ASCRS descends on ‘The Big Easy’

New Orleans to host cataract and refractive surgeons’ annual event in May.

ASCRS/ASOA Symposium & Congress
May 6-10

The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Symposium and American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA) Congress will be held May 6-10, 2016, in New Orleans, La.

Here are a few of the highlights planned for this meeting.

Honored Guests

Paul H. Ernest, MD

Hiroko Bissen-Miyajima, MD, PhD

Paul H. Ernest, MD, and Hiroko Bissen-Miyajima, MD, PhD, will receive Honored Guest Awards at the ASCRS Opening General Session on Saturday, May 7. Specializing in cataract surgery and lifestyle lens implants, Dr. Ernest has been recognized for his innovation and dedication. Also, Dr. Ernest has been voted one of the top 100 doctors in the country several times over. Dr. Hiroko Bissen-Miyajima is department chair and professor of ophthalmology at Tokyo Dental College Suidobashi Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, specializing in cataract and refractive surgery. Over her 20-year career, she has become well known around the globe as a major investigator for multifocal intraocular lenses and for leading the way for femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. She is president of the Japanese Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. ASCRS President Robert J. Cionni, MD and incoming President Kerry D. Solomon, MD will present at the Opening General Session, and Dr. Solomon will introduce the awardees.

Kerry D. Solomon, MD

Binkhorst Medal

Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD, a physician-scientist, will be awarded the Binkhorst Medal during the Opening General Session May 7. Also, Dr. Stulting will present the Binkhorst Lecture entitled “Predicting and Treating Corneal Ectasia.”

Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD

Dr. Stulting, a leader in ophthalmology, is known for his work in the surgical management of complex cataracts, corneal disease and intraocular lens complications and for his clinical expertise in pediatric corneal transplantation. He has published the largest clinical series on the topic. Recently, he was principal investigator for a physician-sponsored clinical trial of riboflavin-UVA corneal collagen cross-linking, the first of its kind in the United States. Since 1975, ASCRS has awarded the Binkhorst Medal to a prominent ophthalmologist who has made significant contributions to the science and practice of ophthalmology.

Science, Medicine and Technology

Kevin Pho, MD

Kevin Pho, MD will deliver the lecture on Science, Medicine and Technology at the ASCRS Sunday Summit General Session May 8. Dr. Pho, a leader in the health care social media field, will present “Connect and Be Heard: Make a Difference in Health Care with Social Media.” Co-author of the book, “Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation: A Social Media Guide for Physicians and Medical Practices,” Dr. Pho is founder and editor of KevinMD.com, which Klout named the Web’s top social media influencer in health care and medicine and Forbes hailed as a “must-read blog.” In addition, CNN named @KevinMD one of its five recommended health-care Twitter feeds.

Innovator Lecture

Graham D. Barrett, MD

Graham D. Barrett, MD, an expert in cataract and refractive surgery and corneal and anterior segment disorders and surgery, will deliver the 2016 Charles D. Kelman Innovator Lecture at the ASCRS Innovators General Session on Monday, May 9. Dr. Barrett, a clinical professor at the University of Western Australia; a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at the Lions Eye Institute, and at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, both in Western Australia, will speak about: “Search for Symmetry: Reducing Astigmatism at the Time of Cataract Surgery.” Dr. Barrett is the founding and current president of The Australasian Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons and immediate past president of the Asia Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. He has received major international awards, including the Ridley Medal (European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons), the Binkhorst Medal (ASCRS), the Ridley Medal (Congress of German Ophthalmic Surgeons) and the Lim Lecture (Asia Pacific Association of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons).

Other general sessions include the ASCRS-ASOA Joint Government Relations General Session on May 6 with constitutional law scholar Jonathan Turley, JD, and the ASOA Opening General Session on May 7 with Mike Rayburn, CSP, CPAE.

On a statin? Consider taking a meds holiday

In this town, where good food is omnipresent, maintaining lowlipid levels isn’t easy. And we won’t help. Your restaurant guide is a (mostly) lifelong New Orleans resident, Kent Woynowski, digital assets manager at The Historic New Orleans Collection, located in the Quarter. Also contributing is local Nancy Wohl,* a patient of Marguerite McDonald, MD, a former NOLA resident.

The * indicates two thumbs up.

Antoine’s Restaurant, sometime between 1929 and 1940.

CAJUN & CREOLE

Antoine’s

Antoine’s is an experience not to be missed. In operation for 176 years, Antoine’s invented Oysters Rockefeller and still serves some of the best traditional French Creole cuisine in the city.
713 St Louis St.
www.antoines.com

Atchafalaya

Serving traditional Creole dishes, Atchafalaya is tucked away on the edge of the Garden District. Brunch on Sunday features live music and build-your-own Bloody Marys.
901 Louisiana Ave.
www.atchafalayarestaurant.com

Cochon

A bit of Cajun country in the heart of the city, focusing on meat dishes. Vegetarians will find limited options.
930 Tchoupitoulas St.
www.cochonrestaurant.com

Commander’s Palace *

Located in the heart of the Garden District, Commander’s Palace has been reinventing gourmet New Orleans cuisine since 1880. It has a dress code.
1403 Washington Ave.
www.commanderspalace.com

Dooky Chase’s Restaurant

Chef and owner Leah Chase is the standard bearer for traditional New Orleans creole food.
2301 Orleans Ave.
www.dookychaserestaurant.com

Galatoire’s *

Known for its raucous, well-dressed crowd and lack of reservations. Don’t miss out on the fiery spectacle of the Café Brulôt!
209 Bourbon St.
www.galatoires.com

Jacques-Imo’s

An ecclectic, energetic restaurant that truly reflects the neighborhood around it. Catch a brass band at the Maple Leaf next door after dinner. Expect a wait.
8324 Oak St.
www.jacques-imos.com

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen

Chef Paul Prudhomme was a pioneer in bringing Cajun cooking to the mainstream. His restaurant epitomizes what the world thinks of New Orleans cuisine.
416 Chartres St.
www.kpauls.com

Muriel’s *

Located on Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter, Muriel’s serves up contemporary Creole cuisine.
801 Chartres St.
www.muriels.com

Palace Cafe

This large, elegant yet casual restaurant features classic New Orleans Creole fare, right on Canal Street.
605 Canal St.
www.palacecafe.com

Tujague’s

Stepping into Tujage’s is like stepping back in time. This traditional New Orleans restaurant specializes in beef brisket with horseradish and shrimp remoulade.
823 Decatur St.
www.tujaguesrestaurant.com

Cochon, located in the Warehouse District

ITALIAN

Domenica

Located in the grand Roosevelt Hotel, John Besh’s Domenica specializes in adventurous pizzas and house-made cured meats.
123 Baronne St.
www.domenicarestaurant.com

Irene’s Cuisine

A cozy spot in the French Quarter is a favorite for locals looking for New Orleans Creole-Italian cuisine.
539 St Philip St., (504) 529-8811

Liuzza’s

Liuzza’s might be small, but it’s a wonderfully inviting neighborhood bar and restaurant serving traditional Italian red-sauce dishes.
3636 Bienville St.
www.liuzzas.com

Mandina’s

Take the streetcar up Canal Street to Mandina’s, a neighborhood restaurant for New Orleans’ brand of Creole-Italian cuisine.
3800 Canal St.
www.mandinasrestaurant.com

Pascal’s Manale

Well-known for its barbequed shrimp, but it also serves up delicious classic Italian fare. Don’t skip the oyster bar!
1838 Napoleon Ave.
www.pascalsmanale.com

Tony Angello’s

Since Katrina flooded Tony Angello’s with 11 feet of water, it has resurrected itself as one of the city’s best Italian restaurants.
6262 Fleur De Lis Dr.
www.tonyangellos.com

Vincent’s *

Vincent’s specializes in homestyle red-sauce dishes, with classic Italian bistro-style decor. It’s right on the famous St. Charles streetcar line.
7839 St Charles Ave.
www.vincentsitaliancuisine.com

OTHER

Ba Chi Canteen

New Orleans’ large Vietnamese population has made the locals fall in love with the fresh flavors of pho, banh mi and bun.
7900 Maple St.
(504) 373-5628

Cafe Degas

An intimate, romantic traditional French restaurant, Cafe Degas is convenient to City Park, Bayou St. John, and the grand homes of Esplanade Avenue.
3127 Esplande Ave.
www.cafedegas.com

Dante’s Kitchen

Nestled right by the levee in the Riverbend, Dante’s eclectic menu focuses on local seasonal ingredients while its unique cocktails are always a hit with tourists and locals alike.
736 Dante St.
www.danteskitchen.com

Green Goddess

In a city with very few vegetarian options, the Green Goddess shines in the French Quarter.
307 Exchange Place
www.greengoddessrestaurant.com

Herbsaint

In the Warehouse District near the Convention Center, Herbsaint serves up contemporary French and American cuisine, in a bistro setting with outdoor seating.
701 St. Charles Ave.
www.herbsaint.com

La Petite Grocery *

La Petite Grocery focuses on modern twists on classic French fare, with a dessert menu that’s hard to beat.
4238 Magazine St.,
www.lapetitegrocery.com

Lüke

Lüke is New Orleans’ favorite son John Besh’s French-German brasserie, serving delicious burgers, pommes frites, etouffe, cochon de lait, and flammenkuchen.
333 St. Charles Ave.
www.lukeneworleans.com

Patois

Patois focuses on classic French cuisine with a New Orleans twist made with locally-grown, seasonal ingredients. Their brunch is superb.
6078 Laurel St.
www.patoisnola.com

Ralph’s on the Park

Ralph’s on the Park’s balconies offer a fantastic view of the park’s vast expanse of live oaks and bayous.
900 City Park Ave.
www.ralphsonthepark.com

Restaurant August

The upscale and inventive Restaurant August specializes in fine new French cuisine with an outstanding wine list.
301 Tchoupitoulas St.,
www.restaurantaugust.com

Shaya

Perhaps New Orleans newest rising star in fine dining, Shaya serves a modern spin on Israeli classic dishes. Making reservations can be difficult.
4213 Magazine St.
www.shayarestaurant.com

Willie Mae’s Scotch House*

Some say that Willie Mae’s fried chicken is the best in existence. They’re right.
2401 St. Ann St.
www.williemaesnola.com

SEAFOOD

Bourbon House

With a classic marble raw bar and delicious bourbon cocktails, the Bourbon House brings a touch of class to the often raucous Bourbon Street scene.
144 Bourbon St.
www.bourbonhouse.com

Drago’s

Drago’s is famous in the Big Easy for its charbroiled oysters. Located at the foot of Canal Street, Drago’s is within walking distance of the Riverwalk Outlet Mall.
2 Pydras St.
www.dragosrestaurant.com

Felix’s

Skip the lines for a quieter oyster experience.
739 Iberville St.
www.felixs.com

GW Fins

The eclectic and modern menu of GW Fins is experimental without the pretension of haute cuisine.
808 Bienville St.
www.gwfins.com

Hana Japanese Restaurant

Located on the streetcar line on picturesque Carrollton Avenue, neighborhood favorite Hana serves no-frills, fresh, original sushi and sashimi.
8116 Hampson St.
(504) 865-1634

Pêche Seafood Grill *

Pêche provides Chef Donald Link the opportunity to experiment with fresh Louisiana seafood with a modern twist.
800 Magazine St.
www.pecherestaurant.com

STEAK

Charlie’s Steak House

At Charlie’s, there’s no menu and not much decor. There’s just exquisite service and fabulous steaks.
4510 Dryades St.
www.charliessteakhousenola.com

Crescent City Steaks

Crescent City Steaks has been dry-aging their own steaks on Broad Street in Mid-City for nearly 70 years.
1001 North Broad St.
www.crescentcitysteaks.com

Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse

In the French Quarter you’ll find Dickie Brennan’s, which has been serving up fantastic steaks for almost 60 years.
716 Iberville St.
www.dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com

Mr. John’s Steakhouse

Mr. John’s classic tile floor and wood-paneled walls make for an elegant dining experience.
2111 St. Charles Ave.
www.mrjohnssteakhouse.com