WAEPS 2022 Ophthalmic Medical Personnel Program Schedule & Session Descriptions

Course Description: This course will discuss the basic concepts and types of glaucoma as they apply to preparing the patient for examination. Appropriate screening questions and procedures, including history taking, specifics of glaucoma. medications, visual field testing and optic nerve imaging will be discussed. The role of the ophthalmic assistant in patient education and support will also be reviewed.

2. Pharmacology Update 2022

Speaker: Martha Leen, MD and Paul Kremer, MD

Course Description: This course will provide an update on medications that are available for the treatment of both glaucoma and anterior segment diseases. Pharmacology indications and side effects will be discussed.

3. Leader of the PACT: Lean Approach to Improving Clinic Efficiency in Ophthalmology

Speaker: Matthew Parker, PhD, LSSMBB, PMP, CTC, COMT (F)ATPO

Course Description: Clinical efficiency comprises many organizational and individual standards. The efficient technician knows how to streamline and apply multiple skills to enhance the patient experience. This course introduces process mapping, competency evaluation(s), and organizational preparedness for demanding clinics. This course also recommends ways to improve professional and clinical relations where ophthalmic patient care remains the principal focus.

4. Cornea Case Studies

Speaker: Michael Banitt, MD

Course Description: This course will review and discuss five unique and interesting corneal cases demonstrating corneal disease diagnosis and treatment.

25. Workshop: Pentacam: Clinical Applications for Cataract Surgery

Speaker: Matthew Carver

Course Description: This course will cover the basic principles of Scheimpflug imaging technology, image acquisition, optical biometry, and clinical applications for cataract surgery and IOL calculation. The class will include both hands-on instruction and lecture. Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to understand the basic principles of Scheimpflug imaging technology and optical biometry, acquire images with the Pentacam, evaluate image and measurement quality and interpret maps and measurements pertinent to cataract surgery and IOL calculations.

26. Workshop: Cirrus HD-OCT: Best Practices

Speaker: Connie McKeehen, CCOA

Course Description: This course will discuss clinical applications of Cirrus OCT, review proper operation of the instrument and how to read more advanced analysis options. The course will focus on basic and advanced operator techniques and how to overcome difficult obstacles. It will also review the latest advancements in Cirrus OCT capabilities.

27. Workshop: Slit Lamp Examination Techniques

Speaker: Ryan Steck, MD

Course Description: This lecture and hands-on workshop will demonstrate techniques such as sclerotic scatter, direct and indirect focal illumination, specular reflection and narrow- vs. wide-beam illumination. Participants will have the opportunity to practice these techniques as they perform slit lamp examinations on each other. Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to identify the techniques used in a slit lamp examination and demonstrate the correct use of each technique.

28. Anatomy and Dissection of the Eye

Speaker: Matt Ricci, MD & Tracy Pitman, COA

Course Description: This hands-on workshop will begin with a brief discussion of the anatomy and physiology of the eye including the cornea, iris, ciliary body, zonular apparatus, crystalline lens, vitreous body, retina, choroid and sclera. Following the discussion, participants will perform a guided step-by-step dissection of a pig’s eyeball.

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9:40 AM - 10:40 AM

5. Great Expectations: Informed Consent - What Plaintiff Attorneys Don’t Want You to Know

Speaker: Dan Briceland, MD and Hans Bruhn

Course Description: This course discusses the importance of the informed consent process when treating patients and ensuring that patient expectations are in line with the information discussed and agreed upon by patients. The course will also discuss the basics of informed consent and how to handle special circumstances such as consent from elderly patients, for minors and the use of surrogates to make health care decisions. Real closed OMIC claims will be used to illustrate the liability risk if these issues are not handled properly.

6. Refractive Surgery Update 2022

Speaker: Audrey Rostov, MD

Course Description: This course will update attendees on the latest laser procedures being performed today for refractive surgery. Indications for these new procedures, surgical techniques, post-op management, as well as decision-making about who are good candidates will be discussed.

7. Evaluation of Disc Edema

Speaker: Courtney Francis, MD

Course Description: In the majority of patients with swollen optic nerve, the etiology can be established by careful history-taking and clinical examination. In this course, illustrative cases and discussion will identify specific features of common causes of optic nerve swelling, such as papilledema, pseudopapilledema, optic neuritis, and ischemic optic neuropathy. The course will describe a systematic approach to evaluation and management, including performing the appropriate tests, identifying patients requiring emergent management, and recognizing which patients will require referrals to specialists.

8. Pearls and Pitfalls in Assessing the Neuro-Ophthalmic Patient

Speaker: Steve Hamilton, MD

Course Description: This course will use fascinating true cases to highlight fine points of neurological history taking, checking acuity, color vision, ocular motility, and visual fields to avoid common pitfalls that can result in a wrong diagnosis or persistent visual loss in the patient. Bedside examination skills will be emphasized as well as use of visual field machines to sharpen the ophthalmic technician’s diagnostic skills.

29. Workshop: IOL Master 700: Best Practices

Speaker: Connie McKeehen, CCOA

Course Description: This course will review basic swept source biometry technology. It will include review of operator technique, how to ensure reliable measurements and how to troubleshoot common obstacles. An IOLMaster 700 instrument will be available for hands-on practice. IOL power calculation and formula capabilities will also be discussed.

30. Workshop: Manual Lensometry

Speaker: Stephen Carow, COMT, OCS

Course Description: This hands-on session will provide practical instruction and experience in the use of the manual lensometer. Tips will be given to help the technician as well as step-by-step tools in the skill process.

31. Workshop: Clinical Applications of the Spectralis OCT

Speaker: Cindy Armstrong, COMT, CMif

Course Description: This course will discuss clinical applications of the Spectralis OCT, review proper operation of the instrument and how to read more advanced analysis options. The class will include both hands-on instruction and explain and demonstrate the scan modes, analysis tools and techniques needed to produce high quality scans.

32. Workshop: Anatomy and Dissection of the Eye

Speaker: Matt Ricci, MD & Tracy Pitman, COA

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10:50 AM - 11:50 AM

9. Thyroid Eye Disease

Speaker: Shannon Robinson, MD

Course Description: This course serves as an overview of thyroid eye disease and its varied ocular manifestations. Course attendees will learn about the pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors, presentation, ophthalmic clinical features and treatment of thyroid eye disease. The course will also include a discussion of the medical and surgical management of this potentially sight threatening disease.

10. Mastering Refinement: The Super Tech Way

Speaker: Matthew Parker, PhD, LSSMBB, PMP, CTC, COMT (F)ATPO

Course Description: This is an intermediate course in both retinoscopy and manifest refinement techniques. Nationally, refraction is the number one skill required by most employers. This course allows the technician to take an advanced posture in diagnostic refractometry and fundamental performance of generating a glasses prescription.

11. Patient Evaluation and Selection for Intraocular Lenses

Speaker: Natalia Bajenova, MD

Course Description: The course will discuss both standard and premium IOL types, materials, design, and performance characteristics. We will discuss who would be ideal candidates for the various types of lenses, as well as who these IOLs would be contraindicated for. Factors influencing IOL selection for the individual cataract surgery patient will be reviewed including patient visual goals and ocular health.

12. Retinal Artery Occlusions: An Evolving Standard of Care

Speaker: Stephanie Cramer, MD

Course Description: This course will review the most common causes and risk factors for retinal artery occlusions in adults. It will also focus on the evolving acute management of these occlusions that has shifted from an outpatient work up to a retinal emergency that frequently requires inpatient admission and a stroke work up.

33. Workshop: Manual Keratometry

Speaker: Stephen Carow, COMT, OCS

Course Description: This hands-on session will provide practical instruction and experience in the use of the manual keratometer. Tips will be given to help the technician as well as step-by-step tools in the skill process.

34. Workshop: Basic Ocular Motility

Speaker: Claire Callaghan, CO, COMT

Course Description: This interactive, hands-on workshop will provide an introduction to and discuss the assessment methods for the basic evaluation of ocular motility and binocularity.

35. Workshop: Slit Lamp Examination Techniques

Speaker: Ryan Steck, MD

36. Workshop: Retinal B-scan Imaging

Speaker: Tracy Pitman, COA

Course Description: This course will include a discussion of the terminology and basic principles of diagnostic B-scan examination of the eye and will provide hands-on exposure in the fundamental skills needed to perform a basic B-scan. Attendees will have the opportunity to perform B-scans on each other and learn techniques to obtain an echographic picture of the globe.

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1:10 PM - 2:10 PM

13. Technicians on the Front Lines of the Uveitis Work Up

Speaker: Thellea K. Leveque, MD, MPH

Course Description: Who is the first point of contact for the uveitis work up? The technician! Learn how the proper recording of disease symptoms, general health and medication exposures are critical in solving these tough cases. Understand the impact of fluorescein dye, numbing drops, and dilating drops in altering the physical findings on slit lamp exam. Explore the medical significance of measuring refraction and eye pressure as a part of the uveitis work up. This interactive discussion will highlight the front line history and exam and the importance of the technician's role in the work up of suspected uveitis cases.

14. Chronic Dry Eye Disease: 80’s Dance Party Style

Speaker: Laura Periman, MD

Course Description: This course will explore the fascinating subject of Chronic Dry Eye Disease. Dry eye concepts will be presented through fun analogies and relevant, thematic musical highlights. Attendees will learn Dry Eye Disease processes and how to communicate with patients. Education and compliance issues related to the disease will also be discussed.

15. Glaucoma Management Update 2022

Speaker: Andrew Chen, MD

Course Description: This course will provide an update on the latest advances in the management of glaucoma. Medical, laser and surgical approaches will be reviewed including new glaucoma medications and delivery, laser treatments and MIGS procedures

16. Standardized Technical Examination: Before You Dilate!

Speaker: Matthew Parker, PhD, LSSMBB, PMP, CTC, COMT (F)ATPO

Course Description: Technician examinations are becoming more and more standardized within ophthalmic healthcare practices. This course introduces general examination competencies to enhance clinical efficiencies coupled with strategic and important awareness where dilation may mask important diagnostic information.

37. Workshop: Intermediate / Advanced Ocular Motility

Speaker: Claire Callaghan, CO, COMT

Course Description: This interactive workshop will review and discuss the assessment methods for intermediate to advanced evaluation of ocular motility and binocularity.

38. Workshop: Manual Lensometry

Speaker: Stephen Carow, COMT, OCS

39. Workshop: Slit Lamp Examination Techniques

Speaker: Ryan Steck, MD

40. Workshop: Anatomy and Dissection of the Eye

Speaker: Matt Ricci, MD & Tracy Pitman, COA

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2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

17. Thyroid Eye Disease: Orbit and Oculoplastics meet Neuro-Ophthalmology in 2022

Speaker: Jean Kassem, MD

Course Description: An update on the background, pathophysiology, and management of Thyroid Eye Disease. Medical and Surgical Management will be discussed, including the newest treatment modality.

18. Anterior Segment Trauma

Speaker: Lucy Yuan, MD

Course Description: This course will describe the classifications of eye trauma specific to the anterior segment and provide an overview of the treatment options available to manage different types of ocular trauma.

19. The Artist and Eye Disease

Speaker: Mike Brush, MD

Course Description: In this course the attendee will learn about the impact of different eye conditions on the visual perception of artists and how it affected their work. The attendee will gain a greater understanding of these conditions, their progression and the effect they have on a patient’s visual function.

20. Corneal Topography

Speaker: Miel Sundararajan, MD

Course Description: This course will serve as a guide to interpretation of corneal topography for ophthalmic personnel. This course will cover the principles of Scheimpflug imaging technology, image acquisition, optical biometry, and clinical applications for corneal evaluation, cataract and refractive surgery and IOL calculation.

41. Workshop: Cirrus HD-OCT: Best Practices

Speaker: Connie McKeehen, CCOA

42. Workshop: Clinical Applications of the Spectralis OCT

Speaker: Cindy Armstrong, COMT, CMif

43. Workshop: Manual Keratometry

Speaker: Stephen Carow, COMT, OCS

44. Workshop: Anatomy and Dissection of the Eye

Speaker: Matt Ricci, MD & Tracy Pitman, COA

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3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

21. Dermatology and the Eyelids

Speaker: Brian Roth, MD

Course Description: This course will help the ophthalmic technician become familiar with the common terminology used in dermatology and then apply that to skin findings of the eyelids and face. The course will also cover most of the important skin lesions seen in ophthalmology with an emphasis on recognizing premalignant and malignant lesions. Small doses of fun and laughter will be included.

22. The Root of Ophthalmic Dilemmas

Speaker: Matthew Parker, PhD, LSSMBB, PMP, CTC, COMT (F)ATPO

Course Description: Problem solving can be a daily activity in Ophthalmology, moreover, problem recognition is paramount. This course introduces general knowledge in Root Cause Analysis and Case Presentations of the rewards and discoveries that enhance patient and surgical care. Embracing a standardized methodology is a critical part in our everyday clinical activities and patient satisfaction.

23. The Red Painful Eye

Speaker: Ben Kuhar, MD

Course Description: This course will instruct the ophthalmic technician on how to obtain an accurate history on a patient with a red eye. That history will be essential in the triage and diagnostic processes. Examination of the red eye, the diagnostic possibilities, and the various treatment options will also be covered.

24. Complications in Pediatric Ophthalmology

Speaker: Michelle (Mimi) Trager Cabrera, MD

Course Description: This course teaches participants about common and unusual surgical complications in the world of pediatric ophthalmology to better recognize, triage and manage these challenging situations.

45. Workshop: Clinical Applications of the Pentacam for Cornea and Refractive Surgery

Speaker: Matthew Carver

Course Description: This course will cover the basic principles of Scheimpflug imaging technology, best practices for operation of the Pentacam system, and applications for corneal evaluation and refractive surgery. The class will include both a lecture and hands-on instruction.

46. Workshop: IOL Master 700: Best Practices

Speaker: Connie McKeehen, CCOA

47. Workshop: Slit Lamp Examination Techniques

Speaker: Ryan Steck, MD

48. Workshop: Retinal B-scan Imaging

Speaker: Tracy Pitman, COA

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