Hundreds of Instruction Classes, Transfer Courses, Symposiums and Round Table Discussions to be Held Nov. 10-13 in New Orleans

SAN FRANCISCO – The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2007 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Nov. 11-13 will feature 253 instruction courses, 181 “Breakfast with the Experts” roundtables, 91 skills transfer courses, 71 AAOE courses, and more than 120 hours of free sessions. Registration for the Annual Meeting is available online until October 17 at www.aao.org.

Highlighted sessions include:

The Young Ophthalmologist Program for Residents in Training and Doctors in First Five Years of Practice, Nov. 11, 10:00 a.m. -- 2:00 p.m.
Important topics of interest to all new ophthalmologists are addressed in this informative session, including starting a practice, contracts, buy-ins, integrating into practice, and financial planning.

Ultimate Grand Rounds: The Convergence of Cataract and Refractive Surgery: Things You Should Do or Voodoo, Nov. 11, 10:40 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m.
This outstanding session features lively debates on case studies covering cataract, intraocular lens, and refractive surgery issues. The audience will have a chance to respond to the discussion and "vote off" panelists, using electronic keypads.

New Symposium! Ophthalmologists at Work in Times of Disaster and Conflict, Nov. 11,  2:00 p.m. --3:33 p.m.
Ophthalmologists will share their experiences with Hurricane Katrina, the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the war in Iraq and discuss disaster scenarios, response plans, and the lessons learned that can help us plan for the future.

Spotlight on Refractive Surgery: New Imaging Technology, Nov. 11,  3:45 p.m. -- 5:15 p.m.
Presented by the French Society of Ophthalmology (SFO), this session will provide an understanding of how current technology acquires and presents useful data. Simultaneous interpretation in French and English will be available.

Spotlight on Cataracts 2007: Current Controversies in Cataract Surgery, Nov. 12, 8:30 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m.
Lively debates followed by analyses of the various “controversial” options and approaches available. Part of a full day of programming for Cataract Monday.

Managing Intraoperative Challenges in Cataract Surgery, Nov. 12, 2:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m.
This symposium will present actual patient management cases and the surgeon’s role in engineering each outcome.

Around the World in 80 Minutes, Nov. 12, 4:10 p.m. -- 5:30 p.m.
Focusing on different techniques from around the world for ophthalmic diseases and conditions. This year’s topic is presbyopia IOLs.

DOD-VA: Ophthalmology on the Front Lines-Treating America's Heroes, Nov. 12, 12:15 p.m. -- 1:45 p.m.
Representatives of the Society of Military Ophthalmologists and the Association of Veterans Affairs Ophthalmologists will discuss how Eye M.D.s are meeting the challenges of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and in today's Veterans Health Administration.

Late Breakers Symposium, Nov. 13, 8:30 a.m. -- 10:00 a.m.
Presenting the most relevant topics and late breaking information for those involved in primary eye care. Topics will cover new technology and therapies as well as important topics and controversies that have come up within the last six months in the field of ophthalmology. The focus this year is on new pharmaceutical advances.

Best of the Anterior Segment Specialty Meetings 2007, Nov. 13, 10:15 a.m. -- 11:15 a.m.
This symposium will feature ten of the best papers from the major anterior segment specialty meetings of 2007. These papers will be in the four major anterior segment specialty areas of cataract, refractive surgery, cornea/external disease, and glaucoma.

Point-Counterpoint: Controversies in Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery. 10:15 a.m. -- 11:45 a.m.
This session will investigate changes in the field of ophthalmic plastic surgery where preferred therapies and techniques have yet to be established. Other topics presented will investigate issues where preferred practice patterns have yet to be established.