Join the Academy in New Orleans! The Annual Meeting will take place at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from Nov. 16 to 19. It will be preceded by Subspecialty Day, Nov. 15 and 16. Learn more.

Make YOur meeting experience easy in the Big Easy!
As a young ophthalmologist (YO) navigating through the Annual Meeting's offerings — courses, events, exhibit hall and more — can be a little overwhelming. The Academy is here to help!

Course Recommendations
Suggested courses for young ophthalmologists will help you build a valuable experience in New Orleans. For complete descriptions of these sessions, access the Program Search and search by the course code or by special interest "Endorsed by Young Ophthalmologist Committee."

YO Lounge
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Room: 278-279
Saturday, Nov. 16, to Monday, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The YO Lounge is free to all members in training and members in their first five years of practice.

Featured Sessions

2013 YO Program – It’s YO World, Jumpstart YOur Career
Sunday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Room: 252-254
Included in the Academy Plus Course Pass

Young ophthalmologists (YOs) face a unique set of demands in their transition from training to practice. It’s a challenging world, but it’s “YO” world – so join your YO colleagues and make the most of it. Not sure how? Attend the fast-paced, interactive 2013 YO Program to learn about the key issues that affect YOs today. Choose your track – mebers-in-training, YOs in one to five of practice, or both. From contract negotiation to coding, to marketing and choosing your practice type, your YO Committee and expert consultants have got you covered. Gain confidence, jump start your career and take control of your future now!

YO International Subcommittee Symposium: International Opportunities for Young Ophthalmologists
Sunday, Nov. 17, from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Room: New Orleans Theater C

Today's YOs must become tomorrow's leaders in the global fight against eye disease. This course will address the challenges of treating eye disease in underserved parts of the world and will identify the organizations working toward this goal and the opportunities available for YO involvement. The course will also examine the unique challenges of incorporating volunteer service into one’s career by sharing the experiences of those who have found ways to balance work abroad with family, clinical practice and financial concerns at home.

Joint YO/SO Symposium: So You Want to Be a Leader in Ophthalmology?
Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Room: 243-245

A growing number of vacancies exist for leadership positions and will continue to do so in the rapidly evolving field of health care. This symposium will identify key leadership positions in ophthalmology: department chair, residency program director, state and national leadership positions, as well as practice- and hospital-based leadership roles. The various etiologies for these deficiencies will be also discussed. The need for leadership roles for the persistent vitality of the field of ophthalmology will be emphasized. More importantly, the panel of speakers will comment on mechanisms for sustaining a continued foundation of strong leadership, with a particular focus on how young ophthalmologists can begin developing, fostering and sharpening the leadership skills required to fill these positions. The speakers will include young ophthalmologists who occupy current leadership roles as well as experienced ophthalmologists who have been in these positions for many years. This will be a joint symposium of the YO Committee and the Senior Ophthalmologist (SO) Committee.

ISRS Symposium: Introduction to Cornea and Lens-Based Refractive Surgery for Residents
Sunday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Room: 228-230

This session will provide an overview of the most relevant topics on cornea and lens-based refractive surgery, including patient evaluation; topographic evaluation; a step-by-step surgical explanation of LASIK and surface ablation procedures; discussion of surgical complication recognition and management; decision trees for choosing appropriate premium IOL candidates; and managing complications unique to these individuals. The session will be specifically directed at the resident education level, as opposed to many of the Annual Meeting courses directed towards specialists already in practice. This focus should allow the resident to gain the optimal learning experience.

Breakfast with the YO Expert - Global Ophthalmology: How To Start Volunteering Now!
Moderator:Grace Sun, MD
Monday, Nov. 18 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Welcome to the Real World: Reality 101 for Residents and Fellows
Monday, Nov. 18, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Room: 252-254
Free! Residents and fellows will learn about the non-medical aspects of practicing ophthalmology and get their burning questions answered in an interactive forum. Panelists will discuss their personal experiences and highlight various practice options; networking and referrals; advantages/disadvantages of fellowship training and resources to assist them. Learn how membership and active involvement within state ophthalmology societies and the national Academy can benefit you.

2013 Global YO Reception in New Orleans
Sunday, Nov. 17, from 9 p.m. to Midnight
Location: TBD