EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
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EW ASCRS•ASOA 2015 62 ASCRS•ASOA Preview • April 17–21, 2015 Ahmad K. Khalil, MD, PhD, Cairo, Egypt, will instruct "Surgery for Coexisting Cataract and Glaucoma: The Uneasy Relationship" from 8–9:30 a.m., which will focus on the various options for managing these coexisting conditions, featur- ing surgical video presentations and interactive discussions. In the afternoon, Bradford J. Shingleton, MD, Boston, will instruct a course on glaucoma in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, "Surgical Management of Cataract and Glaucoma: Special Emphasis on Pseudoexfoliation— How to Avoid, Treat, and Correct Problems." This course, which will take place from 3–4:30 p.m., will put emphasis on treating IOP, identify- ing and managing pupil and zonule issues, and correcting postoperative IOL problems in pseudoexfoliation patients. Paper sessions The meeting will also feature 2 paper sessions dedicated to glaucoma topics, with one session focusing on surgical outcomes and one on diagnostic techniques and mea- surements. The first session, taking place on Sunday, April 19, from 1–2:30 p.m., will highlight surgical outcomes in a variety of glaucoma procedures. Investigators will pres- ent research detailing outcomes of supraciliary microstent implantation in combination with phaco, IOP reduction after cataract surgery with trabecular micro-bypass devices, the effects of phaco time on IOP reduction, the outcome of placing multiple trabecular microstents as a standalone procedure, and more. The glaucoma "Techniques and Measurements" paper session will take place on Monday, April 20, from 1–2:30 p.m. This session will explore the use of sealant as an adjunct to conjunctival closure in filtering surgery, a comparative analysis of 4 IOP measurement tech- niques, IOP changes during inverted positions, thalassemia intermedia that "masquerades" as neovascular glaucoma, and more. EW by Lauren Lipuma EyeWorld Staff Writer issues regarding coexisting glaucoma and cataracts. Speakers will discuss the idea of cataract extraction as a primary procedure for both open and closed angle glaucoma, the best IOLs for glaucoma patients, combining phaco and endoscopic cyclophoto- coagulation (ECP), and femtosecond laser cataract extraction in glaucoma patients. Courses Those interested in learning about microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) can attend "Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery: Indications, Approaches, and Techniques," on Saturday, April 18, from 1–2:30 p.m. The course, instructed by Iqbal "Ike" K. Ahmed, MD, Toronto, will provide a framework for the use of microstents in glaucoma, including the iStent (Glaukos, Laguna Hills, Calif.). Faculty members will discuss new approaches and indications, specific surgical techniques and pearls, and complication manage- ment using multimedia, graphics, and video. Attendees will have another chance to learn about MIGS in the "Ultimate MIGS Triple Procedure" course on Sunday, April 19, from 3–4:30 p.m. This course, instructed by Parag D. Parekh, MD, MPA, Brookville, Pa., will feature a panel discussion of the pros and cons of the iStent + cataract + ECP (ICE) triple procedure and its place in the glaucoma treatment paradigm. Comprehensive ophthalmolo- gists who want to learn glaucoma procedures can attend "Trabeculec- tomies and Tube Shunts for the Comprehensive Ophthalmologist" on Sunday, April 19 from 1–2:30 p.m. In this course, faculty will use surgical videos to demonstrate step- by-step techniques of performing trabeculectomies and tube shunts with both valved and non-valved tubes. Faculty members will also dis- cuss how to choose the proper pro- cedure for each individual patient and the use of adjunctive therapy. Two courses on Monday, April 20 will focus on the surgical man- agement of cataracts and glaucoma. sessions are designed for both glau- coma specialists and comprehensive ophthalmologists, focusing on tech- nological advances in diagnostics, medications and laser treatments, pearls for surgical care, and more. Symposia On Sunday, April 19, from 8–9:30 a.m., the ASCRS Glaucoma Clinical Committee will present "Contro- versies in Cataract and Glaucoma," a symposium focused on the main Symposia and courses to focus on new technologies, diagnostics, and surgical management of glaucoma G laucoma offerings at this year's annual meeting include symposia, courses, and free paper sessions, as well as a full day of programming on Friday, April 17, at ASCRS Glaucoma Day. Glaucoma Glaucoma: Sessions you won't want to miss March 2015 ASCRS and JCAHPO collaborate on 2015 Technicians & Nurses Program A SCRS and JCAHPO will hold their 14th annual three-day Technicians & Nurses Program during the 2015 ASCRS•ASOA Symposium & Congress in San Diego. The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) will conduct the Technicians & Nurses Program that focuses on prominent topics in ophthalmic medical education. Leading edge faculty will speak on trends in cataract and refractive surgery, femtosecond surgery, pharmacology, glaucoma trends, surgical preop and postop care, handling ophthalmic surgical instruments, hot topics in Medicare, coding and reimbursement, imaging, and how to identify, manage, and care for unhappy or difficult patients. JCAHPO is the international certifying and continuing education agency for ophthalmic allied health personnel with more than 20,000 certified worldwide in one of the three core levels: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), and Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT). Karl Golnik, MD, MEd, JCAHPO president, said, "Ophthalmologists consistently state that their certified medical technicians contribute significantly to productivity and patient care by increasing the number of patients seen per hour, problem solving, and triage. The Technicians & Nurses Program is a valuable training opportunity to ensure that your eyecare team's knowledge and skills stay current on research, treatments, and technologies." The program consists of 36 courses, including an ASC track each morning, and offers the opportunity to earn a max of 18 CE credits per person. Continuing Education (CE) credit for select courses has been approved by JCAHPO, OPS, AOC and CA BRN. Additional Group B credits are available by attending physician courses/symposia/paper sessions at ASCRS that are designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. In addition to the JCAHPO-sponsored Technicians & Nurses Program, the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO) will offer a one-day COA/COT/COMT Certification Examination Review Session on Friday, April 17. EW