Valentines Charity Eyeball

 

 

The Northern Ireland Optometric Society charity Valentines Ball went off with a spectacular bang on Valentines night with people travelling from all parts of Northern Ireland to enjoy a luxurious meal and some outrageous dancing! Attendees cut quite a dash at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast, whilst being ‘papped’ by photographers from several glossy magazines.

 

We haven’t managed to total the sum raised yet but it will clearly be a significant amount. I am so chuffed that, considering the way the economy is at the moment, people have delved so deep into their pockets! Both Vision Aid Overseas and the RNIB will be extremely grateful. 

 

With the success of this event, we have managed to do a really good thing, at the same time as spending some very enjoyable time with friends and loved ones. We will definitely be looking at doing something similar again next year. If anyone has any thoughts about charity fundraising, please do let us know. Many thanks to all the people who put in so much hard earned free time to help organise it.

 

 Andrew Petticrew

 

NIOS Home Conference 2008

 The well appointed Slieve Donard Resort & Spa Hotel played host this year to the NIOS Home Conference (24-26 October 2008). The main event was held in the beautiful front Chandelier Room of the resort with stunning views of the sea and the Mountains of Mourne. A Welcome Reception took place on Friday with an action packed golf tournament sponsored by United Optical at Kilkeel Golf Club; this was followed by a welcome reception meal in the evening.

The weekend’s lecture programme was kicked off by Michael Gilsenan (DO) with an interesting insight into “Orthoscopics, how the senses effect learning”. Simon Rankin FRCS, FRCOphth, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast and the Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn was the honorary guest speaker, with a special interest in Glaucoma and small incision cataract surgery; he talked about “The Visual Field Dilemma” and highlighted when to regard visual field plots as suspicious or not. Julie McDowell informed us about the “Recent advances in the provision of Low Vision Services” taking place at the University of Ulster, Coleraine. This lead onto an update from David Barnes of RNIB on how successful the ECLO (Eye Care Liaison Officer)/RNIB Direct Referral Scheme is progressing across Northern Ireland.

The Optical industry provided us with an extensive exhibition that demonstrated all the latest clinical and commercial innovations. The vast range of exhibitors attending the event such as Continental Eyewear, Cantor & Nissel, United Optical, Coopervision, Menrad, Alcon and Ulster Anaesthetics to name but a few.

The 22 children who accompanied their parents to the weekend’s events were kept busy with outdoor pursuits, such as bouldering, orienteering and archery.

So many guests made the trip across from England, Scotland and Wales to attend the Gala Banquet. Ninety people enjoyed a Champagne Reception sponsored by Topcon, and were seated comfortably in the charming Chandelier Room with 25 guests, including Bob Hughes (AOP), Lynn Hansford (Optometry Wales & Scotland), Ian Jarvis (Chairman of Scottish Committee of Optometrists), Ian Humphreys (College of Optometrists), Alan Rundle (Chairman of Optometry NI), Dr Robert Hogan (College of Optometrists), Michael Charlton (Chairman of AOP), Rod McDowell ( University of Ulster), Helen Knox (ONI/CSA) to name but a few. Following the meal everyone was entertained by the Red Hot Roosters.

Sunday’s lecture programme was upbeat and included an insight into a “Day in the life of Simon Rankin” which gave us food for thought at how busy and demanding it is as an ophthalmologist. Jeremy Jalie gave a motivating lecture on the work carried out by Vision Aid Overseas, requesting us to consider volunteering our skills and time as practitioners. Alan Rundle and Helen Knox provided and update on Optometry NI’s ‘Case for Change’ to date and opened the floor to debate.

The NIOS held their annual AGM where Fergus Bain, after 2 years serving as NIOS President, handed over the reins to a very willing Andrew Petticrew.

The weekend was very enjoyable and resulted in 4 CET points; a rekindled of old friendships and the beginning of some new, and an update on the profession as a whole.

Due to the success of the 2008 Conference, NIOS is keen to continue to hold the Home Conference at the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa.

Next year’s Away Conference will take place 9-12 October in Malaga.

Natasha Healey