Courses

Courses updated every day. Please check back often. Course handouts will be made available as they are provided by the speakers.

  • OD Track
  • Para / Staff Track
  • OD + Para / Staff Track

Click on the course title to view details.

Landmark Trials in Glaucoma – What They Mean to Us Clinically
Eric Schmidt, OD, FAAO

Each month more and more studies around glaucoma are released, some of which provide valid data while others muddy the water. But there are 6 Landmark studies that have shaped our decision-making process around the diagnosis, early treatment, progression and choice of therapy in glaucoma. This course will highlight these landmark studies and discuss the data. A lengthy discussion will ensue as to how we, as clinicians, can put this data into practice to allow us to make better diagnosis and treatment decisions and provide better care for our patients.

  • Thursday, 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 5
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Detecting Progression in Glaucoma
Eric Schmidt, OD, FAAO

This course will delve into progressive glaucoma. Making use of clinical clues and risk factors the attendee will gain a clearer understanding of when the disease is not controlled and how to best react to that. Specific clinical findings and ancillary test results will be used to further our understanding of how to detect glaucoma progression earlier in the course of the disease.

  • Thursday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 5
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New Therapeutics for Clinical Practice
Eric Schmidt, OD, FAAO

This course will present pertinent clinical data on new therapeutic agents available to optometrists. Clinical indications and expectations of the new drugs will be shared, and the results of clinical studies highlighted. Expected side effects will be discussed and a lengthy presentation on how to incorporate these new agents into your clinical practice will ensue.

  • Thursday, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 5
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What Do Current Studies Have to Say About Myopia Control?
Yutaka Maki, OD, MS, FCOVD

This course discusses current studies on myopia control, currently available options, and effectiveness of each treatment option.

  • Thursday, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 6
Dry Eyes in a Hour – What Really Works
Peter J. Cass, OD

Dry eye treatment options appear limitless…which ones really work? What are you really treating? Our resident dry eye expert will focus on the facts – what really works from artificial tears to surgery.

  • Thursday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 6
Optometry’s Role in MS
Elizabeth Steele, OD, FAAO

Together with our expertise in examining the physical appearance of the prelaminar optic nerve, the technology of spectral domain OCT allows ODs to have a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis. It is well-known that based on autopsy studies and clinical examinations, most patients with MS suffer from optic neuritis at some point in their disease course. This lecture will update attendees on current opinions in OCTs role in early diagnosis, predicting disease progression and management of optic neuritis.

  • Thursday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 5
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First Aid
Marc Gustafson, CPR Resources

From bumps to burns and chest pains to choking, this class shares with you important steps that can make a huge difference in someone’s emergency.  First aid steps offered in a practical fashion that is sure to make sense.

  • Thursday, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 1-4
Improved Patient Care Through Lawsuit
Larry Oxenham, Author, Senior Asset Advisor

This course teaches proven and effective strategies to prevent and protect against lawsuits, allowing optometrists the peace of mind necessary to focus on improved patient care.

  • Thursday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 2 General/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 7-8
Prevention of Medical Errors – Avoiding Them and Facing Them Head On
Elizabeth Steele, OD, FAAO

Medical errors are an unfortunate but inherent part of any healthcare practice. Careful prevention is crucial, as it proper methods in facing errors if and when they do occur. This course will review terminology, ethics and legal implications, as well as documentation. Root-cause analysis will be presented as a source of prevention. Patient information, documentation and root-cause analysis of several examples of medical errors will be reviewed.

  • Thursday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 5
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CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification
Marc Gustafson, CPR Resources

This class covers how to perform CPR on infants, children, and adults in a practical and fun fashion.

  • Thursday, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA/CPR/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 1-4
Late Night CE: OCT and Retinal Imaging Grand Rounds
Elizabeth Steele, OD, FAAO

The ease of use, availability and accuracy of OCT has made it standard when managing many ophthalmic conditions. This course reviews commonly and less commonly encountered conditions in which OCT and other imaging modalities, including ultrasonography, fundus autofluorescence and OCTangiography, could aid in diagnosis and management.

  • Thursday, 9:00pm – 11:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 5
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Connecting Carotenoids from Skin to Eye to Brain: A New Vision in Optometry
John Nolan, PhD

Over the last decade, international optometry has introduced nutrition into clinical practice to enhance patient care relating to age-related macular degeneration and visual function for the general population. This course will cover the main aspects of macular health and function and how these measures are linked to macular carotenoids. In addition, using published studies, professor Nolan will demonstrate how measurement of carotenoids in the skin can be used as a marker of vision and brain health. In summary, the attendees will gain knowledge of how measurements of carotenoid nutrition in the optometry clinic, now possible by assessing skin carotenoids, can be used to improve visual function and brain function, with positive outcomes for patients and practice.

  • Friday, 7:00am – 8:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Sponsored by: MacuHealth
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
Modern Management of Diabetic Retinopathy in Primary Care
Chip Wood, Jr., OD

The incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) continues to grow in the US population. As such, Doctors of Optometry will continue to play an ever-expanding role in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of diabetic eye disease. This course will include an overview of the disease, its risk factors, co-morbidities, and ocular complications. Faculty will then delve into the latest in structural and functional testing that allow for more confident management of this sight-threatening disease. Finally, a case report will illustrate the fundamental steps to modern management of diabetic retinopathy in primary eye care.

 

  • Friday, 7:00am – 8:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Sponsored by: LKC Technologies
  • TBA
The Current State of Optometric Staffing
Kevin Gee, OD, FAAO

Where has the world gone to work? Does anyone still want to work? The current challenges in staffing have been quite prevalent in society since the pandemic. The optometric office especially suffers because we are both technical and service oriented. Integrating technology to maximize staff productivity is vital to staffing an optometric office. This course will discuss the current state of staffing, as well as practical solutions to maximize practice efficiency and patient experience.

  • Friday, 8:00am – 9:00am
  • CE: 1 General/CPO
  • Sponsored by: Weave
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Innovations 2024
John McGreal, Jr., OD

This class will discuss the latest innovations in ophthalmic & systemic medicine, and highlight the newest pharmaceutical agents, biomedical devices, surgeries, and more.

  • Friday, 8:00am – 9:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Sponsored by: Virtual Vision
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
Case History for the Paraoptometric Technician
Mary Kate Walters, OD, FAAO, DiplABO

A well-trained ophthalmic technician plays an invaluable role in keeping a practice running smoothly. Case history is a vital part of the optometric examination for each patient encounter; therefore, it is crucial for a thorough case history to be obtained while still maintaining efficiency to prevent the practice from running behind. This course will cover how to improve case history skills for both new and experienced technicians.

  • Friday, 8:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 2 CPO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
High Risk Medications
Michael Maldonado, OD, MBA

This lecture will discuss ocular side effects of commonly prescribed systemic medications. Optometric Assistants are on the first line of patient encounters and they provide much needed information for the managing Optometrist. There will be a review of several high-risk medications that a patient may be using that can many times affect the vision. The discussion will give insight on which medications have the most visual complications and how to properly discuss with patients.

  • Friday, 9:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
The Latest in Caring for Your Hypertensive Patients
Elizabeth Steele, OD, FAAO

Nationally recognized standards for the care of hypertensive patient care are updated annually, and often practically hard to follow. In addition to reviewing key features of current best practices, this lecture will summarize the latest guidelines. Case reports familiar to the optometrist will be utilized to emphasize crucial points in managing patients whose blood pressure is measure at critical values. Ocular manifestations at different stages of hypertension will be reviewed, including updates and clinical pearls for management.

  • Friday, 9:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
Love Your Eyelids: How to Promote and Preserve Eyelid Health
Craig Thomas, OD

You will learn about common eyelid pathologies and how to treat them. Emphasis is placed on screening and risk assessment, patient education, eyelid hygiene procedures and treatment interventions.

  • Friday, 9:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Sponsored by: MD Elite
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Differential Diagnosis of Optic Disc Edema
Elizabeth Steele, OD, FAAO

Clinical examination of the pre-laminar optic nerve is one of the most crucial aspects of the eye exam. With a list of differentials to consider, from benign to life-threatening, accuracy in diagnosis is of utmost importance. Through a series of case reports, this lecture will cover diagnosis, management pearls and other considerations for conditions leading to disc edema and pallor.

  • Friday, 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
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Ophthalmic Special Testing Around the Office
Jesal Haribhakti, OD, FAAO

This course discusses common ophthalmic diagnostic testing found across offices, the purpose of the test, and how to obtain meaningful results. By understanding these clinical procedures and recognizing testing errors – we are able to improve efficiency around the office and provide the doctors more meaningful information for quality patient care.

  • Friday, 10:00am – 11:00am
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • TBA
Basic Optometric Math
Lynn Lawrence, MSOL, CPOT, ABOC, COA, OSC

This course covers mathematical operations used in day-to-day assisting principles. It will also cover the uses of these mathematical operations and provides step-by-step mathematical operations.

  • Friday, 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 2 CPO/ABO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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The Silent Killer – Hypertension
Jesal Haribhakti, OD, FAAO

The prevalence of cardiovascular disorders are on the rise – the one that often tops the list is hypertension. This course discusses common ophthalmic findings associated with hypertension. Additionally, a brief overview of ophthalmic disorders and their management is covered in clinical case format.

  • Friday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
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Managing the Risks and Benefits of Pain Management With Opioid Analgesics
Peter J. Cass, OD

This course is required for any optometrists that prescribe opioids. The course will cover the history of opioid analgesic agents, issues with opioid overuse and addition, 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.

  • Friday, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA/Opioid
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Diamond and Pearls
Lynn Lawrence, MSOL, CPOT, ABOC, COA, OSC

This course is designed to educate the audience on how to work under pressure. It is designed to engage the audience and discuss current issues in the profession that are causing pressure within the work environment. This course is design for the entire staff, leadership, providers, and staff members alike.

  • Friday, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO/ABO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
Common Retinal Diseases That You Must Know
Michael Maldonado, OD, MBA

This lecture will discuss basic retina anatomy and common diseases that can affect patients in an all types of Optometric settings. Optometry can discover many medical conditions through the retina and this can be seen with a comprehensive eye exam. Many patients can go unnoticed far until there is advanced retinal disease which can lead to irreversible vision loss of vision. There will be discussion on retinal complications and common treatment options.

  • Friday, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
Human Trafficking
Natalie Pirrone, Poiema Foundation

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.

  • Friday, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
  • CE: 1 General/Human Trafficking
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
High Quality Lens Dispensing: More Than Insertion and Removal
Lynn Lawrence, MSOL, CPOT, ABOC, COA, OSC

This course is designed to discuss the Proper way to dispense soft, gas permeable, and scleral contact lenses. The do’s and don’ts of contact lens wear, proper wear, cleaning, different solutions, and techniques on insertion and removal techniques will be discussed. Current rules for contact lens prescriptions will be discussed.

  • Friday, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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Glaucoma Basics for the Paraoptometric
Michael Maldonado, OD, MBA

Glaucoma is one of the most common sight threatening conditions that can lead to irreversible vision loss. Patients can develop this condition without being aware until far along the disease process. This lecture will discuss basic ocular anatomy and how Glaucoma can develop over time. There will be overview on the progression of Glaucoma and its secondary vision effects. Glaucoma medications will be discussed along with modern surgical options that are now being offered.

  • Friday, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
No Wonder You Don’t See Well: How Eye Diseases Affects Vision
Lynn Lawrence, MSOL, CPOT, ABOC, COA, OSC

This lecture will focus on 20 common eye diseases and their impact on vision. It will identify the disease, characteristics of the disease and the effects of the disease on a patient’s vision. The course will also discuss clinical presentations and testing associated with the disease.

  • Friday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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Complications of Diabetic Eye Disease
Michael Maldonado, OD, MBA

This lecture will discuss basic retina anatomy and common diseases that can affect patients in an all types of Optometric settings. Optometry can discover many medical conditions through the retina and this can be seen with a comprehensive eye exam. Many patients can go unnoticed far until there is advanced retinal disease which can lead to irreversible vision loss of vision. There will be discussion on retinal complications and common treatment options.

  • Friday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
Come Taste the Education – Wine Tasting CE Event
Charles G. Connor, Phd, FAAO

Not all wines are created equal. While you’ve surely heard of the heart-healthy benefits of red wine, prepare to be amazed by a slew of surprising other health benefits from wine consumption. Come learn which wines are effective antioxidants and inhibit free radical formation as well as depress the bad cholesterol LDL and inhibit the destruction of collagen. This session will explain the benefits of wine and how it can help your patients.

  • Friday, 8:30pm – 9:30pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Professional Responsibility Course
Joe DeLoach, OD, FAAO

This course reviews important topics for Texas optometrists and meets the requirements for biannual license renewal in the continuing education category of professional responsibility or ethics.

  • Saturday, 7:00am – 8:00am
  • CE: 1 Ethics
  • Sponsored by: University of Houston College of Optometry
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Facilitated Learning Lab: Building A Staff Development Program
Lynn Lawrence, MSOL, CPOT, ABOC, COA, OSC

Onboarding staff is one of the most critical times after hiring. To have a successful team within the practice you must develop individuals and the team. We will have an open discussion with attendees on how to onboard, train, training needs, and how to get the new staff up and going. In addition, how staff certification plays a role in the depth of training and staff retention, and how continuing education helps a practice.

  • Saturday, 9:00am – 11:00am
  • CE: 2 CPO/ABO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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HOUSE of DELEGATES Part Two: Business and Optometry Update
Jennifer Deakins, OD, FAAO Tommy Lucas, Jr., OD

The 2024 Texas Optometric Association House of Delegates will offer optometrists and exclusive insight into the status of the profession in Texas.  This lecture will present an informational wrap up from the 2023 legislative session and future of Texas Optometry.

  • Saturday, 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 2 General
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
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Basic Optics and Refractive Principles
Lynn Lawrence, MSOL, CPOT, ABOC, COA, OSC

Covers basic principles in ophthalmic lenses and characteristics in myopic, hyperopic, astigmatic lenses. Basics in prisms, and the refractive qualities lens characteristics associated with the different refractive conditions that these lenses are used for. The discussion will include conditions and terminology used in ocular optics.

  • Saturday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO/ABO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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Working Together with Strabismus in Pediatrics
Yutaka Maki, OD, MS, FCOVD

One of the most prevalent ocular morbidities seen in children is strabismus and amblyopia. This course discusses commonly seen strabismus and amblyopia in pediatric populations, and their treatment and management.

  • Saturday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
Who Left You in Charge
Lynn Lawrence, MSOL, CPOT, ABOC, COA, OSC

This course is designed to identify traits of a leader and the value of leadership. It will assist the attendees in understanding the roles and requirements for leadership within any practice. The importance of being decisive and consistent will be discussed. The course will cover the key and critical elements of leadership: competence, soft, technical, and general skills, quality control mechanisms and how leaders can create a productive culture within a practice.

  • Saturday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 2 CPO/ABO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
Optical Coherence Tomography: Served Layer by Layer
Mohammed Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, Dipl ABO, ABCMO

This lecture delves in using OCT cross sectional and thickness map analysis as investigational tools in evaluating a variety of vitreoretinal diseases. Morphologic changes in vitreous and retina including optic nerve disease as well as choroidal tissue is examined in different phases of many conditions including but not limited to macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal artery and vein occlusion, peripheral retina and glaucoma.

  • Saturday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Working Together with Strabismus in Adults
Yutaka Maki, OD, MS, FCOVD

Although typically diagnosed in childhood, the risk of acquiring strabismus in adulthood increases as patients develop health issues (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disease, stroke, etc.), or experience trauma especially around the head or the eyes. This course discusses various strabismus conditions that can be seen in adult populations, and their treatment and management.

  • Saturday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
Employee vs Process
Lynn Lawrence, MSOL, CPOT, ABOC, COA, OSC

This course is designed to assist attendees in identifying and documenting key processes within an office/clinic environment. Attendee wills learn how to flow chart a process and identify when a process is failing or an employee is failing. This useful course will aid all office leadership in teaching and developing their staff’s knowledge on office flow and key processes. By the end of the course, attendees will understand the value of a process and flow chart.

  • Saturday, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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5-6 Imaging AMD: Review of Biomarkers
Mohammed Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, Dipl ABO, ABCMO

Explore the evolution of AMD imaging, with a focus on neovascular detection. Recognize the need for assessing dry AMD and the emergence of treatment, staging, and prognosis imaging features.

  • Saturday, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Transitions Certified Live (must pre-register)
Roxana Dreger, Ryan Parker, OD, FAAO

By attending this course, you will become a Certified Transitions® Specialist and expand your knowledge on the latest light management solutions to improve patient satisfaction. You will learn insights from industry experts on Transitions lenses and the latest innovations.

  • Saturday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA/CPO
  • Sponsored by: Transitions
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
A Crash Course in Diabetic Retinopathy
Mohammed Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, Dipl ABO, ABCMO

This presentation will concentrate on demography, pathophysiology, clinical findings, classification staging, and management of diabetic retinopathy. Imaging technology and artificial intelligence will be discussed as assistive procedures to improve disease capture. The barriers to reducing the disease burden are also debated.

  • Saturday, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Retina Masterclass: A Rapid-Fire Discussion
Mohammed Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, Dipl ABO, ABCMO

Collaboration and communication between optometrists and retinal specialists are extremely important in the management of vitreoretinal disease. In this lecture, an optometrist (OD) and a retinal specialist (RS) discuss steps from when the OD diagnoses a condition and refer the patient to the RS approach to manage the patient using various cases and clinical examples.

  • Sunday, 8:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 1-4