Concussion: Biomarkers & Therapy

Concussion is a public health epidemic. Approximately 7.8 million people experience concussions each year, and those are just the ones that are reported. Optometry is the profession to help with both diagnosing and treating concussions. A more integrated team approach among healthcare practitioners is needed to manage and improve outcomes for patients experiencing concussions.

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Dacryocystitis "Taken Oestridae"

This course reviews a case of an atypical eyelid mass which is determined to be orbital myiasis caused by an oestridae (botfly) larvae. This unique case presentation contains multiple images over a one month span from initial symptoms to diagnosis and treatment. Differential diagnoses will be reviewed. Focus on orbital myiasis causation, typical course, and treatments with be discussed. Psychological repercussions of this unique diagnosis will be considered.

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Opioid Education

New course will be available starting 11/12/23

This course will examine and list the commonly prescribed agents used for pain management and/or end-of-life care. It will identify the ocular indications and potential side effects of commonly prescribed agents used in pain management. Tolerance and addiction from opioid agents will be covered along with opioid overdose treatment medication and plan.

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Act 31 Mandated Child Abuse Awareness, Recognition and Reporting
This 2-hour lecture provides the required training for Pennsylvania license renewal for healthcare providers. The attendees will learn how to define child abuse, differentiate between acts and failure to act and the risk factors for child abuse.

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Is it Really All About That Base? Vision Loss in Stroke Patients

This course discusses examination techniques, neuroanatomy, and management for patients with a presenting homonymous hemianopia. There will be an emphasis on low vision devices in regards to homonymous hemianopias. There will be a discussion of integrating examination findings and neuroimaging.

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First Line Therapy Update in Glaucoma Management

Topical ophthalmic medication has historically been first line therapy in the management of glaucoma. With the benefit of new information from disruptive studies, selective laser trabeculoplasty and intracameral sustained-release implants have altered evidence-based treatment of open angle glaucoma. Minimally-invasive glaucoma surgeries, both implants, and procedures, have also changed our first line treatment strategy. These updated clinical practices will be reviewed in addition to clinical application of study data.

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Case Based Review of Systemic Side Effects of Oral Medications

Systemic medications can have a variety of ocular manifestations, some with profound effects on the visual system. Identifying patients who are at risk for complications and correlating clinical findings with a patient’s current medications is challenging and requires a thorough review and understanding of a patient’s medical history.

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8-Hour DEA Requirement for The Treatment and Management of Patients with Opioid or Other Substance Use Disorder

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 enacted a new one-time, eight-hour training requirement for all Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered practitioners on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.

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Keeping an Eye Out for Lacrimal Gland Enlargement

Eye care providers must not overlook the lacrimal gland. Structural changes to the lacrimal gland and dysfunction may be the presenting sign of an underlying systemic disease. We will review common conditions that affect the lacrimal gland and highlight treatment and management options through clinical case examples. Appropriate diagnostic work up, treatment, management, and referral of patients with lacrimal gland dysfunction can improve prognosis both ocularly and systemically.

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Low Vision Rehabilitation and Contact Lenses: Intraprofessional Innovations to Optimize Outcomes

Many optometric providers hesitate to undertake contact lens fittings for patients with visual impairments. This lecture will shed light on the benefits of integrating low vision rehabilitation and contact lens expertise for patients with visual impairments, and review cases of improved outcomes from co-managing these cases.

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