Optometric Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Society

The Optometric Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Society (OCCRS) is a space for optometry clinicians, students, residents, academicians, and members of industry to share resources and support in providing the best possible pre- and postoperative care. Chartered in 2004 as the Optometric Council on Refractive Technology, the society’s primary goal is to bring together stakeholders interested in refractive technologies to stay up to date on novel surgical techniques, research advances, and comanagement strategies.

ACTIVITIES

The OCCRS held annual symposiums until 2020, when the organization cancelled its live event and began hosting virtual events. The organization joined Glaukos, Dompé, and Alcon for virtual CE programs. The OCCRS offers members a variety of other types of educational opportunities throughout the year, including live Mentor Chats, written articles, and technology updates. Presenters at OCCRS events have included Clark Y. Chang, OD, MSA, MSc, FAAO; Whitney Hauser, OD, FAAO; Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO; and Mitch Ibach, OD, FAAO, among other thought leaders in optometry.

The organization’s most recent event, Refractive Surgery Postoperative Care and Complications Management, took place virtually on October 12, 2021, and was moderated by OCCRS President Tracy Schroeder Swartz, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl ABO. During the webinar, Chris Freeman, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, and David Lampariello, OD, FAAO, offered pearls for comanagement of refractive surgery.

MEMBERSHIP

The group is accepting new members interested in staying up to date on refractive technologies and strategies. Membership in the OCCRS includes access to the private OCCRS Facebook group, four free webinars per year with COPE CE credit, discounted registration rate for the OCCRS Annual Symposium, and access to the member library.

The society also offers a mentorship program for ODs who practice in ophthalmologic settings or are interested in comanagement in optometric settings. The program includes 10 CE credits per year; mentoring webinars with OCCRS board members; a discounted registration rate for the Annual Symposium; and a membership certificate.

The OCCRS is a not-for-profit member-driven organization that is supported by industry sponsors including Acufocus, Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Oculus, Glaukos, Dompé, and Sun Ophthalmics.