2024 Learning Objectives

OAO 2024 PGC Course Descriptions & Learning Objectives

GLAUCOMA | WALLACE ALWARD, MD

Gonioscopy with Techniques for Difficult Angles | Wallace Alward, MD

This course will review gonioscopic techniques and concentrate on techniques to employ when the view is difficult or confusing.

  • Employ gonioscopy in evaluating every glaucoma patient.
  • Learn how to use the corneal wedge to identify the trabecular meshwork.
  • Learn to separate synechial from appositional angle closure with indentation.

Career Long Journey with a Glaucoma Family: The Story of Myocilin | Wallace Alward, MD

This presentation follows a family over 30+ years from first presentation to gene discovery and ultimately to using that discovery for better diagnosis and treatment of younger generations.

  • Understand the importance of genetics in glaucoma.
  • Anticipate the development of gene-directed therapy for glaucoma.
  • Recognize that the discovery of myocilin led to the development of highly effective interventions for juvenile glaucoma.

Trabeculectomy: Still an Indispensable Option | Wallace Alward, MD

While tube-shunts and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries have been important advances in glaucoma management, trabeculectomy should not be forgotten. Nothing else can achieve such low intraocular pressures. This talk will review techniques and complication management.

  • Recognize the importance of trabeculectomy.
  • Understand the place of trabeculectomy in the treatment algorithm.
  • Learn some technical tips for successful trabeculectomy.

Case Study: Thoughts and Rants About Glaucoma Management | Wallace Alward, MD

This case study will present rules and strategies for managing glaucoma patients, including target pressures, compliance, being realistic, etc.

  • Employ target pressures.
  • Set realistic expectations from interventions.
  • Understand the LIGHT Trial and its impact on the treatment algorithm.

UVEITIS | JOHN GONZALES, MD

Vitreoretinal Lymphoma: Past, Present and Future | John Gonzales, MD

Clinical and diagnostic features in vitreoretinal lymphoma will be presented. Available diagnostic testing will be reviewed and an introduction to novel diagnostic techniques will be presented.

  • Understand the clinical manifestations of vitreoretinal lymphoma.
  • Identify the diagnostic tests available for vitreoretinal lymphoma.
  • Identify pitfalls that can occur in diagnostic testing for vitreoretinal lymphoma.

Viral Anterior Uveitis: What You Should Know | John Gonzales, MD

Viral anterior uveitis should be considered in patients with uveitis. Clinical and molecular features of viruses associated with anterior uveitis will be discussed. Treatment strategies will be presented.

  • Identify the major viruses that can be associated with anterior uveitis.
  • Identify clinical features that are suggestive of a viral anterior uveitis.
  • Understand treatment options available for viral anterior uveitis.

Novel Insights into Infectious & Non-Infectious/Autoimmune Ocular Inflammatory Disorders | John Gonzales, MD

Uveitis specialists must distinguish between infectious and non-infectious causes of ocular inflammation to initiate appropriate therapy. In some cases, there can be interpretation of clinical signs or diagnostic tests in a manner that is not compatible with the actual disease process, which can cause delays in treatment or can be associated with exacerbation of the underlying disease process. Applying metagenomic sequencing to ocular specimens may provide additional information regarding pathogens or inflammatory processes that underlie ocular inflammation and allow for more initiation of more specific therapy.

  • Understand how infectious & non-infectious ocular inflammation often share overlapping features making clinical distinction challenging.
  • Identify situations where novel molecular testing, including metagenomic sequencing, can be useful.
  • Understand how to interpret the results of metagenomic sequencing for ocular inflammatory disorders.

Case Study: Dry Eye Disease is Not all the Same: The Spectrum of Dry Eye | John Gonzales, MD

This case study will explore different subtypes of dry eye disease, demonstrate the lack of a diagnostic gold-standard for diagnosing dry eye, identify tests and questionnaires that can be helpful in identifying different subtypes of dry eye, and discuss therapeutic algorithms to consider based on dry eye subtype.

  • Understand that dry eye disease encompasses a spectrum of ocular surface disorders without a diagnostic gold-standard.
  • Identify testing algorithms that can be used to distinguish aqueous deficient dry eye, aqueous sufficient dry eye, and corneal neuropathic pain.
  • Understand treatments that can be applied to different subtypes of dry eye disease.

OCULOPLASTICS | WENDY LEE, MD

Periocular Rejuvenation | Wendy Lee, MD

This lecture will discuss facial anatomy, the aging process, patient evaluation and available treatments for periocular rejuvenation.

  • Identify trends in facial aging.
  • Assess patients for aesthetic treatments.
  • Choose appropriate treatments for periocular rejuvenation.

Evaluation and Management of Eyelid Lesions | Wendy Lee, MD

This course will discuss characteristics of both benign and malignant eyelid lesions and will also guide the learner to choose appropriate management options.

  • Characterize and identify a benign versus a malignant lesion.
  • Discuss management options in periocular reconstruction.
  • Identify surgical options that will maintain the integrity of the eyelids and protect the ocular surface.

Protecting the Corneal Realm:  Eyelid Malposition and the Ocular Surface | Wendy Lee, MD

This course will discuss common eyelid malpositions and their effect on the ocular surface.  Attendees will learn management options to protect the cornea.

  • Identify common eyelid malpositions.
  • Summarize management options for eyelid malposition.
  • Assess patients and determine appropriate management.

Case Study: Expect the Unexpected | Wendy Lee, MD

This talk consists of case presentations that will discuss some anomalies but also common diseases and tips for recognition.

  • Assess patients and develop a differential diagnosis for a particular problem.
  • Identify management options for certain conditions.
  • Possess the skills necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY | PETER QUIROS, MD

Ocular Myasthenia Gravis – Diagnosis and Management | Peter Quiros, MD

Ocular myasthenia gravis often mimics many other conditions. In this course participants will learn about key signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing and approach, as well as therapeutic management.

  • Describe the pathogenesis of Ocular Myasthenia Gravis.
  • Compare Diagnostic testing.
  • Discuss treatment Strategies/ Goals.

Optic Neuritis – New Diagnostic and Treatment Paradigms | Peter Quiros, MD

Optic neuritis is more than just MS. It is important not only for the ophthalmologist to treat optic neuritis urgently but also to understand the distinct presentations of non-MS optic neuritis as these other types can have severe visual consequences if not identified and treated early.

  • Differentiate optic neuritis subtypes.
  • Analyze the changing epidemiology of optic neuritis.
  • Outline a diagnostic approach.
  • Compare therapeutic options.

Transient Vision Loss | Peter Quiros, MD

In this course we will discuss the definition of transient vision loss, its association with transient ischemic attacks, the risk factors for stroke, and management strategies.

  • Define Transient Monocular Blindness (TMB) and its association with Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).
  • Assess risk factors for stroke.
  • List management strategies.

Case Study: Headache and Eye Pain | Peter Quiros, MD

Headache can often present as eye pain and as such can be difficult for the ophthalmologist to diagnose and manage. In this case study course we will review cases and the features that signal primary headache as the etiology.

  • Outline an approach for headache history and examination.
  • Identify major categories and types of headache and eye pain.
  • Identify headache “RED” flags.
  • List diagnostic modalities.
  • List treatment strategies.

RISK MANAGEMENT | OMIC

Lessons Learned from Retina Claims

This course will use closed claims to illustrate safety failures and present tools for reducing the probability of such failures. Although the presentation will focus on lessons from retina claims, the risk management learning points (safety protocols in the OR and office to prevent wrong events involving medications; disclosure of unanticipated events; documentation; informed consent; communication among providers, etc.) are applicable to all subspecialties.

  • Identify factors that contribute to the failure of safety protocols.
  • Apply risk management measures to strengthen safety protocols and prevent errors.
  • Develop strategies for responding to unanticipated events and human error.