MACULA 2012

Atlantic Coast Retina Club

Friday, January 20th and Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Begins at 6:30AM 

Course Directors

K. Bailey Freund, MD

Harvey A. Lincoff, MD

Jason Slakter, MD

Richard Spaide, MD

Lawrence A. Yannuzzi, MD

This event is co-sponsored by NYU Post-Graduate Medical School & North Shore-LIJ Health System and presented by Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Institute.

COURSE PROGRAM

To access the full program, please visit http://retinal-research.org.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Using a combination of didactic lectures and discussions, faculty members will present advances in diagnosis and treatment of macular diseases to fellow ophthalmologists.  The course will discuss alternative concepts for “dry” and “wet” age-related macular degeneration, including a discussion on the basic science behind the disease, diabetic retinopathy, idiopathic perifoveal telangetasia, ocular tumors, as well as other vitreo-retina macular diseases. Information on new and experimental pharmacological therapies, as well as new imaging concepts, vitreoretinal surgical instrumentation and applications will also be presented.

At the completion of this course, participants will have a thorough understanding of the latest advances in the management of macular diseases.  Participants will also have an increased knowledge of new imaging and diagnostic techniques available to the ophthalmic community, as well as the decision making process utilized by the course faculty in approaching these situations.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

•  Discuss new imaging technology (e.g. spectral OCT, Autofluorescence) in the diagnosis of retina and macular diseases.
• Assess and evaluate the latest developments of vitreous, retina and macular diseases, as well as ocular tumors.
• Assess and evaluate the latest developments in pharmacotherapeutic treatments for AMD and other macular diseases.
• Assess and evaluate the latest developments in surgical trends, including small vitrectomy surgery and wound healing.
• Discuss the factors leading up to a point where a complication could occur during surgery.
• Evaluate potential options that are available to prevent a complication or to avert an unfavorable outcome. Establish methods of how potential options can be prioritized in ‘real-‘time’. Incorporate the methodologies developed into individual surgeon’s practice approach.
• Present an overview of surgical instrument design and the strategies used to develop the designs. Outline how testing of the instrument occurs and how iterative improvements are made. Apply these principles to current state of the art instruments and clarify the use of newer instruments. Create a framework in which newer instruments and approaches are used to better serve patients with retinal disease.  

TARGET AUDIENCE

Our audience consists of ophthalmologists with an interest in the management of vitreous, retina and macular disease. New information is best disseminated through interactive lectures, discussions and question and answer sessions.

STATEMENT OF NEED

The leading cause of legal blindness in the United States is macular disease, a term which includes age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.  AMD afflicts approximately 5 million people and growing.  Pharmacological treatment for AMD has become a billion dollar business and healthcare expenditures for ophthalmic procedures have skyrocketed.  In addition, with diabetes on the rise, millions of more people will need comprehensive eye care.  As the U.S. population continues to age, it is important that ophthalmologists continue to be updated on the advances in cost effective treatment and management of vitreo-retina macular disease.  Additionally, with new surgical modalities being developed, there is a need to discuss how to prevent complications and the options available to patients as well as to surgeons.

ACCREDITATION STATMENT

The NYU Post-Graduate Medical School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

The NYU Post-Graduate Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM.   Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

DISCLOSURE POLICY STATEMENT

The NYU Post-Graduate Medical School adheres to ACCME Essential Areas and policies, including the Standards for Commercial Support regarding industry support of continuing medical education.  In order to resolve any identified Conflicts of Interest, disclosure information is provided during the planning process to ensure resolution of any identified conflicts. Disclosure of faculty and commercial relationships as well as the discussion of unlabeled or unapproved use of any drug, device or procedure by the faculty will be fully noted at the meeting.

HOTEL INFORMATION

A block of rooms has been reserved for course participants.  When making your reservation, please specify that you are registering for the Macula 2012 course.  The cutoff date for reservations is December 31, 2011.

QUESTIONS

(212) 605-3777

Michelle Cimino, mcimino@retinal-research.org

Joan Daly, jdaly@retinal-research.org