AAOpt 2025: Heading the frontiers in eye care

Justin Schweitzer, OD, FAAO; Selina McGee, OD, FAAO; and I. Ben Gaddie, OD, FAAO; partnered up to present their session "Frontiers in Eye Care: Innovations Shaping the Future of Optometry" at the American Academy of Optometry's (AAOpt) annual Academy meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. The presentation focused on cutting-edge innovations transforming optometric practice and explored several critical areas of advancement in eye care. The presenters highlighted key developments across multiple domains of optometric practice. In glaucoma, they discussed technological and diagnostic innovations that are reshaping how eye care professionals detect and manage the disease. They emphasized the importance of staying current with emerging technologies and diagnostic tools. Pharmaceutical advancements were another significant focus, particularly in presbyopia and ocular surface disease treatments.

Schweitzer noted the complexity of dry eye management, referencing the recent TFOS DEWS III guidelines, which provide comprehensive guidance on diagnostic tests and treatment strategies. He stressed that modern dry eye treatment is no longer about using a single product, but rather adopting a patient-centric approach that addresses specific underlying conditions. Schweitzer also discussed various dry eye treatment approaches, including managing different types such as evaporative issues, meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, and tear production problems. He is particularly excited about upcoming treatments like keratolytic agents designed to break down keratin in meibomian glands - an unmet need in current eye care.

Professional development was another key theme. Schweitzer recommended strategies for staying current, including attending conferences like AAOpt, engaging with publications like Optometry Times, and learning from colleagues through professional interactions and presentations.

The presentation also emphasized the evolving role of optometrists in post-surgical patient management. Schweitzer encouraged building collaborative relationships with ophthalmologists, suggesting that comanagement of patients after cataract, glaucoma, and corneal surgeries is becoming increasingly important. The presenters appreciated the value of diverse perspectives, noting that their different practice approaches during the lecture provided rich learning opportunities for both the audience and themselves. Their collaborative presentation highlighted the dynamic and innovative nature of modern optometric practice.