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2023 Spring Convention OD Schedule

 Tuesday, April 25, 2023 (2 hours)

Links to join class can be found on the handout page and will be sent to you via email.

 7-9pm Virtual OD CE (2 hours)

7pm-7:50pm Getting to the Heart of the Matter by Kelly Malloy, O.D. (1 hour) COPE ID:84113-SD This case-based lecture highlights visual and ocular signs and symptoms which lead to the diagnosis of heart-related and vascular abnormalities. Optometrists have the skill set to suspect and recognize potential cardiac and vascular issues if they take the time to listen to their patients, routinely monitor blood pressure and pulse, and carefully assess visual function and ocular health. Timely referral to the emergency department and/or cardiology can save vision, prevent stroke, and ultimately save a life.

8pm-8:50pm Papilledema by Kelly Malloy, O.D. (1 hour) COPE ID: 83432-NO This course reviews the clinical presentation of papilledema, and why it should be considered a medical emergency, even in subtle cases. This case-based presentation will demonstrate various etiologies of papilledema and discuss treatment of the underlying cause in both adults and children.

Thursday, April 27, 2023  (4 hours CE)

All education will be in the Statehouse Convention Center (SHCC).  OD and Para Education and meals are located in sections of the Wally Allen Ballroom.  Exhibit Hall is in Governor's Hall IV.


8am J.C. Beane Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament  (Location: Maumelle Country Club)

2pm-7pm Registration (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom Foyer)

3:30pm-4:30pm AROA Board Meeting  (Location: SHCC Choctaw)

5pm-6:40pm UAMS Rapid Fire part 1 (2 hours) (Ark. State Board Approved) Catch me if you Can by Sami Uwaydat, MD  Retinal pathology that has an unusual clinical presentation.  Retinal Emergencies by  Ahmed Sallam, MD  This lecture highlights different types of retinal emergencies, as well as, suggested timelines for referral.  (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom D)

 6:40pm-7:15pm  Tacos & Small Talk - For those attending Thursday education, we will have a "quick bite" for you in between classes.  Sponsored by Essilor.

7:20pm-9:00pm  UAMS Rapid Fire part 2 (2 hours) (Ark. State Board Approved) Updates in Glaucoma by Carina Sanvicente, MD Review of recent diagnostic tools and therapeutic options in glaucoma care.  Advancements in Thyroid Eye Disease Management: New Medications and Surgical Approaches Improve Patient Outcomes by Tom Kornhauser, MD Thyroid eye disease management has undergone significant advancements in recent years, with new medications and surgical approaches being developed. These advancements have improved patient outcomes by effectively addressing symptoms such as eye bulging, double vision, and reduced vision quality. These developments signify the progress being made in the field of medical management and highlight the potential for further improvements in the future.  (Location: Wally Allen Ballroom D)

 9pm-11pm President's Reception - Join us in celebrating President Melia Robertson!  (Location: Little Rock Marriott, 18th Floor Concierge)


Friday, April 28, 2023  (8 hours CE)
7am-8am “Update on Exotropia” by Paula Grigorian, M.D. (1 hour)  (Ark. State Board Approved) What we know and what we can do better.  (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom D)

8am-9:40am Best Practices in Ocular Emergencies by April Jasper, O.D. (2 hours) COPE ID: 84115-SD This course will include an interactive discussion of multiple cases and conditions that are first diagnosed in the office of the optometrist and then referred to the internist, pediatrician or hospitalist. A general review of the medical condition as it relates to the ocular disease will be presented as well as a review of the ocular condition. This course will help every OD to understand how best to communicate with the internist or pediatrician for the best patient outcome.  (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom D)

10am-11:40am Glaucoma Patient Management for the Team by April Jasper, O.D. (2 hours) COPE ID: 80424-GL  We will discuss the impact of glaucoma in our patient population and steps we can take to be certain we never fail to diagnose and initiate treatment and review best practices in treatment and referring.  (Location: Wally Allen Ballroom D)

12pm-1pm ArOA Membership Meeting  Must be ArOA member to attend.  Must be pre-registered to receive lunch.  (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom AE)

1pm-2:40pm The Future of Optometry - 2022 by April Jasper, O.D. (2 hours) COPE ID: 79210-PM This program will provide attendees with macro trends happening in eye care. The trends will include supply demand of doctors, student graduation demographics and overall industry health. Additionally trends in Telehealth and home monitoring technology will be presented as options to help bridge the gap between patient demand and doctor availability.  (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom D)


3pm-3:50pm Arkansas Jurisprudence (1 hour)  (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom D)


4pm-6pm Exhibit Hall  (Location: SHCC Governor's Hall IV)

Saturday, April 29, 2023  (4 hours CE)
8am-8:50am Rapid Fire Cornea Survival Tips by Sophia Leung, O.D. (1 hour) COPE ID:  83889-TD  How many times have we looked at a corneal lesion and thought to ourselves, what is happening here? This lecture, in a rapid-fire case-based format, will cover several tips, tricks, and pearls that will help practitioners navigate through a variety of corneal diseases that may be commonly encountered. Understanding the cornea and its behaviors can give clues to how to manage the underlying conditions.  (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom D)

9am-9:50am Glaucoma: Beyond the Diagnosis by Sophia Leung, O.D. (1 hour) COPE ID: 79022-GL So you've diagnosed glaucoma - now what? Glaucoma management goes far beyond the diagnosis, and beyond establishing a target IOP. This course discusses the philosophy of glaucoma management which focuses on the goal of preserving a patient's quality of life. Treatment and management considerations based on a patient-centric philosophy of management will be discussed.  (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom D)

10am-11:40am Practice Pearls to Advanced Procedures by Sophia Leung, O.D. (2 hours) COPE ID: 83459-TD Meets AP credential  The armamentarium of treatment procedures an optometrist has continues to increase. This course presents an overview of a variety of office-based advanced scope procedures that optometrists could start implementing today. Practice pearls will be shared to improve real-life clinic application.  (Location:  SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom D)

12:00pm-1:30pm Awards Luncheon  Must be pre-registered.  (Location: SHCC Wally Allen Ballroom ABCE)

2pm-3pm ArOA Board Meeting  (Location: SHCC Choctaw)

Tuesday, May 2, 2023  (2 hours CE)

Links to join class can be found on the handout page and will be sent to you via email.

7-9pm Virtual OD   (2 hours)

7pm-7:50pm Noteworthy Topics in Anterior Segment Disease by Aaron Bronner, O.D. (1 hour) COPE ID: 83421-TD This course will review therapies that are recently available, still in development or underutilized in the management of Anterior Segment Disease. Areas of discussion will include brand new treatment avenues that will create a paradigm shift in how you manage anterior segment disease. (COPE approval for online interactive)

8pm-8:50pm The OD’s Guide To Corneal Transplants by Aaron Bronner, O.D. (1 hour) COPE ID: 83694-PO Get your DSAEKs, DMEKs, DALKs and PKs in order. The alphabet soup of transplant names, vague terminology and stakes involved with managing corneal transplants as an Optometrist are inherently confusing when you seldom encounter these. This hour long course will provide Optometrists a clear method of understanding the corneal transplants we may encounter, as well as the relative strengths, limitations and complications of each.Get your DSAEKs, DMEKs, DALKs and PKs in order. The alphabet soup of transplant names, vague terminology and stakes involved with managing corneal transplants as an Optometrist are inherently confusing when you seldom encounter these. This hour long course will provide Optometrists a clear method of understanding the corneal transplants we may encounter, as well as the relative strengths, limitations and complications of each. (COPE approval for online interactive)