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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Special Museum of The Eye Exhibition Opens May 10
The Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye is opening a new special exhibition, titled “Decoding the Eye: Signs & Symbols,” on May 10, in San Francisco.
Decoding the Eye. Showcasing ancient and modern objects from around the world and from a wide variety of cultures, this exhibit illustrates how the eye has persisted as a symbol through time. Often, eyes are used to suggest a higher power—one that sees all, knows all, and wishes people good or evil. Although each artifact is unique to the culture from which it comes, there are recurring themes of enlightenment, healing, and protection. Displays are devoted to the ancient Egyptian Eye of Horus, patron saints of eyes in the Catholic canon, pendants protecting against the evil eye, and more.
“Decoding the Eye” will be on display in the museum from May 2023 through April 2024 and will be paired with programs, including craft-making, throughout the year.
Spectacular Spectacles. While the museum’s inaugural special exhibition, “Spectacular Spectacles,” closed in April, brochures about the fascinating history of vision correction are still available at the museum.
Summer hours. The museum has extended summer hours from May 24 through Sept. 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Guided tours of the galleries are available Wednesday through Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Museum admission and all programs and tours are always free.
For the most up-to-date information about museum hours, exhibits, and programming, visit aao.org/museum.
AAO 2023. In November, the museum looks forward to welcoming AAO 2023 attendees during their visit to San Francisco. A special giveaway will be available to annual meeting attendees who visit the museum with their AAO 2023 badge.
TAKE NOTICE
2023 MIPS: June Deadlines for EHR-Based Reporting
For those who participate in the Merit- Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), the least burdensome way to report quality measures is by integrating their EHR system with the IRIS Registry.
The move to Verana Health from FIGmd. This year, Verana Health completes its takeover of the EHR integration process from FIGmd. Verana Health is now the Academy’s exclusive end-to-end data partner for the IRIS Registry.
(Note: The IRIS Registry will continue to support practices that are reporting MIPS manually for the 2023 performance year.)
June 15 deadline for getting started. If you haven’t yet integrated your EHR system with the IRIS Registry but want to do so this year (or if you signed up last year but did not integrate), notify Verana Health by June 15. To see which EHR systems are eligible for IRIS Registry integration, visit aao.org/iris-registry/ehr-systems.
Report changes to your EHR or practice management systems by June 15. If you have made changes to your practice management system or EHR system—such as a system upgrade, a move to cloud-based storage, or a move to another EHR system—notify your Verana Health Practice Experience Manager or email irisdatalink@veranahealth.com by June 15. Your practice may need to repeat the data mapping process.
For more information on using the IRIS Registry for MIPS, see the IRIS Registry Preparation Kit. Download it at aao.org/iris-registry.
Myopia—Join the Discussion at the Journal Club, May 18
This month, myopia is the focus of the Ophthalmology Virtual Journal Club, which will discuss “Myopia Control Effect of Repeated Low-Level Red- Light Therapy in Chinese Children” by He et al.1
The live webinar takes place on May 18, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET and will be led by Ian Morgan, PhD, and moderated by Matt Feng, MD. It will cover repeated low-level red-light therapy as an emerging treatment for myopia control and will allow participants to post questions in the chat and during a dedicated Q&A session.
Free CME for Academy members. This webinar is available exclusively as a free benefit for Academy members. Participants in the live session are eligible to claim a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.
Register using your Academy login to the Academy Store at store.aao.org/ophthalmology-virtual-journal-club.html.
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1 He et al. Ophthamology. 2023;130(2):198-204.
Early Registration Ends on June 15 for Global Summit
Attend the second Global Ophthalmology Summit in Atlanta, Sept. 8-10. Early registration ends June 15. This event will bring together those interested in enhancing global eye care.
Register today at www.globalophthalmologysummit.org.
EyeWiki International Contest Articles Due May 31
If you are an ophthalmologist outside the United States, the Academy invites you to enter the EyeWiki international contest by contributing through May 31. After creating or revising an article, use the “Enter International Ophthalmologist Contest” button on the article page to submit it for the competition. Winners will receive an online Academy product.
Learn more and submit an article at aao.org/eyewiki.
Apply for Clin-STAR Research Grant by May 18
Clin-STAR (Clinician-Scientists Transdisciplinary Aging Research) Coordinating Center is offering Transdisciplinary Aging Research Pilot/Planning Grants. The goal of the grant is to bridge junior and advanced researchers from different disciplines and institutions to stimulate new areas of age-related clinically relevant research. To be considered, submit a letter of intent by May 18.
Learn more and apply at https://clin-star.org/pilot-grants.
Volunteer Opportunity: Write for Practice Management Express
The American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE), the Academy’s practice management affiliate, welcomes new writers for its weekly newsletter. Practice Management Express offers information on running a successful ophthalmic practice. Write a 300- to 500-word article that provides strategies, tips, and other resources that members can implement.
Before you start writing, contact the AAOE program manager at aaoe@aao.org to discuss your proposed topic.
Learn more at aao.org/volunteering and choose “Write.” (This is just one of many Academy volunteer opportunities.)
June 30 Deadline for Neuroprotection Manuscripts
Ophthalmology Science, the Academy’s Gold Open Access journal, will publish a special issue on neuroprotection. Submissions are being accepted through June 30. All open-access fees will be waived. The issue will feature guest editors Adriana Di Polo, PhD, Thomas V. Johnson III, MD, José-Alain Sahel, MD, and Joel S. Schuman, MD.
Submit at www.editorialmanager.com/xops/default1.aspx.
Ask the Ethicist: How to Handle a Patient With an Undisclosed Complication
Q: A patient unhappy with her postoperative visual acuity following cataract surgery asked for a second opinion. My examination revealed suboptimal BCVA, a vitreous strand to the surgical wound with a peaked pupil, and a sulcus IOL. An OCT revealed macular edema. The patient provided her records from the cataract surgery, which stated that the IOL was placed in the bag and there were no complications. Should I tell the patient about what appear to be surgical complications that are likely contributing to her suboptimal visual acuity? Should I call the operating surgeon first to assure I am not missing something?
A: Your primary responsibility is to offer the second opinion and to act in the patient’s best interest. Before commenting on whether the patient was misled about the outcome of her cataract surgery, collect all pertinent facts and data. This would include a thorough patient history, a review of the operating ophthalmologist’s medical and surgical records, and, ideally, a discussion with the surgeon. Only after all this information has been gathered can the patient be properly informed. Then, if the patient wishes, you can work with her to develop a medical and/or surgical plan for moving forward.
The Rules of the Code of Ethics that may potentially be involved in this situation include Rules 1. Competence; 5. The Impaired Ophthalmologist; 8. Postoperative Care; and 9. Medical and Surgical Procedures (which includes the concept of misrepresentation of the services provided to the patient).
For more information, visit aao.org/redmond-ethics-center.
To submit a question, contact the Ethics Committee at ethics@aao.org.
ACADEMY RESOURCES
2023–2024 BCSC: Important Updates
The 2023–2024 edition of the Basic and Clinical Science Course (BCSC) is available for advance order starting mid-May and will ship mid-June (eBooks also are available starting mid-June). Practicing ophthalmologists and residents worldwide use the BCSC to ensure the highest-quality patient care. The new edition includes major revisions to the following:
- Section 1: Update on General Medicine
- Section 2: Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology
- Section 7: Oculofacial Plastic and Orbital Surgery
- Section 9: Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
Whether you opt for the print or the eBook format, you may purchase an individual section, or save when you buy a complete set of all 13 sections of the BCSC.
For pricing and more information, visit aao.org/bcsc.
Share This Free IRIS Registry Resource With Your MIPS Administrator
The 2023 IRIS Registry Preparation Kit is a detailed instruction manual that supports you throughout the year as you and your staff use the IRIS Registry to optimize patient outcomes, report your performance on quality measures, and efficiently report Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) measures. The kit includes:
- updated roadmaps for small and large practices,
- a quality measure benchmarking table and quality measure specifications,
- tips to avoid common pitfalls, and
- frequently asked questions.
This valuable resource is available as a free downloadable PDF or for purchase as a spiral-bound book with more than 500 pages. Participation in the IRIS Registry is a free member benefit for domestic Academy members. If you want to integrate your EHR system with the IRIS Registry, you will need an eligible system (aao.org/iris-registry/ehr-systems) and will need to meet the June deadlines. Note: For the 2023 performance year, the IRIS Registry is continuing to support manual reporting of MIPS without an EHR system.
For information about the IRIS Registry and to download this resource, visit aao.org/iris-registry.
Join the Global Ophthalmology Community From Your Desk
As an Academy member, you have access to the Global Ophthalmology Community, where you can connect with your colleagues involved in global eye care. The community is a place to catch up on global health care news and to network and exchange ideas with colleagues around the world.
Log in and create your profile today at aao.mobilize.io/main/groups/63044/lounge.
D.C. REPORT
The Congressional Advocacy Program Connects Ophthalmologists With Legislators
Emergencies can arise in advocacy work, just as they do in health care. For example, advocates may need to act quickly prior to a congressional deadline. However, in both fields, it is best to practice preventive care. In advocacy, this means organizations such as the Academy need to stay in regular contact with lawmakers to build lasting, trusting relationships.
Congressional Advocacy Program. The Academy’s Congressional Advocacy Program helps participants develop an ongoing relationship with one or more of their federal legislators. In 2022, over 2,600 Academy members sent more than 8,200 letters to Congress. Of those members, 750 joined Academy advocacy efforts for the first time.
Congressional Advocates. The Academy also paired 44 ophthalmologists with legislators through the Congressional Advocacy Program last year. These Congressional Advocates represent the Academy’s position on key issues and become trusted resources for legislators and their staff. The stronger these relationships, the earlier and more often legislators can turn to ophthalmologists for input on matters that affect eye care.
Advocate in 2023. Now is the perfect time to get involved in advocacy—it’s especially important to connect with new legislators who were sworn into the 118th U.S. Congress in January. Legislators typically return to their home states annually, in August, during their “in-district” work period. Consider scheduling a meeting with your new legislator then.
Learn more about the Congressional Advocacy Program at aao.org/advocacy/action/how-to-get-involved.
Follow advocacy-related news and updates in the Academy’s Washington Report Express newsletter, emailed to Academy and AAOE members every Thursday.