For Your Eyes Only: CPD Event - Rock-Solid Cataract Care

Clinical confidence from assessment to aftercare.

Join the Vale Eye Surgeons consultant team at the historic Rock Hotel, Gibraltar, for two days of cataract-focused CPD following the whole patient journey from referral to refraction.

Friday 14 and Saturday 15 May 2027
The Rock Hotel, 3 Europa Road, Gibraltar

How the event works

• Friday 14 May - all optometrists: four two-hour sessions (lecture with group discussion) worth 12 General CPD points
• Saturday 15 May - Independent Prescribers only: two further two-hour sessions worth 6 Specialist IP CPD points. Available as part of the full weekend or as a Saturday-only ticket
• Interactive points with peer discussion run throughout the programme, covering communication skills, professionalism, leadership and accountability, and ethical decision-making.

Friday programme: The Patient's Cataract Journey

• Talk 1: Referral and Pre-assessment
• Talk 2: What Happens After You Refer? Preparing the Patient for Surgery
• Talk 3: Post-operative Complications: Front to Back
• Talk 4: Refraction and Long-term Care After Cataract Surgery

Saturday programme: IP sessions

• IP Session 1: Drug Interactions and Therapeutics Around Cataract Surgery
• IP Session 2: Managing the Post-operative Cataract Patient

Meet the speakers

Ms Magdalena Popiela MBChB, MSc, FRCOphth - Consultant Ophthalmologist and co-founder of Vale Eye Surgeons, serving as Cornea and Anterior Segment Clinical Lead at the University Hospital of Wales. She specialises in vision-enhancing cataract surgery, corneal disease and ocular surface disorders. Following specialist fellowship training at the University Hospital of Southampton, she developed particular expertise in complex corneal conditions and innovative treatments, and performed the first EndoArt implantation in Wales.

Mr Thomas Betts MBChB, FRCOphth - Consultant Ophthalmologist and co-founder of Vale Eye Surgeons, specialising in oculoplastic, lacrimal and cataract surgery. Following ophthalmology training in Wales, he completed advanced fellowship training in oculoplastics and glaucoma in New Zealand. His specialist interests include eyelid, tear duct and orbital surgery. He is Ophthalmic Lead for the Cardiff and Vale Skin Cancer MDT and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University.

Mr Sankha Udakumbura MBBS, MD, MS (Edin), FICO, FRCOphth - Consultant Ophthalmologist at the University Hospital of Wales and National Cataract Lead for Wales. He specialises in complex cataract surgery and has performed more than 3,500 cataract procedures. His wider interests include service redesign, digital innovation, teaching and research, and he is actively involved in developing and improving cataract services and ophthalmic care across Wales.

Mr Jan J. Sniatecki MD, FRCOphth - Consultant Ophthalmologist with specialist expertise in corneal disease and cataract surgery. He undertook advanced fellowship training at the University Hospital of Southampton, developing particular expertise in keratoconus, corneal transplantation, dry eye disease and complex cataract surgery. As Clinical Lead for the Emergency Eye Clinic at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, he combines his corneal expertise with a strong interest in the management of acute and emergency eye conditions.

Mr Shaz Rehan - Ophthalmology Registrar with a subspecialist interest in cornea and anterior segment disease. An optometrist before studying medicine, he brings a valuable understanding of both optometric and ophthalmic practice. He is currently completing an MSc in Medical Education at the University of Oxford and has a strong passion for practical, engaging and clinically relevant teaching. As Educational Lead for CPD at Vale Eye Surgeons, Shaz supports the development and delivery of high-quality educational programmes that translate learning into better patient care.

Dr Gemma Keightley MBBCh (Wales), FRCA - Consultant Anaesthetist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, where she is the Lead for Ophthalmology Anaesthesia. Committed to clinical excellence, Gemma has a particular interest in medical education and improving patient care and services.

Accommodation

Travel and accommodation are not included in the ticket price, but we have two hotel offers for delegates.

The Rock Hotel - 3 Europa Road, Gibraltar (event venue)

• Standard Sea View & Balcony rooms held for delegates from Thursday 13 to Sunday 15 May 2027 at £156 single / £168 double per night, including full buffet breakfast (minimum 2 nights; extra nights at the same rate subject to availability)
• To book, email reservations@rockhotel.gi quoting block code EYE2027 with your dates, room type, number of rooms, occupancy, guest names and a contact number
• The hotel will reply with a secure payment link for a 50% deposit, with the balance due 5 weeks before arrival
• Book by 1 February 2027 - after this date any unbooked rooms are released
• Gibraltar sustainable tourism tax (£3.50 per person per night, ages 12+) is payable at the hotel on arrival
• Cancellation policy: no charge up to 4 weeks before arrival, then 50% / 75% / 100% at 3 / 2 / 1 weeks
• Limited rooms are available at this rate - please contact the hotel for more details

The Eliott Hotel - 2 Governor's Parade, Gibraltar (a short walk from the Rock Hotel)

• 20% off the best available rate on all room types
• Book directly on the hotel's website with code EYE2027, valid for the event nights of 13, 14 and 15 May 2027
• Or call the hotel on +350 200 70500 and quote the code
• Cancellation policy: 48 hours prior to arrival; first night charged

Other Gibraltar hotels can also be booked directly.

Tickets

New: Saturday-only tickets for Independent Prescribers. Alongside the Friday-only and full weekend options, IPs can now book just the Saturday IP day. To give everyone time to choose the right ticket, early bird pricing has been extended to 31 October 2026.

Early bird (until 31 October 2026): Friday only £250 (all optometrists), Saturday only £150 (Independent Prescribers), full weekend £300 (Independent Prescribers) - no booking fee, the price you see is the price you pay
Standard rate (from 1 November 2026): Friday only £350, Saturday only £250, full weekend £400, plus a booking fee of 2.5% + 20p per ticket

Group bookings: if you would like to book as a group, please contact the VES team at info@valeeyesurgeons.com to discuss group discount options.

Questions? Email info@valeeyesurgeons.com

Vale Eye Surgeons
Cowbridge: 10A High Street, Cowbridge, CF71 7AG
Cardiff: 7 Ash Tree Court, Woodsy Close, Cardiff Gate Business Park, CF23 8RW

Please note: Event details are subject to change. Any updates will be posted on this page and emailed to all ticket holders.