AAO to land in Chicago: Subspecialty days, symposia to showcase scientific achievement

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting is coming to Chicago, Illinois from September 30 to October 3, featuring Subspecialty Days and a virtual component. The event will be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place, billed as the largest convention center in North America and located on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Debra Rosencrance, vice president of meetings and exhibits at AAO, said that planning is going well for this year’s event. The Midwest locale makes it an easy trip for ophthalmologists from across the country who are traveling to the conference.

“We are pleased to be returning to Chicago,” she said. “With two airports and a world-class convention center, Chicago is built to host large conventions like AAO 2022. Registrations for the in-person meeting are on target and will exceed 2021.”

Thanks to its full schedule, Rosencrance said that this year’s meeting will feature an array of events for attendees, including a continuation of the in-person experience conducted in the same professional manner as at past conferences.

“Attendees can expect the same quality education that they have come to expect from the Academy,” she added. “The program committees have worked hard to put together a comprehensive agenda that covers the latest topics for each of the subspecialties.”

Moreover, Rosencrance explained that all of the key industry players will be represented at the Expo, giving attendees the opportunity to see the latest ophthalmic technologies.

Subspecialty Days feature retina, cornea, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular oncology and pathology, ocular plastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and refractive surgery. Rosencrance also noted this year’s event features a diverse lineup of keynote speakers.

“Author Scott Turow is presenting the Marmor lecture at the opening session and Dr Michael Drake, the University of California chancellor, will present the Shaffer lecture on Saturday,” she said. “Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin will present the closing keynote on Leadership During Challenging Times.”

Rosencrance pointed out that the AAO has a number of success factors. “Of course, we include metrics like number of attendees [and] diversity of speakers, but we also look at subjective data such as how attendees perceived the experience,” she explained. “We got a lot of positive feedback on last year’s meeting, and we hope to continue that.”

María H. Berrocal, MD, FASRS, CEO of Drs Berrocal and Associates in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and associate professor at the University of Puerto Rico, will be serving as both panelist and moderator at the meeting’s Retina Subspecialty Day. She is the recipient of the American Society of Retina Specialists’ 2022 Founders Award in recognition of her major contributions to the advancement of vitreoretinal surgery, treatment, research, and patient care.

Berrocal’s research interests include new techniques in vitreoretinal surgery, with a particular focus on complications of diabetic retinopathy. She has participated in numerous studies of novel treatments for managing diabetic complications and has been an invited speaker and visiting surgeon in more than 20 countries.

The agenda for the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 2022 annual meeting:

Friday Subspecialty Day Activity: Glaucoma, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Refractive Surgery, Retina, and Uveitis (Day 1)

The American Academy of Ophthalmology designates this Other (blended live and enduring material) activity for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Saturday Subspecialty Day Activity: Cornea, Oculofacial Plastic Surgery, and Retina (Day 2)

The American Academy of Ophthalmology designates this Other (blended live and enduring material) activity for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physicians registered as in-person and virtual are eligible to claim the above CME credit.