The optometry and ophthalmology sector presents its innovations at ExpoÓptica 2024

The leading exhibition of optics, optometry and audiology on the Iberian Peninsula, ExpoÓptica, organised by IFEMA MADRID, will be held from 12 to 14 April. The event will be an opportunity to learn from specialised, ground-breaking companies in optometry and ophthalmology, which will present their latest technological and scientific advances with a holistic approach to diagnosis, treatment and the patient experience.

According to the World Health Organisation, by 2050, approximately 52% of the population will be short-sighted, and it will cost US$1,3 billion to cater for the entire population with low vision or blindness. In addition, according to the latest White Paper on Visual Health in Spain 2022, 76% of Spaniards report having visual health problems, primarily myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. It is also significant that 9% do not use anything to improve their eyesight, such as spectacles or contact lenses and of those who do, 84% wear prescription glasses, 17% contact lenses and 11% off-the-shelf glasses. From an economic perspective, according to the White Paper on Visual Health in Spain 2022, 2022, the optical market turned over just over 1.918 billion euros, 4.43% more than in 2021, with contact lenses being the fastest-growing product.

These data impact well-being and quality of life, as well as the economy, due to productivity loss. The report highlights the importance of investing in research in visual health and events such as ExpoÓptica to showcase the latest innovations and share knowledge and good practices that can improve eye care and health.

The latest developments in the sector, according to the companies at ExpoÓptica

From 12 to 14 April, Hall 10 of the Recinto Ferial will host spaces where professionals can learn about the latest advances in optometry and ophthalmology, such as teleophthalmology, advanced diagnostic technology such as optical coherence tomography and cranial topography, the application of gene therapy and regenerative medicine, smart contact lenses and the use of augmented and virtual reality to train professionals and plan surgeries.

It is worth mentioning the presence of Grupo Prats, a Spanish multinational company that will celebrate its centenary at ExpoÓptica and bring its latest lenses and adaptation technologies, as well as other companies such as Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, Mark`ennovy, Servilens, Visionix Expaña, Essilor Luxoticca, Cione, Conóptica, Indo, Dicoseín, Tiedra, Wivi Vision and Tokai Optecs España, among other top companies in contactology, software applied to optics, low vision, optics, optometry and ophthalmology.

OPTOM Congress and EXPOÓPTICA Forum, opportunities to gain knowledge in optometry and ophthalmology

The exhibition part will be enriched by the hosting of the OPTOM Congress 2024, which will address ‘The evolution of the visual system in species’ as well as master lectures on ‘Gene Therapy’ and ‘Light in Optometry and Ophthalmology’ along with three plenary sessions: “Healthy ageing in eye care”; “Artificial intelligence: impact of new technologies on our daily professional practice” and “Prevention and control of myopia”.

Finally, at the EXPOÓPTICA Forum, guest experts will tackle a range of topics such as marketing, with presentations on marketing practices for opticians, recommendations for harnessing the possibilities of AI and big data in optician display windows, a debate with the main sector media on the current status of the world of optics, technical issues such as refraction of multifocal lenses, and presentations of success stories such as that of Visioalquiler, a pioneering Italian company that rents out prescription glasses.

ExpoÓptica 2024 will be held in Hall 10 at IFEMA MADRID uninterruptedly from 10.00 to 20.00 on 12 and 13 April and from 10.00 to 18.00 on 14 April.