Tech – 2026 Learning Objectives

# 1: Tonometry Techniques
J. Kevin McKinney, MD, MPH | EyeHealth NW (retired), OHSU CEI Community Outreach Physician Volunteer

This presentation reviews the major tonometry techniques used to measure intraocular pressure, from applanation to non-contact approaches. It emphasizes the key factors that influence measurement quality, including corneal properties, patient cooperation, and proper instrument technique.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explain principles of applanation tonometry.
  • Describe proper technique for commonly used tonometers.
  • Contrast pros and cons of various tonometers.

# 2: Glaucoma Fundamentals for Ophthalmic Technicians
Apoorva Chowdhary, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This lecture provides ophthalmic technicians with a foundational understanding of glaucoma, focusing on its definition, basic pathophysiology, and clinical significance. Participants will review the major types of glaucoma, common risk factors, and the importance of early detection. Emphasis is placed on the technician’s role in glaucoma care, including accurate intraocular pressure measurement, visual field testing, and patient education. The course is designed to build confidence and competence in the screening, diagnosis, and support of ongoing management of patients with glaucoma.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define glaucoma and explain its basic pathophysiology.
  • Identify major types and risk factors of glaucoma.
  • Describe the importance of early detection and ongoing management.

# 3: Diabetic Retinopathy
Treven Wesley, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This presentation reviews common diabetic retinal disorders, including non-proliferative (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and emphasizes the role of retinal imaging in diagnosis and monitoring. It also focuses on strategies for effectively communicating with patients to encourage optimal blood sugar (BSL) control and slow disease progression.

Learning Objectives:

  • Differentiate the clinical features and disease severity of non-proliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, including key complications that drive vision loss.
  • Interpret retinal imaging modalities (e.g., fundus photography, OCT, fluorescein angiography) to diagnose, stage, and monitor diabetic retinal disease over time.
  • Apply effective patient-centered communication strategies to counsel patients on blood sugar control and modifiable risk factors in order to slow disease progression and improve visual outcomes.

# 4: OCT-A for Retina and Glaucoma
Anand Rajesh, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This course will introduce principles and techniques of OCT angiography (OCTA). It will go over common retinal and glaucomatous diseases and how OCTA can be used to detect pathology.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explain the basic principles of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).
  • Describe how OCTA is used in the diagnosis and management of common retinal diseases.
  • Recognize the role of OCTA in the evaluation and detection of glaucoma.

# 5: Glaucoma Surgeries
J. Kevin McKinney, MD, MPH | EyeHealth NW (retired), OHSU CEI Community Outreach Physician Volunteer

This course will cover traditional glaucoma surgeries—including trabeculectomy, tube shunts, and cyclo-photocoagulation—and their roles in managing moderate to advanced disease. It also reviews Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgeries (MIGS), and drug delivery implants highlighting their potentially safer, less invasive approach for earlier stages of glaucoma.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explain the mechanism of action of trabeculectomy, tube implants and cyclophotocoagulation (traditional glaucoma surgeries).
  • Delineate safety and effectiveness of MIGS procedures vs traditional glaucoma surgeries.
  • Discuss pros and cons of drug delivery implants for glaucoma therapy.

# 6: Juvenile and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Hanna Luong, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This course will review the pathophysiology, classification, and clinical features of juvenile and age-related macular degeneration. Participants will identify high-risk features using multimodal imaging and describe current standard-of-care modalities to slow disease progression and preserve vision in both dry and wet age-related macular degeneration.

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize different types of macular degeneration.
  • Understand the utility of multimodal imaging in the evaluation and management of macular degeneration.
  • Review current and investigational management strategies for dry and wet AMD.

# 7: Retinal Vascular Occlusions
Tommy Bui, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This presentation reviews retinal vascular occlusions, including branch and central retinal vein occlusions (BRVO/CRVO) and branch and central retinal artery occlusions (BRAO/CRAO). It covers advanced imaging techniques—such as OCT, OCT-A, and fundus photography—for diagnosis and monitoring, and discusses current treatment options to manage complications, preserve vision, and optimize patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the basic retinal anatomy relevant to retinal vascular occlusions.
  • Differentiate the clinical features and pathophysiology of CRVO, BRVO, CRAO and BRAO.
  • Apply multimodal imaging to the diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring of retinal vascular occlusions.

# 8: Clinical Optics: Lensometry, Measurements and Prism
Aurora Rodriguez, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This presentation covers key aspects of clinical optics and glasses, including the use of lensometry to verify lens power, optical centers (OC), pupillary distance (PD), and segment height for multifocal lenses. It also reviews prism in lenses, including prism thinning, induced prism, and their clinical implications for proper vision correction and patient comfort.

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize common refractive errors and their spectacle correction.
  • Apply basic principles of clinical optics and glasses, including lensometry, optical centers, PD, and segment height.
  • Describe the role of prism in spectacle lenses and its impact on vision and comfort.

# 9: Double Vision and Prisms: The Basics of Diplopia
Drew Ashbery, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This course focuses on the evaluation of double vision (diplopia), emphasizing a structured approach to history taking to identify onset, duration, and triggering factors. It also covers ocular motility and alignment assessment, including versions, ductions, cover–uncover and alternate cover tests, and highlights the use of prisms and the Maddox rod to quantify and manage deviations, helping to guide diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.

Learning Objectives:

  • Differentiate monocular vs binocular diplopia.
  • Identify common causes of double vision.
  • Understand basic prism physics.

# 10: Neuro-Ophthalmology Basics: From Exam to Diagnosis
Florian Guillot, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This presentation bridges the gap between routine ophthalmic screening and the diagnosis of critical neuro-ophthalmic disorders. By exploring the “why” behind specific exam maneuvers, including pupil assessment, motility testing, and visual fields, attendees will learn to correlate clinical findings with pathologies such as optic neuritis, NAION, cranial nerve palsies, and stroke. The session emphasizes the technician’s vital role in recognizing neurological red flags to ensure timely triage and patient safety.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the diagnostic tools and tests used in evaluating neuro-ophthalmic conditions.
  • Understand the neurological basis for routine exam maneuvers.
  • Recognize technician responsibilities and red flags that warrant urgent attention.

# 11: Lids, Lacrimals and Beyond: Oculoplastics 101
Victoria Cegielski, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This presentation offers a concise overview of common oculoplastic procedures involving the eyelids, lacrimal system, and orbit, with emphasis on clinical indications and their role in functional restoration, cosmetic improvement, and vision preservation.Learning Objectives:

  • Describe at least three eyelid procedures performed for functional restoration, cosmetic improvement, and/or vision preservation.
  • Recognize at least three lacrimal procedures performed for functional restoration, cosmetic improvement, and/or vision preservation.
  • Explain at least two orbital procedures performed for functional restoration, cosmetic improvement, and/or vision preservation.

# 12: Update on AI Assisted Technology for Blind and Low Vision Patients
David B. Davis, MD | Portland Community College

This course provides an up-to-date review of emerging AI-assisted applications and devices designed to support individuals with blindness and low vision. Participants will explore six current AI-based tools in detail, including their clinical functions, practical use cases, and limitations. The session will also highlight recent advances in bionic retinal implant technology for geographic atrophy, emphasizing how AI integration may enhance diagnostic capability, visual function, and patient independence. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how these technologies can be incorporated into patient care and counseling in contemporary ophthalmic practice.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify six current AI-assisted applications and devices that support patients with blindness and low vision.
  • Describe how these tools—including emerging bionic retinal implant technologies for geographic atrophy—function, their practical use cases, and their limitations.
  • Apply this knowledge to counsel patients on appropriate AI-assisted technologies that may enhance visual function, independence, and overall care.

# 13: This Is The Way: A Technician’s Path Through Ocular Emergencies
Blake V. Acohido, MD | Legacy Devers Institute

This course provides ophthalmic technicians with a practical, structured approach to evaluating and managing ocular emergencies in both clinic and phone-triage settings. Participants will learn how to identify key red flags, classify levels of urgency, and determine appropriate patient disposition. The session also offers step-by-step phone-triage strategies, sample scripts, and immediate instructions for common scenarios to support safe, efficient, and effective patient care.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify key red-flag symptoms and clinical findings that indicate an ocular emergency and require urgent escalation.
  • Apply a structured triage framework to classify the level of urgency and determine the appropriate patient disposition in both in-person and phone-based scenarios.
  • Implement effective phone-triage communication techniques, including the use of concise scripts, immediate instructions, and safety checks to ensure accurate, efficient, and safe patient management.

# 14: Rearview Damage: Trauma to the Posterior Segment
Chris Wallace-Carrete, MD | OHSU Casey Eye Institute

This presentation covers ocular trauma, focusing on the assessment, diagnosis, and management of injuries affecting the retina and macula. It emphasizes retinal detachments, macular damage, and other vision-threatening sequelae of trauma, highlighting clinical evaluation, imaging, urgent interventions, and strategies to optimize visual outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify key retinal and macular injuries associated with ocular trauma, including traumatic retinal detachment and macular pathology.
  • Apply appropriate diagnostic strategies, including targeted fundus examination and multimodal imaging.
  • Formulate initial management decisions for vision-threatening traumatic retinal conditions to optimize visual outcomes and prevent secondary complications.