Blue light discussion on the agenda at SDC2

UNSW Emeritus Professor Stephen Dain will be among the speakers to present at the upcoming 2^nd Specsavers Dispensing Conference (SDC2), focussing on the myths and realities surrounding blue light and the implications for optical dispensing.

SDC2 will be held as a series of one-day conferences in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth from 12 to 17 August 2018. The event, which is open to both Specsavers and non-Specsavers qualified dispensers, as well as all optical dispensing students, will include a combination of workshops and lectures presented by industry experts, as well as networking opportunities.

In his SDC2 presentation, Professor Stephen Dain will explain where and in what quantities blue light occurs in the natural environment and the extent to which blue light can be hazardous, and provide evidence-based guidelines on recommendations to patients.

Several speakers from SDC1 will be returning to join Professor Dain in this year’s conference program. International guest speaker Alicia Thompson FBDO, Director of Professional Examinations for the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) in the UK, will show delegates how they can combine the use of a frame front template and a frame’s features to provide technical assistance to patients while dispensing spectacles with cosmetic appeal.

Alicia will be accompanied by her colleague Miranda Richardson FBDO, Assistant Director of Exams for ABDO, who will present a separate interactive workshop on how to look beyond the numbers of both basic and technical prescriptions to improve the patient experience and reduce complaints.

Australasian College of Optical Dispensing Director and Senior Trainer James Gibbins will return to discuss the importance of having and retaining qualified dispensing professionals within an optometry practice team. In his presentation, he will outline seven steps for successful dispensing training – from recruitment all the way through to ongoing professional development post-qualification.

In addition, RMIT Senior Teacher Timothy Haigh will deliver a workshop to demonstrate how the proper application and utilisation of ISO tolerances can aid in troubleshooting complex patient concerns and help reduce unnecessary remakes.

Further speaker details will be announced in the coming weeks.