Real World Ophthalmology: Everything you need to know, but didn’t know to ask

The second Real World Ophthalmology virtual conference will be held on Saturday, April 2, from 8 am to 5:30 pm Central time, proving to be as informative as the inaugural meeting in 2021.

The best news yet is that the conference is free. However, space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Go to https://www.realworldophthalmology.com/tickets

The first 300 young ophthalmologists to sign up will receive a Real World Optho Care Package.

According to Lisa Nijm, MD, JD, the founder of Real World Ophthalmology, the second meeting will build on everything done in the first meeting last fall.

“An incredible faculty of 65 experts is coming together to share with the next generation of ophthalmologists the things that they wish they had known sooner,” she said. “This year’s meeting is crafted from feedback received from last year’s meeting.”

Meeting Agenda
Some fun events will kick off the day. Plan to participate in a scavenger hunt, pop-up ophthalmology trivia questions, Leader Board for rank participants, and a social media contest, according to Nijm.

Three keynote speeches are planned:

• Julia Haller, MD, will present "A conversation with the Ophthalmologist-in-Chief," during which she will share her pearls for servicing as the chief ophthalmologist at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia.

• Ike Ahmed, MD, will be on the hot seat. His talk is titled "Ask Me Anything," during which he will share his secrets to success and career building.

• Uday Devgan, MD, will deliver "CataractCoach.com: UnEdited," and then share his top pearls that he has garnered from the thousands of videos he has edited and answer questions from the audience.

Here is a sampling of the secrets that the national and international presenters will be delving into:

• What are fellowship directors looking for?
• Getting a job in industry, private equity, or opening a solo practice
• Clinical innovations in surgical techniques and products
• What do I tell a patient the first time there is a serious complication?
• Practice building
• Coding and building practices
• Advice on paying off loans, managing finances?

This year’s conference will also feature small breakout sessions with various experts to facilitate more intimate discussions about various topics.

Interested attendees are invited to submit their questions for the keynote speakers and any suggestions regarding topics they would like to see covered in the next conference planned for this fall. Access https://www.realworldophthalmology.com/contact-1 for this opportunity.

Attendees also have the opportunity to nominate exemplary ophthalmologists in training or in their first 10 years of practice for awards recognizing their contributions to ophthalmology. Candidates can be nominated at https://www.realworldophthalmology.com/awards

The new specific awards are the Inspiring Academic Leader Award, Practice Trailblazer Award, Humanism in Ophthalmology Award, Excellence in Community Service Award, Outstanding Patient Advocate Award, and the Visionary Award.

Nijm’s message to young ophthalmologists is to take destiny by the horns.

“You set your own destiny,” she said. “The more you are prepared to entire practice the more that can be accomplished. The goal of the conference is to provide everything you need to succeed in early practice.”