Vail meeting an annual tradition for Wilmer institute

Vail, CO-The Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will host its 24th annual Current Concepts in Ophthalmology meeting here March 11 to 16.

The meeting, to be held at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort, will be directed by Walter J. Stark, MD, and Neil M. Bressler, MD, both members of the Wilmer Eye Institute staff. The course promises to focus on clinical use and medical issues important to the evolving practice of ophthalmology, with a specific concentration on the most advanced medical and surgical treatment options within glaucoma, retina, anterior segment, and refractive surgery. The latest information on the management of ocular conditions will be studied through didactic lectures, interactive discussion sessions, and hands-on training workshops.

Co-sponsored by Ophthalmology Times, the meeting is designed to start early each day with a continental breakfast and a practice management session around 6:30 a.m., followed by several hours of clinical presentations. This schedule frees up participants and their families to enjoy Vail's world-class skiing and beautiful scenery together in the early afternoon before returning for some additional late-day sessions and evening events.

Sunday, March 11

Early registration will be from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. A complimentary financial seminar will be offered from 5:30 to 7 p.m. by John J. Grande, CFP®, and Traudy F. Grande, CFP®, long-time lecturers at the Current Concepts seminars. They will present "Taking an MRI of your Finances: What's the Prognosis and Treatment?" The Grandes are contributing editors with their son, John S. Grande, CFP®, to Ophthalmology Times' "Money Matters" column.

In addition, the Grandes will be available throughout the meeting to schedule no-obligation appointments with attendees to address individual concerns and goals for investment planning, estate preservation, taxes, and retirement planning.

Monday, March 12

Morning events will include the practice management session "Working Backward for a Perfect Portfolio" by the Grandes, starting at 6:30 a.m., followed by a review of current legislative affairs and then a symposium on the anterior segment. A coding and reimbursement seminar will wrap up the morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The afternoon events, from 3:30 to 7 p.m., will include the practice management session "Benchmarking Your Practice: A Case Study Approach" and clinical presentation on the anterior segment. The day will end with a welcome reception from 7 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 13

The morning session again will tackle practice management-"Revisiting Coding for Consultations"-and a focus on anterior segment problems such as keratoconus and corneal ectasia after LASIK. A workshop on botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The afternoon will resume at 4 p.m. with "Integrating New Technology into Clinical Practice," followed by an anterior segment/refractive surgery session. A reception will follow from 7 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 14

A practice management session on "Recent Trends in the Ophthalmic Marketplace" will begin the day, followed by a session on glaucoma until 10 a.m. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a mid-mountain barbecue at Sarge's Shelter, during which Jody Piltz-Seymour, MD, will discuss a new treatment option for glaucoma.

The afternoon session will begin with the practice management focus "Increasing Your Optical Profits through Good Marketing" at 4 p.m., followed by speakers on the anterior segment and oculoplastics.

Thursday, March 15