The Summit of Specialty Contacts
Two days of specialty contact lens congress in Rome
From November 23 to 24, 2024, everything in Rome revolved around specialty contact lenses. It is the only international meeting of its kind in Europe and has brought together opinion leaders from over 25 countries in the field of specialty contact lenses to share their experiences, research results and innovative ideas.
In addition to special contact lens topics such as scleral, corneal, hybrid and custom soft contact lenses, dry eye and ocular surface disorders were also discussed. This took place in workshops, case discussions, rapid-fire sessions and expert panels. Some of the main topics were soft and hybrid lenses as well as corneal damage. The venue for the event was the NH Vittorio Veneto hotel, located in the north of the historic city center of Rome on the famous Via Veneto. This specialist conference is aimed primarily at optometrists, ophthalmologists and contact lens fitters who deal with special cases, beyond disposable lenses.
Since 2019, The Summit of Specialty Contacts (SSC) has been an important date in the calendar of practitioners who fit contact lenses outside of the average scope. This was evident in the special atmosphere in the conference hall. People know and appreciate each other and are keen to share their experiences and knowledge. Right at the beginning, those present were asked to stand up if they had ever fitted a scleral lens: hardly anyone remained seated. This question was asked several times over the two days. For example, how many of those present have already fitted contact lenses to babies or young children. This interactive activity visualized how many experts were present in the audience.
High-level lecture program
The organizing team, led by Daddi Fadel, has once again put together an exciting program that includes frequent audience interaction. Even with the support she received, it was an enormous effort. She says, “It was a lot of work. This included coordinating with sponsors, speakers and the hotel. It also involved handling participant requests, issuing visa letters, and, last but not least, handling logistics and reviewing every detail meticulously to ensure that nothing was overlooked. A truly demanding and comprehensive task!” The organizing team also included Tom Arnold (USA), Jörgen Gustafsson (Sweden), Rute J. Macedo de Araújo (Portugal), Muriel Schornack (USA) and Patricia Flores (Chile), who provided great support in helping to organize the event.
The scientific program committee had proposed a number of innovations and adjustments for this year’s conference. These included longer lectures to allow for more detailed discussions and interactive sessions. In addition, there were workshops on scleral lenses: the basics and handling were discussed over three hours, with a certificate of completion included. In addition to the presentation of case studies and so-called rapid-fire sessions, there were also panels with experts in their respective fields.
The effects on the eye of the customer or patient are varied and the psychological strain is sometimes enormous due to illnesses, accidents, operations, unsuccessful LASIK or genetics. Therefore, the field of specialty contact lenses also includes many different modalities, materials and sometimes unconventional solutions.
The range of products used includes scleral lenses, special soft lenses and hybrid lenses. Of course, corneal contact lenses were also discussed in detail in Rome. This included a presentation of the clear distinction between corneal and scleral lenses, as well as the basics and current developments in corneal lenses.
The tightly packed lecture program still left enough time for extensive networking during the breaks and over lunch in the exhibition hall, where the eight sponsors were able to present their products. After all, an event like this thrives on the lively exchange of ideas.
Special lenses remain an important topic in the niche
“Currently, topics related to scleral lenses and ortho-k are particularly in demand. These include clinical tips, practical workshops and everything related to complication management,” says Daddi Fadel in the interview.
A glance at the lecture series of other conferences also makes it easy to see that scleral lenses have recently become more and more popular. Daddi Fadel believes that this is partly due to the fact that more educational work on this topic has been done in Europe, for example through Euroscole. “In addition, several studies have been conducted on their effectiveness and advantages. Patients or customers with a corresponding level of suffering are also increasingly asking about these lenses,” she adds.
At the conference in Rome, some important products were presented that are indispensable for contact lens specialists in Europe, especially those who work with patients who are far from the average. The focus was on the full range of specialty lenses and innovative fitting technologies. “In Europe, however, there are significant differences compared to the US and Canada, for example, in terms of legal frameworks, product availability and the preferences of specialists, so a regional approach is crucial,” she says.
She would like to see the industry make the much-needed larger investments in training to help specialists stay up to date on the latest developments in contact lens technology and patient management.
The next conference is planned for 2026 and will once again showcase a variety of innovations. In addition, there will be expert-led discussions and the return of the popular practical workshops to further improve clinical practice in the field of specialty contact lenses.
