APAO Congress 2007

22nd Congress of Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology was held from 24th to 28th February 2007 at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore - Pakistan. Participation extended from all parts of the world. The scientific and social programme was very much balanced. The delegates appreciated the traditional hospitality and warmth of the host organizing committee in particular and people of Pakistan in general.

[Event Theme: Vision for All]

APAO Council

The informal, formal and general body meetings of APAO council were held on the first day of the congress (24th February 2007) chaired by Prof. Yasuo Tano, President APAO and conducted by Prof. Dennis Lam, Secretary General APAO. The meeting was very enthusiastically participated by all the member countries and their representative societies.

Welcome Reception

The delegates were welcomed in the evening of 23rd February 2007 and a grand reception was hosted in the lawns of Pearl Continental Hotel, the congress venue. The traditional background music and a theme dinner were the highlights of the evening and were very much appreciated by the guests from all parts of the world.

Scientific Programme

The scientific programme included six named lectures, six key note lectures, eight plenary sessions, forty five instruction courses, twelve symposia, two hundred free papers and sixty posters. The live surgery sessions were relayed via satellite from state of the art hospital directly to congress venue. The two way question and answer provision generated a lot of interest and was greatly appreciated. The scientific programme also included video sessions and phacoemulsifications wet lab.

Inaugural Ceremony

The 22nd congress of APAO 2007 was inaugurated by Prof. Zafarullah Chaudhary, President College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan at Aiwan-e-Iqbal hall, another master piece of architecture built in the memory of great poet and thinker Dr. Muhammad Iqbal. Jose Rizal Medal was awarded to one of the council members Prof. M. Daud Khan at the ceremony. It was followed by a dinner for all the delegates.

Congress Banquet

Congress banquet was held in the evening of 25th February at venue built 600 years ago by the Mughal Empire. APAO 2007 Distinguished service awards and Prevention of blindness awards were part of the ceremony. The flag handing over ceremony was also held and the flag was handed over to Prof. Dennis Lam and his team for the next APAO and WOC 2008 congresses. The mood, ambiance, theme and food were exotic and have lasting memories for all times to come.

Golden Jubilee

Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan was born on 19th December 1957. The year 2007 being the Golden Jubilee year was very much awaited by all the Ophthalmologists of Pakistan. The Golden Jubilee ceremony was held on 26th February 2007 at auditorium of Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore. The life time achievement Gold Medal was awarded to Prof. Raja Mumtaz, Patron of Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan. The ceremony was followed by a theme dinner depicting the colours of Pakistan.

ICO Activities at APAO 2007

Presence of International Council of Ophthalmology and its President Dr. Bruce Spivey was felt and appreciated by all the delegates from within the country and abroad. ICO conducted a two days Residency Programme Directors Course and first round table on Leadership Development Programme.

International Council of Ophthalmology

ICO Leader Letter:

APAO Congress in Lahore, Pakistan

Highlights of the recent 22nd Congress of the AsiaPacificAcademy on Ophthalmology (APAO) in Lahore, Pakistan include:

presentation of the APAO's highest award, the Jose Rizal Medal, to Council Member Mohammed Daud Khan, MD
recognition of Xiaoxin Li, MD, Director of the Eye Center of the People's Hospital of Peking University, with the ICO Golden Apple Award as the best clinical teacher in the Asia Pacific region
the VIII Sir John Wilson Lecture, delivered by ICO President Bruce Spivey, MD, on "Change Required in Continuing Medical Education"
the first ICO World Ophthalmology Roundtable on Leadership Development (WORLD), with 36 participants from 15 countries
the fourth two-day ICO Course for Ophthalmology Residency Program Directors.

We appreciate the warm hospitality and professionalism of our hosts from the Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan, which celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

For more details on the APAO Congress, see www.icoph.org/news/ifos0702.html.

Yasuo Tano, MD, ICO Treasurer

Bruce Spivey, MD

Yasuo Tano, MD

Exhibition

The trade exhibition was participated by more than 70 companies of international repute from all parts of the world. The exhibition was inaugurated by Prof. Dennis Lam, Secretary General APAO in the evening of 23rd February 2007. The layout of the booths, presentation and variety of products matched any international exhibition. The delegates found the exhibition very interesting and lively.