The South African Optometric Association invites you to join us at The CSIR International Convention Centre, Tshwane for our national conference to be held on 16,17 18 August 2019 !!
The SAOA Conference is purposefully intimate in size with a format, content and presenters designed to attract delegates from diverse backgrounds and experience, local and international, who bring with them an enthusiasm for learning, sharing and growing together in a highly participative atmosphere.
The academic programme encompasses three days of presentations, workshops and panel debates covering a wide range of relevant topics including clinical, practice management and ethics. Presentations and speakers have undergone scrutiny by a panel of experts to ensure the highest standards and a world class event.
The programme is divided into three parallel tracks providing choice for delegates to attend those topics of particular interest.
Delegates can earn up to 26 CPD points.
Suppliers, big and small have supported this event in the form of sponsorship and exhibition. The exhibition provides delegates with access to the latest technology with assistance and technical expertise on site.
As President of the South African Optometric Association, I take great pride in welcoming all attendees to the SAOA Conference 2019, to be held at the CSIR International Convention Centre, in Tshwane, Gauteng.
The theme of the Conference is ‘Together Towards Tomorrow’. This theme has been chosen after careful deliberation, taking cognisance of the fact that there have been fundamental changes to both the character and the dynamics of the eye care environment in recent times which with will affect the way we will need to address the challenges that lie before us. In essence, the theme marries the importance of a more united approach to negotiate the future which includes technological advances, an expanded scope of practice, anticipated legislative change, trends in vision related impairment, amongst others.
We are privileged to have delegates from across both the international and local eye care spectrum. They include optometrists, dispensing opticians, ophthalmologists, representatives from academic institutions, students and, of course, members of the optometric industry. We are particularly indebted to all the speakers, panellists and other participants, who have spent a great deal of time preparing for this event, and we eagerly await their contributions. At the same time, however, we are confident that, as well as benefiting us with their knowledge and experience, they themselves will gain from the wealth of expertise gathered together from within the conference over the three days.
We look forward to full, free and frank exchanges in all our discussions, regardless of whether the expressed views are at variance with those of our Association. It is only with an open, wholehearted approach that a meeting like this will be truly effective in enabling us to improve our knowledge and understanding.
On behalf of the SAOA Board of Directors I would like to thank the SAOA Steering Committee for organising this important event and the SAOA staff who have worked tireless over the past year. Similar appreciation is extended to our partners, valued members of the supply industry , who have provided financial support and other forms of assistance.
I take this opportunity to extend very best wishes to all conference delegates and participants for an enjoyable, informative and fruitful conference.