Eyeworld

UPDATE 13 Marjan Farid, MD, instructs at the femto station in Denver. Source (all): ASCRS "The interest level and en- gagement of younger surgeons are unparalleled," Dr. Yeu said. "We get to positively affect and build upon the surgical foundation and core skillset in our profession—advanced cataract surgery—and this spans from refractive cataract surgery to complex cataract techniques and now MIGS and cataract surgery." The meeting offers education from those in the know about what residents and fellows should learn because it's been designed by those on the ground themselves—resi- dents, fellows, and surgeons in their first 5 years of practice, according to Eric Donnenfeld, MD, Rockville Centre, New York. Dr. Donnenfeld is the program chair of YES Advanced Cataract Training. "YES Advanced Cataract Train- ing is a meeting by young eye sur- geons, for young eye surgeons," he said. "The planning and format for this meeting have been determined by the up-and-coming talented oph- thalmologists in ASCRS to provide the resources that are truly needed to be successful in practice, but may not have been covered during residency." The meeting content covers core topics including astigmatism management, advanced technology IOLs and the patient selection pro- cess, MIGS, and complicated cataract management, with the faculty in each subject area changing so the content is "fresh and innovative," Dr. Yeu said. "Thus, this is a great meeting to attend for the first time and may even be more impactful for the repeat attendee," she said. Registration for the YES Ad- vanced Cataract Training program is free for ASCRS members who are residents or fellows and $100 for practicing physicians. A $50 registra- tion deposit is required for residents and fellows to secure a space. That fee will be reimbursed upon verified attendance. ASCRS provides a stipend for U.S. residents and fellows traveling to New York from outside the area who attend both program days. The $500 stipend can be used toward travel costs associated with attend- ing the meeting, including 2-night accommodations at the headquar- ter hotel, coach airfare, train fare, ground transportation, or mileage reimbursement and parking, and meals not covered by the program. Dr. Garg, Dr. Yeu, and Dr. Donnenfeld encouraged residents, fellows, and surgeons in their first 5 years of training to attend. "The YES Advanced Cataract Training program will provide the foundation for young ophthalmol- ogists and those in training to be successful in advanced cataract and other anterior segment techniques in clinical practice," Dr. Donnenfeld said. "I guarantee that this is the one meeting that will have the most pro- found impact on improving patient care and meeting the visual needs of your patients." For more information about the meeting, including on registration and housing, visit the YES Advanced Cataract Training website at yesact. ascrs.org. EW Editors' note: The physicians have no financial interests related to their comments. Contact information Donnenfeld: ericdonnenfeld@gmail.com Garg: gargs@uci.edu Yeu: eyeulin@gmail.com ASCRS•ASOA member advocates lobby for key legislative priorities on Capitol Hill at 2017 Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In N early 50 ASCRS ophthalmologists and ASOA practice administrators representing 24 states took time out of their busy schedules to attend the Alliance of Specialty Medicine Legislative Fly-In in July. The annual advocacy conference brings the 13 medical specialty groups that make up the Alliance to Washington, D.C. to lobby for key policy priorities. Attendees met with their Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill to outline important issues and ask them to take action. This year's ASCRS•ASOA Fly-In group was the largest ever and included five ASCRS residents and fellows who attended via the second annual ASCRS Young Eye Surgeons (YES) Legislative Fly-In Scholarship Program, designed to enhance younger members' understanding of public policy issues affecting ophthalmology and provide networking opportunities with established ASCRS members, including leadership. Topping the list of this year's legislative priorities were (1) urging Congress to work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide regulatory relief from burdens associated with onerous program requirements related to such issues as prior authorization, sunset quality program penalties, narrow provider networks, and compounded drugs; and (2) asking Congress to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). During meetings with legislators and their aides, Fly-In attendees outlined these issues and shared personal anecdotes to illustrate how health- care policy affects their own practice and patients. In addition to meeting with their legislators on the Hill, attendees of the Fly-In were treated to an impressive line-up of speakers, including legislators and other health policy experts, who spoke on a number of healthcare-related topics. In addition to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tom Price, MD, this year's agenda included officials from the FDA and the White House, political commentator and TV personality Tucker Carlson, as well as Sen. Rand Paul, MD (R-KY), Reps. Phil Roe (R-TN) and Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA), and others. Be sure to check out the September issue of EyeWorld to read comments from Fly-In attendees and see photos from the event. EW

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