Cardiff University hosts the IPS XXVth International Visual Field and Imaging Symposium
19 September 2024
Cardiff University played host to global leaders in eyecare diagnostics research as they met for the Imaging and Perimetry Society XXVth International Visual Field and Imaging Symposum from the 30th July – 2nd August 2024.
International experts and early-career researchers in imaging and visual field research came together to present and discuss their cutting-edge research, as well as ways to use contemporary techniques to overcome the challenges associated with diagnosis and management of vision loss.
Global industry leaders in diagnostic equipment also attended the meeting, showcasing their latest technology and developing new and existing working relationships with researchers.
Lectures, oral presentations, and poster presentations outlined the latest research in basic psychophysics, clinical visual examination, retinal pathophysiology, ocular imaging, brain imaging, was well as performance and enhancement of clinical and computational techniques to aid diagnosis and management of eye disease.
At each IPS symposium, two researchers are honoured with award lectures in recognition of a distinguished international standing in, and substantial contribution to, the fields of perimetry and imaging. At the Cardiff 2024 symposium, the IPS Award Lecture was given by Prof. Chota Matsumoto, MD, PhD, from Kindai University, Japan. The Aulhorn Award Lecture (in memory of Elfriede Aulhorn, a pioneer of clinical vision research) was given by Prof. Dr. Nomdo M. Jansonius, MD, PhD from the University Medical Centre Groningen and the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Keynote lectures by local researchers were given by Prof. Derek Jones (CUBRIC) and Prof. James Morgan (OPTOM/MEDIC).
Research led by Cardiff University, in collaboration with Ulster University and UCL (funded by a MRC DPFS grant) was awarded the prestigious IPS-Heidelberg Award at the symposium. The award is given for research by early-career researchers on how retinal structure ultimately relates to measures of vision. The winning project, entitled: “Investigating the number of retinal ganglion cells underlying novel perimetric area-modulation stimuli exhibiting complete spatial and spatiotemporal summation at threshold in glaucoma” outlined some of the findings from the REVAMP Study. Further details about the study can be found on the REVAMP Study webpage.
In addition to the scientific sessions held at the Centre for Student Life, the four-day event included a welcome reception at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, a traditional Welsh banquet at Cardiff Castle, as well as a boat tour and walking tour of Cardiff Bay.
Dr Tony Redmond, Reader in Vision Science at the School of Optometry and Vsion Sciences was elected as the next IPS Secretary by IPS members at the recent meeting, taking over from Prof. Allison M McKendrick (University of Western Australia, Perth).
The event was generously sponsored by Topcon Healthcare Inc., Optopol Technology, Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, CREWT Medical Systems, Haag-Streit, Konan Medical, Johnson & Johnson, and Carl Zeiss Meditec.
We were delighted to welcome international experts and early career scientists to Cardiff for the IPS XXVth International Visual Field and Imaging Symposium. We were especially proud to host this milestone meeting in a city that has longstanding associations with perimetry and imaging research. Researchers, clinicians, and trainees from across the world came together to share research, learn from each other, and forge fruitful collaborations for the advancement of scientific understanding and for the benefit of patients worldwide. I am also very humbled to have been elected IPS Secretary and look forward to working with the IPS Board and society members to promote knowledge, education, standards, and the global advancement of perimetry and imaging research.
IPS symposia are held every two years, rotating around each continent. They are regularly attended by delegates from across the world, including Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, India, and many European countries. Prior to the Cardiff 2024 meeting, the symposium was held in cities such as Berkeley, USA (2022), Kanazawa, Japan (2018), Udine, Italy (2016), New York, USA (2014), and Melbourne, Australia (2012). This year marks 50 years since the innaugural IPS sympsium, held in Marseille, France (1974). The next symposium will be held in Bern, Switzerland, in 2026.
More information about the IPS Cardiff 2024 meeting can be found on the conference website, and further information about the Imaging and Perimetry Society can be found on the society website.