Optometry’s Meeting® to jump into full gear with events, CE
April 27, 2011
The largest concentration of natural stone arches in the world is found in Arches National Park in Utah. Salt Lake City, Utah, is home to the 2011 Optometry’s Meeting®. Photo Credit: Douglas Pulsipher
The 2011 Optometry’s Meeting® commences with its kickoff on Wednesday, June 15 and welcomes a new tradition with Specialty Day.
On the opening day of Optometry’s Meeting®, five innovative societies will offer attendees the chance to increase their knowledge in specific areas of optometry. They will hear from experts in dry eye and ocular surface disease, glaucoma, the retina and vision therapy.
Participating societies include:
- College of Optometrists in Vision Development: www.covd.org
- Optometric Glaucoma Society: www.optometricglaucomasociety.org
- Ocular Surface Society of Optometry: www.ossopt.com
- Optometric Retina Society: www.optometricretinasociety.org
- Vision Leads Foundation: visionleadsfoundation@yahoo.com
For additional information and general questions regarding Specialty Day, contact Stacy Diliberto at sadiliberto@aoa.org.
Also on Wednesday is the Management & Business Academy™ (MBA) for Eye Care Professionals. This program will equip attendees with proven techniques to increase the satisfaction and loyalty of patients and help optimize the financial performance of a practice.
MBA is sponsored by CIBA Vision and Essilor and endorsed by the AOA. Registration for this full-day program is $150 for AOA members and $295 for non-members. To register, visit www.mba-ce.com.
The AOA’s Practice Transitions program, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a full-day, comprehensive presentation covering the steps to successfully buy or sell an optometric practice. Registration for AOA members is $150. Non-members may register for $295. The program is sponsored by Wells Fargo.
Abbott Medical Optics is supporting “Increasing Cataract Patient Satisfaction: Co-Management Tips and Tools,” course 1004, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. This course is FREE to attendees.
Cataract surgery has become a refractive procedure in addition to its medical necessity. The optometrist has an ever-increasing role in patients being satisfied with the outcome of their procedure. This course will cover the different types of intraocular lenses (IOLs), including each type of lens strengths and weaknesses. Attendees will learn how to identify what clinical and functional factors are important in achieving successful visual outcomes. Finally, the course will review standard postoperative care and the management of common complications and side effects of cataract surgery.
The Wednesday Night Welcome Reception sponsored by Bausch + Lomb will be held later that evening from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy music, food, drink, and fun. There will be plentiful hors d’oeuvres, a specialty drink, and plenty to celebrate! Register for function 0120.
The box office hit “Kids’ Korner” will provide a place where children of all ages can enjoy their own buffet and entertainment.
Thursday events and courses
Thursday morning kicks off once again with Essilor as the generous sponsor of the Opening General Session and keynote speaker. Follow-ing the presentation of the AOA awards, famed paralegal Erin Brockovich will inspire the audience with her amazing story. The Opening General Session, sponsored by Essilor, is from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Global meeting education supporters Abbott Medical Optics and Alcon are providing generous unrestricted educational grants to support Optometry’s Meeting®.
Alcon is also supporting “How to Manage a Contact Lens Patient Through Their Lifetime,” course 1010, from 10 a.m. to noon. This course is FREE to attendees.
This course will address the key factors in managing contact lens wearers successfully through their lifetimes, including the first-time contact lens wearer, challenges with compliance, minimizing complications, discussion of ocular surface disease as it affects contact lens comfort, and the presbyopic patient. This interactive course will allow attendees to participate through real-time text messaging polls.
The Information Exchange Luncheon, sponsored by CIBA Vision and Essilor from noon to 1 p.m., will give attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in ophthalmic products and services designed to give them an advantage in today’s economy while enjoying a FREE lunch. Register for function 0150.
The AOA Practice Management & Career Center, sponsored by CIBA Vision and Luxottica, will offer attendees an opportunity to immerse themselves into the business world of optometry. The AOA Practice Management & Career Center will include exhibit booths featuring experts from various modes of practice and networking opportunities to assist attendees in their career objectives. To register for courses, schedule interviews, or learn more about the Practice Management & Career Center, visit www.optometrysmeeting.org/pmcc.
Optometry’s Meeting® offers free OD continuing education included in attendees’ base registration fees. These courses often fill up fast, so register early to reserve a seat. These include theater courses and breakfast seminars.
Specialty OD education in areas such as clinical optometry, ocular disease and management, related systemic disease, and (optometric) business management will also be offered on Thursday.
The AOA Paraoptometric Section is pleased to provide another spectacular array of courses for assistants/technicians, opticians, and office personnel. Paraoptometrics can choose from three tracks: optical, assistant/tech, and practice management. The Paraoptometric Education Program is supported by unrestricted educational grants from Transitions and Vistakon®.
All OD, paraoptometric, and student course handouts will be available on flash drives, so all CE-registered attendees can print them prior to the meeting. The flash drives, sponsored by TLC Vision, will contain PDF handouts viewable on a computer with a Web browser. The flash drives will allow attendees to search parameters such as lecturer, title, and course category. Attendees pre-registered for education courses will receive the flash drive in their registration packets.
Thursday evening, the Wines from Around the World reception hosted by the AOA will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony sponsored by Vistakon®. Upon entrance into the Exhibit Hall, those eligible will receive a passport to participate in a wine and cheese tasting featuring wines from around the world. At the last station, guests may select a full glass of their favorite wine.
At the National Optometry Hall of Fame Induction and Meet and Greet, Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation will introduce the National Optometry Hall of Fame’s Class of 2011 inductees from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Since its inception, 53 individuals have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Take this opportunity to congratulate these optometric luminaries in person while participating in living history as they share their perspectives and experiences within optometry. Visit the display in the lobby outside of the Exhibit Hall.
For more information, visit www.optometrysmeeting.org.
