How culture plays a role in patient communications

Presenters from AAOpt26's research symposium share their findings, applications for optometric practice, and goals for future study.

For Maria Sampalis, OD, implementing AI isn't an excuse for practice owners to replace their staff with new technology; it should instead lift the burden of certain tasks to make for more patient visits.

Walline, American Academy of Optometry president, shares this year's conference attendance numbers, clinical pearls, and what he hopes to see in 2027.

Thomas Wong, OD, FAAO, details a session he presented alongside Ronald Gentile, MD, FACS, FASRS, at AAOpt 2026.

Kevin Chan, OD, MS, discusses an AAOpt 2026 symposium on individualized low-dose atropine dosing for myopia and the FDA outlook ahead of the SYD-101 advisory meeting.

Raman Bhakhri, OD, FAAO, alongside Xiao Yu, OD, FAAO, discussed emerging investigational therapies for the disease during their AAOpt 2026 session.

Jamie Kuzniar, OD, FAAO, FSLS, discusses a case-based AAOpt 2026 session on scleral lens complications, fitting around cross-linking, and advice for new graduates.

Kwaku Osei, OD, PhD, FAAO, discussed patient-reported outcomes with a senofilcon C (Johnson & Johnson; Acuvue Vita), reusable lens, with the majority of wearers rating comfort, vision, and handling favorably.