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.

Laser, Lights, Aesthetics!
Selina McGee,, OD, FAAO

Are you curious about how to blur the lines between aesthetics and eye care? Do you wonder what technologies are available to help expand what you can offer your patients? Or maybe you’ve invested in the technology but have scratched your head and said now what? There is a better way. This course will show what technology is available in a problem focused layout-from dry to rosacea and everything in between. What affects you can expect and how to set both you and your patients up for success.

  • Thursday, 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 5
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The Ocular Adnexa. Optometry’s Next Frontier
Selina McGee,, OD, FAAO

Eyelids are the curtains to the windows of the soul. The eyelids are affected differently than any other skin found on the body by numerous disease and aging processes. From lumps and bumps to rhytids and drooping, this course will talk about the what, why, and most importantly how we as optometric physicians can help our patient’s eyelids.

  • Thursday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 5
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Dry Eye and Contact Lens Wear
Melanie Frogozo,, OD, FAAO

Optimizing the ocular surface health improves comfort and visual outcome in contact lenses. This course will review current and forthcoming techniques that help prepare the ocular surface for these contact lenses. Case examples will highlight up to date techniques for managing dry eye and optimizing the ocular surface for improvement of visual outcome in contact lenses.

  • Thursday, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 6-8
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New Technology in the Dry Eye Space
Selina McGee,, OD, FAAO

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease with many different diagnostic tools and treatments available to the practitioner today. This lecture serves to outline the what, when, and how of choosing technology to help our patients who suffer from ocular surface disorders.

  • Thursday, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 5
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Scleral Lens Fundamentals
Kim Nguyen,, OD, FAAO

Are you interested in learning more about scleral lenses? If so, join us for an event where we discuss good candidates for scleral lenses and how scleral lenses will work. We will review fitting basics, and you will leave this event feeling confident on how to fit scleral lenses.

  • Thursday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 6-8
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InfantSEE Workshop (limited attendance – must pre-register)
Deborah Bernay,, OD Jenny Terrell,, OD, FAAO

The InfantSEE workshop will provide a great opportunity to expand one’s comfort level examining infants. The InfantSEE workshop will use research and techniques to make it practical. The workshop will make practitioners comfortable with the examination testing and diagnosing of infants. Each participant will be able to work directly with an infant.

  • Thursday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA/CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
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Cybersecurity
Peter J. Cass,, OD

This lecture will familiarize doctors with the data security risks facing practices. An overview of rules and regulations regarding protection of patient data will be discussed. Practical advice will be given on how to secure networks, computers, patient records, and data.

  • Thursday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 2 General/CPO
  • Sponsored by: Practice Compliance Solutions
  • JW Ballroom 6-8
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Don’t Let Your Lids Get You Down
Selina McGee,, OD, FAAO

This lecture provides the key insights regarding blepharoptosis including therapeutic versus surgical management. The course will cover causes of ptosis including neurological and even life-threatening presentations as well as differentiating ptosis from other conditions such as dermatochalasis. With a diagnosis of non-neurological associated ptosis, you have one of the newest prescription therapeutics at your disposable and we’ll delve into how the drug works in alleviating ptosis, when and how to prescribe it.

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

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
Scleral Lens for Advanced Ocular Surface Disease
Melanie Frogozo,, OD, FAAO

Severe ocular surface disease is a primary indication for scleral lenses. These large diameter lenses aid in therapeutically healing the ocular surface by protecting it from the external environment through enclosing it within a fluid reservoir. This course will review advanced fitting techniques necessary in order approach and treat these difficult ocular surface conditions. Detailed explanation will be given on the indications, examination, and designs for scleral lenses in ocular surface disease. Case presentations will highlight severe surface conditions.

  • Thursday, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 5
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Are we what we Eat? Myths and Lies from the AMA, FDA and Pharma Industry
Joe DeLoach,, OD, FAAO

This course will give an overview of the role nutrition and pharmaceuticals play in overall health. It will focus on the myths passed to us through the years, and what the true facts are regarding food and pharma.

  • Thursday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 6-8
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CPR: Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification
Marc Gustafson,

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/CPO
  • JW Ballroom 1-4
Management of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency with Medical Contact Lenses
Melanie Frogozo,, OD, FAAO

Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is a corneal condition in which the cornea partially or completely loses its regenerative ability. Extensive stem cell loss in the limbal zone leads to permanent corneal epithelial defects and vision loss due to conjunctivalization. Management focuses first on optimization of the ocular surface with surgical treatment in more advanced disease. This course will review current and forthcoming techniques for management of LSCD with an emphasis on contact lens management of this disease. Case examples will highlight up to date  techniques for management of LSCD. The benefits and limitations of these therapeutic treatments will be discussed in the context with the most current management trends and technologies.

  • Thursday, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 6-8
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Late Night Retina
Jesal Haribhakti,, OD, FAAO

This course will go through multiple clinical cases pertaining to ocular posterior segment disease. Disease pathophysiology, classification, and management will be discussed in grand-rounds style review. Understanding and correlating findings on clinical testing will be emphasized.

  • Thursday, 9:00pm – 11:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA/CPO/ABO
  • JW Ballroom 5
The Vitreous: Invisible-By-Design
John Nolan,, PhD

This course will demonstrate the link between vitreous antioxidants and vitreous floaters, and vision-related quality of life. The course will explain why patients can suffer greatly, even in the absence of obvious vitreous opacities.

  • Friday, 7:00am – 8:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Sponsored by: MacuHealth
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
Utilizing New Technology in the Management of Ocular Disease
Michael Cymbor,, OD

Technologies such as electroretinography, dark adaptation and OCT angiography are often able to diagnose ocular disease much earlier in the disease state spectrum. Dr. Mike Cymbor will discuss his experiences with these technologies.

  • Friday, 7:00am – 8:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Sponsored by: LKC Technologies
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Electro-Optical Synergy: Using Synchronized Intense Pulsed Light and Radiofrequency Energy to Treat Inflammatory Eyelid Disease
Craig Thomas,, OD

You will learn about the therapeutic application of intense pulsed light and radiofrequency thermal energy to treat inflammatory eyelid disease. Emphasis is placed on reviewing the different biochemical mechanisms of action for energy-based treatments and the various clinical benefits of energy-based therapies. Case reports and treatment protocols are presented using synchronized intense pulsed light and radiofrequency as the primary treatment option.

  • Friday, 8:00am – 9:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Sponsored by: MD elite
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Managing Your Patients Glaucoma From The Classic Case to the Conundrum
Justin Schweitzer,, OD, FAAO

This course will take the attendee through a variety of different glaucoma case presentations that the OD may encounter in clinical practice. Each case will include polling questions to challenge the attendee and create confidence in what options are available to diagnose, treat, and manage glaucoma patients. The attendee will leave this course with confidence to tackle any type of glaucoma patient that walks in the door.

  • Friday, 8:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
Specialty Lenses for Pediatrics: From Corneal GP to Scleral Contact Lenses
Melanie Frogozo,, OD, FAAO

There are many benefits, some life-changing, of fitting young people into contact lenses. In particular, gas permeable GP materials provide children with some of the best optics and health benefits available in contact lenses. This course will review a how-to approach for fitting GP lenses in pediatrics. Detailed explanation will be given on the indications, examination, and lens designs for GP lens fittings in children. Case presentations will highlight the utilization for both corneal and scleral GP designs in pediatrics including difficult cases such as traumatic aphakia and corneal scarring.

  • Friday, 9:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
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Minor Procedures and the Technicians Role
Peter J. Cass,, OD

This lecture will include BlephEx, thermal pulsation, foreign body removal, amniotic membranes, bandage contact lenses and punctual occlusion.

  • Friday, 9:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Sponsored by: Practice Compliance Solutions
  • Meeting Room 402-403
Billing and Coding
Craig Thomas,, OD

You will learn how to report medical services performed by optometrists. Emphasis is placed on understanding the patient care process and how it is related to the coding process. Examples of Local Coverage Determinations and Medical Clinical Policy Bulletins are presented.

  • Friday, 9:00am – 11:00am
  • CE: 2 CPO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
Lid Care in Eye Care
Luis Rojas,, OD

Gain a deeper understanding about the importance of the eyelid and learn the concepts and techniques to improve eye care through lid care.

  • Friday, 10:00am – 11:00am
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Sponsored by: Zocular
  • Meeting Room 402-403
Attacking Ocular Allergies: Current and Future Trends
Justin Schweitzer,, OD, FAAO

The overlap of ocular allergies and ocular surface disease is common in optometrist’s patient population. This lecture will help optometrists understand the most up to date trends in the diagnosis and management of ocular allergies allowing attendee’s to be prepared to end the eye itch.

  • Friday, 10:00am – 11:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
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Tips for Taking the Best Case History
Stephanie Schmiedecke,, OD, FAAO

When patients come to clinic, they sometimes want you to guess what they have going on and are vague in their answers to our questions. This course will help you uncover the problems your patients are having so that your doctor will think you are the Sherlock Holmes of case history!

  • Friday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
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Trends in Glaucoma: Current, New and What the Future Holds
Justin Schweitzer,, OD, FAAO

Glaucoma is a disease with many pieces to the puzzle of diagnosis and treatment. Current trends include new glaucoma drug delivery devices, new visual field technology, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, and new medication options. The future includes artificial intelligence and remote patient monitoring to decrease patient visits, but still allow careful monitoring for progression. Optometrists will continue to be front-line in the battle against glaucoma and many of these new technologies will assist in that battle.

  • Friday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
How To Be A Scribe
Andrew Kemp,, OD, FAAO

Learn about how to be an efficient and effective scribe and how it can improve healthcare delivery in your practice.

  • Friday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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
  • Sponsored by: Practice Compliance Solutions
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Ancillary Testing for Your Ocular Disease Patient
Stephanie Schmiedecke,, OD, FAAO

Ancillary testing in patients, particularly the patient with visual impairment can help guide the examiner as to what steps they will want to take with the patient when the doctor examination occurs. This course will demonstrate some of the common tests for ocular health.

  • Friday, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
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Technician Assisted Minor Surgery
Andrew Kemp,, OD, FAAO

Learn about the current surgical procedures being performed and how a well-trained technician can improve patient outcomes and increase patient efficiency.

  • Friday, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
Human Trafficking
Natalie Pirrone,

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
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
David Dinh,, OD, FAAO

Learn about the importance of meibomian gland dysfunction in its expanding role in dry eye disease. Get updated on the latest techniques, treatments, and procedures to combat this prevalent condition.

  • Friday, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 2 CPO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
How to get Along with Anyone – Anytime
Stephanie Schmiedecke,, OD, FAAO

Why is it that you can work well with some people and other people make you nuts? This course will help you understand why this happens. Harmony and success can be created with everyone you work with. How? By learning human behavior, your communication and personality style and identify the styles of others. You will learn how to communicate effectively, be more productive, and enhance your work relationships. You will also learn how to increase work efficiency by hiring the right people for the right positions, making this interactive lecture beneficial for managers and staff alike.

  • Friday, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 2 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
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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
Introduction to Dry Eye
Kyle Sandberg,, OD, FAAO

This course will cover basic dry eye and treatments.

  • Saturday, 9:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
Words Matter – Choose Wisely
Mary E. Schmidt,, ABOC, CPO

Have you ever felt tongue-tied when speaking with a patient? Have you ever simply not known how to respond to a question? Does the right phrase come to you seconds, minutes, or even hours after the patient has left the building? There are so many scenarios we can plan for and anticipate, and with practice, you will be ready to respond, if you practice and plan ahead. This program will give you real world scripts and phrases that you can use to communicate more effectively with your patient. You’ll know what to say right in the moment and convey your message clearly. This course will enable you to know what to say, when to say it and how to get your message through.

  • Saturday, 9:00am – 11:00am
  • CE: 2 CPO/ABO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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Basics of Refractive Error and Refraction
Kyle Sandberg,, OD, FAAO

Coming soon…

  • Saturday, 10:00am – 11:00am
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
HOUSE of DELEGATESPart Two: Business and Optometry Update
Jennifer Deakins,, OD, FAAO Tommy Lucas, Jr.,, OD

The 2023 Texas Optometric Association House of Delegates will offer optometrists and exclusive insight into the status of the profession in Texas. This session will allow attendees to hear first-hand what is planned for Texas Optometry and the upcoming legislative session.

  • Saturday, 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 2 General
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
Amniotic Membranes
Hadi Abusad,, OD

This course will highlight the indications and the applications of amniotic membranes in modern optometric practice. After taking this course, paraoptometrics will be able assist in the application of amniotic membranes and aid in patient management.

  • Saturday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
23 Life Skills Every Staff Member MUST Know
Mary E. Schmidt,, ABOC, CPO

Some things just shouldn’t be assumed and too often, that’s what occurs in day-to-day life. This course is designed to set a minimum standard of performance. It can be used as a guideline for new employees or a training tool for leaders. The purpose of the program is to establish a dialog between staff members and leadership. The workshop content will establish a performance expectation and allow for discussion and clarification.

  • Saturday, 11:00am – 12:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO/ABO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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What’s In the Bottle – New Rx Therapies
Damon Dierker,, OD, FAAO

This course will provide an overview of the clinical development, mechanism of action, indication, and practical implementation of new and soon to be approved pharmacotherapy options. Old drugs with new indications and new drugs for unmet needs will be explored.

  • Saturday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
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Tech in Eyecare: Technicians and Technology
David Dinh,, OD, FAAO

With the new advances in technology in eyecare, this course will discuss the vital role ancillary staff play in accurate data capture as well as patient education regarding diagnostic technology. A brief overview of the conditions which are diagnosed or analyzed with these technologies will be presented.

  • Saturday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 2 CPO
  • Meeting Room 402-403
Cherishing Change
Mary E. Schmidt,, ABOC, CPO

This course will assist you in developing and harnessing staff skills while helping your whole team experience skyrocketing morale at work. We will “help you help those” who have the wings but may not be able to fly yet. And your patients will let you know that you’re on the right track. When a practice continues to move forward, improve, and yes, CHANGE, you add value and depth to your bottom line.

  • Saturday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 2 CPO/ABO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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“Eye Know” – Trivia Party
TOA Panel,

Learn and participate in this game style session, with questions created by a panel of optometric experts. Gain information on a broad range of optometric education topics that include new and updated information as well as a refresher of basic optometry knowledge in a fun and lively environment. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

  • Saturday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
Pre-operative DED Treatment in the Cataract Patient
Damon Dierker,, OD, FAAO

Undiagnosed or undertreated ocular surface disease in cataract surgery patients is commonly encountered in clinical practice. This course will review appropriate preoperative diagnostic testing and basic to advanced treatment options to set your patient up for surgical success.

  • Saturday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
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Patient Workup: Beyond the Basics
Peter J. Cass,, OD

This lecture will cover the additional testing that can be delegated to staff to increase practice efficiency, provide more thorough care, and a higher level of care. Standard procedures, general guidelines, normal findings, and what to do when there are abnormal findings will be discussed.

  • Saturday, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
  • CE: 1 CPO
  • Sponsored by: Practice Compliance Solutions
  • Meeting Room 402-403
Orthokeratology: Reshaping Vision
Anith Pillai,, OD, FSLS, FIAOMC

We will review the architecture of an orthokeratology mold, including an in-depth look at topographical analysis and what the curves of orthokeratology design accomplish. The lecture will also cover troubleshooting common complications during an evaluation.

  • Saturday, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
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Time Management – As Time Goes By
Mary E. Schmidt,, ABOC, CPO

This lecture will cover the additional testing that can be delegated to staff to increase practice efficiency, provide more thorough care, and a higher level of care. Standard procedures, general guidelines, normal findings, and what to do when there are abnormal findings will be discussed.

  • Saturday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 2 CPO/ABO
  • Meeting Room 301-302
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AMD – How To Improve Outcomes and Help Prevent Blindness
Damon Dierker,, OD, FAAO

More than 10 million Americans have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While many optometrists diagnose and manage AMD patients on a daily basis, why is there such a huge variation in practice patterns? What exactly is AMD? When can we confidently make the diagnosis? What advice should we be giving patients if we use an evidence-based approach? How can we improve outcomes and help prevent blindness? This course will provide a comprehensive review of best practices for optometrists in the management of AMD.

  • Saturday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 2 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom D
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Utilizing Topography and Orthokeratology Designs
Anith Pillai,, OD, FSLS, FIAOMC

Course will review topography interpretation and utilization for Orthokeratology and implementing strategies for successful outcomes with topography based software platforms for Ortho-k.

  • Saturday, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • Lone Star Ballroom A-C
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When the SPK Won’t Go Away – Neurotrophic Keratitis Update
Damon Dierker,, OD, FAAO

Although considered to be a rare disease, neurotrophic keratitis (NK) in the optometric practice is more common than we think. Many patients with recalcitrant keratopathy unresponsive to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy may actually have earlystage NK. Identification and management of this degenerative condition will be presented and debated through the use of real-world case examples.

  • Sunday, 8:00am – 9:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 1-4
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Interactive OCT Grand Rounds
Damon Dierker,, OD, FAAO

Rapid-fire review of interesting retinal cases encountered in an optometric referral center. Advances in retinal imaging, differential diagnoses, and decisions re treatment and comanagement
with other specialists will be explored in an interactive session utilize audience polling through your smartphone.

  • Sunday, 9:00am – 10:00am
  • CE: 1 TPA/DPA
  • JW Ballroom 1-4
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