SAN FRANCISCO – Issues from around the world will help provide a global perspective to the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 2008 Joint Meeting with the European Society of Ophthalmology, held in Atlanta from November 8 to 11. Registration for the Joint Meeting is available online until October 15 at www.aao.org.

Highlighted sessions include:

Symposium

International Perspectives: The Use of VEGF Inhibitors in Different Retinal Diseases

Sunday, Nov. 9, 10:30-12:00

Antagonists to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have revolutionized the treatment of retinal disorders that are characterized by abnormal angiogenesis. Clinical studies have demonstrated efficacy and improvement of visual outcomes in such disorders as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal venous occlusion, and retinopathy of prematurity. This symposium, a combined meeting with the Italian Society of Ophthalmology, will summarize the mechanism of action, the role of intravitreal injections for various conditions, and future directions of this therapy.

International Forum

Challenges to the Future of Ophthalmology in Developing Countries—Debates and Updates

Monday, Nov. 10, 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.

While ophthalmology in the developing world has come a long way, ophthalmology’s future in developing countries is full of risks and challenges. We ask ourselves: Is something better than nothing?—a debate about donated used equipment. Fee for service?—a debate about how to fund eye care. Is the grass greener in high income countries?—a debate about "brain drain." Ophthalmologists and public health experts who face these issues on a daily basis challenge us to rethink how we help and what we can do better.

Around the World in 80 Minutes

International Symposium on Devices for Complicated Cataract Cases

Monday, Nov. 10, 4:15 to 5:35 p.m.

This session will highlight intraocular devices and other adjuncts used in cataract surgery, especially in complicated cases, focusing on devices/adjuncts not approved in the U.S. but which have some clinical experience behind them.

The Best of the Academy in Spanish 2008
(Lo Mejor de la Academia en Español 2008)

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Academy and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology will present a one-day meeting that will summarize the important presentations in general ophthalmology and all subspecialty fields at the 2008 Joint Meeting. New ophthalmic literature and instruments will also be objectively evaluated. The presenting panels will be composed of Spanish-speaking ophthalmologists.

In addition to these highlighted sessions, the Academy will be hosting nine Breakfast With the Experts Roundtables in Spanish on November 9, 10 and 11. The roundtables will cover a wide range of clinical issues.  

The Academy will host an International Center at the Joint Meeting for international members to learn more about Academy programs, receive assistance with meeting details and meet with or leave messages for fellow international attendees. A Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking host will be available and light refreshments will be served. Admittance is by attendee badge.

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.