Overview of Courses at the AAO Annual Meeting

by Rob Melendez, MD
Editor-in-Chief

The “Annual Meeting” will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana from November 11-14, 2007. The annual meeting is often times referred to as the “Academy.” For example, people will ask are you going to the Academy? The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is trying to use one term “The Annual Meeting” because the AAO offers so much more than just the annual meeting. There are many courses and lectures to choose from that it can seem daunting on your first visit. I will simply define some of the categories of the courses.

Breakfast with the experts: roundtable discussion of only 10 people including the speaker. All start at 7:30 am
Cost $30.00 advanced fee.

Instruction Courses: a lecture.
Cost: Cost ranges from $25-$80 advanced fee.

Scientific Papers: a lecture
Cost: Free.

Scientific Posters: presenter will stand next to their poster and answer questions at a specific time.
Cost: Free

Skills Transfer Courses: a hands-on course to learn surgical techniques or to enhance existing ones.
$30-$400 advanced fee.

Symposia: A series of 8 minute lectures by about 10 presenters on specific topics (lectures
(Pediatric Ophthalmic Pathology for the Clinician, Up Close and Personal: Hobbies of Leading Ophthalmologists (Formerly Lifestyles Symposium), Best of the Anterior Segment Specialty Meetings 2007)
Cost: Free

Video: view videos on various surgeries at your own leisure in Room, 291 Morial Convention Center.
Cost: Free