The AAO’s annual meeting will take place Oct. 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The annual meeting will once again feature subspecialty day, named lectures, a range of sessions, skills transfer labs and more.
Attendees can refer to the AAO 2024 Meeting Guide (https://tinyurl.com/tfjnkf7a) to search the program and find meeting information.
For those who would like to attend the meeting virtually, refer to the AAO 2024 website (https://tinyurl.com/ynaxdcrp) for more details.
HIGHLIGHTS
This year’s show will include:
Subspecialty Day (Oct. 18-19)
Subspecialty Day will consist of eight meetings divided across eight different subspecialties, including glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, refractive surgery, retina (two days), uveitis, cornea and oculofacial plastic surgery. For detailed information on the events of each meeting, refer to the AAO 2024 website (https://tinyurl.com/zjjrxbz3).
AAO 2024 Opening Session (Oct. 19, 9-10:30 a.m.)
Mary Street Alinder will deliver the Michael F. Marmor Lecture in Ophthalmology and the Arts, titled “Ansel Adams: The Development of Vision.” Jasmine H. Francis, MD, will deliver the 81st Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture, titled “Histiocytosis Advancements Parallel Ophthalmic Innovation.”
Named Lectures
Nineteen named lectures will take place over the course of the AAO 2024 annual meeting. For a full list, see the AAO 2024 website (https://tinyurl.com/5n8dat7m).
Sessions
The AAO 2024 in-person meeting registration includes access to many educational options, including: 250+ AAO, AAOE, AAOP instruction courses and 65+ symposia, including the popular Academy Café sessions. Other options include original paper sessions, poster podium presentations, informal poster discussions, video program and American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses Program.
In addition, some learning opportunities will require an individual ticket that needs to be added when registering, including: AAOE Friday Intensives, AAOE Coding Camp, AAOE Fundamentals of Ophthalmic Coding, AAOP Friday Intensives, Skills Transfer labs or Subspecialty Day meetings. The AAO recommends purchasing tickets early as seats for these sessions are limited. The Academy will offer a virtual option to view sessions.
Skills Transfer Labs
This year’s meeting will feature in-depth didactic lectures and hands-on skills labs. All lectures are included with your meeting registration. The 40+ labs require the purchase of a separate lab ticket. The AAO recommends registering early, as many labs sell out. You can view sessions in the Mobile Meeting Guide (https://tinyurl.com/4rrh4ve9) by clicking the Program button on the homepage, then select Program Search. Choose Skills Transfer under the “Filter by Type” drop-down menu.
Saturday Night Celebration (Oct. 19, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at TAO Nightclub)
This meeting-wide party supports the Academy’s ophthalmic education initiatives. All AAO 2024, Subspecialty Day and AAOE half-day coding meeting registrants, including spouses and guests, are welcome. Exhibiting company representatives may also attend. Proceeds will benefit the Academy’s ophthalmic education, surgical coaching and mentoring initiatives.
ADDITIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES
In-person registration also includes access to several non-CME educational options in the Expo:
- Academy Resource Center, where attendees can get a free headshot, learn about clinical education, patient education and coding/practice management products. Get a 10% discount plus free shipping within the United States and Canada.
- EyePlay Experience, where attendees can play games, visit with comfort animals, get a free seated massage or give back to the community.
- Learning Lounge, where attendees can enjoy informal, small group-facilitated discussions led by experts in the field. New topics begin every 30 minutes.
- Poster Discussions, which are unmoderated talks with four presenters acting as both panel and individual presenters in a lively 30-minute session. The 3-minute presentations are followed by a brief Q&A with the author; attendees are encouraged to continue the conversation in the lounge area once the session is complete.
- Showcase Theater, where industry professionals and key opinion leaders will give 30-minute talks on the latest products, trends and advancements in ophthalmology.
- New Innovation Theater, located in the Innovation Hub, where exhibitors from early-stage and start-up companies will share their innovations in artificial intelligence, care delivery and digital health care.
- New Academy Theater, which will feature sessions on Academy education, advocacy and research initiatives.
AAOE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) includes a program tailored to the challenges faced by administrators and physician leaders. The program features expert-led courses, in-person networking with peers and valuable takeaways that can be immediately implemented in your practice. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n8k5x7t. OM
A View of the Show Floor
To help you find your way around the AAO meeting show floor, which runs from Oct. 19-21, we invited advertisers to provide their booth numbers along with a glimpse of their latest products and services. Below is a sampling of what to look for.
Apellis is a global biopharmaceutical company that leverages courageous science, creativity, and compassion to lead the development of therapies that target the complement system. Apellis is committed to addressing the unmet medical needs of patients and eyecare professionals worldwide.
Booth 4419 • apellis.com
Harrow is a leading North American ophthalmic pharmaceutical company with an expansive portfolio of products. Our commitment has always been, and will always be, to help patients manage the preservation of their sight by providing access to innovative and affordable medicines. Visit our booth to learn more about our full product portfolio, including VEVYE®, IHEEZO®, ILEVRO® and more.
Booth 3844 • harrow.com
HEINE instruments are manufactured in Germany, where we combine decades-long experience and craftsmanship with modern technology. We specialize in the development and production of ophthalmic diagnostic instruments. Whether head-worn or handheld, the entire HEINE product portfolio stands for highest quality to provide the earliest and most precise diagnosis.
Booth 2634 • heine.com/en_US/products/omega-600
iCare USA, Inc., is a trusted partner in ophthalmic disease management offering medical devices for retinal imaging, fundus perimetry, and rebound tonometry to aid in diagnosing and screening ocular disease. Visit booth 3826 to see what’s new!
Booth 3826 • icare-world.com/us
Nextech simplifies the delivery of excellent patient care for specialty providers. Our ophthalmology-specific software is built to delight eyecare providers and patients with next-level performance. Our comprehensive solution seamlessly integrates EHR and practice management technology to help practices of all sizes enhance patient care, streamline operations and thrive financially.
Booth 2308 • nextech.com/aao2024
Ocular Therapeutix, Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company committed to improving vision in the real world through innovative therapies for wet AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and other ophthalmic diseases. AXPAXLI™ (axitinib intravitreal implant, also known as OTX-TKI), Ocular’s product candidate for retinal disease, is based on its ELUTYX™ proprietary bioresorbable hydrogel-based technology.
Booth 5004 • ocutx.com
RxSight® has developed the first FDA-approved IOL that is adjusted post-operatively to improve uncorrected visual acuity. Visit the RxSight booth at AAO 2024 to learn how surgeons are using adjustability to improve patient outcomes with the Light Adjustable Lens® and sign up for a demo with the Light Delivery Device™.
Booth 3126 • rxsight.com
