PGC – 2026 Learning Objectives
The Impact of Targeted Genetic Testing on Understanding Early-Onset Optic Atrophy | Jane C. Edmond, MD | Dell Children’s Hospital
Discover how targeted genetic testing is reshaping our understanding of early-onset optic atrophy. This lecture highlights key genetic discoveries, diagnostic advances, and their impact on personalized care for young patients.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe key genetic mutations implicated in early-onset optic atrophy and their biological mechanisms.
- Evaluate the clinical relevance of targeted genetic testing in diagnosing and managing early-onset optic atrophy.
- Apply knowledge of genotype-phenotype correlations to improve differential diagnosis and patient care strategies.
Cognitive Bias, Medical Errors in Clinical Decision Making and the Ophthalmologist | Jane Edmond, MD | Dell Children’s Hospital
Explore how cognitive biases contribute to medical errors in ophthalmology—and learn practical strategies to improve clinical judgment and patient safety.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common cognitive biases that contribute to diagnostic and therapeutic errors in ophthalmology.
- Analyze real-world case examples where cognitive bias led to medical errors in ophthalmic practice.
- Apply strategies to recognize and mitigate cognitive bias in clinical decision-making to improve patient safety.
Workforce Shortage Predictions: Medicine and Ophthalmology | Jane C. Edmond, MD | Dell Children’s Hospital
Learn about the causes and consequences of workforce shortages in medicine and ophthalmology and explore strategies to address their impact on patient care.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze current trends and predictive data regarding physician workforce shortages in both general medicine and ophthalmology.
- Evaluate the potential impact of workforce deficits on patient care delivery, access to services, and healthcare system sustainability.
- Identify strategic approaches to address anticipated shortages, including innovations in training, recruitment, and care models.
Potpourri of Pedi-Neuro-Ophthalmology Cases | Jane C. Edmond, MD | Dell Children’s Hospital
This session uses a series of diverse pediatric neuro-ophthalmology case presentations to guide participants in interpreting key clinical findings and developing thoughtful differential diagnoses. Through evidence-based discussion, attendees will explore current approaches to the evaluation and management of complex pediatric neuro-ophthalmic conditions.
Learning Objectives:
- Interpret clinical findings from diverse pediatric neuro-ophthalmology case presentations to formulate differential diagnoses.
- Apply evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of complex pediatric neuro-ophthalmic conditions.
- Analyze diagnostic challenges and decision-making strategies through case-based discussion to enhance clinical reasoning skills.
Peri-Ocular Dermatology | Scott M. Goldstein, MD | University of Pennsylvania & Tri-Century Eye Care
A comprehensive review of skin conditions affecting the eyelids and periocular area along with diagnostic pearls and current treatments.
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate common periocular dermatologic conditions based on key clinical features.
- Apply current approaches for managing inflammatory conditions such as chalazia and blepharitis.
- Identify recommended management options for periocular lesions, including malignancies, based on contemporary guidelines and treatment trends.
It’s Not so Complicated: Managing Complications & Malpractice Prevention | Scott M. Goldstein, MD | University of Pennsylvania & Tri-Century Eye Care
Review types of complications that we as ophthalmologists may encounter and how to manage these issues.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe common categories of complications that may arise in ophthalmology and outline principles for effective management.
- Recognize how misdiagnosis, delayed intervention, or surgical complications can occur and identify strategies to reduce these risks.
- Apply structured communication approaches when complications or unanticipated outcomes occur.
Fibrosis, You and Eye | Scott M. Goldstein, MD | University of Pennsylvania & Tri-Century Eye Care
Inflammation and scarring are potential consequences of acute and chronic disease processes. This lecture will review current thoughts and strategies to treat these issues across various aspects of Ophthalmology.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe key physiologic mechanisms underlying fibroblast activity and fibrosis.
- Identify early clinical signs of fibrosis or scarring in ocular and periocular tissues.
- Integrate therapeutic strategies to reduce or prevent fibrotic progression when appropriate.
Oculoplastic Case Studies | Scott M. Goldstein, MD | University of Pennsylvania & Tri-Century Eye Care
This interactive session presents a potpourri of real-world oculoplastic case studies designed to enhance participants’ diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making. Through guided discussion, learners will analyze key clinical features across a variety of eyelid, lacrimal, and orbital disorders, formulate evidence-based management strategies, and recognize atypical or subtle presentations that warrant additional evaluation.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze real-world oculoplastic cases to identify key diagnostic features.
- Formulate management plans for common eyelid, lacrimal, and orbital disorders.
- Recognize atypical or subtle presentations requiring further evaluation.
Why Surgical Errors are Made | JoAnn Giaconi, MD | Jules Stein Eye Institute
This presentation will focus on error rates in ophthalmic surgery, why they occur to good surgeons and staff, and how practices can combat their occurrence.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common categories and rates of errors that occur in ophthalmic surgery.
- Analyze contributing factors leading to surgical errors, including cognitive, systemic, and environmental components.
- Implement principles of Just Culture to promote transparent reporting and prevention of surgical errors in their own practices.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Glaucoma | JoAnn Giaconi, MD | Jules Stein Eye Institute
This presentation will describe the history of GLP-1 receptor agonists in medical practice and their effects on physiology, as well as the current state of knowledge of their effects on glaucoma.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the mechanisms of action and systemic uses of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
- Explain proposed mechanisms by which GLP-1 receptor agonists may influence intraocular pressure and optic nerve physiology.
- Critically appraise current evidence on the association between GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy and glaucoma outcomes.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty as First Line Treatment | JoAnn Giaconi, MD | Jules Stein Eye Institute
This presentation will review results of the LiGHT and COAST trials.
Learning Objectives:
- Summarize the design and outcomes of the LiGHT and COAST trials comparing SLT and medication as first-line therapy.
- Evaluate the evidence supporting repeat SLT and its role in long-term intraocular pressure control.
- Apply evidence-based recommendations to select initial therapy tailored to patient-specific needs.
First Glaucoma Surgery – Trabeculectomy or Tube Shunt | JoAnn Giaconi, MD | Jules Stein Eye Institute
Case studies will be described to demonstrate situations where a trabeculectomy is preferred as the first glaucoma surgery versus a tube shunt and vice versa.
Learning Objectives:
- Compare efficacy and complication rates between trabeculectomy and tube shunt surgeries.
- Identify patient characteristics predictive of surgical success or failure for each approach.
- Integrate clinical trial evidence to individualize surgical decision-making.
The Gut Microbiome in Uveitis and AMD | Phoebe Lin, MD, PhD | Cleveland Clinic
This topic will cover what we understand about the pathogenesis of noninfectious uveitis and AMD, our limitations in our understanding, as well as how the gut microbiome and its metabolites might shape host immunity and result in diseases causing ocular complications such as uveitis and age-related macular degeneration.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the gaps in our understanding of uveitis pathogenesis and age-related macular degeneration.
- Explain how the gut microbiome can be involved in uveitis pathogenesis.
- Recognize how the gut microbiome can be targeted to treat uveitis or age-related macular degeneration.
How Not to Miss Infectious Uveitis | Phoebe Lin, MD, PhD | Cleveland Clinic
This course will discuss a number of cases illustrating not-to-miss infectious uveitis, and how they can masquerade as other types of uveitis. How they can be promptly identified appropriately, based on clinical examination, imaging, and other diagnostics, will also be covered.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify clinical situations in which additional diagnostic testing may be needed to evaluate possible infectious uveitis.
- Describe circumstances in which empiric treatment for infectious uveitis should be considered.
- Recognize imaging patterns that increase the likelihood of an infectious cause of uveitis.
Surgical Complications of Uveitis | Phoebe Lin, MD, PhD | Cleveland Clinic
This course will go over the vitreoretinal surgical complications of uveitis such as tractional retinal detachments, acute retinal necrosis related detachments, diagnostic vitrectomies, and other surgical complications of the retina and/or vitreous.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify clinical scenarios in which vitreoretinal surgical intervention may be indicated for patients with uveitis.
- Describe key surgical approaches and considerations when performing vitreoretinal procedures in the context of uveitis.
- Recognize common retinal complications associated with uveitis and relate these to appropriate management strategies.
Toxoplasmosis or Not? | Phoebe Lin, MD, PhD | Cleveland Clinic
Provide a series of cases that illustrate what could be infectious uveitis or masquerades.
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate clinical and imaging features that help distinguish infectious uveitis from noninfectious uveitis or masquerade syndromes.
- Identify clinical scenarios in which a diagnostic biopsy is warranted to clarify the etiology of uveitis.
- Recognize ocular findings that may indicate a masquerade condition and require targeted ocular intervention.
Big Data and AI in Ophthalmology | Michelle Hribar, PhD, MS
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the practice of ophthalmology, but access to big data is needed to further development and impact of AI. This talk will describe current applications of AI and big data in ophthalmology as well as the challenges for the field.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and compare key sources of observational health data and large-scale datasets relevant to ophthalmology, including their strengths and limitations.
- Apply fundamental principles of appropriate methodology for analyzing big data in ophthalmology, including data quality assessment, bias reduction and ethical use.
- Evaluate current and emerging applications of big data and AI in ophthalmology and discuss how these tools may enhance diagnosis, treatment and clinical decision-making.