LAS VEGAS -- The world’s top ophthalmic meeting topped itself this year. The 2006 Joint Meeting has proved to be the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s most successful meeting ever. 

Registration was at its highest ever -- 32,574 -- with 27,249 in attendance. Subspecialty Day registration and attendance were also up several fold: Retina registration was up 18 percent; Refractive, up 34 percent and Glaucoma was up 47 percent.

“We are tremendously pleased to have shared this joint meeting with the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and our international guests,” said H. Dunbar Hoskins, MD, the Academy’s executive vice president. “The outstanding event is a testament to the combined effort of both organizations, and thousands of ophthalmologists benefited from an unsurpassed scientific program.”

Here are some of the highlights:

Dr. Lawrence Brilliant, executive director of Google’s philanthropic arm and founder of the Seva Foundation, fired up the Opening Session with an inspiring talk about the new philanthropy and its potential for changing the world and giving everyone the right to sight.

Harry Zink, MD, the Academy’s outgoing president, motivated attendees to play an active role in shaping ophthalmology’s future in Congress. He spoke of the challenges ahead – pending cuts in Medicare reimbursement and pay-for-performance measures – and the responsibility of all ophthalmologists to make their voice heard in Congress to ensure patients continue to have access to the best care possible.

“We cannot and should not be singled out for cuts while hospitals and Medicare HMOs receive significant increases year after year,” Dr. Zink said to rousing applause. 

The Academy’s scientific program turned Las Vegas’ ad slogan on its head. What happens in Las Vegas will not stay in Las Vegas. Attendees learned practical hands-on skills they can put to immediate use in their practices across the country and around the world, as well as a comprehensive review of new and promising treatments and techniques:

Retina specialists were updated on the diagnosis and management vitreoretinal diseases and gained insight on using exciting new treatments such as Lucentis and Avastin. Glaucoma specialists learned the latest ideas on the pathophysiology of the disease. Cataract surgeons soaked up clinical pearls for using the latest multifocal and accommodating lenses, which are dramatically changing the way all ophthalmologists practice cataract and refractive surgery. Refractive surgeons heard about the re-emergence of surface ablation and the latest advanced in LASIK, such as Sub-Bowman Keratomileusis or SBK, also known as extremely-thin flap LASIK.

Attendees were treated to new, stimulating symposia. As this was the first year the Academy held a Joint Meeting with the APAO, attendees learned more about how the East and West manage various ophthalmic conditions. 

Exciting announcements were made. We learned that the NIH will sponsor a head-to head trial comparing Lucentis and Avastin. The $16 million study is expected to answer important questions about these exciting drugs and help guide ophthalmologists in their treatment decisions.

Many distinguished guests and award winners were also in attendance. The Academy took special pride in honoring Lorenz E. Zimmerman, MD, as the recipient of the 2006 Laureate Recognition Award, the Academy’s highest honor. Dr. Zimmerman, recognized as the founder of modern ophthalmic pathology, has dedicated his life to studying the pathologic basis of ocular disease.

The Academy was also pleased to award Professor Ghulamqadair A. Kazi, MBBS, and C. Downey Price, MD, with its Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award for their participation in charitable activities, indigent care, community service and other humanitarian activities.

For more information about the Academy’s Annual Meeting, please visit aao.org.  Next year’s meeting will be held in New Orleans, Nov. 10 to 13.

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About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
AAO is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more than 27,000 members worldwide.  Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.