The Orthokeratology Academy of America 

& The Exodus Group

Present

“Reshaping the World” and “Practice Smarter Not Harder"

A Synergy Seminar 

(19.5 Cope Hours Pending) 

                Hilton Metro Little Rock, AR             

October 23rd, 24th & 25th,  2008

The Agenda

Thursday, October 23rd

7:00 - 8:00    Breakfast provided

8:00 - 9:30   Welcome: Cary Herzberg, O.D., FOAA and Joe Collins, O.D., FAAO, FOAA

Opening remarks & panel on survey of Ortho-K Lenses: A panel of experienced Ortho-K fitters will each present the highlights of their favorite corneal reshaping lens. Lenses include BE Retainer, Context OK, Euclid Emerald,Fargo, Vipok, Paragon CRT, Wave and others.

9:30 –10:30   Initial factors in achieving success- how to select good Ortho-K candidates: (Gary White, O.D.,FOAA) How various patient characteristics influence your successful Ortho-K outcome. We will discuss how age, corneal thickness, Rx, topography, K’s, corneal desiccation, IOP, pupil size, medications, previous/current contact lens wear affect your success. This course is designed to increase your success rate and help you avoid failure by choosing the appropriate candidates.

10:30 - 11:00  Break

11:00 - 12:00  Presenting the Ortho-K concept as a treatment option to a potential candidate: (John Abdella, O.D., FOAA) You will learn how to make a convincing well-packaged presentation to your prospective Ortho-K patients. Ortho-K is an expensive proposal for most patients. A polished and well-rehearsed script is needed to educate them in its potential benefits. We will employ the use of role-playing (voluntary) to demonstrate effective presentation and closing techniques.

12:00 - 1:00  Lunch provided

1:00 - 2:00    Video Wet Lab part 1, Assessing the fit: (Bruce Williams,O.D., FOAA) Participants will view four patients during the initial fitting process. Their initial topographic maps will be evaluated, lenses placed on the eyes and fitting characteristics discussed. At the end of this process, these patients will be evaluated by video slit lamp after sleeping with the lenses.

2:00 - 3:30   Dispensing the Ortho-k Lens . Protect yourself, protect your patient: (Rob Gerowitz, O.D., FOAA) It is essential to educate the patient in the wear and care of Ortho-K lenses. Failure to do so can result in harm to their vision and potential liability. You will learn various techniques for increasing hygiene and lens cleaning compliance. In addition, a good solid contract is needed to specify the responsibilities of both the patient and doctor. Several Ortho-K contracts will be discussed.

3:30 - 4:00  Break

4:00 - 6:00  Video Wet Lab part 2 – assessing the fit: (Bruce Williams, O.D., FOAA) The on-eye post wear lens/cornea relationship will be evaluated. Then the lenses will be removed, acuities and maps will be taken. These maps will then be evaluated for appropriate fitting qualities. The overall outcome will be discussed with suggestions for improvement.

Friday, October 24th  

7:00 - 8:00    Breakfast provided

8:00 - 10:00 Troubleshooting by symptoms and topos: (Eddie Chow, O.D., FOAA) More advanced slides (maps and NAFL biomicroscopy) will be used to identify the quality and fitting characteristics of an Ortho-k lens. Remedies will be offered.

10:00 - 10:30 Break

10:30 - 12:00 Creating an Ortho-K machine: (Caroline Guerrero Cauchi, O.D., FOAA) Effectively introducing Ortho-K in to your office will require staff training, marketing materials and new procedures. Learn how to put this machine in to place.

12:00 - 1:00  Lunch provided

1:00 - 5:00    Exhibit Time

Saturday, October 25th

7:00 - 8:00    Breakfast provided

8:00 - 10:00  Managing Complications of Progressive Spectacle Lenses: (Peter Shaw, O.D.) Accurate placement of the major reference point and selection of the most appropriate lens design enhance the adaptation and effectiveness for your patients vision needs. The effect of face form angle, abbe value, pantoscopic angle, corridor length, prescribed prism and frame selection will be presented. Methods including the use of computer software will demonstrate the concepts treatment options.

10:00 - 12:00 Diagnosis and Treatment for Dry Eye: (Joseph M. Dzik, O.D.) Dry Eye Syndrome is the most common of all eye disorders, affecting approximately 20% of the population. Dry eye is a condition of aging, systemic disease, hormonal changes, contact lens wear, environment and medication. This course will alert optometrists of the vastness of the condition and offer guidance on how to recognized symptoms. In addition, it will identify medical conditions and medications that contribute to the problem. The lecture will give practical and useable guidance on how a doctor may treat the condition with punctal plugs when drops are not effective. A special segment will instruct doctors how to successfully code for maximum insurance reimbursement.

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch provided

1:00 - 2:00   Low Vision in the Primary Care Office: (Peter Shaw, O.D) New and traditional sight enhancement technologies are readily integrated into the primary care office. Optical and electronic devices are in the domain of the primary care practitioner to assist with patients suffering a host of ocular pathologies including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, visual field loss and others. Experiences gathered from 25 years and over 10,000 low vision patients will be presented with a review of preferences and effectiveness as well as counseling techniques for this growing sub-specialty.

2:00 - 3:00 Sports Vision Fundamentals in Primary Care: (Peter Shaw, O.D.) Geared towards the needs of the recreational and amateur athlete in the primary care setting. Sound clinical techniques and concepts will be applied to sports including baseball, basketball, golf, motor racing and international skeet. The concepts of “Quiet Eye” and “Pattern Recognition” will be introduced.

3:00 - 4:00 New Methods in Sensory Vision Assessment: (Peter Shaw, O.D.) A literature review and instructional session on new techniques in visual field assessment and contrast sensitivity in the primary care office. These new techniques can assist the practitioner in the early diagnosis and management of ocular disease.

4:00 - 5:00 Round table discussion of all speakers