EyeCon 2024: Kelly Nichols, OD, and A. Paul Chous, OD, discuss multidisciplinary care and AI in diabetes management

Co-chairs Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO, and A. Paul Chous, OD, MA, FAAO, highlighted Day 1 of EyeCon 2024, which emphasized collaboration between optometry and ophthalmology. The day's discussions included topics such as identifying red flags in patient care, thyroid eye disease, and advancements in refractive technologies. They noted the importance of integrating insights from both fields to enhance overall patient management, emphasizing that the shared knowledge benefits all practitioners involved in patient care.

A key takeaway from the sessions was the emphasis on recognizing herpes simplex as a potential cause of unilateral red eye in hospitalized patients, a point raised by ophthalmology cochair Peter J. McDonnell, MD. This advice is particularly valuable for optometrists, reinforcing the need for vigilance in diagnosing ocular conditions.

Looking ahead to the following day, they expressed excitement about sessions on dry eye as well as multidisciplinary approaches to managing diabetes.