American Academy of Ophthalmology to lead Key Symposia at SOE Congress

American Academy of Ophthalmology to Lead Key Symposia at Major European Conference
Academy co-sponsors European Society of Ophthalmology 2015 Congress June 6 - 9

SAN FRANCISCO – May 28, 2015 – The American Academy of Ophthalmology will be presenting important symposia exploring the latest approaches to eye disease treatment and oculoplastics surgery at the European Society of Ophthalmology 2015 Congress, taking place June 6 - 9, 2015 in Vienna, Austria. Co-sponsored by the Academy, SOE 2015 Congress is a major conference for the ophthalmic profession, providing a platform for ophthalmologists and visual scientists to build relationships, share expertise and explore novel discoveries.

As a part of the Congress’ scientific program, the Academy is presenting three symposia:

“A View Across the Ocean: Similarities and Differences in Practice Patterns Between the United States and Europe” (Topic: Cornea) – This session will explore continental variances in management of ectatic disease, corneal dystrophies, dry eye and infectious disease. It will be moderated by Jonathan B. Rubenstein, M.D., the Academy’s annual meeting secretary and vice chairman and Deutsch Family professor of ophthalmology at the Rush University Medical Center, and Friedrich E. Kruse, M.D., chair of the ophthalmology department at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany.

“Clinical and Surgical Perspectives in Glaucoma” – This symposium features world-class glaucoma experts from Europe and the United States and will examine the latest trends in the subspecialty from diagnostics to care, including laser therapy, minimally invasive surgeries and managing coexisting ocular conditions. It will be moderated by Academy past President Gregory L. Skuta, M.D., president and CEO of the Dean McGee Eye Institute and the Edward L. Gaylord professor and chair of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine’s department of ophthalmology, and Anja Tuulonen, M.D., head of the ophthalmology department at the Tampere University Hospital in Finland.

“A View Across the Pond: Alternative Approaches in Oculoplastics” – Moderated by Tamara R. Fountain, M.D., the Academy’s secretary for member services and professor of ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center, this session will feature speakers from France, Italy, Turkey and the United States discussing trends in blepharoplasty, ptosis surgery and tear duct surgery.

In addition, Academy representatives will lead “Real World Challenges to Ophthalmology, Why and How We Must Advocate.” This session will look at advocacy initiatives around the world and demonstrate the immense value of working with government representatives to protect the needs and interests of ophthalmologists and their patients. The Academy’s past President and international envoy Michael W. Brennan, M.D., and past Senior Secretary for Advocacy Cynthia A. Bradford, M.D. will co-chair the event.  

The Academy, a global leader in providing development programs for young ophthalmologists, will also be represented at an education session developed specifically for those in their first five years of practice. “Essential Surgical Skills: Top Tips for Young Ophthalmologists” will be moderated by Anthony P. Khawaja, MBBS, a member of the Academy’s Young Ophthalmologist International Subcommittee and chair of the SOE’s Young Ophthalmologist Committee. The session will provide insights into what every young ophthalmologist should know about safe and successful surgeries, from cataracts to oculoplastics.  

The SOE 2015 Congress will take place at the Austria Center Vienna. It is also co-sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology. For more information on the event, visit www.soe2015.org.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, headquartered in San Francisco, is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, serving more than 32,000 members worldwide. The Academy's mission is to advance the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists to ensure that the public can obtain the best possible eye care. For more information, visit www.aao.org. 

The Academy is also a leading provider of eye care information to the public. The Academy's EyeSmart® program educates the public about the importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve healthy vision. EyeSmart provides the most trusted and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. OjosSanos™ is the Spanish-language version of the program. Visit www.geteyesmart.org or www.ojossanos.org to learn more.

3rd June 2015