The stars were shining brightly over Dallas, Texas, December 4-7, 2003, but not as brightly as the stars in attendance at Academy 2003 Dallas! From the meeting’s logo, which featured star shapes of an image of the photoreceptor mosaic in a living human eye taken with an adaptive optics fundus camera, to the best-of-the-best presenters in the educational program, Academy 2003 Dallas glowed. 3,600 registrants experienced nearly 300 hours of education, a jam-packed exhibit hall and the kind of fellowship that only the Academy can provide.
This year’s theme was The Future in Sight: Today’s Research, Tomorrow’s Practice™. Instructors made the extra effort to present material that was not only thought provoking, but also useful for every-day optometric practice. The Plenary Session, generously supported by Vision Services Plan, brought together internationally renowned clinicians and clinician researchers on discoveries in nerve cell death, protection and nerve regeneration and their implications for glaucoma treatment.
The Lectures and Workshops (Ellerbrock) Program Committee selected numerous stars of the Academy to present over 200 hours of diverse optometric and vision science education. For the first time vision scientists from the Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals, the Schools and Colleges of Optometry, and Co-management Centers presented Grand Rounds cases on vitreo-retinal, systemic disease, neuro-ophthalmics, and glaucoma, respectively. This session was well attended and the committee plans to offer it again at Academy 2004 Tampa. The exhibit hall sponsored continuing education (CE), as well as interactive participant response programming, funded by Novartis Ophthalmics, and also showcased stars both lecturing and participating in the audiences.
The eight Academy membership sections succeeded at planning symposia that reflected the most important trends in each of their areas of focus. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)/American Academy of Optometry (AAO) Joint Symposium, planned by the Vision Science Section and the Section on Cornea and Contact Lenses, brought new knowledge in the Basis and Treatment of Dry Eye to attendees. The Low Vision Section educated participants on accessibility issues in the general environment and the Internet. Presenter Mike May, whose sight was surgically restored in March 2000, drew attention to the many issues that affect the visually impaired on an everyday basis.
The Monroe J. Hirsch Memorial Research Symposium introduced the science of macular degeneration (AMD). Notable in the eminent panel of speakers were two vision scientists, Deepak Edward, MD and Peter Kaiser, MD, who laid out the histopathology of AMD and then spoke of new treatment strategies. At the conclusion of the symposium, Student Travel Fellowship recipients were awarded their travel grant checks. There were over 100 students sponsored by industry and Academy chapters this year!
Extreme gratitude goes to the corporate sponsors of Academy 2003 Dallas. Without the generous support the Academy receives from such donors as CIBA Vision® and Vistakon®, among others, materials printed for our meetings would consist of black and white photocopies, and the students would have to brown-bag it at the student welcome reception! We are extremely grateful to be able to access our e-mails and the Personal Program Planner (PPP) at the Technology Pavilion sponsored by Novartis Ophthalmics.
This year’s exhibit hall was chock-full of activities and exhibitors. Along with the over 148 vision care companies exhibiting, attendees were able to hear informative lectures on diagnosing and treating glaucoma at the Academy Glaucoma Theater, buy (or browse) the Western Wear of Texas’ Wild Bill and enjoy delicious lunch and hors d’oevres during exhibit hall hours.
On December 6 Academy Fellows honored their own during the annual Academy Awards ceremony. The true stars of the Academy, the honorees included Gunilla Haegerstrom-Portnoy, OD, PhD, FAAO, and Anthony (Tony) J. Adams, OD, PhD, FAAO, whose lectures on vision in elders and color studies of cone pathway sensitivity drew a standing-room-only audience.
Attendees at the December 7 evening banquet were treated to the creative talents of Michael Ostaski of Art Explosion. His three paintings were auctioned off in a rousing and humorous display by master of ceremonies (and experienced auctioneer), Michael G. Harris, OD, JD, MS, FAAO. This unique experience was followed by the presentation of nine new Diplomates and the introduction of 105 new Fellows.
Many thanks go out to all of the Academy volunteers for their selfless dedication to the day-to-day work of the Academy life, especially to all who worked to make this excellent annual meeting a reality!
