NO walk-ins or registrations after 5/15/25 for Exhibitors
Highlights:
- An excellent lineup of OD speakers
- Exhibit hall with 50+ exhibitors
- Friday Exhibit Hall Opening Reception and Family Fun Night (includes food, drinks, and plenty of activities for the kids including face painting, caricature artists, and balloon twisting stilt walkers!)
- Saturday ice cream break and luncheon in the exhibit hall
- Partner meal functions
- Located right on the beach!
Agenda:
Friday, May 30
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast provided by NCOS
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Concussion (mTBI) and Neurodegenerative Diagnosis and Management for Primary Care Optometry, COPE 97164-NO, Chris Putnam, OD, PhD, FAAO (2 hours)
This course will cover the existing peer-reviewed literature and provide a comprehensive checklist of clinical screening, diagnostic imaging and interdisciplinary management of mTBI patients. New strategies in point-of-care diagnostics accompanied by tailored clinical therapies with emerging techniques and pharmaceuticals will be introduced. Novel treatment plans, patient education including personalized handouts with scheduled follow-ups will allow primary care providers a consistent format to provide the most up-to-date care.
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM: Pharmacology Potpourri - Topicals to Orals in Ocular Disease Management, COPE 97168-PH, Chris Putnam, OD, PhD, FAAO (2 hours)
Medications used for a disease or indication outside FDA-approval is defined as off-label. FDA recognizes that off-label use by providers is often appropriate and may represent standard of care. This presentation will discuss prescribing considerations.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Apellis Partner Lunch
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Optical Coherence Tomography Primer and Advanced Interpretation, COPE 91952-GO, Chris Putnam, OD, PhD, FAAO (1 hour)
SD-OCT has become instrumental to primary care clinics allowing better access to care, definitive diagnoses and effective healthcare delivery. Imaging resolution and refined normative databases makes fundamental understanding of OCT technology critical.
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM: Subclinical Retinopathy Diagnosis and Management, COPE 91953-TD, Chris Putnam, OD, PhD, FAAO (1 hour)
Subclinical diagnostic leads to early detection and management of disease leading to better management and outcomes. Ophthalmic imaging can be a population-level screening for subclinical changes that present months to years before patient symptoms.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Opening Reception & Family Fun Night in the Exhibit Hall (open to all attendees along with spouses/significant others and children)
We invite you to join us in the Exhibit Hall for an evening of food, drinks and fun for all ages! Enjoy face painting, caricature artists, a balloon twisting stilt walker and more while enjoying social time with your fellow ODs, families and our fabulous exhibitors. A buffet dinner and drinks (adult and kid-friendly!) will be provided.
Saturday, May 31
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast provided by NCOS
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Glaucoma Update, COPE 98000-GL, Mike Cymbor, OD, FAAO (2 hours)
This course offers a timely update on glaucoma, led by an optometrist with over 25 years of specialized experience. It focuses on bridging research with clinical practice, covering the latest in diagnostic technologies (OCT, perimetry), and current/emerging medical, laser, and surgical treatments. Emphasis is placed on patient-centered management, challenging cases, risk assessment, and co-management. Attendees will gain practical insights to optimize patient outcomes.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Ice Cream Break in the Exhibit Hall sponsored by PECAA
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Retina Update, COPE 98001-TD, Mike Cymbor, OD, FAAO (2 hours)
As our population ages, eye care providers are seeing a surge in vision-threatening conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and hypertensive retinopathy. This dynamic course dives into the evolving landscape of retinal disease—highlighting cutting-edge diagnostic tools, real-world management strategies, and the latest breakthroughs in clinical research. Join us for a fast-paced, case-driven discussion designed to sharpen your clinical decision-making and elevate your care for today’s complex retinal patients.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch provided by NCOS in the Exhibit Hall
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Exercise and Eye Disease, COPE 93486-PB, Mike Cymbor, OD, FAAO (1 hour)
The management guidelines for cardiovascular disease, dry eye, myopia, diabetic retinopathy, atherosclerotic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, and glaucoma are well established. Exercise is emerging as a major modifiable risk factor in these common eye diseases and clinicians may be missing opportunities to include this in patient conversations. This course will discuss the role that exercise plays in each of these conditions and will highlight practical advice on meaningful ways of having exercise discussions with patients.
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM: Dry Eye Update, COPE 98002-TD, Mike Cymbor, OD, FAAO (1 hour)
Dry eye disease is more than just irritation—it’s a complex, multifactorial condition that can significantly impact our patients' lives. This course will simplify its pathophysiology, review the TFOS DEWS II subtypes, and explore practical, effective ways to diagnose and treat dry eye in your clinic.
Sunday, June 1
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Advanced Treatments of Chronic Corneal Disease, COPE 97225-TD, Michael Marino, OD, FAAO (2 hours)
This talk reviews two cases of chronic corneal disease and discusses the pathophysiology and treatment of these conditions in greater depth.
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM: Glow & Flow: The Intersection of Dry Eye & Aesthetic Care, COPE 97234-TD, Haley Perry, OD (2 hours)
As the fields of optometry and aesthetics continue to merge, eye care professionals are uniquely positioned to offer treatments that improve both ocular health and cosmetic appearance. This course explores the overlap between dry eye therapy and aesthetic medicine, highlighting cutting-edge treatments that serve dual purposes—from IPL, LLLT, and RF for meibomian gland dysfunction to DMST for blink mechanics, PRP, exosomes, and hormone-based therapies that enhance both the tear film and skin health. Attendees will learn how to differentiate neuropathic pain from inflammatory dry eye, understand the impact of cosmetic procedures like Botox, fillers, and lash serums on ocular surface disease, and explore biologic and light-based therapies that promote both eye comfort and facial rejuvenation. This engaging and practical session will give optometrists the knowledge they need to educate patients on aesthetic-friendly dry eye treatments and integrate cutting-edge technology into their care plans.
Speakers:
Mike Cymbor, OD, FAAO
State College, PA
Mike Cymbor is a dynamic and engaging speaker. With extensive experience in clinical optometry and practice management, he brings a unique depth of knowledge to his presentations. Dr. Cymbor specializes in glaucoma and advanced diagnostic procedures, sharing insights that help optometrists elevate their clinical care. He also lectures on diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, dry eye, and ocular surface disease, with a growing focus on the critical intersection between exercise and ocular disease. He also speaks on billing and coding. As a managing partner of one of the largest optometric practices in the country, Dr. Cymbor has hands-on experience leading a multi-location, multi-million dollar business. He also oversees a million-dollar-plus contact lens practice, offering valuable expertise in both clinical excellence and strategic practice growth. Beyond optometry, Dr. Cymbor values his role as a husband and father. He and his wife, Autumn, have three grown children. An avid outdoorsman, he thrives on movement - biking, hiking, swimming and running whenever possible.
Michael Marino, OD, FAAO
Raleigh, NC
Michael Marino, OD, FAAO, graduated from Wake Forest University in 1994 and The New England College of Optometry in 1998. He has owned his own practice and worked at the UNC Kittner Eye Center. Additionally, he served as the Clinical Director at TLC Laser Eye Centers in Raleigh and is currently the Clinical Field Director at Triangle Visions. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in fitting orthokeratology and scleral contact lenses. Michael is married to Elana Scheiner, OD, and they have two children along with two dachshunds. He also runs a blog at whatthefundus.com, where he discusses interesting cases, research papers, and studies.
Haley Perry, OD
Arden, NC
Dr. Haley Perry is an optometrist, business owner, and speaker specializing in AI-driven practice management with a special interest in ocular surface disease. As the owner of Elite Eye Care in Arden, NC, she integrates cutting-edge technology to enhance patient care and efficiency. A recognized leader in AI applications in optometry, Dr. Perry lectures at SECO, Vision Source events, and national conferences, helping doctors streamline workflows and improve decision-making. Beyond her practice, she serves as a Vision Source administrator and Political Action Committee Chair for the NCOS. Outside of optometry, she enjoys traveling, crafting, and family life with her husband and daughters. Dr. Perry is a dedicated innovator, educator, and advocate for the future of eye care.
Chris Putnam, OD, PhD, FAAO
San Antonio, TX
Dr. Putnam earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from South Dakota State University in 2001 and a Doctorate in Optometry from Pacific University in 2005. He was commissioned into the United States Air Force in 2003 as part of the Health Professions Scholarship Program, completed the Primary Care Residency program at Wilford Hall Medical Center and was awarded board certification in 2009. Dr. Putnam completed his PhD in Vision Science at University of Missouri-St Louis in 2014 winning 3 Graduate Research Fellowship awards. Dr. Putnam is currently serving at the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry as an adjunct clinical faculty member.
Room Block:
A room block is available at the Embassy Suites hotel and at the Kingston Plantation Condos & Villas. The reservation link will be provided in your registration confirmation email after you complete your event registration. Oceanview rooms at the Embassy Suites start at $279/night plus taxes and fees. Kingston Plantation villas start at $287/night plus taxes and fees (two and three bedroom villas available). Kingston Plantation oceanview condos (two and three bedroom condos available) start at $340/night plus taxes and fees. The daily resort fee is $25 (includes self-parking). Room reservations are available until the room block closes on May 20, 2025 or when the room block sells out, whichever occurs first.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations received before April 30, 2025 will be entitled to a full refund. Cancellations received between May 1 and May 21, 2025 will be entitled to a 50% refund. Cancellations received after May 21, 2025 will not be entitled to a refund.
For questions, contact Christy Santacana, Meetings Coordinator, at (919) 977-6964 or [email protected].
