And We’re Off: APACRS 2023 Starts Now

by Brooke Herron

Welcome to the 35th Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS 2023) annual meeting. For the next three days, we’ll bring you the latest news and updates from the meeting — so make sure you check out our CAKE Post online every day!

Ah, Singapore…

It’s good to be back. And it’s even better to be here at APACRS 2023 for the first full three-day annual meeting since COVID-19 crashed the party. That’s right, from June 8 to 10 attendees from Asia and beyond will enjoy a fun- and scientific-filled feast of anterior segment information — all from the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. So, let this serve as a guide for APACRS 2023: We’ll cover can’t-miss highlights and some of the most enlightening sessions.

CONNECTING THE DOTS:

INDUSTRY SYMPOSIUM

Experts discuss their use of various premium technologies to deliver optimal surgical outcomes and improve patient satisfaction.

Moderator

A/Prof. Clement Tan Woon Teck · Singapore

Performance of enVista® and LuxSmartTM with the EVO Formula Dr Yeo Tun Kuan · Singapore

Early experience with the LuxSmartTM Toric (Extended Range of Vision) IOL Dr Ben LaHood · Australia

Enhanced Depth of Focus (DOF) post cataract extraction in refractive patients

Prof. Jodhbir Mehta · Singapore

Redefining Excimer Laser Technology with TransEpi PRK

Dr Robert Edward Ang · Philippines

Panel Discussion

Friday June 9th 2023

12:45 TO 13:40 HOURS

LEVEL 3 - ROOM 331

MEET THE EXPERTS

Please join our experts to further discuss premium surgery through the latest B+L technologies

B+L Booth C15

9

Friday June 9th 3.15pm to 4.15pm

The scientific committee sure hit the nail on the head with this year’s theme, “NEXUS — Connecting Everyone and Everything.” This focus certainly feels relevant after the last few years of disconnection. And based on the master classes, symposia and events taking place during APACRS 2023, it’s clear that this will be a meeting full of connections… so, let’s jump in!

Scientific sessions: Sharing knowledge and experience

First up is the “meat” of any ophthalmic meeting: the scientific symposia. Co-hosted by the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and the Asia Cornea Society (ACS), this year’s program is packed full of important and interesting morsels on the topics that matter most to today’s anterior segment specialists.

Look out for cutting-edge sessions on intraocular lenses (IOLs), the latest surgical techniques, as well as how to manage complicated cataract cases — with advice from renowned experts that can be applied straight into clinical practice. Further, make sure to catch some of the sessions on glaucoma (including new insights into angleclosure!), infectious keratitis (diagnose and treat before it’s too late!), and corneal surgery (new techniques abound!).

Looking to “master” some of the latest surgical techniques… or just looking for a refresher? Then you will not want to miss the meeting’s Master Classes on June 8, where the world’s best ophthalmic educators will lead classes on today’s key topics in ophthalmic surgery. These include toric IOLs, biometry, phaco alternatives, pterygium surgery, refractive surgery, and more! (Check the program and add at least one of these Master Classes to your calendar.)

To further embrace our connections, there will also be a joint symposium hosted by APACRS, ASCRS and ESCRS on cataract and refractive surgery, titled “Trending Technologies: Highway to the Future.” This is another session that shouldn’t be missed, as the world’s leading cataract and refractive societies unite to explore trending technologies — specifically, separating the tech that attendees should seriously consider utilizing from the less useful and effective options. (Add to your calendar: Friday, June 9, 11:00-12:30)

Continuing the spirit of “connecting everything,” mark your calendar for “Top Gun: Top Cataract Surgery Tips.” This highly informative session will offer practical tips that surgeons can connect and implement directly into the operating theater. (Add to your calendar: Saturday, June 10, 16:0017:30)

In addition to these highlights, delegates should also make time to check out the plethora of surgical video symposia, industry lunch symposia, free papers and e-posters during APACRS 2023.

Opening ceremony and awards: Honoring eye care experts

The eye care festivities really kick off on Day 2, beginning with the Opening Ceremony and APACRS Lim Lecture. During the Opening Ceremony, delegates will hear welcome messages from Organizing Chairman Dr. Chan Wing Kwong (Singapore) and Guestof-Honor Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Singapore).

Following these introductions, stay tuned for the opening address from APACRS President Prof. Yao Ke (China), whose remarks will further cement this year’s theme. “‘NEXUS –Connecting Everyone and Everything’ heralds a new era for us to reconnect and restart the exchange of cuttingedge topics and techniques after the challenging times,” said Prof. Yao in the program’s welcome message. (Add to your calendar: Friday, June 9, 9:0010:30)

What’s more, during the Opening Ceremony, this year’s award recipients will also be recognized — this includes the APACRS Certified Educators

(A.C.E.), the APACRS Gold Medal, and the prestigious APACRS Lim Lecture.

APACRS Lim Lecture

As the highest award of the APACRS, the Lim Lecture recognizes ophthalmologists who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of cataract and refractive surgery. This year, the lecture was awarded to Prof. Gerd Auffarth (Germany), who will speak on “Current and Future Development in Intraocular Implants with New Materials.”

Prof. Auffarth is chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, director of the David J. Apple International Laboratory for Ocular Pathology, and director of the International Vision Correction Research Centre (IVCRC). He has been named as one of the most influential people in ophthalmology worldwide (most recently in 2022) and has garnered more than 200 awards for his scientific contributions. Further, Prof. Auffarth has published more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and 370 book chapters, and delivered more than 1,500 lectures and 1,000 invited speeches. His expertise focuses on biomaterial and implant research in cataract and laser surgery, and he was the first surgeon to implant a toric, aspheric, multifocal IOL and has developed several IOL prototypes. (Add to your calendar: Friday, June 9, 10:00-10:30)

APACRS Gold Medal

Zooming in on Asia-Pacific, the APACRS Gold Medal recognizes ophthalmologists for making significant contributions to developments in cataract and refractive surgery in the region. This year’s recipient, Dr. Fam Han Bor, holds a number of senior appointments at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore) and is credited as the founding head of anterior segment surgery.

Dr. Fam’s primary interests are furthering the fields of visual optics, wavefront science, IOL calculations, corneal topography, contact lens and eye modeling, biofilms, and phaco technology. He has actively published in leading peer-reviewed journals over the past 20 years and holds a patent for an enhanced occlusion removal system for use during phaco. In addition, Dr. Fam has given more than 500 presentations and 50 instructional courses on cataract and refractive surgery and biometry.

APACRS Certified Educators (A.C.E.)

Three renowned surgeons will be recognized for their contributions to continued education and skills transfer in anterior segment surgery: Prof. Jodhbir Mehta, Dr. Mahipal Sachdev and Clinical Assoc. Prof. Mohamad Rosman.

Networking and events: Connecting after hours

After a long day of scientific symposia, there’s no better way to end Day 1 of APACRS 2023 than catching up with friends and colleagues at the Welcome Reception. All delegates are invited to attend the reception, which will be held in the exhibition hall of Suntec Singapore and will feature both local Singaporean food and culture. (Add to your calendar: Thursday, June 8, 17:3019:00)

The “after-hours” fun continues on Day 2 — and don’t forget the popcorn — because it’s time for the APACRS Film Festival Symposium and Awards Ceremony. So, kick back, relax and be educationally entertained by the best surgical video offerings from AsiaPacific and beyond. Winning films in each category will be shown in full with a discussion between the judges and producers following each screening. (Add to your calendar: Friday, June 9, 16:00-17:30)

With its impressive scientific program, APACRS 2023 promises to offer an exceptional educational experience. But perhaps even more importantly, the annual meeting once again provides a unique platform for connecting with colleagues and friends from around the world — and sharing knowledge and experiences to further anterior segment practice in the region.