A collaboration between Low Vision Centre of Learning and University of Alabama
DATE: 19-21 October 2026
CEU ACCREDITATION – 18 CLINICAL POINTS
VENUE: SOUTHERN SUN ROSEBANK
(please note that accommodation is for your own account)
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES FROM 27TH JULY 2026
| OPTION | DATE/DURATION | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| EARLY BIRD Day 1-3 Conference Option | 19th – 21st October 2026 | R 5,595 |
| REGULAR PRICING Day 1 Conference Option | 19th October 2026 | R 2,350 |
| REGULAR PRICING Day 2 Conference Option | 20th October 2026 | R 2,350 |
| REGULAR PRICING Day 3 Conference Option | 21st October 2026 | R 2,350 |
| REGULAR PRICING Day 1-3 Conference Option | 19th – 21st October 2026 | R 6,495 |
SPEAKERS
BETH Bio & Topic
BETH BARSTOW
Across all three days of the conference, Professor Barstow will deliver an extensive programme of practical, evidence-informed sessions spanning diabetes, low vision rehabilitation and neurological vision loss
Her presentations will explore Strategies to Promote Effective Diabetes Self-Management in People with Vision Loss, before moving into a full day of multidisciplinary clinical learning.
PATRICK Bio & Topic
DR PATRICK NGASSA PIOTIE
Diabetes in South Africa: From Crisis to Action — The Johannesburg Declaration
Dr Ngassa Piotie will open the conference by exploring South Africa’s growing diabetes crisis and its devastating complications, including vision loss. Drawing on the Johannesburg Declaration, he will present a practical roadmap for improving prevention, early detection, treatment and integrated diabetes care across the country.
DEIDRE Bio & Topic
DEIDRE DE JONGH
Beyond General Optometry – The Quest for Functional Visual Integration
What happens when a patient achieves 20/20 vision at distance and near, yet continues to experience debilitating visual dysfunction? Deidré will explore the complex world of functional visual integration, examining how visual-perceptual integration deficits can disrupt everyday function, slow recovery and compromise performance. Her presentation will challenge delegates to look beyond conventional measures of visual acuity in the quest to understand and address the functional impact of visual dysfunction.
MELODIE Bio & Topic
MELODIE DE JAGER
The Developing Brain and Vision: Why Early Reflexes Matter
Dr de Jager will explore how intrauterine and primitive reflexes contribute to nervous system maturation, postural control, sensory integration, ocular motor function and visual development.
JOANNE Bio & Topic
DR JOANNE MILLER
Understanding and Managing Vision Loss Related to Diabetes
Dr Miller will explore diabetes-related vision loss from the ophthalmologist’s perspective, helping delegates better understand the retinal complications associated with diabetes and approaches to their clinical management.
HAZEL Bio & Topic
HAZEL SACHAROWITZ
Hazel will lead the Clinical Vision Track on Day 2, delivering a series of highly practical sessions designed to strengthen everyday low vision practice.
Beginning with Seeing Beyond Visual Acuity – Clinical and Functional Assessment, she will explore how practitioners can better understand the real-world impact of vision impairment.
KAREN Bio & Topic
KAREN DENTON
Karen will bring her extensive experience in diabetes education, retinal health and patient advocacy to two timely and thought-provoking sessions.
In Do Health Habits Really Impact Vision?, she will cut through the often confusing and conflicting messages surrounding diet, exercise and weight management to examine what the evidence really tells us about lifestyle, diabetes and visual health.
WENDY Bio & Topic
WENDY HISTED
Optimising Optometric Care for Patients with Diabetes: With and Without Vision Loss
Wendy will explore the optometrist’s role in caring for people with diabetes across the spectrum of visual function, considering how clinical assessment, management and low vision expertise can contribute to effective, patient-centred care.
SIOBHAN Bio & Topic
SIOBHAN KOTZE
Living with Diabetes: The Past, Present and Future
Combining 42 years of lived experience with Type 1 diabetes with her professional background in healthcare and patient safety, Siobhan will explore the extraordinary evolution of diabetes care
ACCOMMODATION
Delegates to make their own reservations by clicking HERE
OR e-mail or call
ssrosebank.reservations@southernsun.com or +27 (0) 11 448 3600
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Day 1 – Monday, 19th October 2026
| DAY 1 | 19 OCTOBER 2026 | THEME: DIABETES & LOW VISION |
|---|---|---|
| 08H00 – 09H00 | REGISTRATION & TEA | |
| 09H00 – 09H45 | LECTURE | DR PATRICK NGASSA PIOTIE (Medical Doctor & Researcher) Diabetes in South Africa: From Crisis to Action – The Johannesburg Declaration |
| 09H45 – 10h30 | LECTURE | KAREN DENTON (Diabetes Educator) Do Healthy Habits Really Impact Vision |
| 10H30 – 11H00 | TEA | |
| 11H00 – 12H30 | LECTURE | BETH BARSTOW (Occupational Therapist) Strategies to Promote Effective Diabetes Self-Management in people with Vision Loss |
| 12H30 – 13H30 | LUNCH | |
| 13h30 – 14H15 | LECTURE | WENDY HISTED (Optometrist) Optimizing Optometric Care for Patients with Diabetes: With and Without Vision Loss |
| 14H15 – 15H00 | LECTURE | KAREN DENTON (Diabetic Educator) GLP-1 Agonists – Separating Evidence from Hype |
| 15H00 – 15H30 | TEA | |
| 15H30 – 16H15 | LECTURE | SIOBHAN KOTZE (Personal Experience) More Than Blood Sugar: Living with Diabetes THEN, NOW & TOMORROW |
| 16H15 – 17H00 | LECTURE | DR JOANNE MILLER (Ophthalmologist) Understanding and Managing Vision Loss Related to Diabetes |
Day 2 – Tuesday, 20th October
| DAY 2 | 20 OCTOBER 2026 | THEME: CLINICAL PEARLS – TWO TRACKS |
|---|---|---|
| TRACK 1 – BETH BARSTOW (Occupational Therapist) IMPACT TRACK – MULTIDISCIPLINARY FOCUS TRACK 2 – HAZEL SACHAROWITZ (Optometrist) CLINICAL VISION TRACK – OPTOMETRIC FOCUS | ||
| 08H00 – 09H00 | REGISTRATION & TEA | |
| 09H00 – 09H45 | LECTURE | TRACK 1 Integrating the Revised Self-Report Assessment of Functional Visual Performance (R-SRAFVP) into Intervention Planning and Goal Setting TRACK 2 Seeing Beyond Visual Acuity – Clinical and Functional Assessment |
| 09H45 – 10h30 | LECTURE | TRACK 1 From Prescription to Participation: Addressing Optical and Assistive Technology Issues in Practice TRACK 2 Refraction and Magnification: Clinical Pearls that Improve Outcomes |
| 10H30 – 11H00 | TEA | |
| 11H00 – 11H45 | LECTURE | TRACK 1 Fall Prevention and Management for Individuals with Vision Loss TRACK 2 Identifying Optimum Strategies and Devices for Reading in Patients with Decreased Visual Function |
| 11H45 – 12:30 | LECTURE | TRACK 1 Low Vision Rehabilitation on a Shoestring Budget TRACK 2 Prescribing Low Vision Devices: Matching Solutions to Patient Goals |
| 12H30 – 13H30 | LUNCH | |
| 13h30 – 14H15 | LECTURE | TRACK 1 Keeping People at Work: Vision Loss Should not Equal Job Loss TRACK 2 The future role of the Low Vision Practitioner |
| 14H15 – 15H00 | LECTURE | TRACK 1 & 2 CASE IN FOCUS – From Diagnosis to Daily Living: Practical Strategies for Facilitating Independence in Individuals with Vision Impairment |
| 15H00 – 15H30 | TEA | |
| 15H30 – 16H15 | LECTURE | TRACK 1 & 2 Interdisciplinary Case Forum – Shared Perspective |
| 16H15 – 17H00 | LECTURE | TRACK 1 & 2 Insights from the discussion – brining the threads together |
Day 3 – Wednesday, 21st October
| DAY 3 | 21 OCTOBER 2026 | THEME: NEUROLOGICAL VISION LOSS |
|---|---|---|
| 08H00 – 09H00 | REGISTRATION & TEA | |
| 09H00 – 10H30 | LECTURE | MELODIE DE JAGER (Neuro-developmental therapist) The developing Brain and Vision: Why Early Reflexes Matter |
| 10H30 – 11H00 | TEA | |
| 11H00 – 12H30 | LECTURE | BETH BARSTOW (Occupational Therapist) Seeing Beyond the Field Cut: Evaluation and Intervention for Hemianopsia |
| 12H30 – 13H30 | LUNCH | |
| 13h30 – 15H00 | LECTURE | DEIDRE DE JONGH (Optometrist) Beyond General Optometry – The Quest for Functional Visual Integration |
| 15H00 – 15H30 | TEA | |
| 15H30 – 17H00 | LECTURE | BETH BARSTOW (Occupational Therapist) Facilitating Psychosocial Adaptation to Vision Loss: Intervention Approaches |
| 17H00 – 17H30 | CONFERENCE CLOSURE |