Learn to maximize profitability at contact lens meeting

Leading edge programming on contact lenses, solutions, and related eye-care issues is the focal point of the fourth annual Contact Lens and Eyecare Symposium (CLES), Jan. 11 to 15, 2006, at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, FL.

The 2006 CLES will provide four plenary sessions highlighted by a 3-hour, MBA-level symposium, "How to Make Contact Lenses Part of Your Million $ Practice," moderated by Gary Gerber, OD, a leader in practice management. A panel of nationally known practitioners and business consultants will present contemporary business best practices and real-world strategies to help grow a practice.

"All of the panelists on 'Million $ Practice' are located in very different communities and practice in different ways," said Dr. Gerber, who is president of The Power Practice, Franklin Lakes, NJ. "But they all have succeeded because prescribing contact lenses and solving contact lens-related problems are a major part of their practices."

"Technology and Contact Lenses" will present many of the significant new advancements, such as lens materials and designs, wavefront-driven contact lenses, lens care systems, and computer software programs, which can result in greater application and increased patient approval.

Dr. Jim Colgain will moderate "Therapeutic Recipes for Contact Lens Patients with Dry Eyes, Allergy Eyes, and Infected Eyes." The session will feature a panel of professionals who will share a series of case studies in which the right combination of therapeutic options and practical solutions were applied successfully to benefit patients.

New for 2006 are four hands-on workshops. Participants in the workshops will receive personal instruction and clinical hands-on experience in practical areas of contact lens fitting and prescribing, such as ocular pharmaceuticals, ophthalmic equipment, and related subjects.

Additionally, the CLES Education Task Force has created a program that provides eye-care practitioners with more than 80 hours of fully accredited continuing education sessions presented by leading international practitioners. Members of the Task Force include the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (CLAO), the American Optometric Association (AOA), and the Contact Lens Society of America (CLSA). CLES 2006 education chairs are E. Lee Stock, MD (CLAO); Jack Schaeffer, OD (AOA); and B.W. Phillips, FCLSA (CLSA).

CLES is sponsored by the members of the Contact Lens Institute: Alcon Laboratories, AMO, Bausch & Lomb, CIBA Vision, CooperVision, and Vistakon. For 2006, the Florida Optometric Association (FOA) has signed on as a CLES State Association Partner. The FOA represents more than 1,400 optometrists. As a CLES State Association Partner, the FOA will actively promote the annual education meeting to its membership and to all optometrists throughout Florida and the southeast.

"Many meetings come here to Florida, but the cross-discipline blend of attendees and specialized education on contact lens prescribing is unique," said Ken Franklin, FOA executive director.

Founded in 2003, CLES is the premier meeting focused on contact lens education for all three ophthalmic professions. CLES 2005 was held this past January in San Diego. Approximately 800 eye-care professionals were among the 1,100 participants.

To register or for more information about CLES 2006, go to http://www.cles.info/ or call 866/515-CLES (2537).