Current Concepts series focuses on latest info

In the continual quest for a better understanding of vision, the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, is presenting its annual Current Concepts in Ophthalmology series.

The series, directed by Walter J. Stark, MD, and Neil M. Bressler, MD, will be held Feb. 10 to 13 in Dorado, Puerto Rico, and March 13 to 17 in Vail, CO. A third Current Concepts meeting was held in December in Baltimore.

While the meetings offer similar educational and networking opportunities, the Dorado meeting offers 19.5 general-session continuing education hours and the Vail meeting offers 28. The category 1 credit hours may be applied toward the American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award.

Meanwhile, the 23rd annual meeting in Vail offers the opposite setting, at the base of Vail Mountain with 5,289 acres of ski slopes. The resort is 150 yards from the Eagle Bahn Gondola that carries skiers to the top of the mountain.

Both meetings include workshops on coding and reimbursement, wavefront technology, incorporating botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) into a practice, and an assortment of practice-management lectures.

Clinical updates

Wrapped around the workshops are hours of sessions devoted to updating the medical community on the latest advances in anterior segment and refractive surgery, retinal vascular health, macular degeneration, glaucoma, oculoplastics, and strategic planning.

A representative from San Bernardino, CA-based Corcoran Consulting Group will lead a hands-on workshop on new changes in coding, documentation, and reimbursement. This workshop will focus on coding for eye exams, consults, the proper use of modifiers, and coding for new technologies. Physicians also can take advantage of one-on-one meetings with a consultant.

Michael P. Grant, MD, PhD, and Shannath Merbs, MD, PhD, both from the Wilmer Eye Institute, will show how to use botulinum toxin type A for therapeutic and cosmetic uses in a practice. Dr. Merbs, who is a surgeon specializing in oculoplastic surgery, and Dr. Grant, director of cosmetic surgical services at Wilmer and a specialist in cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid, orbital, and facial surgery, will demonstrate patient treatments in their 90-minute session.

Because wavefront technology continues to pave the way for improving visual outcomes, an interactive workshop will be offered to guide physicians on its use for diagnosis, evaluation, and custom treatments, as well as how it can be incorporated into a practice. An hour-long workshop on the use of wavefront technology will be presented at the Vail meeting.

A complimentary financial seminar, "The Science of Achieving Your Financial Goals," will be presented at both locations by Grande Financial Services Inc. John J. Grande, CFP®, and Traudy F. Grande, CFP®, are frequent contributors to the Current Concepts meeting and authors of the "Money Matters" column in Ophthalmology Times, which also is sponsoring the meetings. The Grandes, based in Oakhurst, NJ, are certified financial planners who can offer personal financial advice for investment planning, estate preservation, tax, and retirement planning. To schedule a private, no-obligation session, call 800/722-1258.

Separate registration is required for the workshops and financial seminar.

Time to network

The meetings also offer unique networking opportunities. The Dorado meeting includes the Shotgun Golf Tournament on the resort's East Course and an evening "Reception by the Sea." The Vail meeting features the 15th annual Ronald G. Michels Ski Race and a mid-mountain lunch and didactic session.

Taking breaks from the sun or snow, spouses of attendees will find educational opportunities as well, with seminars offered at both locations. The topic is "Avoiding Financial Concerns through State-of-the-Art Technology." The Grandes will discuss how to keep control of your assets, how to create cash flow you can't outlive, the institutional way of selecting a money manager, and the importance of diversification and asset allocation.