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The University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica organized the 6th Optometry Conference of Central and Southeastern Europe (OCCSEE) in Opatija (Hotel Ambasador).
The official opening ceremony of the conference took place on Friday, April 25.
The Dean of the University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica, Dr. Tamara Čendo Metzinger, and the President of the OCCSEE Organizing Committee and Head of the Optical Optics Study Program, Mgr. Sonja Drugović, welcomed the participants with the hope that the OCCSEE Conference would once again serve as a platform for academic and professional development for all attendees.

The main goal of the conference is to transfer knowledge to younger generations of optometric professionals by leveraging the vast potential and experience of internationally and European-recognized experts.
The conference covered the following topics: Refraction and Binocular Vision, Clinical Optometry, Contact Lenses, and Myopia Control.

Approximately 330 participants from 21 countries (Croatia, USA, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland, Canada, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Belgium, Montenegro, Latvia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia, Estonia, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Kosovo) took part in the conference.
There were 35 lectures held for students and other visitors, with keynote speakers Professor James S. Wolffsohn and Professor Giancarlo Montani.
In addition to the lectures, 44 poster presentations were displayed, and a series of valuable workshops were organized.
During the three-day conference, meetings of the Croatian Optometrist Association were also held.

The OCCSEE project plays a significant role in the further development of the optometry profession in Central and Southeastern Europe.
Through organizing this international professional and scientific conference, the University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica has positioned itself alongside prominent European institutions, enabling a continuous transfer of knowledge from the most developed European countries.
The greatest benefit from this knowledge transfer is enjoyed by conference participants – optometrists, ophthalmologists, optometry students, as well as businesses and companies providing crucial logistical support to the optometry sector.

At the conference, the new professional graduate study program in Optometry was presented, as a continuation of the undergraduate Optical Optics program at the University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica.
The Optometry graduate program aims to address modern challenges and labor market needs, thereby contributing to the responsible and sustainable development of society.
This graduate program is the only one of its kind in the Republic of Croatia.