; the drivers were mines of information about the history of the buses and the area, and both buses attracted a lot of attention from the general public! The 60’s theme evening’s entertainment promised surprises. First surprise – genuine vintage Babycham glasses containing the real stuff! Secondly the room suddenly filled up with totally unrecognisable flower power chicks and hippies, allegedly AIO members. These energetic 60s throwbacks then danced to the third surprise – a superb band with a very funny lead guitarist and a repertoire of totally suitable music and jokes. At several times during the evening all delegates were on the floor dancing almost completely surrounding the band - a remarkable sight! For those taking a breather, Sue and Malcolm Broad had organised a photo quiz of AIO members and other optical personalities taken in the 60s. Disappointingly everyone was recognisable next morning when conference convened for the second day. Mark Bennett from AEL Accountants gave the first talk of the day on “How to keep your wealth from the Taxman”, a subject however designed to keep everybody awake. AEL are known to a number of AIO members; over the past 20 years they have advised over 500 independent Opticians practices on VAT repayment claims, accounts and other tax matters. Mark was followed by Bob Hughes, Chief Executive of the AOP. He briefly outlined the current work of the AOP, explained to delegates that unity is strength and why the profession needs to work together to create a new history of harmony. Last year’s successful forum session was repeated and run, this year by Caroline and Nigel Burnett Hodd with a slight twist in that it took the form of a quiz with vigorous discussion on the “approved” answer between questions. Finally, there was good attendance for the AGM, the new committee, headed by David Beaumont as Chairman was elected, and two motions were passed, one of which will hopefully take AIO well into the future of Independent Optometry. Lunch, accompanied by a traditional jazz quartet followed, and having collected their CET certificates, delegates (at least those not enjoying a Monday off to play an AIO golf tournament on a New Forest course) said their goodbyes and dispersed back to homes and practices; almost certainly inspired and heartened by a wonderful weekend with friends and colleagues. Pat Cameron Davies
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