NORWALK, Conn.—The International Vision Expo & Conference, in partnership with the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) will host the first ever Global Contact Lens Forum for eyecare practitioners, March 26 to 27, immediately preceding Vision Expo East 2014 in New York.

The two-day continuing education forum, the first of its kind in the U.S., will explore all aspects of the business side of a contact lens practice, focusing on the latest scientific content and strategies, including how to use technology in practice and gain and maintain contact lens patients. Nearly 200 people are expected to register for the event.

The forum will be held in the Special Events Hall on Level 1 of the Javits Center and feature a host of networking opportunities for attendees. An evening reception with forum sponsors will be held on Wednesday with a breakfast reception the following morning. Lunch will be offered both days.

“Contact lenses will always be a relevant option in eyesight correction. The myth that contact lenses are not profitable anymore will be dispelled and attendees will be exposed to the current thinking in contact lenses as it relates to successful business practice, especially in light of the many recent changes in healthcare,” explained Kirk Smick, OD, FAAO, chairman of International Vision Expo’s Conference Advisory Board.

The Global Contact Lens Forum is part of a multi-year, content exchange agreement between Vision Expo and BCLA designed to improve continuing education offerings at their respective conferences.

Featuring world-class faculty, the Contact Lens Forum will offer seven hours of unique content designed to arm attendees with information on the following topics: Contact Lenses-Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow; Contact Lenses are Good Business; Utilizing the Tools of the Trade; Contact Lens Wearing Schedules – An Ongoing Debate; The Response of the Ocular System to Contact Lenses; How will Patients get their Contact Lenses Tomorrow?; and Q&A of Here We Are Today and What We Can Do Now.

The forum’s keynote address will be delivered by Lyndon Jones, PhD, a professor at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, Director of the Centre for Contact Lens Research and University Research Chair at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. Jones’ research interests focus on the interaction of novel and existing contact lens materials with the ocular environment and ocular drug delivery. He has given more than 650 invited lectures worldwide and authored over 200 refereed and professional papers.

“The partnership between Vision Expo and BCLA has afforded both organizations new opportunities to jointly develop exciting, innovative educational content to position eye care professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in today’s healthcare environment,” said Nick Rumney, MScO, FCO, FAAO; Conference Program Co-Coordinator for the BCLA.

Registration is now open for both the Global Contact Lens Forum, and Vision Expo East. Prospective attendees may learn more or register online at www.visionexpoeast.com. The BCLA will host a second forum in Birmingham, England in June 2014.