EyeCon 2025: Dr Joseph Allen on bringing a fresh, relevant perspective to his first EyeCon meeting

With EyeCon 2025 right around the corner, Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, founder of Doctor Eye Health, discussed his upcoming participation in the conference at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. The conference runs from September 26-27. As a first-time attendee and faculty member on the educational committee, Allen expressed enthusiasm about EyeCon's strong reputation and the opportunity to contribute to relevant, practical education that attendees can apply directly to patient care. Allen will be presenting 2 key sessions. The first, "Orbiting the Globe: A Comprehensive Tour for the Comprehensive Optometrist/Ophthalmologist," will cover hot topics in optometry including anterior segment care, dry eye management, new medications affecting the ocular surface, and emerging red light/photobiomodulation technologies. He's particularly excited about new presbyopia medications that differ from previous options and cutting-edge contact lens technologies.

His second presentation focuses on the ocular surface and cornea, emphasizing that every eye care practitioner must understand tear film and corneal health. Allen highlights recent advances in dry eye pathophysiology understanding through the DEWS III report, new treatment options, and the importance of better patient communication. He notes that patients often don't connect visual difficulties, like inability to read for extended periods, to dry eye rather than prescription issues.

What distinguishes EyeCon from other conferences, according to Allen, is its full integration of optometry and ophthalmology, reflecting the strong collaboration between these professions. This integration provides diverse perspectives and deep educational content from both specialties. For residents, Allen emphasizes the value of hands-on workshops covering advanced skills like scleral lens fitting, punctal plugs, and amniotic membrane procedures - techniques he learned post-residency that transformed his practice. The conference offers residents access to leading specialists and practical training opportunities often unavailable during residency programs.