Continuing Education
Wednesday, May 1
Doctor Track #1
The Science and the Business of Retinal Imaging
Description: Recent numbers show that most optometrists now have some form of retinal imaging in their practices. This course will use clinical and business case reports to illustrate numerous disease states and ways to incorporate better business practices with retinal imaging devices.
Speakers: Laurie Sorrenson, OD and Jeff Gerson, OD
Time: 1:00pm - 2:40pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 18/19
Evidence-Based Technologies to Optimize Clinical Practice for 2020 and Beyond
Description: Over the last two decades, we have learned about the possibility of using a nutritional supplement to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Such a possibility is extremely important for eyecare, given the aging and growing population, and the subsequent growing number of people with chronic disease. Since the AREDS trial, published in 2001, science and technology have progressed at an exceptional rate. For the optometry clinic, it is important to utilize new technologies that allow for sensitive assessment of visual function and risk of retinal diseases. This lecture will review the data, including pertinent case studies, to demonstrate that successful implementation of these novel technologies greatly improves patient care and practice outputs.
Speakers: Harvey Hanlen, OD, John Nolan and PhD Michael Tolentino, MD
Time: 3:00pm - 4:40pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 22/23
Marketing Your Practice from the Inside Out
Description: This fast-paced one-hour presentation will provide attendees with a wealth of opportunities to connect with their patients. Differentiating your practice and various methods of connecting with patients from inside out will be discussed. Attendees will leave with at least three new and innovative ways to engage patients and market for practice growth and success.
Speakers: Carl Spear, OD, FAAO
Time: 5:00pm - 5:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 22/23
Doctor Track #2
Enhancing the Patient Experience and their Vision while Increasing Practice Profitability with Automated Refraction Systems
Description: Are you tired of being stressed about the commoditization of eye care and eye correction? Are you tired of having to work harder and longer hours for the same, if not less, money? This lecture will cover ways to work smarter and increase your revenue, allowing for a more enjoyable practice in optometry and more free time.
Speakers: Harry Landsaw, OD
Time: 1:00pm - 1:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 22/23
The Value of Omega-3s in Primary Eye Care
Description: Essential fatty acids in the form of omega-3 fish oil are proving to have significant benefits in the treatment and management of eye diseases. This course provides the foundational understanding of essential fatty acids, knowledge concerning the different forms of omega-3 oils, and scientific research to validate the mechanism of actions. Extensive review is provided concerning how omega-3 fish oil can be prescribed to treat ocular surface disease, meibomian gland disease, and support for the posterior segment. We close with how to optimally integrate omega-3s into your practice which can easily improve outcomes for your patients and practice.
Speakers: John Lahr, OD
Time: 2:00pm - 2:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 20/21
The Absolute Latest in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ocular Surface Disease
Description: Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of ocular surface disease, largely due to device use in addition to the aging population. Along with this increase in disease prevalence, we have seen more diagnostic and treatment options. This course will cover the newest innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular surface disease.
Speakers: Scott Schachter, OD
Time: 3:00pm - 4:40pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 18/19
Anterior Segment Misadventures
Description: With the constant focus of education on dry eyes and allergies, it’s time to look to real-life presentations facing the practicing optometrist. Case presentations point out several common anterior segment presentations that are commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed. Guidelines for diagnosis and management of these disorders are presented.
Speakers: Joe Deloach, OD
Time: 5:00pm - 5:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 18/19
Doctor Track #3
Hypochlorous Acid—For Much More than Just the Eyes
Description: This presentation will introduce and teach on the multitude of uses of hypochlorous acid. Special emphasis will be placed on the safety and effectiveness of HOCL, especially as compared to the many other toxic cleaners and disinfectants.
Speakers: Bucky Buckner, OD
Time: 1:00pm - 1:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 20/21
The New Era of Patient Communication: Social Media, Automation, and Telemedicine
Description: Patient-preferred methods for communication are changing. This lecture will discuss those changes and provide advice on communication policy, social media policy for interacting with patients, and what lies ahead. Additionally, it discusses online reputation management and how to respond to reviews.
Speakers: Peter Cass, OD
Time: 1:50pm - 2:40pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 24/25
Save a Life: Neuro Screening Techniques / Pearls for the Busy Optometric Practice
Description: This course will review clinical pupillary evaluation with case presentations and a discussion of the incorporation of time-saving pearls and new technology, which will enhance our clinical care and efficiency. This course will also describe simple techniques to help the clinician evaluate commonly-seen lid abnormalities. The audience will develop an appreciation for the important role we can play to help detect neurologic disease.
Speakers: Mario Gutierrez, OD
Time: 3:00pm - 3:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 20/21
AMD: You Make the Call
Description: More than 10 million Americans have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While many optometrists diagnose and manage AMD patients on a daily basis, why is there such a huge variation in practice patterns? What exactly is AMD? When can we confidently make the diagnosis? What advice should we be giving patients if we use an evidence-based approach? How can we improve outcomes and help prevent blindness? This course will provide a review of best practices for optometrists in the diagnosis and management of early AMD.
Speakers: Damon Dierker, OD
Time: 4:00pm - 4:40pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 24/25
Cold Claim Files: The Insurance Division
Description: Getting your insurance claims paid can sometimes feel like you’re solving a mystery. Payers can make the process so difficult, it often feels like you’ve been robbed. Come join our investigation into real-life claims that have caused practices to suffer needlessly. We will review claims as you would a case study. You and your team will be presented with facts and circumstances, review submitted claims and the resulting remits, and troubleshoot the situation. Put your detective hat on and get ready for “Forensic Files: The Insurance Division.”
Speakers: Shane Shepherd
Time: 5:00pm - 5:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 20/21
Staff Tracks
The Paraoptometric’s Role in Retinal Imaging
Description: This course will discuss two common retinal diseases (diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration) seen in the primary eye care clinic and the use of wide-field fundus imaging, fundus autofluorescence, and OCT to diagnose and manage these diseases. We will also discuss communication strategies to be used by the paraoptometric in communicating with their physician and patient.
Speakers: Aaron Werner, OD
Time: 1:00pm - 1:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 15/16
But I’m Not the Owner: How YOU Impact the Patient Experience
Description: As someone who isn’t in control of managing a practice, it can be easy to feel disconnected or unempowered to make a difference when it comes to the overall patient experience. In this course, we will look at why the in-store experience is such a hot topic and will focus in on how important staff members are when it comes to shaping that experience. We will look to retail and optical best practices for how those who work with patients every day can create positive change and contribute to excellent patient experiences and why they should want to create these experiences.
Speakers: Ellen Katz
Time: 2:00pm - 2:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 15/16
The need for Light Management an Ocular Solutions
Description: See attached agenda
Speakers: Ryan Powell, OD
Times: 3:00pm - 3:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 15/16
Ocular Imaging: Focusing on the Patient Experience
Description: For patients to feel engaged in their care, they need to understand the reasons why procedures like retinal imaging are required to maintain ocular health. This course will review ocular and systemic conditions that can be identified and monitored with retinal imaging, empowering the eyecare staff member to effectively communicate with patients on the need for imaging procedures.
Speakers: Linda Chous, OD
Time: 4:00pm - 4:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 15/16
The New Era of Patient Communication: Social Media, Automation, and Telemedicine
Description: Patient-preferred methods for communication are changing. This lecture will discuss those changes and provide advice on communication policy, social media policy for interacting with patients, and what lies ahead. Additionally, it discusses online reputation management and how to respond to reviews.
Speakers: Peter Cass, OD
Time: 5:00pm - 5:50pm (Wednesday, May 1)
Room: 15/16
Thursday, May 2
Doctor Tracks
Solving the Unsolvable: The Many Faces of Vertical Heterophoria
Description: Optometrists have the ability to bring relief to those with headaches, dizziness, anxiety, gait/balance disturbances, neck pain, and persistent traumatic brain injury symptoms by using micro-prisms to treat the most challenging heterophoria: vertical. These patients usually present for treatment to other care providers (including ENT’s, neurologists, physiatrists, PT/OT’s, and psychiatrists), and are their most difficult patients, as standard treatments are minimally effective. Caring for these referred patients is an enjoyable collaborative effort with our medical colleagues. This lecture will review vertical heterophoria—its history, symptoms, and pathophysiology—and discuss clinical methods and techniques that aid in diagnosing and treating these patients.
Speakers: Mark Rosner, MD and Debby Feinberg, MD
Time: 7:00am - 7:50am (Thursday, May 2)
Room: 18/19
The Way Leaders Think: Three Decades Watching Great Practice Leaders in Action
Description: Some say leaders are made. Some say they’re born. But mostly, leaders become. They combine given characteristics with life experiences, but great leaders also learn to be great leaders by example from others. It’s not just what great leaders do, but how they think. In this lecture, Tom reveals the fruits of three decades watching great practice leaders in action, and how you can adopt, exhibit, and build on these difference-makers in leading your team to peak performance.
Speakers: Tom Bowen
Time: 7:00am - 7:50am (Thursday, May 2)
Room: 20/21
Visually-Induced Trigeminal Dysphoria May Be the Leading Source of Headaches, Eyestrain, and Dry Eye Sensation
Description: Some say leaders are made. Some say they’re born. But mostly, leaders become. They combine given characteristics with life experiences, but great leaders also learn to be great leaders by example from others. It’s not just what great leaders do, but how they think. In this lecture, Tom reveals the fruits of three decades watching great practice leaders in action, and how you can adopt, exhibit, and build on these difference-makers in leading your team to peak performance.
Speakers: Jeffery Krall, OD and David Moline, OD
Time: 7:00am - 7:50am (Thursday, May 2)
Room: 22/23
Staff Tracks
Perception of Value
Description: Every business, transaction, and even personal interaction creates a perception of value in the mind of the consumer or patient. This subconscious evaluation of our experiences is created by a defined set of components (specifically: quality, service, level of need, convenience, and price). This course explains each component and provides concrete examples of how optometric practices can leverage each to increase the perception of value patients place on products and services.
Speakers: Jennifer Smith
Times Available: 7:00am - 7:50am (Thursday, May 2)
Room: 15/16
Friday, May 3
Doctor Tracks
The Art of Assortment Planning
Description: Understanding and capitalizing on your assortment will elevate the retail experience and increase profitability.
Speakers: Jonathan Smith
Time: 6:00pm - 6:50pm (Friday, May 3)
Room: 18/19
Patient-Focused Prescribing
Description: Regardless of practice setting, patients expect their optometrist to prescribe and recommend the vision corrections and eye health solutions that will meet their vision and lifestyle needs. The fundamentals of patient-focused prescribing will be explored for specific visual and ocular disease conditions based on practice guidelines. Best practices will be reviewed, and personal implementation experiences will be shared.
Speakers: Pete Kehoe, OD
Time: 6:00pm - 6:50pm (Friday, May 3)
Room: 20/21
Compliance: Can’t I Just be a Doctor Anymore?
Description: This course will cover the four major compliance areas that impact every health care provider, which include HIPAA, Human Resources, Hazard OSHA, CDC, CLIA, and Fraud Abuse.
Speakers: Joe DeLoach, OD
Time: 6:00pm - 6:50pm (Friday, May 3)
Room: 22/23
Staff Tracks
Top Tips for Gold Standard Dispensing
Description: In this course, we will discuss the benefits of distinguishing our practices through a superior customer service experience. We will review the characteristics and the make-up of a professional ophthalmic dispenser. We will discuss the importance of good communication, both verbal and non-verbal. We will cover how to quickly and accurately assess a customer’s eyewear needs. This course will examine frame fitting and adjusting techniques. There will be a discussion of how to handle customer concerns and complaints. And finally, how a Gold Standard of dispensing is about the relationship between the dispenser and customers of all ages.
Speakers: Top Tips for Gold Standard Dispensing
Times Available: 6:00pm - 6:50pm (Friday, May 3)
Room: 15/16
Saturday, May 4
Doctor Tracks
Why Cash Matters: Understanding How Your Cash Flows
Description: Cash is king and understanding where your cash is going is essential to keeping yourself and your practice out of hot water. Clearly one of the most challenging aspects of running a private practice, managing your cash flow can have a significant impact, not only on your business, but also your personal happiness and well-being. Here, we’ll address the many aspects of managing your cash flow, how the most successful companies use positive cash flow to their advantage, and strategies to ensure you are taking the right steps to protect your cash flow.
Speakers: Mick Kling, OD
Time: 7:00am - 7:50am (Saturday, May 4)
Room: Ballroom A
Myopia Control in Private Practice
Description: This course will update the practitioner on the increasing impact myopia plays on long-term ocular health and the primary care doctor’s role in educating parents and managing this condition efficiently.
Speakers: Pat Lowe, OD
Time: 7:00am - 7:50am (Saturday, May 4)
Room: Ballroom B
Intense Pulsed Light in the Optometric Practice
Description: MGD and ocular surface disease are arguably the most prevalent conditions we see in our practices daily. The treatment paradigms of technologies are rapidly changing. We will review ocular rosacea, MGD, aqueous insufficiency, and the latest treatment options as well as those in the pipeline.
Speakers: Scott Schachter, OD
Time: 7:00am - 7:50am (Saturday, May 4)
Room: 24/25
Staff Tracks
The Frames Advisor
Description: Partner with Luxottica and make choosing a frame a memorable experience! Join us as we explore a unique methodology on how to increase client satisfaction by learning how to advise and assist the consumer during all phases of trying on and choosing frames to exceed their expectations and increase business.
Speakers: Jonathan Smith
Times Available: 7:00am - 7:50am (Saturday, May 4)
Room: 15