Vision Care Academy, the educational institute of Sri Lanka’s largest vision and eye wear solutions provider Vision Care, marked this year’s Optometry Day and 12thAnnual Scientific Session recently with an educational event held under the theme “Innovative World with Better Focus” at the Mount Lotus Eye & ENT Hospital.
The event was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Dr. (Mrs.) Manel Pasqual – Consultant Ophthalmologist, National Eye Hospital Sri Lanka, and Guest of Honour Mr. Udeni Wickramarachchi – Chairman, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission Sri Lanka. Vision Care Academy organizes this annual event to provide a platform for the education, awareness, and knowledge sharing of all matters related to the field of Optometry and Hearing Care while nurturing the interest of the students of the Academy and encouraging them to devote their time towards research studies. This event is also the official convocation where certificates are awarded to the students who have passed out of Vision Care Academy on successful completion of their respective courses.
The Inaugural Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Madhuwanthi Dissanayake – Professor & Consultant Eye Surgeon, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. Subsequently, four educational sessions were held on a variety of topics related to the field of Optometry and Hearing Care. During the 1st session, an informative speech was made by Dr. D.R.R. Kodikara – Consultant Ophthalmologist on ‘Ocular Diagnostics’. The 2nd session address was made by Dr. Aruna Fernando – Consultant Ophthalmologist/Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon on ‘Binocular Vision & Vision Therapy’ while the 3rd session address was delivered by Mrs. Ananth Lakshmi – Snr. Optometrist/AGM-ECP Training & Development, Essilor India Private Limited on ‘Community Optometry & Dispensing’. Additionally, during the 4th session, Dr.(Mrs) Sanjeewani Rupasinghe, Consultant ENT Surgeon delivered the keynote speech on ‘Hearing Care’.
The event concluded with the handing over of certificates to a total of 34 Vision Care Academy graduates while several individuals took home awards in multiple Research categories. The award winners were Chanura Mahindapala – Best Oral Presentation (Senior), Chandramohan Thilakshana – Best Oral Presentation (Jr./DOP), Pramodya Thathsarani – Best Oral Presentation (Jr./COA), Ravindu Deshan – Best Oral Presentation (Jr./CVT), Kavindi Silva – Best Oral Presentation (CDO), Ravindu Deshan – Best Research of the Year, Amila Chandrasekara – Best Poster of the Year, Suresh Sulaxan – Best Innovation of the Year, Dharunniya Komalasewaran – Best Research Presentation-Audiology and Ann Sureni – Best Poster-Audiology.
Addressing the audience, Vidya Jayarathna – Head of Vision Care Academy stated, “We are pleased to be able to celebrate the Optometry Day and Annual Scientific Session in person this year having done an online event last year. Every year, the exceptional students and staff of the Academy work together tirelessly to organise this much looked forward to knowledge sharing event. The event always aims to be on par with international standards as we discuss various topics related to the field of optometry and hearing care with the assistance of top experts. At Vision Care Academy, we are proud to play our part to enhance the knowledge levels in Sri Lanka’s eye and hearing care fields and we will strive to do so into the future.”
Vision Care Academy was established in 2008 with the objective of providing in-house training to Vision Care employees. Today, it has evolved into a fully-facilitated training institute that offers a world-class educational experience in Optometry. It has a highly-qualified well-experienced lecture panel and also brings in lecturers from leading Universities in Sri Lanka to give the students the most comprehensive education in Optometry. Vision Care Academy conducts 4 full-time courses on eye and hearing care under the supervision of Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC). They are Certificate program for Ophthalmic Assistants (COA), Certificate program for Audiometrians (CAD), Certificate program for Dispensing Opticians (CDO) and Diploma program for Optometrists (DOP). Vision Care Academy is a full-time member of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry India and Affiliate Member of the World Council of Optometry.