ASCRS News: Annual Meeting Preview
April 2022
by Liz Hillman
Editorial Co-Director
There is more content for young eye surgeon (YES) members at the 2022 ASCRS Annual Meeting than ever before.
It starts with dedicated YES Skills Labs on Friday, April 22, followed by a full day of YES programming Saturday, April 23, and several opportunities throughout the main ASCRS program. Residents, fellows, and surgeons within their first 5 years of practice will see first-hand ASCRS’ commitment to the education and involvement of young physicians.
“I am so excited about all the events this year, including the all-day YES program on Saturday with the theme of networking,” said Zaina Al-Mohtaseb, MD, chair, YES Clinical Committee. “There will be multiple opportunities to network with ASCRS members, leadership, and speakers during the YES kick-off session, lunch, and in between the two symposia. There will also be networking opportunities at the Tap Room on Sunday and Monday in the Exhibit Hall and industry dinners Friday through Sunday. We are also excited about changes to our symposia. The complications symposium will include a competition in which we will have four trainees show their video complications, and the second symposium will include non-clinical panel talks.”
YES Skills Labs
There are several time slots April 22 for three YES Skills Labs, all of which require a separate registration to reserve a space.
The Phaco Lab will review basic and advanced phaco practices and procedures, including phaco settings and fluidics, incisions, capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification, cortex removal, nuclear disassembly, chopping, flipping, and anterior vitrectomy.
The Anterior Segment Surgery Lab will explore various glaucoma procedures, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, the Yamane technique, nuclear disassembly, pupil expansion, and CTR insertion.
In the DMEK/DSAEK Lab, participants will practice tissue insertion and positioning of the donor tissue for DSAEK, as well as the DMEK technique for implantation and positioning of the donor cornea tissue.
YES program
This year, a whole day of YES activities will take place on April 23. The day begins with networking and morning refreshments from 8:30–9:00 a.m., followed by the YES Annual Meeting Kick-Off Session from 9:00–10:00 a.m.
YES members are encouraged to then attend the Opening General Session of the ASCRS Annual Meeting, returning to the dedicated YES program from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. for the Residents and Fellows Best of Papers and Posters session.
The YES Networking Luncheon, an annual event, will take place from 12:00–1:00 p.m., giving YES members the opportunity to rub shoulders with ASCRS leadership and other mentors in ophthalmology. Sign-ups are available when registering for the ASCRS Annual Meeting.
There are two featured symposia in the afternoon, the Good to Great Surgeon: Working Through Complications Video Symposium from 1:30–3:30 p.m. and the Tools for Survival symposium from 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Throughout the meeting
Beyond specific YES programming, the ASCRS Annual Meeting flags YES-endorsed programming in the main program to indicate courses and symposia that have essential information for young eye surgeons.
A new networking event, Mentor Meetups, will also take place this year in the ASCRS Tap Room. Mentor Meetups are opportunities for candid conversations with ASCRS legacy members and icons in the field. Mentor Meetups will take place April 24 and 25 from 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–1:30 p.m. Sign-ups are available when registering for the Annual Meeting.
In addition, there will be YES Connect dinners spotlighting membership benefits and some industry partners.
“Getting involved with YES activities will provide amazing opportunities for getting more involved with ASCRS, learning new things, and creating long-lasting friendships and mentorships,” Dr. Al-Mohtaseb said.
About the physician
Zaina Al-Mohtaseb, MD
Associate Professor
Department of Ophthalmology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Contact
Al-Mohtaseb: zaina1225@gmail.com
