Morning sessions will run from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM (with ½ hour break). Lunch will be served from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM. Afternoon sessions will run from 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM (with ½ hour break).
This course will provide a foundational understanding of pathophysiology of brain injury and effects on patient function for activities of daily life (ADL). An overview ofstructure to function mapping in the brain, visual processing and key components of neuro-optometric rehabilitation (NOR) will be reviewed, as well as the roles of other professionals in rehabilitation, such as, but not limited to, occupational therapy and physical therapy, This course is designed to introduce key concepts in NOR to practitioners who have little to no experience with NOR, but are interested in offering at least basic NOR care to their patients or collaborating with an appropriate optometrist in rehabilitative care. This course will also benefit anyone starting the NORA Fellowship Process preparing to complete the Level I open book questions and NORA Concepts presentation.
This course will expand attendees ability to implement treatment for patients who present with neurologically based vision challenges. A series of case histories including patient history, initial evaluation, diagnoses, collaborative treatment plan and rehabilitation program will be reviewed as a model for both how to provide care in a team approach, and also for forming teams of rehabilitation professionals in one’s geographic area. Attendees will leave feeling more proficient and confident with beginning or continuing to treat those who will benefit from NOR, and when to refer for visual evaluation.
This course will explore common symptoms and diagnoses such as white matter disease and compression injuries that patients are likely to present in their offices and what the optometrist can do to treat them (red light therapy, syntonics, vibration, microcurrent, and multisensory devices). Cases will be discussed to highlight how optometrists can partner with other professions to deliver the best possible care and outcomes. The afternoon session will allow a “deeper dive” into the injuries and hands-on workshop to improve comfort-level of the practitioners in delivering this care in their offices.
4:30 PM Exhibit Hall opens
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
8:00 AM – 9:00 A.M
Nystagmus are involuntary, oscillatory eye movements that can either be congenital or acquired. Clinical intervention is important to improve visual function in patients with congenital nystagmus as visual acuity and contrast sensitivity can be impacted in various degrees. Additionally, there are profound psychological effects of the presence of nystagmus, of having "shifty eyes". This course will provide clinical protocol for the optometric management of the patients with nystagmus.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
This course will discuss experiences with medical legal cases that involve neuro optometric rehabilitation. We will discuss what to consider before taking on these cases, and how to prepare for questions that will arise. Billing and coding consideration for these cases will also be covered. In addition, we will discuss experiences interacting with legal counsel.
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
During this course, healthcare professionals will delve into the recent updates and changes made by the American Medical Association (AMA) to the 99 codes, exploring their implications for billing practices and revenue generation. With a focus on using 97 codes vs. 99 codes. Attendees will gain insights into the nuances of billing within the scope of their license to optimize revenue streams effectively.
Join us for this informative course to gain practical insights and strategies for navigating the complexities of medical billing and insurance coverage, ultimately optimizing revenue and enhancing practice efficiency.
Key Topics Covered:
Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one consultations with the speaker at no charge, allowing for personalized guidance and support tailored to individual practice needs.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Photobiomodulation (PBM) is light therapy that primarily uses red and near infra-red light to treat eye, vision, injury and general health conditions. It was formerly called low-level laser or light therapy (LLLT). This light as medicine is a safe and effective tool that is playing an ever-increasing role in treating visual conditions. It is also being researched for treating Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. The newest information will be presented and devices demonstrated to show PBM’s importance for treatment of AMD, glaucoma, dry eye, post cataract surgery, migraine headache, and brain injury
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Take advantage of this opportunity to spend dedicated time with our exhibitors, learning about and gaining first-hand experience with a vast array of products, programs, and services that can help you build and enhance your practice.
5:00 PM
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
This course will demonstrate how cognitive, emotional and motor processes are integrated into vision and intimately involved in neuro visual rehabilitation. We will cover a model and definition of neuroplasticity, classifications of cognitive processes, and the human connectome. A model of laterality and motor processing through the visual system will be presented, and factors affecting motor learning will be discussed.
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) evaluation and treatment is a growing field within optometry. In this lecture, we will delve into the intricate web of causes contributing to acquired brain injury (ABI). With a focus on primary and secondary head injury, closed head injury and blunt trauma, cerebrovascular accidents, and concussions, and provide a comprehensive understanding of the diverse mechanisms that can lead to this devastating condition.
11:15 AM– 12:15
Retinal carotenoids have been widely studied in the biochemical and physiologic domains for years and emerging research is showing a confluence of those effects within areas of cognitive function, visual enhancement and mTBI recovery. Burgeoning clinical techniques have allowed early detection, treatment and management of mTBI and accompanying neural pathway damage. This course will review aspects of visual function enhancement associated with retinal carotenoid supplementation, and potential for enhanced mTBI recovery based in reduction of oxidation and inflammation in neural tissues post-injury. Clinical case studies and published research projects will be reviewed in the context of current clinical care modalities.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
For over two decades, the Concussion in Sport Group has held meetings and developed six international statements on concussion in sport. For the first time, optometry has been included as a part of the multidisciplinary care team in these statements - this course will summarise the processes and outcomes of the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The use of psychiatric medications has substantially increased in the last few decades. As primary eye care providers, it is important for optometrists to understand the pharmacology as well as the potential visual and ocular adverse reactions of these medications which can range from minimal to sight threatening.
8 :00 AM – 9:00 AM
Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is an important medical/neuro-optometric condition of increasing recognition with an estimated prevalence of 2%. Thus, it is not extremely rare as was believed years ago. Hence, it has contemporary public health and related economic concerns. The course with explain the participant of the lecture the distinction between visual snow and visual snow syndrome. It will discuss associated signs and possible etiology of the condition. Finally, it will discuss current treatment management of the visual snow and visual snow syndrome as well as appropriate referrals for interdisciplinary care.
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
This course with discuss a series of topics in Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation with the opportunity to ask members of the Board of NORA questions and get answers by the group of experts. Topics to be covered are: