Caption: IACLE member Dr Mohammad Abahussin from Saudi Arabia makes his mark on the time wall at the association’s exhibition booth.

The International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) has celebrated 40 years of ‘exceptional education and exponential impact’ at the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) clinical conference in Manchester.

More than 100 delegates took up the invitation to ‘Make Your Mark’ at the IACLE exhibition booth on a time wall of milestones in the association’s history. Visitors also contributed ideas for the future of contact lens education.

Three of the Founding Members of IACLE who attended its very first meeting – in Monte Carlo, Monaco in November 1979 – were saluted at the IACLE / BUCCLE Education Day held on 29 May to coincide with the conference. The day was jointly organised with the British & Irish University & College Contact Lens Educators, and attracted 80 members and guests.

IACLE’s founding president Dr Hilmar Bussacker, first BUCCLE chair Richard Pearson and former IACLE vice president Professor Des Fonn described their experiences of the early days of IACLE and were awarded certificates to mark the 40th Anniversary. First IACLE secretary Dr John de Brabander sent a video message to delegates.

40th Anniversary celebrations continued at the BCLA Conference on 30 May with a presentation from IACLE president Dr Shehzad Naroo during the International Perspectives session, followed by a reception and cake-cutting hosted with vice president Professor Philip Morgan of the University of Manchester at the association’s exhibition booth.