It is with great pleasure that we inform you that on May 17, 2025, the 7th Contactology Symposium with international participation will be held in the Mona Plaza Hotel in Belgrade, which will mark the 20th anniversary of our Society!

The organization and performance of the symposium, as always, aims to educate participants about the latest trends in contactology. Participation has already been confirmed by representatives of the European Association, as well as our leading experts from Serbia.

This gathering will be an opportunity for socializing and networking, with the belief that it will contribute to the future of contactology in Serbia.

We invite you to magnify this significant jubilee with your presence.

On May 8, 2024, the Sixth Symposium of the Society of Contact Ophthalmologists of Serbia was held under the title New trends in ophthalmology.

The lecturers, our fellow ophthalmologists, Danijela Ranđelović, MD, PhD, Nikola Jagodić, MD, and Katarina Misailović, MD, shared their experiences from practice.

Dr. Katarina Janković Terzić introduced our colleagues to the topics that were at the Congress of the European Association of Contactologists held in April 2024 in Istanbul.

The lecture was also held by professor Omur Ucakhan - Gundut from Turkey, secretary of the European Association of Contactologists.

In a pleasant and friendly atmosphere, we exchanged new knowledge with distributors and our sponsors, Opticus and Grossoptic, Oktal Pharma, Ortolens and Optix, who supported this meeting of ours, and introduced us to new technologies and materials in the production of contact lenses and artificial tears.

The symposium is accredited with 3 points for lecturers and 2 points for participants.

To meet the new jubilee symposium

Prepared by Dr. Danijela Ranđelović

This relatively new European association held its 2nd Congress this year in June (June 20-22, 2024) in Madrid, Spain. In contrast to the 1st Congress held in 2022 in Munich, where about 350 members participated, this year's attendance was almost doubled (about 600 participants). A great response was achieved through cooperation with associations from Latin America and Asia, which had their own special sessions. 

The main lecture was given by Carlos Belmonte from Spain under the title: Ocular sensory nerves in health and disease: from the lab to the clinic. In the following, this theme prevailed in many other presentations as well. Attention is devoted to all aspects and subtypes of dry eye, from those associated with autoimmune diseases, to the most common forms related to MGD. Old and new therapeutic approaches adapted to different age groups, differentiation of primary dry eye and those forms associated with other ocular surface problems were discussed. Inflammation and parainflammation, which was introduced as a new concept, were discussed, and lectures on inflammatory markers in serum and tears (proteomics) attracted special attention. In addition to the large attendance at the lectures, it was also felt during the breaks that the topic of dry eye does not cease to interest those who deal with it, and that there are still mysteries that occupy researchers.

Prepared by Dr. Bojana Dačić-Krnjaja

On April 26 and 27, 2024, the 50th anniversary ECLSO Congress was held in Istanbul, attended by about 200 participants. An international team of experts, composed of renowned lecturers, presented the latest knowledge in the field of contact lenses, ocular surface health and myopia.

Special attention was given to topics such as myopia control (atropine drops, DIMS glasses and contact lenses), which was discussed by Professor Chris Hammond, as well as presbyopia, scleral lenses and keratoconus. A significant part of the program was devoted to technological innovations such as profilometry and Myopia Master, and within the symposium of the Turkish Ophthalmological Society, the importance of hygiene, compliance and fluids in the prevention of infection was discussed.

Among the invited lectures, presentations by Dr. Penny A. Asbell on therapeutic contact lenses, Dr. Jose Benitez del Castilla on the influence of nutrition on the surface of the eye, and Dr. René Mely, who spoke about the history of ECLSO, stood out.

The congress was extremely successful and inspiring, providing an opportunity for dynamic discussions and exchange of experiences among the participants.

Prepared by Dr. Katarina Janković Terzić

Oxygen permeability (Dk) is a term used to describe the oxygen permeability of contact lens materials. It represents the flow of oxygen under certain conditions through contact lens material of a certain thickness.

The oxygen permeability of the contact lens material is a very important factor for the health of the contact lens wearer's cornea. Since the cornea is an avascular tissue, it depends on the supply of atmospheric oxygen to maintain normal metabolic function. Lack of oxygen can lead to corneal edema and can compromise the eye's natural defenses.

Another parameter is an important clinical indicator, namely EOP (equivalent oxygen percentage). It represents the amount of oxygen that passes through the lens and reaches the cornea and takes into account both the material and design of the contact lens. The percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere is 20.9%, and the EOP values ​​of some contact lenses are presented in the following graph.

Prepared by Aleksandar Nikolić
Ortolens
Leskovac

There is no chance that there is a single contact lens wearer in the world who does not at least once in their life do something risky in terms of hygiene when wearing lenses, while even more than 80% of wearers routinely break the rules when maintaining and wearing lenses, which exposes them to a very serious risk of infection cornea (Cope et al, 2017).

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I), a disinfectant known to all of us, has been shown to be safe and effective in ophthalmic surgery (Itokawa et al, 2024). Povidone-iodine can significantly reduce the intensity of some types of adenoviral conjunctivitis (Itokawa et al. al, 2024).By the way, both povidone-iodine and hydrogen peroxide are basic disinfectants in solutions for medical use that do not contain preservatives.

A povidone-iodine contact lens disinfection system developed in Japan has shown remarkable antimicrobial (and antiviral) properties (Itokawa et al, 2024). Comparing it with multi-purpose contact lens disinfectant solutions (MPS) it showed higher efficacy (Yasir et al, 2022) even against Corona virus. A vitamin C tablet is used for the final povidone-iodine neutralization.

Prepared by Dr. Nikola Jagodić

We are very excited to introduce BlephEx, the newest treatment that focuses on the health of your eyelids and eyes. This innovative procedure is specially designed to clean and maintain the soft tissues around the eyes, giving you a refreshed look and relief from numerous discomforts.

What is BlephEx?

BlephEx is a procedure that is performed using a specialized device that uses a sponge drill to precisely remove deposits, dirt and bacteria from the surface of the eyelids. This treatment not only improves hygiene, but also contributes to eye health, reducing symptoms such as dryness, itching and irritation.

Treatment options

1. Deep cleaning : Removes grease, scales and other deposits that accumulate over
   time.
2. Improved comfort : Patients often report a reduction in discomfort and improved
   vision immediately after treatment.
3. Prevention : Regular use of BlephEx can help prevent more serious problems
   such as meibomian gland dysfunction and chronic blepharitis.

Success of the procedure

Clinical research has shown the high success rate of BlephEx treatment. Most patients notice significant improvement in symptoms after just one session, and many opt for regular treatments to maintain optimal eye health.

What can you expect?

The treatment is quick, painless and does not require recovery. It takes about 15-20 minutes, and results are often visible immediately. Our team of experts will inform you in detail about all aspects of the procedure, as well as provide advice on maintaining eye hygiene at home.

The health of your eyes is a priority, and BlephEx is a step forward for better comfort and better appearance.

Prepared by Dr. Žarko Milutinović,
LENS Practice
Novi Sad

A report  by Nathan Efron ,  Lyndon Jones , and  Jason Nichols on RGP prescribing trends. lenses in the world in the period 2000–2023. year. Published in CONTACT LENS AND ANTERIOR EYE magazine

Although Nathan Efron announced the complete cessation of the use of RGP k more than 15 years ago. Sočiva now admits that he was wrong and publishes with his colleagues the results of a survey conducted in 71 countries of the world in the period from 2000-2023. year which includes 342,500 feet k. lenses of all designs but made exclusively from RGP material.

The results of the survey say that in this period, over two decades, the rewriting of the RGP k. lenses in a slight increase from 14.2% of all fitted lenses at the very beginning of the XXI century to 15.2% of all fitted lenses in 2023. What is interesting is that in the period up to 2012. there was a drop in the number of prescribed RGP k. lenses followed by a constant growth of prescribed RGP from 2013-2023. year Another interesting piece of information from this survey is that in the period 2019-2023. year analysis of 5,994 fits of lenses made of RGP material found that only 30% of the total number of prescribed RGP lenses were corneal RGP spherical design, scleral 28%, orthokeratology 21% and the so-called "complex" corneal RGP (toric and multifocal) 16%. From this it can be concluded that the number of registered RGP k. lenses are increasing in percentage, but they are no longer conventional spherical corneal RGP lenses in such a percentage, but more and more the so-called special RGP designs.

Prepared by Dr. Nikola Jagodić

A large number of contact lens users feel discomfort, or insufficient comfort when wearing them, and almost 25% of patients give up wearing lenses.

How to overcome this problem in practice?

A NEW ERA IN CONTACTOLOGY WITH WATER SURFACE CONTACT LENSES

The material of monthly lenses with a water gradient means that the water content gradually increases from 55% in the core to almost 100% on the surface of the lens, so the eye does not touch the lens but a pleasant wet coating.

It has been clinically proven that monthly water surface lenses do not feel at all on the eye even after 30 days of wear and maintenance. They also have applied biomimetic technology, which mimics the surface of the eye and ensures comfort. Polymer nanofibers create a neutral charge, which enables the attraction of only water molecules, and resistance to lipids and bacteria. Bacteria and lipids do not stick to the surface of the lens, but are carried into the tear film by the constant movements of the nanofibers.

Through the long-term support of the development and work of the Association of Contact Ophthalmologists of Serbia, we share information from the field of contactology to our mutual satisfaction. In May, we jointly launched a new work of the existing association and socialized at a lecture with a topic that additionally provides guidelines in development:

 Now's the time to Go Beyond with Bausch + Lomb

We continue in that spirit. The association has been refreshed with new members, younger participants, and we are here with the latest products in the field of contactology.

We will continue our friendship in November at the fitting training - the first contact lens on the market for generations who, with contact lenses for astigmatism, now also need presbyopia correction (our generation).

You can get all additional information on the Grossoptic website or by contacting us directly.

Crystal clear
GROSSOPTIC

Did you know that more than 2 billion people worldwide have vision impairment, and that number is expected to double by 2030!?

Do you know a company that offers the same quality of its products to customers all over the world?

It is the company Johnson&Johnson Vision and the product is contact lenses. It produces more than 4 billion contact lenses annually, all in its two factories in Ireland and Florida. Therefore, all J&J Vision contact lenses that are sold on the world market are produced in one of these 2 production plants.

A novelty in the field of contactology and coming from J&J Vision are contact lenses for the control of myopia.

 The latest study conducted in this far-east Asian country found that as many as 75% of children in Singapore are diagnosed with myopia before the age of 9.

Dr. Ivana Stanišić 
OKTALPHARMA 

With the Hemofarm eye care and lubrication system, one tablet a day can increase tear secretion and maintain the therapeutic effect with regular use of per os therapy with a maximum of one to two instillations of solution without removing contact lenses.

Did you know what percentage of eye infections occur exclusively as a complication due to the use of contact lenses? The widest range of battery infections can be remedied with the system of local antibiotic drops from the company Hemofarm, proven formulations, with many years of experience.