Special AAO Preview
New Orleans Nov. 12-15, 2021

The AAO’s annual meeting returns this year in New Orleans, after canceling the in-person meeting in 2020 due to COVID-19. It will take place Nov. 12-15 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all those registering for in-person attendance. Those who are not vaccinated can still join virtually.

Additionally, the AAO announced that the damage from Hurricane Ida will not affect the 2021 meeting. According to the AAO’s website, “The Academy is in contact with city officials and closely monitoring the recovery. Power has been restored to the convention center and to many in the surrounding neighborhoods. Continued infrastructure repairs will not impact the meeting.”

Highlights of this year’s show include:

• Subspecialty Day (Nov. 12-13). Subspecialty Day will consist of eight meetings divided across different subspecialties: cornea, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular oncology/pathology, oculofacial plastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, refractive surgery and retina. For detailed information on the events of each meeting, refer to the AAO 2021 website (tinyurl.com/evpu2r66 ).
• AAO 2021 Opening Session (Nov. 12, 5-6 p.m.). Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD, will give the Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture, and the Laureate Award will be given to George B. Bartley, MD, (the 2020 winner) and Michael T. Trese, MD (the 2021 winner).
• Instruction Courses. The AAO has eliminated the previous instruction course pass system to open more of the meeting to attendees. Now, an attendee’s registration fee will provide access to hundreds of AAO and AAOE instruction courses on topics including cataract, vision rehabilitation, practice quality, coding & reimbursement and more.
• Skills Transfer Lab. A series of hands-on learning opportunities will be provided to help attendees master new diagnostic and surgical techniques. These courses are open to all attendees; skills labs are ticketed events that must be purchased separately. Two new in-person labs will be available this year: “Mastering Childhood Glaucoma Surgical Techniques” with course director Alana L. Grajewski, MD, and “Corneal Neurotization Techniques” with course director Ilya M. Leyngold, MD. Available on-demand in the virtual meeting will be the lab “Deep Sclerectomy: Unveiling the Pearls,” with course director Ahmed M. Abdelrahman, MD.
• Named Lectures. Nineteen named lectures will take place over the course of the AAO meeting. For a full list, see the AAO 2021 website: tinyurl.com/n3zjdexk .
• Academy Café. Attendees can listen to expert panelists debate in informal sessions designed to encourage participation and questions.
• Learning Lounge. The Learning Lounge was created as a space for informal, small group discussions facilitated by experts in their fields.
• Closing Session (Nov. 15, 3:45-5 p.m.). AAO president-elect Robert E. Wiggins Jr., MD, will discuss his plans for 2022. In addition, a video discussion will take place between Michael F. Chiang, MD, director of the National Eye Institute, and Anthony S. Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, about what the future holds.

For a full schedule of events, visit tinyurl.com/2xwkuwfj .

A view of the show floor

As we return to live meetings, allow us to offer you this AAO booth preview to help you find your way around the show floor. Below, we have invited advertisers to submit a brief company or product intro along with a website and AAO booth number.

— Larry Patterson, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb is a global eye health organization with core businesses in over-the-counter products, dietary supplements, eye-care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens-care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Bausch + Lomb develops, manufactures and markets a comprehensive product portfolio within the eye-care industry.

Booth #3227
www.bausch.com

 

 

Bruder Healthcare Company

Bruder Healthcare, recognized in the eye-care industry for its doctor-recommended Moist Heat Eye Compress, now offers a new practice tool: the Bruder Sx Pre-Surgical Patient Prep Kit featuring Eyelid Wipes, pure hypochlorous acid spray and an enhanced Pre-Surgical Compress. Available for in-office distribution or online referral.

Booth #1127
www.brudersx.com/opm

 

 

BVI

BVI is a fast-growing ophthalmology business spanning over 115 countries and covering conditions such as cataracts, refractive error, glaucoma, retinal disease and dry eye. Visit the BVI booth to experience the company’s latest partnership on Beyeonics One Visualization System.

Booth #3253
www.bvimedical.com

 

 

Compulink Healthcare Solutions

With more than 36 years of experience offering ophthalmic all-in-one EHR and practice management solutions, Compulink’s Advantage SMART Practice uses artificial intelligence to improve clinical and financial results. Designed to effectively use a physician’s time with patients, Advantage includes tools needed to optimize workflow including EHR, PM, ASC, patient engagement and RCM.

Booth #645
www.compulinkadvantage.com/ophthalmology

 

 

Diamatrix

Diamatrix is a family owned and operated company that provides quality, value and innovation to ophthalmic surgeons and their patients. Diamatrix offers a variety of incisional instruments, diamond knives, guarded and unguarded stainless steel knives, suture and punctal plugs. Diamatrix will feature a “Punch and Rescue” technique using its newest device, the Micheletti Trephine.

Booth #2609
www.diamatrix.com

 

 

Haag-Streit

For over 160 years, Haag-Streit has been a leading provider of medical equipment for ophthalmologists. This experience is the company’s foundation for developing, designing and producing high-quality medical instruments and equipment. From slit lamps to surgical microscopes, digital imaging to procedure chairs, Haag-Streit emphasizes precision mechanics and innovative technology.

Booth #4323
www.haag-streit-usa.com

 

 

ImprimisRx

ImprimisRx is committed to earning medical professionals’ trust every day by providing quality medications and exceptional service. The company backs this commitment up with a 100% money back guarantee on every order placed with its 503B FDA-Registered Outsourcing Facility and 503A Patient Specific Pharmacy.

Booth #5045
www.imprimisrx.com

 

 

Iridex

Iridex provides an array of established, laser-based procedures that expand ways to manage, preserve and prolong vision. Visit the Iridex booth to learn about advances in MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy (eg, parameters, revised probe, dosimetry), get demos of its latest products (eg, PASCAL Synthesis Photocoagulator) and to speak with ophthalmologists in one-on-one conversations about their experiences and outcomes.

Booth #844
www.iridex.com/aao

 

 

Kala

Kala is a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapies for diseases of the eye. Kala has applied its AMPPLIFY Drug Delivery Technology to two ocular therapies: EYSUVIS (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension) 0.25% and INVELTYS (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension) 1%. The company also has a pipeline of proprietary NCE development programs.

Booth #4929
www.KalaRx.com

 

 

Leiters

Leiters is an FDA-registered 503B outsourcing provider of quality compounded sterile preparations and pharmacy services. Leiters offers an FDA-Compliant Repackaged Avastin service as well as a variety of ready-to-use ophthalmic medications, including injections, antibiotics, dilating agents and topical anesthetics for physicians and their patients.

www.leiters.com

 

 

Lumenis

Lumenis presents the first IPL FDA-approved for dry eye. Experience OptiLight — a bright solution for dry eyes — and meet with doctors and experts at Lumenis’ AAO events. Also featured: Digital Duet, reimagining glaucoma laser therapy through the first and only digital SLT/YAG platform.

Booth #1945
www.lumenis.com

 

 

M&S Technologies

M&S Technologies has introduced its new virtual reality testing system ­— the Smart System VR Headset. Using M&S Technologies’ proven software, the headset helps eye-care professionals improve accuracy, efficiency and flexibility, while improving the examination experience for patients.

Booth #2820
www.mstech-eyes.com

 

 

Modernizing Medicine

The modmed Ophthalmology suite is a cloud-based, all-in-one software solution that assists practices by amplifying the entire healthcare experience through innovation, offering intelligence that automatically anticipates a practice’s next move, providing data insights through premium analytics that help inform decision-making and efficiently delivering dynamic patient experiences.

Booth #4828
www.modmed.com/ophth

 

 

New World Medical

The KDB GLIDE device improves on New World Medical’s Kahook Dual Blade technology by adding new features. A rounded heel, tapered sides and a smaller footplate deliver optimal interface with the canal of Schlemm, permitting a precise excision with the instrument’s dual blades, even in variable anatomy.

Booth #4638
www.newworldmedical.com/kdb-glide

 

 

Nextech

Nextech’s ophthalmology-specific EHR, IntelleChartPRO, helps improve patient care, simplifies compliance and comes fully integrated with a user-friendly Practice Management solution. Features include adaptable templates and intuitive workflows that streamline operations, improve performance and help to grow practices. Visit www.nextech.com to learn more.

Booth #4023
landing.nextech.com/aao-2021

 

 

OCULUS

OCULUS has been serving the eye care industry since 1895. The company’s range of products include the Pentacam, perimeters, topographers, pachymeters, autorefractors, keratometers, etc. Visit its booth to see the New Pentacam AXL Wave with wavefront aberrometry, objective refraction, retroillumination, optical biometry and scheimpflug-based tomography.

Booth #544
www.pentacam.com/axl-wave/us/public/index.php

 

 

OCuSOFT

Since 1986 OCuSOFT, most recognized for its doctor-recommended brand of eyelid cleansers, has served the ophthalmic community with a unique selection of proprietary brands including OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Eyelid Cleansers and OCuSOFT Thermal 1-Touch Localized Heat Therapy. Visit the OCuSOFT booth to learn more.

Booth #3321
www.ocusoft.com

 

 

Olleyes

The Olleyes VisuALL VRP is designed to improve every aspect of visual testing: from patient experience and clinical results to practice efficiency and overhead. Olleyes makes intuitive, easy-to-use products, equipped with artificial intelligence, virtual reality and proprietary algorithms to make eye evaluation faster and more reliable.

Booth #5155
www.olleyes.com

 

 

Optos

Optos’ optomap offers ultra-widefield retinal imaging that documents 82% of the retina in a single capture, enabling doctors to more effectively detect and manage retinal pathology. Visit Optos’ booth to learn how optomap can improve eye care and help doctors save their patients’ sight.

Booth #2531
www.optos.com

 

 

Quantel Medical

Quantel Medical’s ABSolu ultrasound platform uses a new five-ring annular technology on a 20 MHz probe. The images thus obtained are high-quality, as the entire eye is now visible with an exceptional level of detail. This assists physicians in seeing more clearly and diagnosing more confidently.

Booth #1355
www.quantel-medical.com

 

 

RxSight

RxSight has developed the first FDA-approved IOL that is adjusted post-operatively to improve uncorrected visual acuity. Visit RxSight’s booth at AAO 2021 to learn how surgeons are improving precision and adjustability with the Light Adjustable Lens and Light Delivery Device.

Booth #5145
www.rxsight.com

 

 

Topcon

Topcon Healthcare’s goal is to empower providers with smart, value-driven and efficient technologies for enhanced care. Keeping pace with the ever-changing landscape of the healthcare industry, Topcon Healthcare offers the latest integrated solutions including advanced multimodal imaging, vendor-neutral data management, automated refraction solutions and ground-breaking remote diagnostic technology.

Booth #2245
www.topconhealthcare.com

 

 

Ziemer USA

Ziemer USA helps practices improve patient care with its latest femtosecond lasers and diagnostic devices. The FEMTO LDV Z8 offers multiple refractive, cataract and therapeutic procedures in one platform to provide a seamless procedure for physicians and patients. The Galilei G6 is the all-in-one device for a practice’s surgical planning needs.

Booth #1045
www.ziemerusa.com