Earn more credits at OSN New York

The OSN New York 2009 symposium features an accomplished faculty that will present the latest advances in cataract, glaucoma, lens- and cornea-based refractive surgery. The meeting, taking place Sept. 25 to 27 at the Hilton New York, offers many ways to learn and get involved with the discussion.

This year, up to 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits can be earned during the course of the weekend.

Ocular Surgery News Chief Medical Editor Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, will moderate the symposium and will be joined by a panel of experts: OSN Glaucoma Section Editor Thomas W. Samuelson, MD; OSN Cataract Surgery Section Editor Rosa Braga-Mele, MD, FRCSC; OSN Refractive Surgery Board Member Marguerite B. McDonald, MD; OSN Cataract Surgery Board Member Elizabeth A. Davis, MD, FACS; OSN Cornea/External Disease Board Member Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD; and OSN Retina/Vitreous Board Member Allen C. Ho, MD.

“We have attracted a superb faculty for 2009 OSN New York,” Dr. Lindstrom told OSN. “The program has been expanded to a 3-day format, maximizing the educational opportunity.

“We will continue with the popular interactive Surgical Technique and Technology Video Symposium and corneal health round tables. New York in the fall is always special, and this year’s OSN New York is packed with useful clinical information,” he said.

Friday session

In Friday’s expanded program, the cataract session will feature an action-packed agenda on difficult and challenging cataract case scenarios with an update on multifocal and accommodating IOLs, Dr. Braga-Mele told OSN. The session will also provide a glimpse into the future of innovative femtosecond use in cataract surgery.

“We are excited about the curriculum for the Glaucoma Program at OSN New York,” Dr. Samuelson said. “The faculty is superb and the topics timely. Doug Rhee will discuss the latest in glaucoma diagnostics. Garry Condon will address recent advances in technique for traditional glaucoma procedures such as trabeculectomy and aqueous drainage devices, and Reay Brown will provide an update of the new blebless glaucoma surgeries.” To end the session, Dr. Samuelson will moderate the new Glaucoma 360 Rapid-fire Panel Discussion.

Saturday session

A section devoted to lens-based refractive surgery begins the symposium on Saturday, chaired by Dr. Lindstrom, who will present ideas for optimizing cataract refractive lens surgery for better patient results. This will be followed by a series of pearls and updates on various IOLs and their optimal usage.

Next, the cornea-based refractive surgery presentations will begin with OSN Optics Board Member Scott M. MacRae, MD, giving the keynote address on an overview of corneal surgical approaches to presbyopia. Other presentations include an update on the PresbyLens implant, an update on wavefront-guided LASIK, UV cross-linking for ectasia and excimer laser photoablation after refractive IOL surgery.

Lunch with the Experts, new this year, will consist of three core topics essential to the comprehensive ophthalmologist. Attendees will learn clinically relevant updates and perspective on techniques and treatments to enhance patient outcomes.

After lunch, Dr. Ho will present the retina keynote address.

The Waring Medal will be presented to Vinicius C. Ghanem, MD. for his application of rigorous, prospective, contralateral, randomized clinical trials to address the 10-year debate regarding the concept of replacing the epithelium after surface ablation.

The Subspecialty Challenge is next, which was one of the highlights of last year’s meeting. Led by Dr. Davis, practitioners in the featured subspecialties will provide a concise but entertaining look at current trends in their respective fields.

The Subspecialty Challenge also includes a timely presentation by OSN Regulatory/Legislative Section Editor Alan E. Reider, JD. “It’s a New World: Are You Prepared?” will focus on changes in the relationship between the physicians and pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

Plenty of question-and-answer sessions will follow the presentations, and the presenters will incorporate electronic audience response surveys into their lectures.

Sunday session

Sunday begins with the Surgical Techniques and Technology Video Symposium, highlighting attendee-submitted videos in cataract refractive or glaucoma surgery, followed by a brief question-and-answer period. This was another lively and popular session at last year’s meeting.

Dr. Donnenfeld will conclude the meeting with the corneal health round table, featuring two panels: dry eye and allergy, and NSAIDs and anti-infectives. Faculty members will share their perspectives on treating corneal diseases.

To register for OSN New York 2009, go to www.osnny.com/register.asp. — by Carey Cowles