“Non-Invasive Nutritional Treatment of Vitreous Floaters: Evidence from the Lab and Clinic”
Saturday
7:30am - 8:30am

Course Summary:
1hr D/T
Supplementation with specific micronutrients can reduce the size and severity of vitreous floaters. This has been demonstrated in both a placebo-controlled clinical trial and now in the clinic itself. In addition to details of the scientific trial (including design, outcomes, and proposed mechanisms), attendees will learn about "real world" case studies and clinical experience with micronutrient supplementation for floaters in a patient population.

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Sponsored By: MacuHealth

“A Modern Approach to Dry Eye”
Saturday
10:00am - 11:45am

Course Summary:
2hrs D/T
This lecture will define dry eye disease and discuss a modern approach to diagnostic and treatment strategies. Case examples will emphasize clinically relevant information for the modern-day practitioner to appropriately address all multifactorial etiologies of dry eye disease and offer effective treatment options. Treatment options covered will include prescriptions, amniotic membranes, intense pulsed light, radiofrequency, and meibomian gland expression technologies.

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“When It’s Not Dry Eye: 5 Common Causes”
Saturday
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Course Summary:
1hr D/T
This lecture will discuss common anterior segment conditions often presenting with similar symptoms and clinical signs that occur with dry eye disease. Case examples will emphasize clinically relevant information for the modern-day practitioner to appropriately diagnose and offer effective treatment options. Treatment options covered will include topical and oral prescriptions, amniotic membranes, intense pulsed light, and surgical management.

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“A Practical Approach to Uveitis”
Saturday
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Course Summary:
1hr D/T
This one-hour course will review the risk factors and pathophysiology of neurotrophic keratitis. The presenters will review diagnostic techniques, as well as discuss the available treatment options, including autologous serum, amniotic membranes, and the newest and only FDA approved topical biologic, cenegermin-bkbj (Oxervate). Future treatments will also be discussed, which include MMP deactivating contact lenses, and corneal neurotization. Case presentations and live polling will be used to enhance the learning and discussion.

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“Ocular Emergencies”
Saturday
3:30pm - 4:30pm

Course Summary:
1hr D/T
This lecture will discuss common ocular emergencies that a primary eye care practitioner may encounter in a practice setting. Case examples will emphasize clinically relevant information for the diagnosis and treatment of various sight-threatening and life-threatening conditions

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“Patient Perspectives on Refractive Surgery”
Saturday
4:30pm - 5:30pm

Course Summary:
1hr D/T
This course is designed to help attendees understand patient views on refractive surgery. It primarily concentrates on dissecting recent literature that examine patient symptoms and complaints before and after laser vision correction. Attendees will learn which patient populations benefit most from undergoing refractive surgery and when recommendations.

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“Amniotic Membranes in Primary Care”
Saturday
5:30pm - 6:30pm

Course Summary:
1hr D/T
This course will discuss the types of amniotic membranes available, biophysiology of the membranes, indications, usage, management, and follow up.

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Sponsored By: Practice Compliance Solutions

“Advanced Glaucoma Protocols”
Sunday
7:30am - 8:30am

Course Summary:
1hr D/T
This course explains the stages of glaucoma and how to cater and treat empathically and aggressively. Real life case examples will be reviewed and presented to attendees as discussion points for illustrating the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges facing a busy practitioner.

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“Surgical Retina Updates”
Sunday
10:00am - 11:45am

Course Summary:
2hrs D/T
In this lecture, there will be discussion on the severity stages of numerous retinal conditions and how to properly be managed with surgical intervention. There will be insight on the surgical retina treatment that needs to be well known for a practicing Optometrist. Retinal diseases are complex and can progress and lead to irreversible vision loss if not treated properly based on severity. Many times, a patient may arrive too late and there are not many options to provide improved vision but rather options for pain. Having a broad understanding of proper surgical treatment done by retinal surgeons allows the Optometrist to be well versed in what is currently offered. This course explains several retinal pathologies and how they are surgically treated. Real life case examples will be reviewed and presented to attendees as discussion points for illustrating the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges facing a busy practitioner.

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“Medical Management of Diabetic Retinopathy”
Sunday
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Course Summary:
1hr D/T
This lecture will justify the role of the Optometrist as one of the primary care providers in patients with Diabetes. Many diabetic patients can go unnoticed far until there is an advanced disease process which includes loss of vision among other devastating systemic complications. Uncontrolled diabetes is a catalyst for a wide array of ocular diseases that will further complicate and risk the loss of the organ. There will be discussion and presentations on the proper management of diabetic eye disease in an Optometric setting. Interestingly, there are practice patterns that can be used; however this condition will not always be cookie cutter and will require the Optometrist to manage in their own algorithm. This course explains the stages and current treatments that are being offered in a most retina practices.

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“Human Trafficking”
Sunday
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Course Summary:
1hr General/Human Trafficking
This course is approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and completes the requirement all optometrists need to renew their license. This in-person course allows for Q&A opportunities not available when taken online.

“2023 Professional Responsibility Course”
Sunday
3:30pm - 4:30pm

Course Summary:
1hr Ethics
This course reviews important topics for Texas optometrists regarding recent or upcoming changes in laws and/or rules. The course is approved by the Texas Optometry Board and meets the requirements for biannual license renewal in the continuing education category of professional responsibility or ethics.

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Sponsored By: University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry

“Managing the Risks and Benefits of Pain Management with Opioid Analgesics”
Sunday
4:30pm - 5:30pm

Course Summary:
1hr D/T/Opioid
This course is required for any optometrists that prescribe opioids. The course will cover the history of opioid analgesic agents, issues with opioid over-use and addiction, the definitions and mechanisms of pain, and assessing patients in pain. You will learn how to create an effective pain management plan including, non-pharmacologic management, non-opioid analgesic management, and management with opioid analgesics.

Sponsored By: Practice Compliance Solutions

“Practice Misadventures”
Sunday
5:30pm - 6:30pm

Course Summary:
1hr General
What do you do when life throws the unexpected at your practice? How do you deal with things like the death of a partner, a natural disaster, frivolous lawsuit, or even being trapped on a cruise ship on fire? Learn practical advice for preparing for and dealing with challenges and threats that practices sometimes face.

Sponsored By: Practice Compliance Solutions