HS-UK Host a Successful Glaucoma Symposium 2018

Other guest speakers included;

• Professor Paul Artes, Plymouth University
• Mr Andrew Tatham, Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion & the University of Edinburgh
• Ms Rebecca Turner, Oxford Eye Hospital
• Dr Rizwana Siddiqi, Boomo Medical
• Dr Francesco Oddone, IRCCS Fondazione G.B.Bietti.

The one-day program offered 6.5 CPD points and consisted of short lectures, followed by hands-on practical workshops.  

Professor Bourne delivered the opening lecture, which served as an update and overview of the current position in glaucoma care. Beginning with the epidemiology of the various manifestations of the disease, Professor Bourne likened glaucoma to an iceberg; with the diagnosed population above the water, potentially as little as 12% of those with the condition (Shaikh & Coleman 2014) and the much larger undiagnosed population below.

As well as the detection of glaucoma using imaging technology, Professor Bourne flagged its use in monitoring the condition, describing structural changes seen in OCT progression analysis, which should be carried out in tandem with visual field testing. Professor Bourne concluded his overview with the relevance of the holistic approach to glaucoma management, reminding delegates of the importance of involving patients and carers, healthcare professionals, local and national health policymakers and wider international collaborations, including integrated research in the effective management of glaucoma in the 21^st century.

Other lectures included; 'The mechanisms of PAC(G) and how to manage them', 'Octopus 900 perimetry in glaucoma', 'OCT-A in glaucoma', 'Slit lamp: the swiss army knife in glaucoma' and 'Fundus-related perimetry'.

The practical workshops were particularly popular and gave delegates the opportunity to gain some valuable hands-on experience with HS-UK's state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, including the; AngioVue OCT-A system, Octopus 900 perimeter, BQ 900 slit lamp, Compass perimeter, and Tango Reflex SLT laser and Eye Cubed ultrasound device.

The final lecture, entitled 'SLT: past, present and future', was delivered by keynote speaker, Mr Gus Gazzard. This talk began with an explanation of the limitations of medical treatments for glaucoma, including patients who simply don't respond to medication (10%). Which was followed by a description of the development of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) in the 1990s, with its origins in ALT (Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty). Mr Gazzard then explained some of the theories behind the effectiveness of the treatment.

The main focus of Mr Gazzard's talk were the initial results of the Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (LiGHT) Study, which investigated the health-related quality of life in two treatment pathways for newly-diagnosed Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) and Ocular Hypertension (OHT), a study comparing initial SLT versus conventional medical therapy. Initial clinical results showed that 78% of SLT eyes (74% of patients) were drop-free and at target IOP after 3 years, with 77% of these (64% of patients) only requiring one SLT. The study concluded that SLT was safe, with no sight-threatening side effects and health-related quality of life was similar in both groups of patients.  Mr Gazzard finished the day by stating his belief that in future it was likely that SLT would be offered to all new OHT and POAG patients.

Grant Duncan, HS-UK Clinical Training Manager, said, "I was delighted with the success of the HS-UK Glaucoma Symposium 2018.  Our expert Faculty provided us with interesting and insightful talks which proved to be a huge success among delegates. We have received some fantastic feedback."

For further information, please contact Haag-Streit UK on (01279) 883807 or visit www.haagstreituk.com  

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