USC Roski Eye Institute experts showcase latest ophthalmology innovations at American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The upcoming American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting to be held October 14-18 in Chicago is themed "AAO 2016 Innovate" and 18 medical and scientific experts from the University of Southern California (USC) Roski Eye Institute, will highlight that theme by presenting breakthrough research and clinical innovations that showcase the most challenging and difficult treatments and procedures that focuses on the future eye health of Americans across the lifespan.

"For more than 40 years our mission has been to preserve, protect and restore sight for the more than 26 million Americans over age 40 impacted by vision impairment as well as millions of children and young adults affected by myopia, amblyopia, strabismus, ptosis and other vision conditions," said Rohit Varma, MD, MPH, director of the USC Roski Eye Institute and interim dean of Keck School of Medicine of USC. "As pioneers in innovative research and clinical procedures, our AAO presentations this year continue to showcase our explorations in groundbreaking research, challenging clinical cases and the latest advancements to end blindness and restore sight," Varma added.

USC experts will cover a wide range of topics addressing ophthalmic issues affecting infants to seniors including: refractive surgery and the latest in the FDA-approved corneal cross-linking; pediatric glaucoma and retina; neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD); uveitis and scleritis, oculofacial plastic and cosmetic surgical techniques; hyperspectral imaging; vitreoretinal surgery; and a case study on pseudotumor cerebi. Following are conference presentation highlights. (Click here for a full listing of USC Roski Eye Institute AAO 2016 presenters.)

J. Bradley Randleman, MD, director of cornea, external disease and refractive surgery for USC Roski Eye Institute, will chair, speak and instruct on eight AAO sessions including chairing a discussion on "Therapeutic and Refractive Crosslinking Surgery" along with panelist Farhad Hafezi, MD, PhD, clinical professor of ophthalmology at USC Roski Eye Institute and professor of ophthalmology, University of Geneva Switzerland. Randleman will also be honored with the ISRS Founders' Award at the Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day at the annual meeting.

A "Best of" symposium, based on the best papers from the major anterior segment society meetings, includes the American Glaucoma Society selection of  "An Ab-interno Gelatin Stent for the Treatment of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: 3 Year Follow Up" to be presented by Varma. As one of the world's leading researchers in population-based eye diseases and expert on glaucomatous optic nerve damage, the AAO board of trustees is also honoring Varma with a Life Achievement Honor Award certificate. Varma recently served on the committee for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) report, Making Eye Health a Population Health Imperative: Vision for Tomorrow.

Vitereoretinal surgery and uveitis specialist, Damien C. Rodger, MD, PhD, will speak on "Intravitreal Drugs in Vitrectomized Eyes" including pharmacokinetics of the vitreous cavity and special considerations in eyes after victrectomy.

Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD, recent honoree of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation presented by President Obama, will present a lecture on "Retinal Degenerations." Humayun is co-creator of the Argus II retinal prostheses helping restore some sight to those with blinding retinitis pigmentosa (RP), for which he was honored at the White House.

Learn more about the USC Roski Eye Institute at: usceye.org 

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SOURCE USC Roski Eye Institute