Hundreds of Instruction Courses, Skills Transfer Courses, Symposiums and Round Table Discussions to be Held Nov. 11-14

SAN FRANCISCO – The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) 2006 Joint Meeting in Las Vegas, Nov. 11-14 will feature 257 instruction courses, 180 “breakfast with the Experts” roundtables, 92 skills transfer courses, 73 AAOE courses, 35 APAO courses, 761 scientific posters and 32 symposia.

This is the largest and most comprehensive ophthalmic educational meeting in the world.

Highlighted sessions include:

Sunday, Nov. 12
Introduction to Virtual Reality Surgical Training
This virtual reality training system for ophthalmic surgery uses advanced computer technology to simulate the feel of real eye surgery. The morning session will include a lecture and is a prerequisite for the afternoon hands-on lab session.

Ultimate Grand Rounds
Back by popular demand, this lively Sunday session features audience interaction and a provocative panel.

Around the World in 60 Minutes: Phakic IOLs
This is a new symposium offering insights on how Phakic IOLs are used around the world. Topics covered include: Preoperative and Patient Selection Considerations for Phakic IOLs, Artiflex Phakic Lenses, Acrysof Phakic ACL, Kelman Duet Anterior Chamber Phakic IOL, Toric Phakic IOLs, Complications of Sulcus-fixated Phakic IOLs (PRL / ICL), ICL/Toric ICL - Special Applications, Baikoff Phakic IOL. There will also be a Q&A session.

Spotlight on TASS and Endophthalmitis
2006 witnessed the largest ever outbreak of toxic anterior segment syndrome in the United States. The results of the landmark ESCRS intracameral cefuroxime trial were announced as well. This special symposium will review and provide the latest updates on TASS, as well as current controversies in endophthalmitis prophylaxis from 15 leading experts.

Monday, Nov. 13
Cataract Monday
Special programming includes a half-day “Spotlight on Pseudophakic IOLs 2006: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?” (morning) and “Challenges and Controversies in Cataract Surgery” symposium with case based discussions (afternoon).

Late Breakers Symposium
What’s the latest treatment for variety of conditions and diseases? Get up to speed quickly with this symposium.

Tuesday, Nov. 14
Spotlight on Cornea: New Innovations in Corneal Surgery
The last five years have witnessed an evolution of corneal surgery apart from the field of refractive laser correction. New techniques and technologies are expanding the surgical armamentarium of the corneal surgeon for patients with keratoconus, endothelial dysfunction and stromal scarring. This symposium will feature discussions of recent advances in corneal surgery, highlighting anterior and posterior lamellar transplantation, keratoprostheses, intrastromal ring implantation, and the use of the femtosecond laser technology in keratoplasty.

Spotlight on the Management of Presbyopia
This special session is designed to be the Joint Meeting's primary source of the latest state-of-the-art information on the surgical management of presbyopia.

For a complete program listing or to register for the Joint Meeting, visit www.aao.org/meetings/annual_meeting.

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About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
AAO is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more than 27,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. For more information, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.