New Orleans Academy returns for annual symposium

Even Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath is no deterrent to the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology (NOAO). The association's annual meeting will go on as scheduled, March 10 to 12, in the Crescent City.

"There's never been an interruption in 55 years, and it's not going to happen on my rein," said NOAO President Scott D. Lanoux, MD. "I just had the faith that we'd ... regroup in this city."

The group aims to host several hundred ophthalmologists next month for its 55th annual symposium, "Inner Visions: An Update on Refractive Surgery, Cataract, and Cosmetic Oculoplastics." The venue has been moved from its usual location at the Astor Crowne Plaza to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

Nine key faculty members will present the latest tips and research in their respective areas of expertise. Among these are: Richard L. Anderson, MD, FACS, Salt Lake City; Perry S. Binder, MD, MS, San Diego; William W. Culbertson, MD, Miami; Eric Donnenfeld, MD, Long Island, NY; Scott MacRae, MD, Rochester, NY; Terrence P. O'Brien, MD, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Stephen Slade, MD, Houston; George O. Waring III, MD, Atlanta; and Steven E. Wilson, MD, Cleveland, OH.

An extensive agenda addressing a variety of topics in refractive surgery, cataracts, and oculoplastics will also greet NOAO delegates. In addition, attendees can be certified-at no extra charge-as epi-LASIK surgeons for both the Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) Amadeus and Norwood EyeCare epikeratomes. In addition, eyeonics Inc. is offering a certification course for its crystalens accommodative IOL at no extra charge, Marguerite B. McDonald, MD, added.

"It would take a great deal of time and money to obtain these certifications under any other circumstances," Dr. McDonald said.

More information is available from the NOAO by calling 504/861-2550 or 914/693-6755. A complete program may be downloaded from www.noao.org/symposium_20051.htm.