2026 Annual Meeting - Physician Program 

Register for Physician Program >
 (Deadline to Register is Feb. 23)

Saturday, February 28, 2026
Hilton Columbus at Easton
Book Your Discounted Hotel Room HERE (Note: deadline is Feb. 5)

(Student Poster Abstracts will be posted here upon event completion)

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AGENDA

7:00 am
Registration / Breakfast / Visit Exhibits

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8:00 am 
Welcome
Aleksandra Rachitskaya, MD, OOS President

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8:10 am                   
Inherited Retinal Disease/Retina  
Thomas Mendel, MD, PhD (The Ohio State University)

We are piloting a new gene therapy approach for patients with inherited retinal disease. By attending this lecture, you should be able to discuss different forms of inherited retinal disease and approaches for gene therapy including gene augmentation as well as gene editing.

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8:30 am
A Glaucoma Paradigm Shift  
Stephan Dixon, MD (Midwest Eye, Cincinnati)

Over recent years, the treatment algorithm is evolving, and with the advent of newer treatments, this update is worthwhile.  By attending this lecture, you should be able to navigate an ever-evolving landscape of glaucoma care; recommend the most up-to-date glaucoma treatments; and understand the newest treatment algorithm for glaucoma.

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8:50 am                   
Q&A / Discussion

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9:05 am                   
Severe Ocular Surface Diseases   
Rebecca Kuennen, MD (The Ohio State University)

Severe ocular surface diseases, such as ocular graft-versus-host disease, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, represent some of the most vision-threatening conditions encountered in ophthalmology. They are often associated with systemic disease, immune dysregulation, and significant morbidity. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and multidisciplinary management are essential to preserving ocular integrity and preventing blindness. By attending this lecture, you should be describe the pathophysiology, risk factors, and clinical manifestations of ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD); identify biomarkers and novel diagnostic modalities that aid in the diagnosis of oGVHD; evaluate systemic and local treatment options for oGVHD and emerging therapies under investigation; explain the clinical features, staging, and management strategies for ocular cicatricial pemphigoid; and discuss the pathogenesis, ocular complications, and treatment approaches for Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

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9:25 am                   
KTEF AAO Virtual Reality Platform - ROP Module 
Faruk Orge, MD, MBA, FAAO, FAAP (UH Cleveland)

ROP is the leading cause of preventable blindness in childhood worldwide. There is still a signifcant gap in ROP training and to help close this gap we have created the AAO Virtual Reality Platform and it’s first module on ROP. This platform is available for all the ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists in training worldwide. By attending this session, you will learn about available online educational platforms, AAO Virtual reality module and it’s use in training ROP examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, indirect laser treatment and intravitrel injection.

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9:45 am
Q&A / Discussion

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10:00 am
BREAK / Networking / Visit Exhibitors& Posters

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10:40 am                
Neuro-ophthalmology Pearls for Diagnosis and Management of Common Neuro-ophth Problems
Amy Babiuch, MD (Cleveland Clinic)

A lecture on neuro-ophthalmology pearls will improve professional practice by addressing the gap between current practice and optimal care for common neuro-ophthalmic conditions. Many healthcare professionals, including ophthalmologists, neurologists, and primary care physicians, may lack up-to-date knowledge on the subtle signs, diagnostic pitfalls, and modern management strategies for these complex conditions. This can lead to misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, and suboptimal patient outcomes. The lecture will provide a practical, "pearls-based" approach to help practitioners feel more confident in identifying and managing these problems more effectively. By attending this lecture, you should be able to identify red flag signs for vision-threatening disease and mastering the diagnostic steps for evaluating such disease processes. By achieving these goals, attendees will gain confidence, improve patient outcomes, and enhance their ability to collaborate with other specialists, ultimately leading to more efficient and effective clinical practice.

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11:00 am                
The Faces of Ukraine   
Ray Cho, MD, FACS (The Ohio State University)

There is a high demand for reconstructive orbital/facial surgery in wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. By attending this lecture, attendees should be able to identify the clinical challenges in performing secondary periorbital and orbital reconstruction in combat-related injuries.

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11:20 am                
Turning Complex Cataract Surgery into Routine  
Jack Shao, MD (Cole eye, Cleveland)

Learning to deal with the most common complex aspects of cataract surgery will reduce your stress level and allow you to enjoy performing cataract surgery. By attending this session, you should be able to discuss management of cataracts in the setting of small pupil, shallow chambers, dense nucleus, and zonular insufficiency.

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11:40 am
Q&A / Discussion

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11:55 am
Business Meeting 

• State Affairs Update – Jennifer Larson, MD
• Highlight Leadership Development Program
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Legislator of the Year Award
• President’s Remarks

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12:15 pm
Member Lunch

12:15 pm                
YO Lunch
Moderators:  Allison Babiuch, MD, Linda Ohsie-Bajor, MD, Emily Xu, MD, Joe DiBernardo, Christopher J. Rapuano, MD

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1:15 pm                   
Training Program Spotlight - University Hospitals Case Western Reserve Medical Center
Systemic Immunotherapy and the Eye: A Retrospective Look at Ocular Toxicities   
Blake Boehm, MD

Systemic immunotherapy including checkpoint inhibitors is commonly used by oncologists for the treatment of various types of malignancy. It is important for ophthalmologists to recognize some of the ocular side effects that may be associated with these medications. By attending this session, attendees should be able to recognize ocular side effects that are associated with use of systemic immunotherapy such as checkpoint inhibitors.

Bilateral Choroidal Metastases in a Male Patient with Breast Cancer  
Ali Syed, MD

Choroidal metastases are the most common intraocular malignancy in adults, typically arising from breast or lung primaries. However, breast cancer in males represents less than 1% of all breast cancers. Recognizing this entity is clinically important because it may represent the first manifestation of systemic spread, alter staging and prognosis, and guide management decisions.

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1:35 pm
Keynote Presentation: AAO Update  
Christopher J. Rapuano, MD, 2026 AAO President

AAO membership is interested in the latest information from the AAO leadership. By attending this session, you will receive updates on the priorities of AAO especially regarding Education and Advocacy.

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2:30 pm
Ethical Communication with Patients: Informed Consent and Error Disclosure
Tom Graul, MD (Ethics Committee, AAO)

Appropriate communication and informed consent is important for both ethical treatment of patients and for managing risk in a surgical practice. By attending this lecture, you should be able to describe the importance of honest, ethical communication with patients; identify barriers and benefits to disclosure of errors; and review the principles of informed consent and apply these principles when learning new surgical techniques.

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3:15 pm
Vision for Safety: Cataract Case Insights (OMIC) 
Lauren Karipis, MHA, BS

Closed malpractice cases offer powerful lessons. Each closed case provides a real-world snapshot of where systems, communication, and documentation can break down. Understanding why adverse events happen rather than simply how, can improve risk awareness and lead to fewer patient injuries. By attending this session, you should be able to identify clinical, communication, and documentation pitfalls that increase the risk of adverse outcomes and litigation; recognize system-level and human factors that contribute to patient harm; and apply lessons learned from malpractice data into actionable risk management and patient safety strategies to prevent similar incidents in cataract and other ophthalmic procedures.

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4:00 pm
Poster Awards

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4:15 pm
Adjourn

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