ABB OPTICAL GROUP AND PARAGON VISION SCIENCES ANNOUNCE OPTOMETRY STUDENT CHALLENGE
Third-year students eligible to present scientific poster at 2017 Global Specialty Lens Symposium
Three travel grants of $1,500 to be awarded
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (August 9, 2016) – Following the success of its inaugural University Education Challenge,ABB OPTICAL GROUP, in partnership with Paragon Vision Sciences, announced a new program designed to support optometry students and foster the study of contact lenses.
The Optometry Student Challenge will award travel grants of $1,500 each to three third-year students to attend the 2017 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) and present a scientific poster on a topic related to contact lenses.
“We were blown away by the outstanding presentations and work we saw from the students who participated in the University Challenge. It gave us a glimpse into the exceptional talent and skill that we can expect from the next generation of optometrists,” said Ann Shackelford, director of consultation and specialty services at ABBOPTICAL GROUP. “I am sure that the Optometry Student Challenge will deliver the same remarkable results, and we look forward to once again encouraging the study of contact lenses and seeing what these students bring to the table.”
Contest Rules
Interested third-year students must register their intent to participate in the challenge by Wednesday, August 31 atABBConcise.com/OptometryStudentChallenge. Registered students must then submit an abstract on their proposed poster topic by October 31. Abstracts must be uploaded through ABBConcise.com/OptometryStudentChallenge. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
Abstracts must focus on study projects or student-based case histories related to contact lenses. Topics can include, but are not limited to, contact lens applications for presbyopia, keratoconus, corneal topography, post penetrating keratoplasty or related irregular corneal surface, myopia control, lens care/solutions, and orthokeratology.
Abstracts will be judged in two categories: case study report and research. Five finalists will be selected and notified by Tuesday, November 15.
The finalists will then be required to convert their abstracts into scientific posters for further judging. The posters must be submitted in digital, PDF format to ABB OPTICAL GROUP no later than Monday, November 28. Only digital files will be accepted.
Judges will then select the top three posters by Friday, December 2.
The lead authors of the top three posters will be awarded travel grants of $1,500 each to attend the symposium and present their posters. The cost of their conference registration will be covered, as well. Additionally, the two runner-ups will receive honorable mention prizes of $250 each.
"ABB OPTICAL GROUP has always been a leader in the development of valuable educational programs, and we are honored to partner with them in supporting this year's Optometry Student Challenge," said Paragon Vision Sciences Vice President of Sales Rich Jeffries. "ABB recognizes the need to invest resources into educating the optometrists of tomorrow, as well as those currently practicing, to help make a difference in patients' lives every day."
The 2017 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) will be held January 19-22 in Las Vegas.
For more information on the Optometry Student Challenge, including full contest rules and guidelines, visitABBConcise.com/OptometryStudentChallenge.
ABOUT ABB OPTICAL GROUP
ABB OPTICAL GROUP is a leading distributor of optical products in the United States. The company supplies nearly two-thirds of eye care professionals across the country with brand name contact lenses, fully customizable gas permeable and custom specialty soft contact lenses, ophthalmic lenses and more. The company's Digital Eye Lab is a fully automated optical lab dedicated to freeform digital lens fabrication. ABB OPTICAL GROUP also offers practice building services such as pricing strategy tools, business reviews, annual supply staff training and e-commerce solutions. For additional information, visit ABBOptical.com.