Audiology
Current Student News
Optometry
General News
Held in the racing capital of the world, the American Academy of Optometry annual meeting in Indianapolis was the perfect blend of high-speed excitement, collaboration and innovative optometric education.
The conference, held Nov. 6-9, 2024, drew a strong turnout from alumni, faculty, Doctor of Optometry students, residents, and friends of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), Salus at Drexel University. The meeting featured a range of specialized educational sessions covering cutting-edge topics in ocular health, from managing systemic conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disease to exploring the complexities of pediatric retinal tumors and double vision. Amid these high-level discussions, attendees had the chance to network and reconnect with colleagues and friends.
Combating the Diabetes Epidemic: Concomitant Conditions in the Formation of Diabetic Retinopathy: Carlo Pelino, OD ‘94, Resident ‘95, FAAO, PCO associate professor, led an insightful session on the complexities of diabetic retinopathy, emphasizing the importance of early detection and comprehensive management.
Anti-Aging in a New Age: Basic Principles and Treatment Opportunities: Tracy Offerdahl-McGowan, PharmD, FAAO, assistant professor, and Emilie Seitz, OD ‘20, FAAO, explored innovative anti-aging treatments, providing attendees with practical strategies to incorporate into their practices.
Practice Pearls with an OD and a PharmD: Glaucoma Drugs and Integrative Treatment Options: PCO assistant professors, Andrew Meagher, OD ‘15, Resident ‘16, FAAO, and Dr. Offerdahl-McGowan, shared valuable insights on the latest glaucoma treatments, highlighting integrative approaches for optimal patient care.
Pediatric Retinal Tumors: Retinoblastoma and Simulating Lesions: Dr. Aaron Gold and Dr. Pelino discussed the challenges and advancements in diagnosing and treating pediatric retinal tumors, with a focus on retinoblastoma.
Is It Real, or No Big Deal?: Kelly Malloy, OD ‘96, Resident ‘97, FAAO, Dipl., PCO professor, along with Erin Draper, OD ‘09, Resident ‘10, FAAO, PCO associate professor, and Ashley Maglione, OD ‘15, Resident ‘16, FAAO, PCO associate professor, tackled the diagnostic dilemmas in optometry, helping clinicians differentiate between significant findings and benign conditions.
Thyroid and Thyroid Eye Disease - What Every Clinician Needs to Know in 2024: Greg Caldwell, OD ‘95, FAAO, PCO adjunct, provided a comprehensive overview of thyroid eye disease, equipping clinicians with the knowledge to manage this complex condition effectively.
Demystifying Diplopia – Tools for Assessing Double Vision: A team of experts, including Drs. Draper and Malloy alongside Elizabeth Marunde, OD, Resident ‘22, FAAO, PCO assistant professor, Kiera Jeschke, OD ‘21, Resident ‘22, FAAO, Ryan Keenan, OD ‘22, Resident ‘23, and Heidi Hernandez, OD, ‘25Resident, presented practical tools and techniques for assessing and managing double vision.
The Papilledema vs. Pseudo Papilledema Conundrum, and IIH-Update: James Fanelli, OD ‘85, FAAO, Leonard Messner, OD ‘84, Resident ‘85, FAAO, and professor emerita Lorraine Lombardi, PhD delved into the intricacies of papilledema and idiopathic intracranial hypertension, providing updates on the latest diagnostic and treatment approaches.
Breathe In, Refer Out! Dr. Malloy emphasized the importance of recognizing and referring respiratory conditions that can affect ocular health.
Expanding Your Field of Knowledge: Glaucoma and Low Vision Co-Management Case Series: Erin Kenny, OD ‘15, Resident ‘16, FAAO, PCO associate professor, and Dr. Meagher shared case studies on co-managing glaucoma and low vision, offering practical insights for enhancing patient outcomes.
Clinical Application of Convergence Insufficiency Evidence-based Research: Mitchell Scheiman, OD, PhD ‘16, FAAO, FCOVD, PCO professor, and Tara Alvarez, PhD presented evidence-based research on convergence insufficiency, highlighting its clinical applications.
The Trouble with Double: Drs. Maglione and Marunde discussed the challenges of managing double vision, providing strategies for effective treatment.
The Anatomy Behind Retinal Vascular Disorders Bisant Labib, OD ‘14, Resident ‘15, FAAO, Dipl., CEC, PCO associate professor and associate dean of Optometric Special Programs, provided an in-depth look at the anatomical factors contributing to retinal vascular disorders, enhancing attendees' understanding of these complex conditions.
Rapid Fire: When the Body and the Eye Come to a Head: Systemic Considerations for Abnormalities of the Optic Nerve. A dynamic session featuring Shital Mani, OD ‘03, FAAO, PCO associate professor, Bhawan Minhas, OD, Resident ‘14, FAAO, Chad Killen, OD ‘19, Resident ‘20, PCO assistant professor, and Dr. Draper focusing on the systemic considerations for optic nerve abnormalities.
Ellerbrock Presents: Grand Rounds IV featuring Dr. Mani, Kelly Seidler, OD ‘18, Resident ‘20, and Margaret Burton, OD.
Meeting the Challenges with Older Patients: Demystifying Management of Patients Requiring Complex Care (Vision in Aging SIG): Sima Mozdhar, OD, MPH, FAAO, Charlie Ngo, OD, Dr. Pelino, William Monaco, OD, PhD, FAAO.
Three Doctor of Optometry students, Ryan Feng ‘26OD, Christian Nemeh ‘25OD, and Mariana Garcia ‘26OD, competed in the Essilor Luxottica Academic Challenge on Nov. 7 at the Dallara IndyCar Factory amidst a lively crowd.
Michael H. Mittelman, OD '80, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE, president of Salus at Drexel, served as the keynote speaker at a Veterans Affairs luncheon. Additionally, both on-campus and affiliated residents and faculty presented dozens of posters highlighting various case studies.
The annual meeting culminated in a lively alumni and friends' reception on Friday, Nov. 8, at the Downtown Marriott with more than 100 attendees celebrating their shared passion for optometry and reconnecting with old classmates and friends. The American Academy of Optometry meeting in Indianapolis was truly an eye-opening experience, blending the thrill of racing with the latest advancements in optometric education. Attendees left with newknowledge, valuable connections, and a renewed enthusiasm for their profession.
