IKA Keratoconus Symposium 2023: Front to back and everything in between

Article

Conference aims to promote professional education and scientific development in corneal ectasias.

The 1st Annual International Keratoconus Academy (IKA) of Eye Care Professionals Keratoconus Symposium will take place April 22-23, 2023, at the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona.

This new hybrid, interactive conference for optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other eye care professionals involved in keratoconus management will promote ongoing professional education and scientific development in keratoconus and other forms of corneal ectasia. The topics covered will include using new diagnostic technologies, maximizing keratoconus management in clinical practice, and amplifying clinician voices on keratoconus best practices.

The cochairs of the event are IKA CEO and cofounder S. Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO, FSLS, North Suburban Vision Consultants, Deerfield, Illinois; IKA president and cofounder Andrew S. Morgenstern, OD, FAAO, FNAP, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; and IKA executive board member Elizabeth Yeu, MD, Virginia Eye Consultants, Norfolk.

“The 1st annual IKA Keratoconus Symposium will be [a gathering] of some of the greatest minds in the field of keratoconus who will share their extensive knowledge and experience regarding the most current information available and their visions toward the future,” Eiden commented.

Registration is free for students, residents, fellows, active duty service members, and veterans.

Conference vision

Managing patients with keratoconus can be challenging, but research in the field is rapidly bringing more opportunities for improved outcomes into eye care clinics. Marked by thinning and bulging of the cornea, keratoconus can lead to severe blurriness and visual distortions, making early diagnosis crucial for appropriate management.

At this inaugural meeting, renowned experts will share insights to help community clinicians improve their use of diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for their patients across the spectrum of keratoconus severity, according to the organizers.

Following attendance at the conference, participants will be able to:

» Create strategies to accurately diagnose patients and classify their severity of keratoconus;

» Explain the safety and efficacy data supporting currently available keratoconus therapies;

» Evaluate clinical trial data for treatments being investigated for the management of keratoconus; and

» Describe optimal approaches to patient-centered keratoconus care that incorporate their individual characteristics and goals.

Register now.

Recent Videos
EnVision Summit Co-chairs Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO; Katie Rachon, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO; Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO; and Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO; express excitement for the upcoming conference and why optometrists should attend.
Eye care practitioners reported moderate to high satisfaction with lifitegrast's ability to improve signs of dry eye, according to Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS.
Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, FOWNS, details the positive feedback gained so far from other optometrists that have been prescribing the NutriTears supplement to their dry eye patients.
Damaris Raymondi, OD, FAAO, highlighted the importance of building patient-doctor trust to learn about these practices, which can include non-traditional treatments like chamomile or manuka honey eye drops.
Noreen Shaikh, OD, Magdalena Stec, OD, FAAO, and Brenda Bohnsack, MD, PhD, emphasize that collaboration and communication are key to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Cecilia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO, cited data from a recent student that found that presbyopia treatment with 0.4% pilocarpine led to up to 86% of patients achieving 20/40 or better.
Kerry Giedd, OD, MS, FAAO, was 1 of 20 investigators around the country for a study evaluating the daily disposable contact lens.
According to A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, optometrists have an important opportunity to educate patients in their chairs about diabetes.
David Geffen, OD, FAAO, gave a poster presentation titled "Revolutionizing Comfort: Unveiling the Potential of Perfluorohexyloctane Eyedrops for Contact Lens Wearers" at this year's Academy meeting.
Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO, Dipl-ABO, discussed ophthalmic considerations for patients undergoing treatment with antibody drug conjugates for gynecologic cancers at this year's conference.
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.