International Paediatric Ophthalmology Conference

The International Paediatric Ophthalmology Conference held in Sultan Qaboos University, Oman was beamed across to Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai via Video conferencing on February 15th and 16th. Dr. Anuradha Ganesh, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman welcomed the gathering and spoke about the Paediatric Ophthalmology Lectures to follow as part of the conference.

Dr. Crieg Hoyt, Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, Director of Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco talked about "Neurological Basis of amblyopoa". Dr. Hoyt suggested that neuro-transmitters play a role in causing amblyopia and areas IV B1 and areas IV B2 of visual cortex of the brain are affected giving rise to amblyopia. He said that further research was necessary in this field to find a specific treatment for amblyopia. Till then patching would remain the treatment of choice to improve vision.

Dr. Hoyt said, "there is no critical age for treatment of amblyopia as amblyopic eye regains vision after loss of good eye even in adulthood".

He was followed by Dr. Alex Levin, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Co-Director Ocular Genetics Program, Director of Fellowships, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. He spoke on "Genetics of Paediatric cataracts and glaucoma". He discussed the genetics of paediatric cataract and glaucoma associated with systemic diseases like Lowe's syndrome, Wilm's tumor and Axenfield Rieger syndrome.

The next lecture on "Epidemiology and investigation of childhood blindness" was given by Dr. David Taylor, Former Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street hospital for Children, London, UK. This lecture stressed the importance of a good refraction by ophthalmologist in eliminating a major cause of childhood blindness i.e. refractive errors.

Dr. Taylor talked about the importance of examining the patient as a whole, and not just the eye. He also talked about community burden of childhood blindness and importance of screening.

This was followed by a lecture on "Aspects of vertical extra ocular muscle surgery" which was given by Dr. Elisabeth Schulz, Chairperson, Department of Pleoptics and Orthoptics, University Eye Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Basic anatomy and principles of vertical muscle surgery were discussed.