Between the three of us, we have attended all of the major optometry meetings this year, from Vision Expo East to Optometry’s Meeting, to Vision Expo West, to the most recent, the American Academy of Optometry, and the energy at these conferences keeps growing and growing (as does the attendance).
Many of us are still playing catch-up after returning from the Academy meeting, which took place in Boston. Kudos to the Academy organizers for putting together an amazing program in a safe, socially responsible manner during these times. We are all Fellows of the Academy and enjoy mentoring and encouraging our colleagues, both young and mature, to join and earn their Fellowship. Sure, it’s a rigorous educational process, but you get so much out of it, which ultimately benefits your patients, your practice, and our profession. Regardless of your practice modality, you can become a Fellow, and the Academy welcomes you. Congratulations to this year’s 299 new Fellows and 14 new Diplomates of the Academy.
The education at Academy was top notch, the networking was second to none, and the exhibit hall was filled with new companies. There was plenty to talk about, with several product launches and FDA approvals leading up to and announced at the meeting (Oyster Point’s Tyrvaya [varenicline solution] Nasal Spray 0.03 mg is now available for distribution to US pharmacies, the FDA approved Allergan’s Vuity [pilocarpine HCl ophthalmic solution] 1.25% for the treatment of presbyopia in adults, CooperVision introduced MyDay daily disposable multifocal contact lenses, and Heru announced the expanded capabilities of its re:Vive wearable gamified diagnostic solution to include three new testing modalities, to name a few). Of course, the memories created there will last a lifetime. We’re glad we were able to be a part of it.
This year, one of the highlights of the meeting for the Modern Optometry team was the reception held to honor the young ODs featured in our One to Watch column. These individuals have been recognized not just for the work they do with their patients and practices, but for giving back to the profession in other ways—from promoting optometry on social media to educating their peers, participating in clinical research, and more. We’d like to thank Allergan for its support of the column and the program and for recognizing these promising young optometrists who are contributing now, and who will undoubtedly help take our profession to the next level. This year’s One to Watch list consisted of: Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO; Jade Coats, OD; Fayiz Mahgoub, OD; Emmanuella Okocha, OD; Nishan Pressley, OD; Jessilin Quint, OD, MS, MBA, FAAO; Bobby Saenz, OD, MS, FAAO; and Mark Schaeffer, OD.
With so much continued innovation and so many brilliant young minds around us, there’s no telling what the next 5 or even 10 years will hold for the profession. And there’s no sign of our progress slowing down, which we find very exciting. It’s a good time to be alive and a great time to be an eye care professional. Just think of all the treatment options we now have to offer our patients that weren’t available or even conceivable a few years ago.
Enjoy this last issue of the year. You’ll surely learn a thing or two, or maybe more. There are some outstanding articles on the posterior segment; on therapeutics, nutrition, and pharmacology; and many other various topics.
Until next time, happy holidays to you and yours. We’ll be back in the new year.
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