Search
PDF Print

2026 Annual Meeting Abstracts

Updated:  6/24/2026

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION IS NOW OPEN!  

As a reminder . . .  New Club members are expected to give a talk at one of their first two annual meetings!

View the abstracts submitted so far

Overview Schedule for the week 

View the Detailed Schedule for general sessions  (check back later)

Submit an Abstract using our electronic portal.

Deadline to submit is June 26th.
Lectures typically are 15 minutes each -- 7 minutes for the talk and 7 minutes for discussion.

CLICK HERE to download and submit the CME conflict of interest form (PDF file) 
         Email to:  [email protected]  or fax to:  847-680-1682

Please note . . .  ALL speakers giving a talk that will receive CME credit must submit the conflict of interest disclosure.  We greatly appreciate receiving these forms AT THE SAME TIME as your abstract submission.  Please complete both pages and return to the AESC office.

Go back to the main meeting page

Named Lectures

 

37th Ruedemann Lecture

In place of the traditional Ruedemann Lecture, we will be holding a special symposium and open discussion led by Club members.  

Workshop/symposium: Work Life Balance and Open Forum

4 members in different stages of their career with give a short presentation of the the challenges and adaptations of work life balance in their current state with adequate time for discussion. After which the floor will be open to other topics of discussion by the membership.

22nd Jerry & Donna Knauer AESC Foundation Lecture

Greg Moloney, MBBS, BSC MED, MMED, FRCSC
Vancouver, BC

Special OMIC Presentation

 
We are offering an OMIC Risk Management Presentation which will qualify members who are insured by OMIC for the full 10% premium discount.  More information about this will be available closer to the meeting date.

General Session Program

 
Typical Format for Talks -- We generally organized the talks into 15-minute segments with 7 minutes for a lecture and 7 minutes for discussion and questions.  This is a great time to try out new ideas or concepts, or to seek observations and reactions from your fellow Club members.  The AESC meeting is not the place for a usual "canned" lecture!  If you have an idea for a mini-symposium or a panel discussion, we certainly can devote an entire segment to that.

The following abstracts have been submitted for the summer 2025 AESC meeting.  Abstracts will be posted here as they are submitted.  Check the bottom of the page to see when this this information was last updated.

+ = New member, first meeting

Sample Name -- "How to Offer X-Ray Vision to your Patients"

  • Summary:  A multi-year study of the effects of x-ray vision will be presented.
  • Educational objectives:  Describe the benefits and risks resulting from adding x-ray vision for patients, as well as new technologies available to the ophthalmologist.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   YES
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion? 
  • Notes:   Will moderate discussion about super heroes

Submitted Talks

Updated:  6.24.2026

Berry, Jesse -- "And now we have a clinical test: aqueous, the final chapter?"

  • Summary:  Purpose: LBSeq4Kids is a clinically validated liquid biopsy platform combining low passage whole genome sequencing (LP-WGS) for copy number alterations (CNAs) and a custom cancer targeted sequencing panel (TSP) to detect sequence variants in cell-free DNA from the aqueous humor (AH) of the eye, cerebrospinal fluid, and plasma.Methods: Paracentesis (extraction of 50-100 µL AH) alongside standard clinical imaging tests and examination under anesthesia to inform the diagnosis of RB, pseudo-RB, or other malignancies as well as for surveillance and treatment according to established IRB protocols. AH samples underwent cfDNA extraction, Low passage whole-genome sequencing libraries were constructed using an average of 3 ng of AH-derived cfDNA (range 0.035ng-5ng). LP-WGS libraries (~200 ng) were hybridized to a custom gene capture panel to obtain a target of >100 M reads per sample and at least 600x coverage.Results: A prospective cohort of 60 ocular oncology patients, including 41 with retinoblastoma (RB),13 with non-malignant RB simulating lesions and six with other intraocular malignancies were included. Ninety-four percent of baseline RB samples obtained at diagnosis were positive for CNAs by LP-WGS and 83% were positive for pathogenic variants by TSP analysis. All samples obtained at clinical recurrence were positive for ctDNA whereas none of the eyes in remission had a positive finding. The presence of CNAs detected by serial sampling in patients being treated for RB was correlated with clinical disease status. None of the patients with RB-simulating lesions had a positive finding by LP-WGS. Conclusions: LBSeq4Kids aqueous humor liquid biopsy represents a groundbreaking improvement for intraocular malignancies and differentiating retinoblastoma from RB simulating lesions that may clinically mimic malignancy. This approach has been shown to be safe, and herein we demonstrated the sensitivity of the assay to detect circulating tumor (ct) DNA in the setting of active RB was 98% and specificity 100%. Aqueous humor liquid biopsy is highly effective in informing accurate diagnosis, risk stratification, response to therapy, and surveillance for recurrent disease..
  • Educational objectives:  Clinical utilization of the aqueous humor is new in ophthalmology, the lecture explores the ways to best utilize this new clinical test to inform management for rare eye cancers and simulating conditions.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:  
Brown, Jeremiah -- "Gene Therapy for Neovascular AMD Sura-Vec: Results of Bilateral Dosing from a Fellow Eye Study"

  • Summary:  Gene Therapy for Neovascular AMD Sura-Vec: Results of Bilateral Dosing from a Fellow Eye Study Intro: Sura-vec is a gene therapy product that uses an AAV8 vector to deliver genetic sequences to produce an antibody fragment similar to ranibizumab for patients with neovascular AMD. Phase 1/2a and Phase 2 studies have been completed. These studies demonstrated anatomic and functional stability, with dramatically fewer anti-VEGF injections. We now have 4 years of safety and efficacy data from patients in the Phase 1/2a study and 1 year of data from a pharmacodynamic study. The goal of this substudy is to investigate the safety and efficacy of treating neovascular AMD of fellow eyes of patients in the above studies with subretinal sura-vec. Methods: Patients with bilateral neovascular AMD that completed the Phase 1/2a and Phase 2 Pharmacodynamic study for their first eye were given the opportunity to have the fellow eye treated with sura-vec. Patients received an anti-VEGF injection 2 weeks prior to subretinal injection of sura vec and 2 weeks after the procedure. They were then followed for 1 year. Supplemental injections were given based on prespecified criteria. Eleven patients were identified for this study.Results: This was a high treatment burden cohort of patients, averaging 8 injections in the year prior to receiving subretinal gene therapy. No drug related serious adverse events occurred after following fellow eye treatment. There were no cases of vasculitis, occlusion or hypotony. There were no cases of iritis. In terms of efficacy, mean best corrected visual acuity was stable through the entire year. Central subfield retinal thickness improved compared to baseline. Sixty percent of patients required no supplemental injections and eighty percent of patient required 0 or 1 supplemental injections.Conclusions: Fellow eye gene therapy with sura-vec was safe, effective and well tolerated in this cohort of patients.
  • Educational objectives:  Following gene therapy with AAV vectors, patients frequently develop antibodies to AAV. Prior to this study, it was known whether fellow eye gene therapy for neovascular AMD would be safe or effective.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes w/disclosure
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:  
Chen, John -- "CRAO Is a Stroke — But tPA Is Not the Answer"

  • Summary:  Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an ocular emergency affecting 2.6 per 100,000 per year, with 80% of patients presenting with vision of count fingers or worse and limited spontaneous recovery. Once considered solely an ophthalmologic problem, CRAO is now recognized as a cerebrovascular emergency carrying a ~5% risk of symptomatic stroke and a 20% risk of concurrent asymptomatic infarction on MRI. Appropriate evaluation requires urgent embolic workup as well as exclusion of giant cell arteritis in patients over age 50. IV thrombolysis within 4.5 hours has been the preferred treatment of CRAO based on retrospective studies, but two recent phase 3 randomized controlled trials (THEIA and TenCRAOS) demonstrated that IV thrombolysis had no significant benefit over placebo, with a fatal intracranial hemorrhage in the treatment arm. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy could be a promising alternative, particularly when initiated within 9 hours of onset. These findings have immediate implications for how acute CRAO is managed across ophthalmology, neurology, and emergency medicine.
  • Educational objectives:  Two recent phase 3 randomized controlled trials have failed to demonstrate efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis for CRAO, and demonstrated harm, making it essential that clinicians are aware of this evidence and discontinue its use.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes, no conflict
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Chiu, Cynthia -- "Acute Vision Loss after Intravitreal Injection"

  • Summary:  A case report of acute severe vision loss two weeks after the patient's first injection of pegcetacoplan (Syfovre) for geographic atrophy, and the treatment course. Discussion of the suspected mechanism of injury in Syfovre vaso-occlusive vasculitis and whether early vitrectomy may be a rescue option.
  • Educational objectives:  To help the audience recognize a rare but vision-threatening complication of intravitreal treatment of dry AMD/geographic atrophy and to discuss the probable mechanism of injury.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  Wednesday or Thursday (will be at meeting only Monday and Tuesday)
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Cunningham, Matthew -- "Visual Outcomes and Treatment Interval Changes in Eyes Transitioned to Bevacizumab"

  • Summary:  Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections remain the standard of care for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Historically, the Good Days Patient Advocacy Foundation has assisted patients in offsetting drug costs. Many Medicare beneficiaries rely on charitable co-pay assistance to access on-label therapies for nAMD. As of 2025, much of the funding was exhausted, leading to many patients having to transition to Bevacizumab therapy. This study evaluated outcomes in eyes transitioned from on-label agents to Bevacizumab following the funding depletion in 2025. There was a statistically significant decline in visual acuity and decrease in the injection interval following the switch to Bevacizumab. Nearly one-quarter of eyes ultimately reverted to on-label therapy.
  • Educational objectives:  This lecture addresses systems-based practice competency and bringing awareness to an issue that has affected thousands of patients.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  Not on Monday
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes, w/disclosure
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Dedania, Vaidehi  -- "Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita: retinal anomalies and dermatologic manifestations"

  • Summary:  In this retrospective case series of 18 patients with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC), retinal abnormalities were strongly associated with generalized (rather than localized) disease, particularly when craniofacial involvement was present. Fluorescein angiography (FA) proved critical for detection, revealing abnormalities in 4 patients who had normal dilated exams, including peripheral nonperfusion, vascular looping, and remodeling. Two patients experienced disease progression, and 6 required laser photocoagulation. Three patients with Adams-Oliver syndrome had a milder course, with vascular remodeling but no neovascularization or need for laser treatment. In patients with generalized CMTC — especially with craniofacial involvement — early ophthalmic evaluation with FA and close follow-up given the risk of progression is critical. ophthalmologist.
  • Educational objectives:  Ophthalmologists lack clear guidance on the evaluation and management of CMTC patients, particularly the identification of patients at highest risk for retinal pathology and the ideal ophthalmic screening protocol — including the role of fluorescein angiography.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  Yes - Any retina, pediatric retina or uveitis
  • Notes: 
Ellis, George -- "Sagging Eye Syndrome: A Baby Boomer Disease"

  • Summary:  A short history of Divergence Insufficiency and reassessment as Sagging Eye Syndrome and its relevance to our Baby Boomer Patients and a cause of acquired horizontal diplopia.
  • Educational objectives:  Recently recognized disorder of the aging eye is not widely appreciated among ophthalmologist.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes, no conflict
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion? 
  • Notes:    
Fish, Robert -- "Unexpected Outcomes After Intraocular Lens Implantation: A Brief Look at Intraocular Lens Production Quality Standards"

  • Summary:  This is a case based review of two incidences of postoperative patient dissatisfaction after uneventful cataract surgery. Both of these cases are attributable to manufacturing error leading to either a mislabeled intraocular lens power or higher order aberration error within the lens itself. A brief review of the FDA production quality standards of intraocular lens manufacturing will be presented.
  • Educational objectives: This presentation will provide an awareness of the slight variability in intraocular lens optics that may lead to an unhappy patient due to visual dissatisfaction from the intraocular lens implant.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Hagedorn, Curtis -- "The Importance of Music in Blindness"

  • Summary:  Music powerfully engages reward, emotion, prediction, memory, and motor systems in all humans; in blindness, the deprived visual cortex can be recruited for auditory, linguistic, tactile, and possibly musical processing, making music a uniquely meaningful domain after vision loss.
  • Educational objectives: The brain has the plasticity to change under deprivation conditions, and, in blindness, music has the ability to effect recruitment of the visual cortex for musicality
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion? Yes
  • Notes: I will need Rich to do an interpretive dance during my talk.  (Editors note:  ONLY for Big Bucks!!! 
Henderer, Jeffrey -- "AI Glaucoma Screening: Our Initial Experience"

  • Summary:  We recently started using Eyenuk's AI glaucoma software to assist our optometric readers with glaucoma screening in the context of our diabetic eye disease screening program.  This study is reviews our initial experience with the accuracy of the AI software compared to a single glaucoma specialist
  • Educational objectives:  How AI software might help screen for glaucoma, one of the 4 big causes of blinding eye disease.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  Monday or Thursday would be best for me
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes, no conflict
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Hildebrand, P. Lloyd -- "siRNA - A New Paradigm for Treatment of Major Retinal Diseases"

  • Summary:  Trinetra Therapeutics is an early-stage biopharmaceutical company founded on technology developed within the Department of Ophthalmology and the RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMass Chan Medical School. The company is advancing a first-in-class, long-acting siRNA platform that targets upstream intracellular drivers of photoreceptor and RPE degeneration, with an initial focus on geographic atrophy secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration. The lead program, TNT-101, silences S6K1 — a central regulator of photoreceptor metabolic stress acting downstream of mTOR — using a novel tetravalent siRNA architecture delivered by standard intravitreal injection. A cross-species preclinical data package culminates in a clinically relevant non-human primate model of GA, in which a single intravitreal dose produced a durable reversal of drusen burden that was sustained for 9 months, providing compelling early evidence of disease modification in the closest available translational model to human disease. The underlying platform is modular and reprogrammable, establishing a foundation for expansion across multiple retinal indications beyond GA. Trinetra is currently raising its Series A funding to complete IND-enabling studies, execute an ex-US Phase I first-in-human trial, and advance to US Phase II IND submission within 24 to 36 months — with the objective of establishing the first clinically validated siRNA-based approach to upstream modification of retinal degenerative disease.
  • Educational objectives: Introduction of a new model of AMD/GA disease with a specific target treatment using first-in-class siRNA modular platform.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  Not on Thursday
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Hoar, Glen -- "An Interesting Case of Endophthalmitis"

  • Summary:  An interesting case of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis found during routine screening exam.
  • Educational objectives:  Management and screening requirements for an interesting case of endogenous endophthalmitis
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes, no conflict
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion? 
  • Notes:   
+ Ifantides, Christos -- "Cold Therapy for Chronic Ocular Surface Eye Pain: A New Treatment For an Old, Stubborn Problem"

  • Summary: Chronic ocular surface pain (COSP) is defined as ocular pain or dysesthesia perceived from the ocular surface for more than three months and is frequently discordant with surface signs, with surveyed providers estimating COSP in roughly one-third of their patients and in 63% of dry eye patients. Current management is largely empirical and inadequate for refractory cases. The investigational device evaluated here is a handheld applicator with two metallic contact surfaces, internally cooled by a frozen glycerol matrix stored at approximately −20°C, that are positioned at least 1.5 mm posterior to the limbus at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions overlying the long ciliary nerves for a single four-minute transconjunctival application. In GLP animal studies, histology showed only minimal-to-mild superficial scleral and bulbar conjunctival changes without full-thickness injury. In vitro confocal microscopy studies of corneal nerve architecture showed a favorable safety profile in human subjects. A multicenter randomized double-masked feasibility study (n=31; 2:1 active:sham) demonstrated greater reductions in 3 separate Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) instruments at week 8, most pronounced in proparacaine-responsive peripheral-dominant participants, with improved corneal esthesiometry and no treatment-related serious adverse events; open-label follow-up suggested durability through 12 months.
  • Educational objectives:  Cold therapy can be used to treat refractory chronic ocular surface pain.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Klapper, Stephen -- "More Than a Game: Life Lessons from a Historic College Football Season"

  • Summary:  Until last year Indiana University held the unenviable distinction of having more losses than any other major college football program. When coach Curt Cignetti arrived in 2024, everything changed quickly– the culture, the approach, and the performance on the field. In his first season the Hoosiers won a program-record 11 games and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. The following year they built on that success becoming the first team since 1894 to win 16 games and capturing the national championship. My experience enjoying one of the most remarkable turnarounds in sports history offers lessons that extend far beyond football. It highlights the power of confidence and belief, the discipline required to trust a process, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people who share a common vision. It also demonstrates how sport can unite individuals, families and entire communities around a shared sense of pride and belonging. Whether you are a Hoosier fan or not, this extraordinary sports story provides insights into the importance of strong leadership, positive organizational culture, and teamwork in achieving success in all aspects of life.
  • Educational objectives:  .Leadership, culture, and teamwork are critical elements of any successful venture.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  Not Wednesday or Thursday
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes; no conflict
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion? 
  • Notes:   
Lee, Wendy -- "Beauty and the Beast: What Drives Some Toward Aesthetics"

  • Summary:  It is important for surgeons to keep in mind the prevalence of BDD in their patient population considering the elevated rates of dissatisfaction and escalation, in addition to the mental health comorbidities present in these patients. The first step in helping patients with BDD is to spread awareness of the disorder and the possibility for tragic outcomes.
  • Educational objectives:  Awareness of the presence of body dysmorphic disorder in medicine is lacking and education regarding this topic could help prevent mishaps with patient management.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  Yes; oculoplastics
  • Notes:   
Lobo-Chan, Ann-Marie -- "An uphill battle for uveitis patients: celebrating small victories 1 PA at a time"

  • Summary:  Several cases of complex posterior and panuveitis will be presented including issues that arise when insurers put up roadblocks in management with biologic therapies. Updates in insurance changes with recent legislation, including the BBB, and how it affects patients will be discussed. An update in available therapies for the management of non-infectious uveitis, including biosimilars, will be discussed.
  • Educational objectives:  TThis talk will educate ophthalmologists on a diverse array of clinical presentations and challenges in the management of non-infectious uveitis patients.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  No
  • Notes:    
Melendez, Robert F. (Rob) -- "Business resources for CEOs and Senior Leaders in Ophthalmology"

  • Summary:  CEO Ophthalmology delivers strategy, innovation, and leadership insights for decision makers across U.S. eye care, empowering CEOs and senior leaders to drive growth, performance, and industry advancement.
  • Educational objectives:  Business resources for senior leaders to make better decisions.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  Not Thursday
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussoin?  Yes - Cataract, Refractive, Business
  • Notes:   I also have a more technical talk on Cataract surgery in patients with prior myopic LASIK surgery using the PanOptix Pro lens 
O'Banion, Jacquelyn -- "10 years of Diabetic Tele-Screening, have we made a difference?"

  • Summary:  10 years ago we implemented a diabetic tele-retina screening program. In this talk I will review the need, the impact and the future directions of a diabetic tele-retina screening program in an urban, tertiary care, safety-net hospital.
  • Educational objectives:  This talk will address the impact and challenges of caring for diabetic retinopathy in a low-resource county hospital.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Orge, Faruk H. -- "Upcoming technologies in pediatric ophthalmology"

  • Summary:  I will give an update on some of the technologies we have been working on for amblyopia, telemedicine, imaging and education.
  • Educational objectives: There are emerging technologies that are currently available or will be available soon in general pediatric eye care. Learning about these technologies will enhance the clinical care for our patients.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Rachitskaya, Aleksandra V. -- "GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Friend or Foe?"

  • Summary:  Initially designed for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are multifaceted agents with promising neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. The majority of the research exploring the relationship between GLP-1RA use and ophthalmic disease comes from large database studies or secondary-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating GLP-1RAs in cardiovascular disease and obesity. Current evidence regarding the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on ophthalmic diseases remains inconsistent, with studies reporting both protective and detrimental effects. This talk will discuss the role of GLP1-RA on such ocular conditions as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration..
  • Educational objectives:  Elucidate the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in ophthalmic diseases endophthalmitis
  • Schedule Restrictions:  NOT on Monday
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  Yes
  • Notes:   
Robbins, Shira -- "Getting back on the horse: The emotional toll of surgical complications and the evidence-based path to thriving"

  • Summary:  There is a profound psychological burden surgeons face when dealing with medical errors and surgical complications. Research indicates that these "second victims" often endure guilt, anxiety, and burnout, yet frequently suffer in silence due to a professional culture of perfectionism. Traditional training fails to prepare clinicians for this emotional toll, which can negatively impact both their clinical performance and personal family lives. To address these issues, structured peer support, resilience training through acceptance and commitment therapy, and better self-care habits can be implemented. Ultimately, a cultural shift toward open communication and institutional resources to help medical professionals process trauma and maintain their well-being is needed.
  • Educational objectives:  There is a dearth of training and resources to support surgeons after complications..
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Saini, Arvind -- "Revenue Cycle Management and the role of AI"

  • Summary: To provide a brief overview of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) and give examples of current companies and models in the rapidly evolving AI RCM space.
  • Educational objectives:  Practice management and technology
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion? 
  • Notes:   
Tao, Jeremiah P. -- "Financial Return on Investment of Fellowship Training in Ophthalmology: A Multicenter Study"

  • Summary:  Introduction: Ophthalmology trainees often weigh the financial value of fellowship training against 1–2 years of lost attending income. We evaluated the lifetime financial return on investment (ROI) of ophthalmology fellowships by subspecialty and gender. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study analyzed 2023 salaries of 168 full-time academic ophthalmologists across five University of California centers. Compensation, subspecialty training, and gender were compared with comprehensive ophthalmology over a projected career span.Results: Oculofacial plastic surgery (OPS) demonstrated the highest compensation and ROI (NPV +$2.38M), followed by cornea and glaucoma (+$2.15M each). Neuro-ophthalmology, uveitis, and ocular pathology yielded negative lifetime returns. Cornea and glaucoma reached financial break-even within 3 years post-residency, OPS within 6 years, and retina/pediatrics within 9 years. Men earned significantly more than women ($481k vs $380k, P=.009) and achieved greater ROI from subspecialization (+$1.42M vs +$506k, P<.001). Discussion: Most ophthalmology fellowships provided positive financial returns, though substantial variability existed by subspecialty and gender. Lower-ROI subspecialties aligned with projected workforce shortages, suggesting current compensation structures may inadequately support critical fields such as neuro-ophthalmology, uveitis, and pediatrics.
  • Educational objectives: What is the financial value of fellowship training.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
+ Teng, Christopher -- "Ethics at the Angle: Decision Making in Glaucoma Across Worlds"

  • Summary:  Ethics at the Angle: Decision-Making in Glaucoma Across WorldsAdvances in glaucoma surgery have expanded treatment options and improved patient outcomes. Innovation may not be equitable, and ethical. Who gets access to these innovations? I will explore the ethics of innovation, how the principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice influence surgical decision-making in glaucoma care, particularly when patients with similar disease may face different treatment options based solely on geography and resources.I will relay my experiences in the USA and Nepal, how modern minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has transformed care in high-resource settings, while cost and availability continue to limit access in many parts of the world. What can be done about it? I will explore and touch upon my first-hand experience in Nepal, and what I have done to be a part of the change, and solution, culminating in a central question: what obligations accompany the development of transformative surgical technologies when access to those innovations remains profoundly unequal?
  • Educational objectives:  There is a knowledge gap in understanding how ethical principles can be applied to glaucoma surgical decision-making when disparities in access, technology, cost, and resources lead to different treatment options and outcomes across healthcare settings..
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes, no conflict
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Tooley, Andrea -- "Bilateral same day optic nerve sheath fenestration"

  • Summary:  Optic nerve sheath fenestration is a well described surgical treatment for papilledema associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. While traditionally, ONSF is performed unilaterally, same day bilateral surgery is safe and effective.
  • Educational objectives:  Increases knowledge on ONSF and the safety of bilateral surgery
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  Any- but preferably oculoplastics!
  • Notes:   I also have a more technical talk on Cataract surgery in patients with prior myopic LASIK surgery using the PanOptix Pro lens
Tran, Ann -- "External-Eye Imaging as a Scalable Platform for Periorbital Measurement, Global Dataset Curation, and Ophthalmic AI"

  • Summary:  Purpose: We have developed an integrated research program to transform external-eye photography from an unstructured clinical artifact into a scalable source of quantitative measurements, deployable metadata capture, global dataset curation, and multimodal ophthalmic AI. Methods: This program was built across four linked layers. First, deep learning pipelines were developed for periorbital segmentation and measurement extraction from real-world clinical images. Second,Glorbit was designed as a browser-based platform that integrates metadata entry, image capture, automated alignment, segmentation, measurement extraction, user review, and secure upload into a single point-of-care workflow. Third, a distributed governance framework was implemented for international dataset curation, using local IRB oversight, de-identified data transfer, data use agreements, and site-specific cloud storage. Fourth, large-scale external-eye datasets from public and clinical sources were collected to support self-supervised representation learning and future foundation-model development. Results: The initial work established that external-eye anatomy can be converted into accurate, structured, and generalizable measurements. Glorbit has been deployed in three hospitals internationally. In parallel, a 4.35 million unilateral external-eye cropped database has been created. Conclusions: Together, these studies establish the external eye as a practical and scalable interface for ophthalmic AI. The work moves from measurement accuracy to clinical generalization, then from software deployment to international dataset governance, and finally toward large-scale representation learning..
  • Educational objectives: The external eye is routinely visible in clinical photographs but remains underused as a substrate for artificial intelligence.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes, w/disclosure
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  Yes (oculoplastics)
  • Notes:   
Tsai, James -- "Primary Angle Closure Suspect: Is Laser Iridotomy the Treatment of Choice in All Cases?"

  • Summary:  Laser iridotomy is only effective in addressing narrow angles in eyes with relative pupillary block and absolute irido-lenticular block. However, angle closure persists despite patent iridotomy in other conditions (e.g. plateau iris). Longitudinal study of primary angle closure suspect (PACS) patients suggests only 1-2% annual risk of conversion to primary angle closure (over 14-year study). Thus, in patients with asymptomatic PACS, an alternative strategy may be observational management (utilizing smartphone flashlight and avoidance of over-the-counter cold medications and scopolamine).
  • Educational objectives:  Clinicians should understand that laser iridotomy is NOT the treatment of choice in all cases of primary angle closure suspect.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  None
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes, w/disclosure
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  Yes
  • Notes:   
Vagefi, M. Reza -- "3 years in: 3 lessons learned"

  • Summary: This presentation reflects on three leadership lessons learned during the first three years as department chair. The talk will explore the gap that can exist between recruitment expectations and operational reality, the challenges of inheriting a complex faculty culture, and the deliberate work required to rebuild trust, accountability, and shared purpose. The session will focus on practical leadership principles that may be relevant to others navigating change in academic medicine..
  • Educational objectives: Members will reflect on practical lessons for navigating early leadership challenges, inherited culture, and organizational change in academic medicine.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  Not on Wednesday
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  Yes
  • Notes:   
Villegas, Victor -- "Supraorbital Vibration As An Adjuvant To Topical Anesthesia During Intravitreal Therapy"

  • Summary:  This presentation evaluates supraorbital vibration as an adjunct to topical anesthesia during intravitreal injections. In a retrospective review of 842 patients, the technique demonstrated an excellent safety profile with no adverse ocular events. Patient surveys showed that most participants experienced reduced pain and stress, and the majority would request the technique again for future injections. Supraorbital vibration appears to be a safe, inexpensive, and non-invasive method that may improve patient comfort during intravitreal therapy.
  • Educational objectives: Despite the widespread use of intravitreal injections, there is limited research on safe, non-invasive methods such as supraorbital vibration anesthesia to reduce patient pain and procedural stress during treatment.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  NOT Monday
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  Yes
  • Notes:   
Vollman, David -- "Comparable Real-World Gains from Autonomous AI for Eye Exams for Diabetes in Rural and Urban Clinics"

  • Summary: Annual eye examinations for diabetes (EEDs) are essential for early detection of diabetic retinopathy, yet adherence remains suboptimal, particularly in rural communities where access to eye care specialists is limited. Autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) systems offer a scalable approach to expand access at the point of care. We evaluated the real-world adoption and impact of LumineticsCoreâ„¢, an FDA-cleared autonomous AI diagnostic system for EEDs, across rural and urban primary care clinics within SSM Health (SSM), a large integrated health system.
  • Educational objectives: Showing real world results of using autonomous AI to bridge care gaps.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  Not on Thursday (leaving that morning)
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   Yes, no conflict
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:   
Williams, Basil -- "Biopsy of Uveal Melanoma: How to Adapt"

  • Summary: The role of biopsy in uveal melanoma has evolved from use in diagnostic dilemmas to molecular prognostication, determining the risk of metastasis. With increasing time, biopsies have been performed on smaller and smaller lesions. Despite the lack of validation, some are using biopsy to determine if small melanomas should be observed or treated. Given the expanding uses for biopsy and the lack of clinical comfort of many, especially for small posterior tumors, we created a synthetic eye model of uveal melanoma to train on biopsies.
  • Educational objectives: This lecture aims to demonstrate the educational need for biopsy in. ocular oncology fellowship and encourage evaluation of the approaches to education that we are currently doing.
  • Schedule Restrictions:  NOT Monday or Tuesday
  • Conflict of interest disclosure received:   No
  • Interested in moderating a symposium/discussion?  
  • Notes:  

 
Last Updated on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 10:04 AM
 

© American Eye Study Club 10 W Phillip Rd. Suite 120 Vernon Hills, IL 60061-1730