Vision Care holds Optometry Day 2017

Continuing its pioneering efforts to build a robust platform for optometrists across the nation, Sri Lanka’s premier eye care solutions provider Vision Care Optical Services Ltd. held its Optometry Day and eighth Annual Scientific Sessions in grand style on 11 June at Galle Face Hotel Colombo. 

The conference and sessions, which were organised by Vision Care Optical Services Ltd.’s training arm Vision Care Academy, attracted a significant number of regional optometry experts, consultant ophthalmologists, and budding optometrists from different parts of Sri Lanka, including trainee ophthalmic assistants from Vision Care Academy. 

This year’s conference was conducted under the theme ‘Beyond What You See’, in order to reiterate the value of Vision Care Optical Services Ltd. and to discuss the most recent series of developments taking place in both local and global optometry industry with the view of enhancing the quality of people’s vision. 

The conference hosted with four scientific sessions named: ‘Contact lenses and dispensing’, ‘Refraction and low vision’, ‘Special testing and biometry’ and ‘Audiology’. 

Session attendees presented scientific papers through oral presentations and A/V presentations elaborating on each core area and also gained the opportunity to receive feedbacks and solutions from a panel of highly experienced judges comprised of leading industry professionals and practitioners. 

Welcoming the gathering, Vision Care Academy Principal Vidya Jayarathna said, “I am truly honoured to welcome all of you for this special occasion behalf of Vision Care Academy. It is a very proud moment for me as we have been able to continue this for the eighth consecutive year, making Vision care Optometry Day and Scientific Sessions an important event for the local optometry industry. Education will take us to where we want to be so make an effort, make necessary sacrifices to achieve what you want to achieve and always dream big.” 

Expressing his views at the event, Vision Care Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Dasantha Fonseka said, “Organising our Optometry Day and scientific sessions for the consecutive eighth time shows how important it has been for the local optometry industry. This has now become a platform for Sri Lanka’s competent and dynamic young optometry fraternity to stimulate their knowledge and be updated with facts about an industry which keeps evolving each and every day with new technologies. I wish all the best for the organising team and hope this will continue to be a true success.”

The chief guest of the event was Rebecca John, Clinical Lead, Low Vision Services Wales, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University and the guest of honour was Consultant Eye Surgeon Dr. M.H.S. Cassim. 

Students of Vision Care Academy who have successfully completed their studies were also awarded with diplomas and certificates during the event. Winners of the 8th Optometry Day and Annual Sessions 2017 were Amila Chandrasekara (Best Oral Presentation in Senior Category), Nimantha Viduranga (Best Oral Presentation in Junior-immediate completed DOP Category), Piumi Kandalama (Best Oral Presentation in Junior-Ophthalmic Certificate Level Category), Piumi Kandalama (Best Oral Presentation in Junior-Ophthalmic Certificate Level Category), Kalpa Madushan (Best Oral Presentation in Junior-Dispensing Certificate Level Category), Nimantha Viduranga (Research of the year in Junior-All three Category), Mahesha Nishadi (Upcoming study – COA 7th batch in COA immediate completed), Sumal Tharaka (Upcoming study – CDO 4th batch in CDO immediate completed), Sandhakelum Udawatta (Best innovation of the year) and Isuri Samalka (Best Poster Presentation in overall category).

Incorporated in 2008, The Vision Care Academy by Vision Care Optical Services Ltd. was formed with the intention of providing in-house trainings for its employees. Today, it has become leading Optometry education provider in Sri Lanka. Within last nine years, Vision Care Academy has been able to deliver number of qualified, up dated optometry professionals to our country through one-year specialised programs, such as Diploma in Optometry, Certificate for Ophthalmic Assistants, Certificate in Dispensing Optics, and Certificate in Audiometry . Throughout the years, Vision Care Academy has been able to offer lots of opportunities for its students by sending them to participate for international conferences.