- Email: [email protected]
American Academy of Ophthalmology—1981 Meeting
M E E T I N G S , C O N F E R E N C E S , SYMPOSIA AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY—1981 MEETING Under the presidency of David Shoch, nearly 10,000 ophthalmologists, other physicians and surgeons, technicians, nurses, exhibitors, guests, and other health professionals gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 1-6 for the 1981 annual scientific meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Many thought the meeting was the best organized in history. Registration was prompt and efficient. The shuttle buses were frequent and the operators courteous. The Georgia World Congress Center was spacious and convenient. The meeting rooms were comfortable; there were numerous technical displays and superb scientific exhibits. The meeting was dedicated to the visually disabled in recognition of the United Nations having declared 1981 as the International Year of the Disabled Person. In the opening session Harold E. Krents, a retrolental fibroplasia patient whose life inspired a play and a movie, "Butterflies are Free," emphasized the participation of ophthalmologists in a change of attitudes toward the blind patient so that life can be a "triumph and not a tragedy, joy, not sorrow." At their inaugural meeting the Board of Councillors expanded the Academy to act as an umbrella organization for all of ophthalmology. Approximately 125 state and organizational representatives attended the first meeting. George E. Garcia, of Boston, was elected the chairman and B. Thomas Hutchinson, of Boston, was elected vice-chairman. A wide range of programs was discussed. It seems evident that this Board will be active in emphasizing the role of physicians and surgeons (M.D.'s and O.D.'s) in providing eye care in each state.
The opening session featured a presidential address by David Shoch in which he quoted Joseph Conrad: ". . . the attainment of proficiency, the pushing of your skill with attention to the most delicate shades of excellence, is a matter of vital concern. Efficiency of a practically flawless kind may be reached naturally in the struggle for bread. But there is something beyond—a higher point, a subtle and unmistakable touch of love and pride beyond a mere skill; almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art—which is art" ("The Mirror of the Sea"). Dr. Shoch named the 27 recipients of the Academy Honor Awards for contributions to the Academy Program. He introduced the guests of honor: Drs. Arthur Linksz, Robert W. Hollenhorst, P. Siva Reddy, Eugene Chan, and Winifred S. Mao. The Delta Gamma Fraternity received the Distinguished Public Service Award for its contribution to community projects to prevent blindness under the auspices of the National Society to Prevent Blindness. Mrs. Jules Stein and Mr. Lou Wasserman presented the Research to Prevent Blindness-Jules Stein Distinguished Service Award to Norman Ashton of London and to Arnall Pätz of Baltimore for their contributions to preventing blindness. In the Jackson Memorial Lecture, Saiichi Mishima, Tokyo University, described clinical investigations of the corneal endothelium. He brought together basic and clinical research in a superb paper published in this issue of THE JOURNAL. Dr. Mishima's lecture was followed by a symposium on the corneal endothelium, chaired most efficiently by George O. Waring. The scientific sessions opened with meetings of the American Society of Ocu126
VOL. 93, NO. 1
MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIA
larists, the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmology, and the American Orthoptic Council. The discussion of enucleation brought out the following points: soluble ophthalmic inserts (Lacrisert) relieve symptoms; attachment of the inferior oblique muscle either to the lateral rectus muscle or to the superior oblique muscle in a special channel in the implant prevents its migration; and metal meshcovered implants should not be used. Speakers at the combined meeting with the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmology described extended-wear contact lenses in aphakia, epikeratophakia, advantages of extracapsular cataract extraction with iris clip and posterior chamber intraocular lenses, and the usefulness of newer types of lenses in correcting aphakia with spectacles. The combined meeting with the American Orthoptic Council described different types of secondary strabismus. The Ophthalmology Section of the Council of the American Medical Association presented a symposium on cardiovascular disease, which emphasized the ocular aspects of hypertension, temporal arteritis, and carotid vascular disease. Thomas D. Duane received the Lucien Howe Prize Medal of. the Section. A variety of topics was discussed in a session on external and corneal diseases: systemic prednisone and cyclophosphamide prevent progression in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid; acyclovir and idoxuridine are equally effective in treating epithelial herpes simplex. Acyclovir has fewer adverse reactions. Vitrectomy must be used selectively in patients with endophthalmitis. The session on glaucoma attracted a large audience: splinter hemorrhages on the optic disk in open-angle glaucoma have a poorer prognosis for visual-field loss than fellow eyes without hemorrhage. Argon laser therapy of the trabecular meshwork suggests that as few as 50
127
applications may be effective, that applications near the iris insertion are useful, but that approximately 20% of the eyes may subsequently require a filtering operation. Filtration procedures in neovascular glaucoma should be preceded by laser photocoagulation to the retina and the trabecular meshwork; cyclocryotherapy is the most effective treatment of aphakic glaucoma and is safe to apply (eight applications) to 360 degrees of the sclera. The meeting of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus centered on a discussion of electrophysiology and pediatric ophthalmology. Another symposium was devoted to photocoagulation, to retinal detachment, and to acute retinal necrosis. The focus of the combined meeting of the American Intra-Ocular Implant Society was specular microscopy and protection of the endothelium with Healon. D. Peter Choyce of England presented the Binkhorst Medal Lecture. The meeting of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses discussed a number of questions relating to cost containment. A combined meeting with the American Intra-Ocular Implant Society emphasized postoperative cystoid macular edema. The National Society to Prevent Blindness provided a particularly popular session in which the surgical management of glaucoma and cataract and laser trabeculoplasty were described. The meeting with the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery described orbital trauma. David B. Soil of Philadelphia presented the Wendell L. Hughes Lecture. The scientific exhibits and poster sections were rewarding. Awards for scientific exhibits were as follows: First, "Noninvasive carotid evaluation using pulsed Doppler imaging for patients with ophthalmic disorders," by W. Sanderson Grizzard, William M. Blackshear, James
128
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
A. Rush, and Stephen F. Gordon. Second, "The surgical management of epiretinal membranes," by Raymond R. Margherio, Delbert P. Nachazel, Jr., Patrick L. Murphy, Morton S. Cox, and W. Richard Green. Third, "Macular pigments. Optimal laser wavelength for photocoagulation," by Clement L. Trempe, Martin A. Mainster, Oleg Pomerantzeff, J . Wallace McMeel, John J. Weiter, H. MacKenzie Freeman, and Charles L. Schepens. The awards for the scientific posters were as follows: First, "Pigmentary glaucoma. A new theory, further studies," by David G. Campbell, Zoe A. Fitzgerald, Mark Dunbar, Robert Tucker, and Robert Blasberg. Second, "Dominant retinitis pigmentosa. A clinicopathologic correlation," by Kenneth Meyer, John Heckenlively, Manfred Spitznas, and Robert Foos. Third, "Ocular ferning test. A qualitative test for mucus deficiency," by Khalid F. Tabbara and Mas Okumoto. It was the usual, busy Academy meet-
JANUARY, 1982
ing with many instruction courses and exhibits, alumni meetings, and gatherings of old friends. Marshall Parks succeeds David Shoch as President and Stanley Truhlsen is President-Elect. Other officers include Samuel D. McPherson, First Vice President; Whitney G. Sampson, Second Vice President; Warren A. Wilson, Third Vice President; and George W. Weinstein, Director-at-Large. Paul R. Lichter continues to serve as Secretary for Program; Melvin L. Rubin, Secretary for Instruction; David Paton, Secretary for Continuing Education; Robert D. Reinecke, Secretary for Governmental Relations; Bruce E . Spivey, Executive Vice President; and Paul Henkind as Editor. The next meeting of the Academy will be a joint meeting with the International Congress of Ophthalmology Oct. 31 to Nov. 6, 1982, in San Francisco. Early registration is essential. FRANK W.
NEWELL
The opening session featured a presidential address by David Shoch in which he quoted Joseph Conrad: ". . . the attainment of proficiency, the pushing of your skill with attention to the most delicate shades of excellence, is a matter of vital concern. Efficiency of a practically flawless kind may be reached naturally in the struggle for bread. But there is something beyond—a higher point, a subtle and unmistakable touch of love and pride beyond a mere skill; almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art—which is art" ("The Mirror of the Sea"). Dr. Shoch named the 27 recipients of the Academy Honor Awards for contributions to the Academy Program. He introduced the guests of honor: Drs. Arthur Linksz, Robert W. Hollenhorst, P. Siva Reddy, Eugene Chan, and Winifred S. Mao. The Delta Gamma Fraternity received the Distinguished Public Service Award for its contribution to community projects to prevent blindness under the auspices of the National Society to Prevent Blindness. Mrs. Jules Stein and Mr. Lou Wasserman presented the Research to Prevent Blindness-Jules Stein Distinguished Service Award to Norman Ashton of London and to Arnall Pätz of Baltimore for their contributions to preventing blindness. In the Jackson Memorial Lecture, Saiichi Mishima, Tokyo University, described clinical investigations of the corneal endothelium. He brought together basic and clinical research in a superb paper published in this issue of THE JOURNAL. Dr. Mishima's lecture was followed by a symposium on the corneal endothelium, chaired most efficiently by George O. Waring. The scientific sessions opened with meetings of the American Society of Ocu126
VOL. 93, NO. 1
MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIA
larists, the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmology, and the American Orthoptic Council. The discussion of enucleation brought out the following points: soluble ophthalmic inserts (Lacrisert) relieve symptoms; attachment of the inferior oblique muscle either to the lateral rectus muscle or to the superior oblique muscle in a special channel in the implant prevents its migration; and metal meshcovered implants should not be used. Speakers at the combined meeting with the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmology described extended-wear contact lenses in aphakia, epikeratophakia, advantages of extracapsular cataract extraction with iris clip and posterior chamber intraocular lenses, and the usefulness of newer types of lenses in correcting aphakia with spectacles. The combined meeting with the American Orthoptic Council described different types of secondary strabismus. The Ophthalmology Section of the Council of the American Medical Association presented a symposium on cardiovascular disease, which emphasized the ocular aspects of hypertension, temporal arteritis, and carotid vascular disease. Thomas D. Duane received the Lucien Howe Prize Medal of. the Section. A variety of topics was discussed in a session on external and corneal diseases: systemic prednisone and cyclophosphamide prevent progression in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid; acyclovir and idoxuridine are equally effective in treating epithelial herpes simplex. Acyclovir has fewer adverse reactions. Vitrectomy must be used selectively in patients with endophthalmitis. The session on glaucoma attracted a large audience: splinter hemorrhages on the optic disk in open-angle glaucoma have a poorer prognosis for visual-field loss than fellow eyes without hemorrhage. Argon laser therapy of the trabecular meshwork suggests that as few as 50
127
applications may be effective, that applications near the iris insertion are useful, but that approximately 20% of the eyes may subsequently require a filtering operation. Filtration procedures in neovascular glaucoma should be preceded by laser photocoagulation to the retina and the trabecular meshwork; cyclocryotherapy is the most effective treatment of aphakic glaucoma and is safe to apply (eight applications) to 360 degrees of the sclera. The meeting of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus centered on a discussion of electrophysiology and pediatric ophthalmology. Another symposium was devoted to photocoagulation, to retinal detachment, and to acute retinal necrosis. The focus of the combined meeting of the American Intra-Ocular Implant Society was specular microscopy and protection of the endothelium with Healon. D. Peter Choyce of England presented the Binkhorst Medal Lecture. The meeting of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses discussed a number of questions relating to cost containment. A combined meeting with the American Intra-Ocular Implant Society emphasized postoperative cystoid macular edema. The National Society to Prevent Blindness provided a particularly popular session in which the surgical management of glaucoma and cataract and laser trabeculoplasty were described. The meeting with the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery described orbital trauma. David B. Soil of Philadelphia presented the Wendell L. Hughes Lecture. The scientific exhibits and poster sections were rewarding. Awards for scientific exhibits were as follows: First, "Noninvasive carotid evaluation using pulsed Doppler imaging for patients with ophthalmic disorders," by W. Sanderson Grizzard, William M. Blackshear, James
128
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
A. Rush, and Stephen F. Gordon. Second, "The surgical management of epiretinal membranes," by Raymond R. Margherio, Delbert P. Nachazel, Jr., Patrick L. Murphy, Morton S. Cox, and W. Richard Green. Third, "Macular pigments. Optimal laser wavelength for photocoagulation," by Clement L. Trempe, Martin A. Mainster, Oleg Pomerantzeff, J . Wallace McMeel, John J. Weiter, H. MacKenzie Freeman, and Charles L. Schepens. The awards for the scientific posters were as follows: First, "Pigmentary glaucoma. A new theory, further studies," by David G. Campbell, Zoe A. Fitzgerald, Mark Dunbar, Robert Tucker, and Robert Blasberg. Second, "Dominant retinitis pigmentosa. A clinicopathologic correlation," by Kenneth Meyer, John Heckenlively, Manfred Spitznas, and Robert Foos. Third, "Ocular ferning test. A qualitative test for mucus deficiency," by Khalid F. Tabbara and Mas Okumoto. It was the usual, busy Academy meet-
JANUARY, 1982
ing with many instruction courses and exhibits, alumni meetings, and gatherings of old friends. Marshall Parks succeeds David Shoch as President and Stanley Truhlsen is President-Elect. Other officers include Samuel D. McPherson, First Vice President; Whitney G. Sampson, Second Vice President; Warren A. Wilson, Third Vice President; and George W. Weinstein, Director-at-Large. Paul R. Lichter continues to serve as Secretary for Program; Melvin L. Rubin, Secretary for Instruction; David Paton, Secretary for Continuing Education; Robert D. Reinecke, Secretary for Governmental Relations; Bruce E . Spivey, Executive Vice President; and Paul Henkind as Editor. The next meeting of the Academy will be a joint meeting with the International Congress of Ophthalmology Oct. 31 to Nov. 6, 1982, in San Francisco. Early registration is essential. FRANK W.
NEWELL