Announcements

The Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) will hold its 2004 annual convention on November 18 to 20 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong. With the theme “Look the Future in the Eye,” the convention focuses on pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus to draw attention to the growing number of blind and visually impaired children in the country. “They are our hope and future,” says PAO President Dr. Marcelino D. Banzon, citing the appropriateness of the theme. Yet, they are also the “most vulnerable” to the many causes of blindness and visual impairment, which are easily preventable with early screening and management, he adds. Prominent international pediatric ophthalmologists and strabismologists have been invited to shed light on the different ophthalmic disease entities affecting children. Among them are Dr. Kenneth Wright, Dr. Mohamad S. Jaffar, Dr. Ken K. Nischal, Dr. John W. Shore, and Dr. Sonal Farzavandi. Meanwhile, Dr. Tekeyuki Akahoshi and Dr. Abhay Vasavada will share more pearls on phacoemulsification. The opening session will have as speaker civil society leader Victoria Garchitorena, president of Ayala Foundation. Dr. Ma. Dominga B. Padilla, who heads this year’s organizing committee, said PAO’s 2004 meeting will have many “firsts.” It will feature two new courses on topics that are becoming more and more important to ophthalmologists—ophthalmic photography and computerization of the ophthalmic practice. The annual photography contest
will also include a category on digital photography. Also, all registered participants will get CDs containing a
compilation of selected lectures.

Those wishing to participate may register at the PAO office at: Unit 815 Medical Plaza Makati
Amorsolo Street, corner De la Rosa St.
1229 Makati City, Philippines
Telephone +63-2-8135324
Fax: +63-2-8135331
Email: pjo@pao.org.ph
Abstracts of presentations will be accepted until September 11. The original and two clear photocopies may be sent to the PAO Secretariat. Those who wish to submit their abstracts on-line may visit the PAO web site at www.pao.org.ph. Click on the link to the “2004 Annual Meeting.”

Joint meeting with AAO eyed for 2005

To mark 60 years of organized ophthalmology in the country

The Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology will mark the 60th year of organized ophthalmology in the Philippines with a proposed joint meeting with the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Romulo N. Aguilar, former PAO president and head of the committee undertaking preparations for the celebrations, said the proposal has been accepted by the AAO and a memorandum of understanding is due to be signed
soon. Dr. Aguilar said this marks the first time that the AAO is holding a joint meeting with a national ophthalmology organization, having done so in the past only with supranational organizations. The meeting is slated November 28 to December 1 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong. The convention is also expected to draw participants from the Asia-Pacific region. It will serve as a fitting highlight of the PAO’s celebration of 60 years of organized ophthalmology in the countr y. Organized ophthalmology began in the Philippines in 1945 with the founding of the Philippine Ophthalmological and Otolaryngological Society. Dr. Aguilar is joined in the anniversary celebration committee by Drs. Salvador Salceda, Alejandro de Leon,
Marcelino Banzon, Ma. Dominga Padilla, Carlos Naval, Winston Villar, Teresita Castillo, Reynaldo Santos, Heriberto Guballa, Mar y Rose Pe-Yan, and Ronald Yutangco.