The British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) marked an historic milestone with the successful staging of BCLA ASIA in mainland China.
The two-day event took place on 8-9 March, 2024, in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and was jointly organised by BCLA, the Sichuan Association of Optometry and Eye Care, and hosted by West China Hospital, Sichuan University.
With a significant turnout of approximately 1600 attendees, including 150 delegates specifically for the BCLA segment, the forum brought together top experts from around the world to focus on critical topics such as myopia prevention and control, dry eye treatment, corneal contact lenses and care, and special corneal contact lenses.
The opening ceremony featured speeches by Rakesh Kapoor, Chairman of BCLA, and Professor Liu Longqian from West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Both expressed their enthusiasm for hosting BCLA ASIA in Chengdu, China, for the first time, highlighting the importance of global collaboration in advancing optometric research and cultivating young talent.
Luke Stevens-Burt, CEO of BCLA, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and enthusiasm from participants, sponsors, and the co-organisers, and extended an invitation for future collaborations.
He said: “The success of BCLA ASIA 2024 not only strengthened communication and cooperation between regional and international optometric communities but also fostered supportive, professional ties between China and the UK in specialist care within optometry.
“The forum showcased China's growing international influence in contact lens and anterior eye health research and injected new vitality into the development of China's optometric field. BCLA remains committed to advancing global optometry and believes that the BCLA ASIA programme will contribute significantly to the progress of optometry worldwide through shared learning.”
Throughout the event, experts presented cutting-edge research results and innovative technologies in the contact lens field, engaging in in-depth discussions on fitting processes, myopia control effects, and product applications. Luke Stevens-Burt and Professor James Wolffsohn of BCLA provided a comprehensive introduction to BCLA's vision, scope of services, history, and global continuing education initiatives, earning a resounding round of applause.
The event also celebrated the graduates of BCLA's Contact Lens Fitting Continuing Education Training Course, recently delivered in China, who received certificates of completion. At the closing ceremony, Professor Liu Longqian emphasised the forum's significance as a landmark international industry conference in contact lenses, blending innovative views with both Chinese and Western perspectives.
