APCO represents the
Asia-Pacific regions as one of the regional secretariats of the World Council of Optometry.
The mission of the APCO is to facilitate the enhancement and development of primary eye and vision care by optometrists in the Asia and Pacific regions. A biennial scientific meeting, the Asia Pacific Optometric Congress (APOC) has been held since 1978. In 2021 APCO has partnered with Optometry Australia to support its annual virtual conference and product showcase. Optometry Virtually Connected is being held entirely online from 18-20 June 2021 and optometrists from all APCO member countries are invited to attend.
Optometry Virtually Connected
APCO extends a warm invitation to you to register to attend Optometry Virtually Connected and Product Showcase 2021 (OVC) from 18-20 June 2021.
This highly flexible virtual event allows delegates from APCO member-countries to access up to 30 hours of live and on demand high quality continuing education, on topics of importance for optometrists across the Asia Pacific. Importantly delegates can participate in a world-class clinical conference without the need to leave home or to miss patient appointments during this time where travel is difficult. APCO members who register for the conference will also be able to access the CE program until September.
Optometry Virtually Connected also provides delegates with an online virtual product showcase.
During OVC, APCO will be hosting a Regional Optometric Educators Forum on Friday 18 June, to bring optometric educators from across the region together. The forum details will be circulated directly to optometry schools across the region. APCO will also host its General Delegates Meeting during the OVC.
APCO delegates can register to attend for AUD$165 (approx. USD$130). The first 120 APCO delegates to register will receive 50% off their registration fee (please use code ACPO50 when registering).
Optometry Educators e-Forum 18 June 2021
This forum is under the project “Enhancement and alignment of optometric education and practice in Asia Pacific region”, an initiative from APCO to foster stronger collaboration among Optometry educational institutions within the region.
There will be 4 x half day forums within 2021 and 2022 and the following topics will be discussed:
1. Curriculum mapping
2. SWOT analysis of optometry programmes
3. Clinical standards for eye examination
4. Child vision
5. Geriatric eye care
6. Vision rehabilitation
These are based on competency standards provided by the World Council of Optometry.
The first forum will be held on 18 June 2021 Australia Eastern Time from 5:30pm to 9:30pm and the other 3 will be scheduled around August 2021 to early 2022.
The forums will hopefully bear fruit in the form of the establishment of a common Online Resource Centre, with Peer-Review system in place for future initiatives, and with Educator Exchange programmes to enable physical sharing of teaching experience and practices.
| 5:30 – 5:33 (East Australian Time) | Forum open MC – Professor Carly Lam Organizing Committee Chair, Vice President of APCO |
| 5:33 – 5:36 | Welcome address Professor Peter Hendicott President of APCO |
| 5:37-5:40 | Remarks from Guest of Honor Professor Tuwani Rasengane WCO Education Committee Chair |
| 5:41 – 5:42 pm | Teaching and learning during the Covid-19 pandemic Moderator: Professor Carly Lam |
| 5:43 – 5:58 | Dr. Jessica Neuville, Hong Kong |
| 6:00 – 6:15 | Dr. Allen Cheong, Hong Kong |
| 6:15 – 6:20 | Q & A |
| 6:20 – 6:30 | Poll session |
| 6:31 – 6:32 | Competency standards and Optometry Curriculum Moderator: Prof Peter Hendicott |
| 6:32 – 6:47 | Competent optometrists providing value to the community Dr. Ben Hamlyn, Australia |
| Aligning the University Optometry Curriculum to Professional Competency Standards | |
| 6:48– 7:03 | Dr. Alexander Black, Australia |
| 7:05 – 7:20 | Dr. Shelley Hopkins, Australia |
| 7:21 – 7:30 | Q & A |
| 7:30 – 7:40 | Poll session |
| | The evolving primary care optometry – Panel discussion |
| 7:40- 7:41pm | Moderator: Prof Peter Hendicott |
| 7:41 – 7:56 | Dr. Prudence Joy Cinco, Philippines Student engagement in optometry clinical training |
| 7:56 – 8:11 | Professor Tuwani Rasengane, South Africa Integration of paediatric into primary eye and vision care |
| 8:11 – 8:27 | Dr. Rita Sum, Hong Kong Systematic diabetic eye screening in primary care |
| 8:27 – 8:43 | Ms. Jessica Massie, Australia What is teleoptometry? The role of optometry in the delivery of eye care via telemedicine |
| 8:43 – 9:00 | Dr. Duratul Ain Hussin, Malaysia Using evidence in advocacy for primary eye care services in Malaysia |
| 9:00 – 9:15 pm | Q & A |
| The evolving primary care optometry – Panel discussion Moderator: Prof Peter Hendicott Dr. Prudence Joy Cinco, Philippine Professor Tuwani Rasengane, South Africa Dr. Rita Sum, Hong Kong Ms. Jessica Massie, Australia Dr. Duratul Ain Hussin, Malaysia | |
| 9:15 to 9:30 pm | Poll session and meeting close |
Participating Optometry educators:
Australia
Flinders University, College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Nicola Anstice
Jason Booth
Ranjay Chakraborty
Jeremiah Lim
Optometry Australia
Ben Hamlyn – speaker
Peek Vision
Jessica Massie – speaker
Queensland University of Technology, School of Optometry and Vision Science
Alexander Black – speaker
Peter Hendicott – organizer & moderator
Shelley Hopkins – speaker
University of Canberra, Faculty of Health
Myra Leung
Patricia Arthur
University of New South Wales, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences
Alex Hui
Angelica Ly
Kathleen Watt
Canada
University of Waterloo, School of Optometry & Vision Science/
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Optometry
George Woo
Cambodia
Brien Holden Foundation
Seila Chea
Eye Care Foundation
Piseth Horm
Phnom Penh Municipality Hospital
Bunnarith Cheng
China
Sichuan University, Department of Optometry and Visual Science
Jianglan Wang
Bi Yang
Sun Yat-sen University, Zhong Shan Ophthalmic Centre
Xiang Chen
Julia Zhi Lin
Tianjin Medical University, School of Optometry & Ophthalmology
Bei Du
Jing Li
Biying Wang
Ruihua Wei
Tianjin Vocational Institute, School of Optometry Engineering
Haiying Wang
Wenzhou Medical University, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry
Hao Chen
Yimin Yuan
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Optometry
Allen Cheong – speaker
Carly Lam – organizer & moderator
Jessica Neuville – speaker
Rita Sum – speaker
Patrick Ting
Jimmy Tse
India
Ahalia School of Optometry
K Venkatramana
Brainware University, Department of Allied Health Sciences
Somnath Ghosh
Chaitanya Eye Hospital and Research Institute
Nigin C Philipose
K Sisira
CT University, Department of Optometry
Ritupana Ghoshal
Christian Medical College, School of Optometry
Jeyanth Rose
Jenifer Sadan
Evon Selina Kujur
Dr DY Patil Institute of Optometry and Visual sciences
Veshal Madan
Elite School of Optometry
N Anuradha
A Rashima
Government College of Optometry
Sathish Kumar
Shalini
India vision Institute
Samrat Sarkar
Nandhini Vasudevan
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research
K Ramesh babu
Aarthy G
Lotus College of Optometry
Prema K Chande
Hiral Korani
Manipal College of Health Professions
Ramesh S Ve
Krithica S
Salai Dhavamathi
NSHM institution
Soumendranath Ghosh
Sankara Nethralaya Academy
Anuja Singh
Jebacynthia
Saptagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center
Ankur Banik
Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Institute of Optometry
Gopala Krishnan
Laksh Ramya
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Department of Optometry
Valarmathi Arunachalam
SRM University, Department of Ophthalmology
Dharani Ramamurthy
Divya S
The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Acchutha Institute of Optometry
Saranya Sachi Balasubramaniam
Japan
Tokyo Optometric College
Mitsuhisa Hayashi
Malaysia
Allied Health Sciences Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia
Duratulain Ain Hussin – speaker
Management Science University, Department of Optometry and Vision Science
Fairuz Mohd Nordin
Mohd Zaki Bin Awang Isa
International Islamic University Malaysia, Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences
Norsham BT Ahmad
The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital
Ananth Sailoganathan
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Faculty of Health Sciences
Bariah Mohd. Ali
Zainora Mohammed
Shah Farez Bin Othman
Mizhanim Shahimin
Universiti Teknologi MARA, Faculty of Health Sciences
Noor Halilah Buari
Ai-Hong Chen
New Zealand
The University of Auckland, School of Optometry and Vision Science
Yitian Tina Gao
Singapore
Singapore Polytechnic, School of Chemical & Life Sciences
Dylan Eng
Sumasri Kallakuri
Philippines
Cebu Doctors’ University
Prudence Joy Cinco – speaker
Kristia Rama
Ritchie Suba-an
Centro Escolar University
Elena C. Borromeo
Davao Doctors College Inc.
Erlyn B. Hipolito
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Jessica Flor Torre
Jezreelle Domingo-Hortaleza
Lyceum Northwestern University
Deborah S. Mangonon
Manila Central University, College of Optometry
Caroline Ll. Ferrer
Christine S. Rodriguez
Donnie Y. Saludes
Mindanao Medical Foundation College
Rachel Grace C. Penales
National University, College of Optometry
Teresita R. Yambot
Mary Rose S Paredes
PU-SC School of Health Sciences, Inc.
Benita M. Soltura
Southwestern University Phinma
Noeh Fernandez Jr.
South Africa
University of the Free State, School Of Health And Rehabilitation Sciences
Tuwani Rasengane – speaker
South Korea
Daegu Catholic University, College of Bio and Medical Sciences
Byoung Sun Chu
Daekyeung University, Department of Optometry
In-Jee Park
Eul-ji University, Department of Optometry
Hyun-Sung Leem
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Optometric Association
Chanaka Dharmakeerthi
Aruna Rathnayake
Taiwan
Asia University, Department of Optometry
Samuel Chiang
Sun Lee
Stanley Wu
Dayeh University, Department of Optometry
Ya-yu Chen
Ching-Yao Huang
University of Kang Ning, Department of Optometry
Ternence Po Hao Chen
Yen-Ying Chiang
Shih Lan, Wang
Vietnam
Hanoi Medical University, Department of Ophthalmology & Optometry
Nguyen Nhat Hoang
Van Anh Pham
Duong Cong Quyen
Minh Anh Tran
Pham Trong Van
University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach
Hai Le
Ngan Tran