7TH ICOI CONFERENCE

The International Conference on Ocular Infections (ICOI) represents “the Olympics” of ocular infectious diseases, says Prof Terrence O’Brien MD.

Prof O’Brien, professor of ophthalmology and Charlotte Breyer Rodgers Distinguished Chair at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, US is serving as ICOI meeting chairman. The meeting immediately precedes the XXXIII Congress of the ESCRS which opens on 5 September.

The ICOI, which formally convenes every four years, expects this year’s meeting to attract its largest attendance to date. “The conference agenda provides broad material of practical interest to general and subspecialty ophthalmologists,” said Prof O’Brien.

“We hope to expand participation from delegates in related disciplines such as bioinformatics, biostatistics, epidemiology, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, drug delivery and systemic infection, to diversify and enrich the discussions on ocular infections,” he said.

Among the keynote speakers for the meeting are Prof John Dart, Dr José Güell, Dr Peter Barry, Dr Prashant Garg, Prof Yoshitsugu Inoue, Prof Elmer Tu, Prof Francis Mah, Prof Joseph Frucht-Pery, Prof Farhad Hafezi, Prof David Granet, Prof Thomas Liesegang and Prof Eduardo Alfonso.

The programme for the meeting is being developed by an international expert scientific advisory board with the support of national and regional organising groups, said Prof O’Brien.

Prof O’Brien said they hope to deliver a diverse scientific programme, with significant contributions from faculty experts outside of ophthalmology in related areas of infectious diseases and microbiology. “In this way I believe participants can truly learn new concepts and think of innovative ways to apply them for the ultimate benefit of those suffering from ocular infections.”

The meeting will discuss topics including Prevention and Management of Endophthalmitis with Eye Surgeries, New Perspectives on Antimicrobial Resistance in Ophthalmology, Advances in Ocular Microbiology Laboratory Techniques and Newer Anti-infective Agents.

“The ICOI 2015 programme offers the greatest diversity to date with a multinational, multidisciplinary, comprehensive educational exchange. The participants shall depart with practical pearls to immediately apply in clinical and surgical settings, to both protect and treat patients with eye infections. It will help to fill the current gaps of knowledge and bring advances to the care of patients suffering from ocular infectious diseases,” he said.

* For more information visit: www.ocularinfections.com

Terrence O'Brien: tpob3333@hotmail.com

Janine Koeries: JKoeries@paragong.com