ASCRS swings into ‘Big Easy’ for 2016 meeting

New Orleans-Anterior segment surgeons looking for the latest specialty updates need look no further than the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

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This year’s annual symposium-the largest U.S. meeting that integrates a scientific program dedicated to the needs of the anterior segment specialist with a leading practice management program for comprehensive ophthalmology and subspecialties, according to organizers-will convene at New Orleans’ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from Friday, May 6, to Tuesday, May 10.

The agenda includes a variety of symposia, instructional courses, scientific papers, skills transfer sessions, and scientific posters, as well as several special sessions. Here are some of the planned highlights:

-ASCRS/ASOA Joint Government Relations General Session; Friday, 5 to 6 p.m.

“The Regulatory Process: The 4th Branch of Government” will be delivered by Jonathan Turley, JD, who is the Shapiro Chair for Public Interest Law at George Washington University Law School.

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A Constitutional law scholar, Turley will discuss what he calls the “rise of the fourth branch of government,” or an unprecedented increase in level of power now wielded by the executive branch through regulatory activity. Turley’s talk will explore how this regulatory power affects healthcare and other industries and what he believes should be done to remedy it.

-ASCRS Opening General Session; Saturday, 10 to 11:45 a.m.

This annual event will include Presidents’ Addresses by Robert J. Cionni, MD, (outgoing ASCRS president) and Kerry D. Solomon, MD (incoming president). Honored Guests include Paul H. Ernest, MD, and Hiroko Bissen-Miyajima, MD. This event also will feature the annual ASCRS Foundation Update and the ASCRS Ophthalmology Hall of Fame Ceremony.

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The annual Binkhorst Lecture, “Predicting and Treating Corneal Ectasia,” given by Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD, founder of the Stulting Research Center at Woolfson Eye Institute, also will be delivered during the Opening General Session.

Schedule

-The Sunday Summit General Session, Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon

The ASCRS Lecture on Science, Medicine and Technology, “Connect and Be Heard: Make a Difference in Health Care with Social Media,” will be given by Kevin Pho, MD, a primary-care physician who is also a social media personality.

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-ASCRS Innovators General Session; Monday, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

This session features innovative presentations followed by the 2016 Charles D. Kelman, MD, Innovator’s Lecture. “Search for Symmetry: Reducing Astigmatism at the Time of Cataract Surgery” will be given by Graham D. Barrett, FRANZCO, a clinical professor at the University of Western Australia and a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at the Lions Eye Institute.

-Films: These will be shown Saturday through Tuesday and are also accessible online. The annual Film Festival Awards Ceremony will be held Monday at 5 p.m.

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-ASCRS Ophthalmology Hall of Fame Exhibit: ASCRS has inducted 55 members into its Ophthalmology Hall of Fame for their contributions to the science and practice of ophthalmology. This exhibit features an extensive collection of photographs, books, personal effects, and other memorabilia associated with the 2016 honorees.

-Ophthalmic Photographers Society Exhibit: View images that demonstrate superior ocular imaging techniques.

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-Programming for Young Eye Surgeons: Several events are planned to help engage residents, fellows, and ophthalmologists in their first 5 years of practice. These include a symposium on challenging video cases, a symposium on phaco fundamentals, a special skills transfer session, and roundtable with experts.

-BOOST: Business Of Ophthalmology Standards: This is a selection of American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA)-designated courses that teaches physicians to maximize practice efficiency and profitability.

-Exhibit Hall: Interact with more than 300 industry exhibitors.

Pre-Meetings

-Pre-Meetings: On Friday, attendees can participate in pre-meeting programming, including:

-Glaucoma Day, sponsored by the ASCRS Glaucoma Clinical Committee to provide glaucoma management in the cataract and refractive context.

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-Cornea Day, sponsored by the ASCRS Cornea Clinical Committee and the Cornea Society to offer an overview of anterior segment surgery and corneal issues in cataract and refractive surgery.

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-ASOA Workshops, offering specialized training and leadership conditioning to expand career opportunities.

All require separate registrations.

-eyePAC Reception; Friday, 7 to 9 p.m.: All 2016 eyePAC contributors and their guests are invited to enjoy refreshments in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion at The National World War II Museum. View aircraft and vehicles from the amphibious landings during war and learn about American life at that time. RSVP required.

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-Derby Party: Saturday, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Watch the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby with colleagues.

-ASOA: ASCRS delegates’ registration fee also allows attendance to ASOA sessions. These include the Opening General Session and Celebration of ASOA’s 30th Anniversary from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday. Also, the ASCRS/ASOA Joint Symposium, “Collaborative Efforts with Payers: Friend or Foe?” takes place Sunday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

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