LAS VEGAS--The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology’s (JCAHPO) 34th annual continuing education conference--held here last month in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology--set a 13-year attendance record.

JCAHPO executive director Lynn Anderson said 3,421 ophthalmic medical professionals attended the conference, an increase of more than 25 percent over 2005, and the largest registration since 1993.

Participants attended more than 350 scientific, technical and wet lab courses, including a record 60 new offerings. The courses are aimed at ophthalmic professionals from entry-level assistants to ophthalmic medical technologists

“Now more than ever, men and women in the field of ophthalmic assisting are recognizing the value of continuing education, not only because it enables them to provide better patient care, but also because it makes them better candidates for career advancement,” Anderson noted.

During the meeting, new interactive software designed to train employees in contact-lens practices was introduced. Jointly developed by JCAHPO and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (CLAO), the JCAHPO/CLAO Contact Lens Learning Systems uses computer simulations and video to teach medical assistants the skills and knowledge needed for effective CL patient care.

Three ophthalmic professionals won complimentary copies of the JCAHPO Learning Systems at the conference: Kathryn KJ Jandik of the Veterans Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa; Craig Neill Simms of Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Joanne Calhoun of Canton, Mass.