The symposium of 2008 marked the 11th academic symposium presented by the Cape Eye Hospital.

ELEVENTH CAPE EYE HOSPITAL SYMPOSIUM PAEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY / PAEDIATRIESE OFTALMOLOGIE A JOINT VENTURE OF THE CAPE EYE HOSPITAL AND THE PRETORIA EYE INSTITUTE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY UNIVERSITY STELLENBOSCH

Guest Speakers / Gassprekers Prof Ed Wilson, Charleston, USA Prof Tony Moore, London

Eregas Guest of Honour Dr Marius Pretorius, Vereeniging, Past - President: SACRS

Convenor: Dr Hubrecht Brody, Kaap Ooghospitaal

Co-organizer: Dr Nicola Freeman, Department Ophthalmology University Stellenbosch

CAPE EYE HOSPITAL SYMPOSIUM THURSDAY 30th October – Saturday 1 November 2008


The symposium was well attended with 68 attendants. Only two of the delegates practice paediatric ophthalmology full time. All other delegates were general ophthalmologist or sub-specialists in other ophthalmology fields. There were 7 registrars in training in attendance and 1 Orthoptist.


The program aimed to cover topics that would be of interest to all delegates.
Prof Ed Wilson started the meeting with his engaging lecture: “The Pediatric Eye Examination- tricks and tips.”  It was especially useful for ophthalmologists who find the experience of seeing the occasional paediatric patient uncomfortable. Prof Moore followed by addressing the developmental ocular anomalies.   

The following session included local speakers Dr Rhian Grötte, who runs Red Cross Children’s Hospital Ophthalmology and Prof Tony Murray. Dr Grotte presented the topic “Can the baby see?” and Prof Tony Murray discussed non-organic vision loss in children.  The audience found both these lectures most useful for clinical practice.


Prof Tony Moore has a special interest in genetics and retinal conditions. The audience thus  had the privilege of first hand, up-to-date report on the exciting developments in Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis. He also presented the genetics of ocular tumors which was fascinating. Retinoblastoma management in South Africa  was presented by Clare Stannard.

An entire morning session was dedicated to Paediatric Cataracts. The differences, compared to adults, in diagnosis and management of paediatric cataracts was well illucidated.  
Prof Wilson is a highly experienced and respected paediatric cataract surgeon in the USA. He shared surgical jewels by virtue of his excellent surgical videos. Prof Moore presented the extensive topic of paediatric cataract etiologies using a large collection of images of interesting paediatric cataract morphologies.  

In the session on paediatric glaucomas, Prof Wilson gave an overview of all paediatric glaucomas and highlighted diagnostic and examination tips. Dr Nicola Freeman from Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Ophthalmology presented the surgical management of primary congenital glaucomas.  


Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was presented by Prof Moore. In the discussion following the presentation it became apparent that many premature babies in state hospitals in South Africa are not screened for ROP.  The reasons for this were discussed at length in the discussion time. Dr Freeman presented paediatric ocular HIV. This was interesting for the invited speakers and for local colleagues who seldom see HIV children.

Prof Wilson’s lecture on learning disabilities, dyslexia and optometric visual training stimulated many debates and it was therefore unfortunate that this topic was discussed in the last session of the symposium.  

Prof Moore also presented interactive quizzes throughout the meeting. For these interactive teaching sessions he used images of interesting cases seen during his years of practice. The audience found these most enjoyable.

The organizers were complimented and thanked liberally by all attendees on the success of the meeting.  The symposium qualified as a great success and Drs Hubrecht Brody and Gideon Du Plessis were once again thanked for their initiative in organizing meetings of this caliber.