At AAO 2022, learn more about the federal and state policies and regulations that inform Academy advocacy efforts and impact your practice every day. Here are just a few of the advocacy related events and sessions we have planned. Register now and join your colleagues in Chicago.
Note: Listed times are local Central Time in Chicago.
Advocacy Booths
AAO 2022 Exhibit Hall Open: Visit the Advocacy booth in the Academy Resource Center.
- Saturday, Oct.1–Monday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., McCormick Place Convention Center
OPHTHPAC® and Surgical Scope Fund Main Booth
- Friday, Sept. 30–Monday, Oct. 3, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Grand Concourse, Level 3
- Subspecialty Booth: Friday, Sept. 30- Saturday Oct. 1, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., East Building (Lakeside) level 3
Advocacy Events
YO Lounge Happy Hour – Advocacy Ambassador Reunion
Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 1, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
OPHTHPAC Donor Thank You Reception
Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 1, 6–7:30 p.m.
This special event is open to 2022 OPHTHPAC-invested members.
Advocacy Sessions
Sym32 (co-sponsored by the AMA Ophthalmology Section Council)
Symposium: Innovations in Ophthalmology from Around the World. This premier symposium will highlight current therapies and future outlook of cutting-edge initiatives from around the world and across cornea, retina, telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI). Speakers will also address health policy initiatives. The 2022 Parker Heath lecturer, James Madara, MD, executive vice president of the American Medical Association, will speak on the future of medicine. This session is open to all meeting attendees.
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct. 2, 11:30a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Location: E354 (In Person, Live Broadcast, On Demand)
Our Evolving Federal Health Care Systems: Opportunities and Challenges for Eye Care in the VA, DOD and Civilian Sectors (SYM56)
As the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense health care systems evolve in response to changing environments and new policy mandates from Congress, the eye care services available to our nation’s veterans, military personnel and their dependents are being impacted. In this session, representatives from the Association of Veterans Affairs Ophthalmologists and the Society of Military Ophthalmologists will discuss the opportunities and challenges the changing health care systems present for VA and DOD eye care. Discussion topics will include innovative solutions to address patient access issues, the effects changes have on surgical volumes and training opportunities in the VA and DOD and implications for ocular trauma care for future conflicts. A question-and-answer period will follow.
Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Location: S503AB McCormick Place Convention Center
Q&A With the FDA (SYM57)
Have questions about the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug approval process? Want to talk about new FDA initiatives? Need answers about the latest news affecting ophthalmic drugs? Join FDA ophthalmic drug experts for a session providing the latest on agency initiatives and an open Q&A with the audience. Speakers include Wiley Chambers, MD, FDA, and chair of the Academy's Research, Regulatory and External Affairs Committee; Jayne Weiss, MD.
Date/Time: Sunday, Oct. 2, 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Location: S502AB at the McCormick Place Convention Center