SAN FRANCISCO—With the theme “All CE, All the Time,” continuing education will once again take center stage at the 88th annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry (Academy), scheduled to take place here at Moscone Center West from Nov. 17 to 20, the organization said.

“Attendees can get CE credit by attending any Academy session: lectures, workshops, papers, posters, special events and symposia,” the organization said, adding that the Academy's continuing education is submitted to both COPE and CE Broker (Florida).

This year’s Plenary Session: “Today's Research, Tomorrow's Practice – Policy, Advocacy and Science in Women's Health” will feature Susan Wood, PhD, an associate professor at George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services, along with Barbara A. Brenner, JD, an activist with Breast Cancer Action. The following day, the Monroe J. Hirsch Research Symposium, focused on Ocular Genetics: “From Laboratory to Clinical Practice and Back Again.”

Sponsored by CIBA Vision, the Merton C. Flom Leadership InSight Courses include a Fundamentals of Leadership courses “What is Leadership?” and “Putting Leadership into Action”). Additionally, this year’s intermediate leadership course is “Saving Dr. Ryan: An Optometric Leadership Boot Camp” will feature Andrew R. Buzzelli, BSC, FAAO, and retired colonel of the U.S. Air Force along with Penny E. Walter, OD, MPA, FAAO, who has served as staff optometrist in the U.S. Navy.

Organizers said that a CD of materials will be mailed to attendees, who should receive them a week before the meeting. Similarly, handouts will soon be available on the Personal Program Planner (PPP), an online feature through which attendees can create a detailed agenda for their time at the conference.

For entertainment, the Brien Holden Vision Institute is hosting this year’s all new Australia Party on Friday, Nov. 19. The event will take place on Level 3 of the Moscone Center West and will feature a performance from the Lucas Cates Band.

Earl L. Smith III, OD, Dean of the College of Optometry at the University of Houston will receive the Charles Prentice Medal. Along with receiving his award, Smith will present his latest research findings on myopia. This year’s Glenn Fry Awardee is contact lens expert Nathan Efron, BScOptom, PhD, DSC, FAAO, research professor and director of LANDMark Study at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

Additional awards to be given out include: Essilor International Award, Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award, Garland W. Clay Award, Glenn A. Fry Lecture Award and the Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education.

To make the meeting as accessible as possible, organizers are also offering audio recordings of this year’s sessions for a pre-conference rate of $99.
Academy 2010 San Francisco is sponsored by Vistakon, Essilor and CIBA Vision, among others. For more information, visit AAOPT.org.