The ever-popular NZAO quiz had prizes generously donated by over 20 sponsors and was won by Harriet Pita, Vanessa Sue, John Boyle, Jacob Benefield, Brian Gainford and Murray Rogers

Over two wonderfully sunny October days we were finally able to hold our 90^th New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO) conference at the Beehive in Wellington. Having already postponed our 2020 conference due to Covid-19, the most recent lockdowns in Auckland and Hamilton meant many of our members were still unable to join us in person, with more than 30 attendees joining online. We had a significant turnout of optometrists from the rest of the country, however, and the positive, collegial atmosphere meant we were ready to learn and eager to socialise.

This year’s great line up of speakers started with Associate Professor Jacqueline Ramke from the University of Auckland, who spoke about eyecare inequity. It was exciting to hear about changes happening in the Auckland community, grounded in evidence-based innovative strategies to deliver eyecare to those in the most marginalised areas of the city. I look forward to seeing those successes translating to the whole country. Jacqui’s talk on her work while she was at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was especially interesting for me, as I often take living in our safe haven for granted and forget that many parts of the world live very differently.

HS Gilberd Memorial Medal honouree Peter Grimmer and outgoing NZAO president Rochelle van Eysden

When it came to contact lenses, ortho-k was the hot topic of the conference, with several speakers covering their fitting and practicality, especially for myopia management. I learned about effective myopia control from different practices and was left feeling hopeful that, as a high myope myself, the next generation would not have to experience my teenage rigmarole of needing stronger lenses and thicker frames to hide them.

The non-clinical lectures were a good reminder that some patients will have grievances and we need to be prepared to navigate the uneven terrain of conflict management. Having the profession together for the first time in a while, it was also the perfect opportunity to discuss stress management and wellbeing. Dr Ian de Terte, senior lecturer at the School of Psychology, Massey University, led the discourse, providing me a moment to reflect and to identify my stress triggers and learn to manage them more effectively. I especially enjoyed the lecture by Associate Professor Maria Stubbe from Otago University on improving communication between practitioners and patients – I’ve implemented key strategies from her lecture and seen benefits almost immediately.

It would not be a NZAO conference without the educational and entertaining quizzes! Thanks to NZAO president Rochelle van Eysden and Richard Johnson once again for providing such a great opportunity for everyone to relax and engage with each other.

The 91^st NZAO AGM was also held during the conference, where we farewelled councillors Sita Thakersi and Chelsey Alexander, who will be replaced by myself and Hans Vellara from Auckland. Rochelle handed the reins to Callum Milburn, who will be returning to the role after a short break.

An intimate conference dinner was held at Bellamys by Logan Brown inside the Beehive. The food and drinks were top-notch and although we didn’t get to dance the night away, it was a nice way to finish a conference put together under uncertainty.

(Clockwise from right) Shannon Tubman, Hayley Sowry, Rochelle van Eysden, Sita Thakersi, Michael White, Elaine Barling, Mark Jones and Andrew Black at Bellamys

I would also like to thank Sita, Chelsey and Rochelle and all the NZAO councillors for helping the profession through a challenging 18 months and the conference organisers for all the hard work they put in to making the 2021 conference such a success.

Inhae Park is a glaucoma optometrist working in Wellington Hospital and with Capital Eye Specialists.