13th July 2023, Colombo: Vision Care Academy, the educational institute of Sri Lanka’s largest vision and eye wear solutions provider Vision Care, conducted its 13th Annual Scientific Sessions and Optometry Day with a full-day event held under the theme “A new world with a new vision” at the Grand Ballroom of the Galle Face Hotel.
The primary goal of this annual program is to provide a platform for researchers to present their cutting-edge research findings, exchange knowledge, and foster collaboration in the field of optometry. It also provides an opportunity for encouraging in-depth learning, knowledge-sharing, and networking among professionals in the field. This event also served as the official convocation ceremony of the Academy where certificates are awarded to the students successfully completed their respective courses. Additionally, the event is the company’s research symposium and students who have carried out outstanding research projects were recognized for their excellent performances.
The event was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Dr. Pradeepa K Siriwardana – Consultant Ophthalmologist, National Eye Hospital Sri Lanka while the Guest of Honor was Vidya Jyothi Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake – President, Sri Lanka Medical Council/Dean, Faculty of Medicine/Chair and Senior Professor, Department of Anatomy, Genetics and Biomedical Informatics. Other distinguished guests at the event included Prof. Maduwanthi Dissanayake – Professor & Consultant Eye Surgeon, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo and Prof.Benita Stephens.
The inaugural keynote address was delivered by Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Upali Mendis. Following this address, four informative sessions were held on a wide range of Optometry and Hearing Care topics. The sessions included Ocular Diagnostics (keynote address by Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Prem Anand), Binocular Vision & Vision Therapy (keynote address by Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Lalantha Gurusinghe), Clinical Optometry (keynote address by Dr. Praveen Kumar PhD – Post-doctoral Research Fellow at nthalmic Pty Ltd, Australia) and Hearing Care (keynote address by Consultant ENT Surgeon Dr.Vasanthika S Thuduwage).
Vidya Jayarathna – Head of Vision Care Academy stated, “The Optometry Day and Annual Scientific Session is one of the most important events in the Vision Care calendar. We are grateful to the many distinguished guests for taking time off their busy schedules to enlighten all of us about the latest developments in the field of Optometry and Hearing Care. As always, Vision Care Academy has led from the front in educating young minds in this field and we will continue to do so into the future.”
Vision Care Academy was established in 2008 with the objective of providing in-house training to Vision Care employees. Today, it has evolved into a fully-facilitated training institute that offers a world-class educational experience in Optometry. It has a highly-qualified well-experienced lecture panel and also brings in lecturers from leading Universities in Sri Lanka to give the students the most comprehensive education in Optometry. Vision Care Academy conducts 4 full-time courses on eye and hearing care under the supervision of Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC). They are Certificate program for Ophthalmic Assistants (COA), Certificate program for Audiometrians (CAD), Certificate program for Dispensing Opticians (CDO) and Diploma program for Optometrists (DOP). Vision Care Academy is a full-time member of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry India and Affiliate Member of the World Council of Optometry.