Renew friendships, expand perspectives

Academy 2010 San Francisco, the 88th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry, will be held at Moscone Center West, Nov. 17-20. Much of the format will be the same as in past years. The meeting promises lectures, workshops, papers, posters, and symposia from which attendees can gain up to 34 continuing education credits over the 4 days.

During pre-meetings and the core meeting, optometrists will have the opportunity to advance their clinical knowledge through hands-on technical practice and research and case history presentations. A number of esteemed physicians and researchers will present leading edge findings on such conditions as glaucoma, congenital achromatopsias, ocular emergencies, and contact lens complications, among many others. Optometrists also will gain insight into new techniques, strategies and take away practical guidelines for running their practices more effectively and efficiently.

If it sounds overwhelming, the academy offers a personal program tool on its Web site to help attendees easily select among the many offerings and to create a detailed agenda that can be printed or emailed.

Conference highlights

Wednesday, November 17

Whether you're a vision scientist, clinical optometrist, parent or patient advocate, this year's plenary session will grab your attention. Susan Wood, PhD, Associate Professor at George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services and Barbara A. Brenner, JD, executive director, Breast Cancer Action, two prominent leaders in women's health will discuss topics ranging from connections between "breast cancer therapeutic treatment and vision" to "how researchers and clinicians can affect the research agenda and, ultimately, health care delivery."

Thursday, November 18

The National Eye Institute created The National Ophthalmic Disease Genotyping Network (eyeGENE) to stimulate interest and involvement in genetic-based clinical care. Over the past 15 years, more than 400 genes have been identified that contribute to inherited eye diseases. During this symposium, optometrists will hear from speakers addressing molecular diagnosis, how eyeGENE can help, and future therapeutic options for inherited eye disease.