Program Overview

Introduction to the UCSF Optometry Course 2025

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is offering a comprehensive continuing education seminar, the UCSF Optometry Course 2025, designed to provide optometrists with cutting-edge information and clinically applicable knowledge. This 7-hour seminar will feature renowned speakers and cover a range of topics, including glaucoma, pediatric contact lens fittings, optic neuropathies, and more.

Registration Fees

• Physicians: $200.00
• Optometrists: $120.00

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations in writing prior to 5PM PST on 3/28/25 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be offered after 3/28/25.

Overview

The UCSF Optometry Course 2025 aims to provide optometrists with the latest information and updates in the field. The seminar will feature a keynote speaker, Michael Trainer, MD, discussing the management of patients presenting with transient vision loss. Additionally, the course will cover topics such as glaucoma, pediatric contact lens fittings, optic neuropathies, and more.

Objectives

• To review the mechanisms of action and evidence-based role of GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists in the management of obesity and diabetes
• To review the secondary outcomes from randomized clinical trials that lead to the concern for GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists causing progression of diabetic retinopathy and their criticisms
• To propose evidenced guidance for optometrists on the management of diabetic patients treated by GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists
• To understand the necessary testing associated with patients presenting with epiphora
• To be able to differentiate between dysfunction of the secretory lacrimal system versus the excretory lacrimal system
• To recognize when to refer patients to Oculoplastics for surgery
• To become competent in how to discuss the intraocular lens option with patients and determine if they would benefit from it
• To be able to refer potential candidates and set patient expectations prior to referring
• To understand the optometrist's role with the intraocular lens
• To know the clinical characteristics that are concerning for optic neuropathy
• To know possible etiologies of optic neuropathies
• To know testing and management for each type of optic neuropathy
• To review landmark glaucoma studies and the role of IOP and other well-established risk factors in open angle glaucoma
• To address common systemic co-morbidities and evaluate their relationships with open angle glaucoma
• To review data assessing any risk associated with open angle glaucoma and certain lifestyle modifications such as exercise and supplements
• To review common systemic medications and their relationships to IOP and open angle glaucoma
• To review POAG (diagnosis, prevalence, risk factors, pathophysiology)
• To review treatment (topical, MIGs, surgical) using case discussion/examples
• To help primary eyecare providers identify pediatric patients who can benefit from pediatric contact lenses
• To provide information that will help a primary eye care provider comfortably navigate common pediatric contact lens fitting and training sessions
• To develop an approach to the patient presenting with transient visual phenomena
• To recognize “red flag” symptoms that require urgent neuro-ophthalmic evaluation

Course Outline

The course will feature the following topics and speakers:

• 7:50AM: Welcome and opening remarks
• Andrew Mick, OD, FAAO, and Heather Jones, OD, FAAO: “GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonists: Our Understanding of Their Role in Obesity, Diabetes, and Diabetic Retinopathy Progression” (1 hour)
• Angela Shahbazian, OD, FAAO: “A Systematic Approach to Optic Nerve Head Pallor” (1 hour)
• Rita Nieu, OD, MS, FAAO: “Epiphora: Don't Cry for Me” (30 min)
• Michael Trainer, MD: “(Neuro-Ophthalmologic) Transient Visual Phenomena” (1 hour)
• Adrienne Coulter, OD: “Shedding Light on the Light Adjustable Lens” (30 min)
• Nicole Mercho, OD, FAAO: “Beyond Drops and Surgeries: the Association Between Health and Lifestyle with Open Angle Glaucoma” (1 hour)
• Olivia Bass, OD, FAAO: “Pediatric Specialty Contact Lenses” (1 hour)
• Siavash Assar, OD, FAAO, and Emily Eng, OD, MS, FAAO: “Lord of the Rim: POAG Review” (1 hour)

Course Chairs

• Daphne Chan, OD, FAAO: Associate Chief of Optometry, HS Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco

Faculty

• Siavash Assar, OD, FAAO: HS Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco
• Olivia Bass, OD, FAAO: HS Clinical Instructor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco
• Daphne Chan, OD, FAAO: Associate Chief of Optometry, HS Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco
• Adrienne Coulter, OD: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco
• Emily Eng, OD, MS, FAAO: HS Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco
• Heather Jones, OD, FAAO: Assistant Clinical Professor, UC Berkeley School of Optometry, San Francisco VA Medical Center
• Nicole Mercho, OD, FAAO: HS Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco
• Andrew Mick, OD, FAAO: Residency Director, San Francisco VA Medical Center, Clinical Professor, UC Berkeley School of Optometry, UCSF Department of Ophthalmology
• Rita Nieu, OD, MS, FAAO: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco
• Angela Shahbazian, OD, FAAO: Assistant Professor of Health Sciences, UC Berkeley School of Optometry
• Michael Trainer, MD: Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellow, University of California, San Francisco

Accreditation

The University of California, San Francisco is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.