ASRS 2021 shines in the heart of Texas

The American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) will host its 39th Annual Scientific Meeting from October 8-12, 2021, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas.

The American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) will host its 39th Annual Scientific Meeting from October 8-12, 2021, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas.

According to ASRS, its 2021 scientific program offers attendees innovations in retina science, clinical practice, and surgery with 148 papers, 165 posters, 46 papers on demand, and 69 films.

According to Judy E. Kim, MD, FASRS, ASRS program chairperson, in the field of retina, the annual meeting is the North Star, providing updates on retina science, clinical practice and surgery, as well as the sharing of expert perspectives and ideas.

“It is a highly anticipated annual forum for the exchange of ideas, information and learning opportunities related to ‘all things retina,” she said. “The meeting is also known for great comradery, where old friends and their families come to reconnect and make new friends. With many of us having been isolated in our own silos over the past year and a half, this year’s meeting will be more important than ever.”

The event will kick off with a welcome reception from 7 to 10 PM Friday, October 8.

Saturday, October 9
Sessions will kick off with opening comments from Program Chairwoman Judy Kim at 8 AM.

The Diabetic Retinopathy 1 Symposium will be held from 8:05 to 9:30 AM. After a short break, the Diabetic Retinopathy 2 Symposium will be held from 10:10 to 11:55 AM.

The afternoon will include a Pharmacology Symposium from 1:10 to 1:50 PM, followed by a Pediatric Retina ROP Symposium from 1:50 to 2:35 PM. The afternoon sessions will conclude with the Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases Symposium from 3:15 to 4:25 PM.

The 2020 Awards Ceremony will be held from 4:25 to 5:35 PM and a Scientific Poster Question and Answer Session and Exhibit Hall Reception will be held from 5:35 to 6:35 PM.

The FIT & Resident Reception will be held from 6:35 to 7:35 PM.

Sunday, October 10
Opening remarks will be presented by ASRS President Carl C. Awh, MD, at 8 AM, followed by the Complications of Anterior Segment Surgery Symposium from 8:05 to 8:40 AM.

Sunday morning sessions also include a Socioeconomic/Practice Management Symposium from 8:40 to 9:35 AM, followed by a COVID-19 Symposium from 9:35 to 10:10 AM.

Sessions also include Retina PractiCare 2.0 at 10:50 AM and Health Policy Panel at 10:55 AM.

The 2021 Awards Ceremony will kick off at 11:10 AM.

Sunday afternoon sessions include PAT Survey and Global Trends at 1:35 PM and the Surgical Techniques and Maneuvers Symposium at 1:50 PM. The Imaging, Digital, Angiography Symposium will be held at 3:45 PM, followed by the WinR Case Conference at 5:15 PM.

Monday, October 11
Sessions kick off with the Wet AMD 1 Symposium at 8 AM and Dry AMD Symposium at 10:10 AM. The Wet AMD 2 Symposium will begin at 11:05 AM.

A Macular Surgery Symposium will be held at 1:40 PM, with afternoon sessions also including an Ocular Oncology Symposium at 3:25 PM, Instrumentation and Devices Symposium at 3:55 PM, and an AMD Panel at 4:25 PM. The ASRS Gala Dinner will be held from 7 to 10 PM.

Tuesday, October 12
Tuesday’s Retinal Detachment Symposium will start at 8 AM, followed by a Retinal Vascular Disease Symposium at 10:10 AM and Late Breakers at 11:15 AM. Kim will offer closing remarks at 11:35 AM.

Pandemic’s impact
Kim noted that in light of the current COVID-19 environment, the ASRS is deeply committed to providing a safe, healthy and enjoyable environment for all attendees.

According to Kim, attendees have the option of in-person or virtual attendance. For in-person attendees, the all-inclusive JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa will help maximize safety with expansive meeting spaces for social distancing, hand sanitizing stations and outdoor events whenever possible.

"The society will be the main meeting in residence, with the hotel occupied largely by meeting attendees, offering additional safety,” she said. “The hotel and ASRS are following all CDC COVID-19 guidelines."

Similarly, out of an abundance of caution, ASRS is requiring meeting participants to comply with all applicable regulations imposed by federal, state and/or local health authorities and government mandates.

ASRS COVID-19 Safety and Health Protocols also mandate that all meeting attendees be vaccinated. Kim said the ASRS will accept proof of vaccination with US or internationally approved vaccines.

"This is an exciting time in retina with many pivotal ongoing clinical trials and critical discussions of new therapeutic options and the effects of the pandemic on our practices," Kim said. "Attendees can be sure that our program will offer a robust array of excellent scientific papers, insightful panel discussions, posters, papers on demand and films showcasing everything from practical pearls to groundbreaking scientific developments and innovations."

For more information on the ASRS 2021 annual meeting, visit www.asrs.org/annual-meeting.

Check out our meeting coverage here