The Annual Ophthalmology Conference 2017  Began today evening  Friday under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Al Saidi, Minister of Health at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Center. The conference was organized by the Oman Ophthalmic Society (OOS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Armed Forces Medical Services, Oman Medical Specialties Board (OMSB), and the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).

The opening ceremony of the conference which its sessions have begun in the morning, included a speech delivered by Dr. Rashid Mohamed Al Saidi, OOS President.  Dr. Al Saidi confirmed that the Society follows an efficient strategy in organizing its conferences as each course of it  focuses on specific eye diseases starting from the diagnosis methods to reviewing the latest treatment techniques and medicine. He pointed out that the preparation of this conference has started since 2015 where the organizing committee as well as subcommittees were formed from the different health public and private sectors.

Then Dr. W.J Mayer presented a lecture on modern eye banking, indicating the role of such banks in providing tissue for corneal transplants.

At the end, H.E. Minister of Health inaugurated the accompanying exhibition that displayed the modern medical products and technologies used in the treatment Cornea and its different surgeries. Number of international companies specialized in the production of therapeutic and medical devices and equipment participated in the exhibition. The exhibition as well contained awareness pamphlets and leaflets.

The conference witnessed a large local, regional, and international participation of more than 350 workers of different eye specialties including ophthalmologists, optometrists, paramedical staff, nurses and others.  

The conference aimed at introducing the participants to the latest developments regarding the diagnosis, detection and treatment of Cornea diseases at early stage. It provided a platform for sharing experiences with the local and international participants and addressed the new surgical technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of Cornea and other eye diseases.

The conference included several session and symposia that highlighted Keratoconus; anatomy and pathophysiology, corneal imaging, and the surgical managements of the disease. Scientific papers also addressed Keratoconus in children and Glaucoma.

Furthermore, the conference sessions overviewed Vitro-retinal diseases and highlighted updates of the disease. They touched on the medical therapy of the Diabetic macular edema and the Endoscopic approach. Sessions further discussed the Keratoplasty updates and the refractive lens surgery.

The OMSB notably has approved 8 teaching hours from category (A) for the conference and its workshops participants.