Optometry's Meeting brings innovations to Chicagoland

Chicago-Along with the valuable networking events, stimulating educational sessions, and innovative exhibits that are the norm for Optometry's Meeting, this year optometric physicians will notice major enhancements focused on connecting, learning, and communicating to better meet their needs, according to John Coble, OD, chair of the AOA Meetings Executive Committee, Optometry's Meeting in a press release.

Optometry's Meeting 2012, the annual conference of the AOA, will be take place from June 27 to July 1 at the McCormick Place convention center here. Attendees will find more than 200 hours of continuing education featuring new speakers and interactive courses, as well as lunch symposia and a special session titled "The 3D Experience: Movies, Television, Video Games, and in the Classroom-When Our Eyes Fail Us." In addition, the exhibit hall will have new dedicated non-compete hours.

"As more and more of our association's functions go digital, so must our meeting," Dr. Coble said. "Our members will see streamlined processes, which includes a new registration system, that will simplify the experience. An enhanced smartphone app will give those on-site the latest information and help them find where they need to go and when."

New lunch symposiaThursday, June 28Noon – 1 p.m.

Medical Management of the Presbyopic Patients. This course is designed to help ODs better understand their needs.

Expert Forum: Building Successful Practices Through Patient Referrals. This panel will discuss their experiences in developing strong practices based on referrals and loyal patients.

Saturday, June 30Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Tips to Maximize your Multifocal Soft Lens Fitting Success. Mark Andre will explore features of multifocal contact lens designs and how to evaluate and solve problems with each.

New Developments in Allergic Eye Disease Management and Treatment. Paul Karpecki, OD, provides practical clinical pearls for effective management.

Don't miss sessionsThursday, June 28

8 – 9:30 a.m. Opening General Session: Hollywood Comes to Chicago! The Opening General Session will be a behind-the-scenes experience exploring the latest in 3D technology. Follow it up on Saturday with special session "The 3D experience" to learn how this technology impacts your patients.

Friday, June 29 9 p.m. – midnight Incoming President Celebration. The Eye Docs of Rock will help honor Incoming President, Ronald Hopping, OD.

Saturday, June 30

8 – 11:30 a.m. The 3D Experience: Movies, Television, Video Games, and in the Classroom - When Our Eyes Fail Us. This panel will describe how 3D technology will impact your practice.

Noon – 1 p.m. Contact Lens and Cornea Section State of the Industry Luncheon A light lunch accompanies the presentation of the 2012 CLCS awards and update on the state of the industry.

7 – 10 p.m. A Celebration of Optometry. The final night of the meeting will culminate with a celebration recognizing the AOA and American Optometric Student Association boards of trustees at the Field Museum. Enjoy a "Taste of Chicago" while listening to dueling pianos.

CE highlightsWednesday, June 27

Noon – 2 p.m. EHR Incentive Programs and Meaningful Use Update. Phil Gross, OD, and Jay Henry, OD, will discuss the requirements, incentives, penalties, and the registration and attestation process for the government incentive programs and meaningful use.

Thursday, June 28

6 – 7:30 a.m. Creating a Comfortable Eye Care Experience for a Diverse Patient Base. Kirk Smick, OD, offers strategies for enhancing patient communication among an increasingly culturally diverse population.

5 – 7 p.m. The Visual Challenges of 3-D Technology. Leonard Press, OD, discusses the challenges 3D media pose to our visual system and offers guidance on management of S-3Dinduced visual disorders.

Friday, June 29

6 – 7:30 a.m. Clinical Pearls for Managing Glaucoma and Retinal Disease Using OCT. Mark Dunbar, OD, and Diana Shechtman, OD, share how optical coherence tomography has revolutionized understanding of macular.

2 – 4 p.m. First Practice Academy: Managing Finances to Increase Practice Equity. Mark Wright, OD, shares how to focus on both the clinical and business side of your practice and reviews key metrics for benchmarking.

Saturday, June 30

8 – 9 a.m. Mobile Technology in Optometry Justin Bazan, OD, discusses what mobile devices have to offer you with regards to optometry and optometric practice management.

10 – 11 a.m. It's Time For Your Practice to Connect. Dr. Bazan shares insights on how social media can effectively build your practice.

3 – 4 p.m. Dry Eye and the Contact Lens Guy. Dave Kading, OD, covers a host of topics related to the comfort of contact lens wear, describing common problems and solutions.