Optometry’s Meeting adds ‘Specialty Day’ education

The 5-day conference features diverse continuing education opportunities covering clinical care, new products and business applications.

The American Optometric Association and the American Optometric Student Association are partnering to present Optometry’s Meeting 2011, their combined annual meeting and continuing education event, to be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.

Optometry’s Meeting 2011 marks the 114th American Optometric Association (AOA) Congress and 41st American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) Conference. The 5-day event will be held June 15 to June 19 and will feature more than 400 hours of continuing education (CE). More than 40 hours are included in the base registration fee.

Education

This year the AOA is introducing Specialty Day at Optometry’s Meeting. On June 15, the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), Optometric Glaucoma Society, Ocular Surface Society of Optometry, Optometric Retina Society and Vision Leads Foundation give attendees the opportunity to increase their knowledge in specific areas of optometry with all-day programs.

The COVD and Vision Leads Foundation will present a joint seminar designed to improve optometrists’ understanding of vision therapy. The Optometric Glaucoma Society will provide updates on new therapies, instrumentation and science. Through its course, the Ocular Surface Society of Optometry aims to provide optometrists with a foundation from which they can initiate, maintain and profit from a dry eye subspecialty practice. The mission of the Optometric Retina Society is to advance patient care by promoting the advancement of vitreoretinal knowledge.

There is no need to be a member of these societies to attend Specialty Day at Optometry’s Meeting.

Primary Care Optometry News is sponsoring “PCON Live!” presented by PCON Editor Michael D. DePaolis, OD, FAAO; PCON Editorial Board members Murray Fingeret, OD, and Bruce E. Onofrey, RPh, OD; and PCON contributor Alan G. Kabat, OD, FAAO. The June 18 course will feature 2 hours of COPE-approved CE and will cover the latest developments in meibomian gland dysfunction diagnosis and treatment, glaucoma and nutraceuticals.

Business

The AOA House of Delegates, the legislative and policy-making body of the AOA, will be in session from June 16 to June 18. Meeting attendees are invited to observe affiliate leaders debating major issues and deciding new policies. The House of Delegates will also induct the incoming president and elect the 2011-2012 AOA Board of Trustees.

First Practice Academy will teach business management strategies to new doctors. Four 2-hour lectures are sponsored by the AOA, CIBA Vision and Essilor.

The 2011 Optometry’s Meeting smart phone app, sponsored by Vistakon, can help attendees organize their conference schedule, map any exhibit hall booth, access product information and contact exhibitors. Alerts will provide up-to-date show information. The app works on all smart phone platforms.

Exhibit Hall

A redesigned exhibit hall will highlight the latest technology and services in eye care with an easier-to-navigate design. More than 200 exhibit booths will be sectioned into product categories for easier access.

The AOA Practice Management and Career Center offers attendees an opportunity to immerse themselves in the business world of optometry. An in-house theatre offers practice management programs, and exhibits feature experts from various modes of practice. The center is sponsored by CIBA Vision and Luxottica.

Erin Brockovich

AOA Central, also located in the exhibit hall, will allow attendees to register for the meeting, visit the AOA booth, download the smart phone app, meet AOA Political Action Committee representatives and learn about Optometry Cares – the AOA Foundation.

Entertainment

During the Opening General Session on June 16, in addition to the AOA’s award presentations, attendees will be treated to a keynote address from Erin Brockovich. The public became familiar with this speaker 10 years ago through the movie, Erin Brockovich, which detailed how Ms. Brockovich spearheaded a lawsuit against a gas and electric company that had been exposing a town’s residents to toxic water. She now uses her celebrity status to spread positive messages of personal empowerment and to encourage others to make a difference.

Kathleen Madigan

Wayne Brady

Later that evening, students will compete in the 20th annual Varilux Optometry Student Bowl, immediately followed by a reception featuring Optometry Cares and Optometry’s Got Talent.

After the new AOA Board of Trustees is introduced on the evening of June 18 at the Presidential Celebration, attendees will enjoy performances by comedian Kathleen Madigan and entertainer Wayne Brady. This event is sponsored by Hoya. – John Coble, OD, FAAO, and Nancy Hemphill, ELS

• John Coble, OD, FAAO, is AOA Optometry’s Meeting Center Executive Committee Chairman. For more information and to register, visit www.optometrysmeeting.org.