The annual LASIK LASEK SMILE training course still proves popular with ophthalmic surgeons. This is the 18th year this course has run with many ophthalmic surgeons around the world having attended and this year surgeons from across Europe and beyond came to London. The programme includes lectures from leading refractive surgeons, including Mr Stevens and wet-lab sessions to give attendees some practical experience. The course provides an ideal opportunity for ophthalmic surgeons in training to learn from the most experienced consultants in the field.

People describe seeing spectacular moving lights and colours when they have laser cataract surgery. Mr Stevens wanted to see what people experience so a low light video camera was placed at the back of an eye and the surgery was recorded. The video can be seen on YouTube using the link below. If you like it, please click "like" at the bottom right as this helps people find the video due to search engine rankings.

Julian Stevens was featured in an article in the Daily Mail talking about one of the ways to stay well this winter is to “blink more” to help prevent the eyes from becoming dry in the colder months. Mr Stevens says "When the environment is dry, our tears evaporate more quickly, so we need to blink more to compensate because this helps produce more tears and keeps those tears flowing". He goes on to advise what you can use if you are prone to streaming eyes in the cold weather and also how sunglasses can help as they reduce the air flow and evaporation around the eyes.

During National Eye Health Week (21st - 27th September 2015), Julian Stevens was talking on a number of local radio stations about keeping the eyes healthy, particularly in the winter with the cold air and dry environment. Mr Stevens also took questions from the public about eye conditions and also spoke about eye surgery.

Mr Stevens attended the annual European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) clinical meeting in Barcelona. He presented a paper "A simple technique of circular polarisation imaging of the cornea: rendering the hidden visible". The paper was by Mr Stevens and Consultant colleague Mr Gary Misson FRCOphth.

Mr Stevens also received an award for a video he produced on “Astigmatism Correction”.

Following the popularity of the first femto-phako course in January, another educational day was organised by Mr Stevens.

The course educates surgeons about the femto-phako technique; the most advanced form of cataract and lens surgery. The extensive programme attracted international surgeons and featured live surgery which continues to be a popular part of the teaching.

We were demonstrating CleverDrops (our medication reminder app) on our exhibition stand and talking to ophthalmic professionals about the latest innovations in surgery. Mr Stevens also gave a seminar on Precision Excimer Laser Correction as part of the learning programme.

100% Optical is an international optical trade event for industry professionals including optometrists, dispensing opticians, contact lens practitioners and ophthalmologists.

Julian Stevens and his team will be attending the 100% Optical trade show for eye care professionals on Saturday 7th - Monday 9th February at Excel London. Ahead of the show, Mr Stevens talks about developing our CleverDrops medication reminder app in the 100% Optical magazine.

CleverDrops is a sophisticated smartphone app developed by Julian Stevens to help patients cope with their medications after surgery. Now available on Google Play for Android devices, more of Mr Stevens’ patients can now benefit from CleverDrops. The app is simple to set up and personalise, helping patients know which medicines to use and when.

This course was designed to teach surgeons about the very latest technique in cataract and lens surgery, where a femtosecond laser is used for great precision (femto-phako). Topics included: the learning curve, femtosecond versus manual phako, complex cases and new lens implants.

Live surgery using the Catalys femtosecond laser was a highlight of the day. Following excellent feedback another course is now planned in June 2015.

As the international guest speaker, Julian Stevens was a popular lecturer in the cataract and refractive session at the NEOS meeting. Focussing on the very latest topics, Mr Stevens gave lectures on astigmatism control using femtosecond lasers and new IOL designs. He also held a seminar on advising patients about individualised, personalised risk for cataract surgery.

Mr Stevens was proud to be part of this year’s educational programme for students at Harvard Medical School, Boston. The department of ophthalmology welcomes “eminent ophthalmologists from around the world who are performing cutting edge work in their field” and named Mr Stevens as “Cornea visiting Professor” for this occasion.

Mr Stevens delivered two forward thinking lectures and his specialist expertise was utilised in the Clinical Grand Rounds at Mass. Eye Hospital. This is where patients with complex refractive problems attended with their surgeons for Mr Stevens and the Mass. Eye ophthalmologists to help advise about future management.