ASCRS 2024: 50 years and counting

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The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) will hit a historic landmark, the 50th anniversary of the organization, in a historic setting. Anterior segment surgeons are invited to the 50th annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, from Friday, April 5, to Monday, April 8, 2024. The venue is the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center located at 415 Summer Street.

“This year, the ASCRS Annual Meeting will honor the founding of this historic society, celebrate how far it has come, and continue its tradition of providing the best continuing medical education in the area of anterior segment surgery,” the organizers say.

The ASCRS Subspecialty Day starts the program rolling on Friday, April 5, with 3 programs scheduled: Refractive Day, Cornea Day, and Glaucoma Day. Attendees can focus specifically on one of the areas or mix and match depending on their interests.

Something for everyone in eye care

The ASCRS Main Program, designed for surgeons, provides them with more than 300 hours of educational opportunities. These include the ASCRS Main Stage events to recognize the early pioneers of ophthalmology and those continuing the legacy today, with preeminent named lectures and keynote speakers, innovative symposia, and meaningful awards and honors. Other educational offers include specialized symposia, courses, paper presentations, and skills transfer laboratory sessions.

The ASCRS Main Stage events are sprinkled throughout the meeting and will feature the Cornelius Binkhorst, MD, Lecture; the Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, Lecture; the Charles D. Kelman, MD, Innovator’s Lecture; The Best of ASCRS; awards; and honors. The program provides the dates and times for these events.

In addition to the in-person program, the ASCRS Annual Meeting has an on-demand segment. Registered physicians can gain access to more than 200 sessions, including ASCRS Main Stage sessions, symposia, instructional courses, papers, posters, and the 42nd Annual Film Festival Ceremony recording. The on-demand content is eligible for up to 32 CME credits.

The young eye surgeons membership category (YES) provides experiences and education specifically for young eye surgeons during the meeting. The organizers cite ASCRS’ rich history in welcoming young eye surgeons. The YES offerings include programming, skills transfer laboratory sessions, mentor meeting, and dinners with industry.

The American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA) Annual Meeting in Boston, designed for practice managers and administrators, includes educational courses, workshops, and interactive learning to advance professional growth. Scan the QR code at the end of this article to register for both ASCRS and ASOA annual meetings.

The International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, the international certifying agency for allied ophthalmic personnel, is sponsoring the educational program for technicians and nurses.

Fifty years of excellence

The organizers have scheduled special events to celebrate the ASCRS’ golden anniversary.

Special recognitions

The fun starts in the late afternoon on Friday, April 5, with a cocktail reception for members and exhibiting attendees. The event in the ASCRS Exhibit Hall will look back at the rich history of ASCRS and celebrate with cake.

Party like it’s 1974

The meeting will kick off with a night of fun and philanthropy. The ASCRS ASOA Party for a Purpose will honor the ASCRS 50th anniversary, so get ready to party like it’s 1974. The venue is the OMNI Boston Hotel at Seaport at 450 Summer Street on Friday, April 5, from
8 pm to midnight, with ’70s music and fashion.

Attendees can donate at this philanthropic event to support improving the world’s vision with the ASCRS Foundation.

Time machine

The organizers challenge you to step back into a practice from 1974, the year ASCRS was founded. “From the shag carpeting in the waiting room to the instrumentation in the clinic, this installation in the ASCRS Exhibit Hall will be a blast from the past,” they promise.

2024: A time for new events

A virtual meeting orientation, set for Wednesday, March 20, from 1 to 2 pm, will prepare attendees for the in-person conference by walking them through the virtual conference center, highlighting new additions to the meeting and offering tips to get the most out of the meeting.

A vendor showcase presentation on Friday, April 5, from 4 to 5:30 pm will give participants time to hear from the vendors and practice managers who use the vendors’ products to learn about practice streamlining.

Happy Hour With Exhibitors is Saturday, April 6, from 5 to 6 pm in the Exhibit Hall.

The ASOA Campfire Sessions on Sunday, April 7, and Monday, April 8, both from 9:45 to 10:45 am, are a cross between roundtables and practice management courses, during which a moderator will start a discussion of a topic and then start a conversation with the attendees. Locations are to be announced.