PARIS—Silmo Istanbul, the leading optical trade fair in the MENA zone since 2014, held its latest edition Nov. 18-21. Organizers reported that despite the restrictive pandemic situation, the event participation remained strong, with attendance figures returning to their 2019 pre-pandemic levels after the show was cancelled in 2020. The show saw more than 100 exhibitors,10,100 square meters or 108,715 square feet of booths and 10,450 visitors, including 15 percent international attendees. The show is part of the Silmo family of shows. According to the Istanbul exhibitor/visitor survey, 90 percent of the interviewees recognized the importance of Silmo and “the organizers' many efforts—the great flexibility and determination of the whole team—made it possible for the event to open very favorable perspectives for the future.”  
 
The Silmo Academy also promotes scientific research. At the Istanbul meeting, the scientific panel gathered to award the sixth grant in the amount of 10,000 euros to Dr. Neema Ghorbani Mojarrad, who stood out for his study titled “Refractive error and visual development in the born-in-Bradford children cohort.” 
 
A lecturer at the University of Bradford and a substitute optometrist, Dr Neema Ghorbani Mojarrad finished his PhD at Cardiff University. He specializes in genetic information that may be used to predict whether children will develop myopia. His current research focuses on the genetic causes of refractive error, contact lenses and the front of the eye, in order to understand the causes of myopia and develop interventions to better manage it.
 
The Silmo Family of events in 2022 is working on this calendar of meetings around the world:
 
  • March 5 & 6: Copenhagen Specs
  • May 7 & 8: Barcelona Specs, a new event
  • September 23 and 26: Silmo Paris
  • November 17 and 20: Silmo Istanbul
  • In 2023, April 12 to 14: the launch of Silmo Singapore