The 2019 inaugural Residents Weekend took place February 15-17 at the newly minted Paragon Education and Training Academy in Gilbert, AZ.
This exciting event was kicked off by Rich Jeffries, president of Paragon Vision Sciences, who welcomed over 30 residents from across the country to this educational event. Michele Andrews, OD, Senior Director, North America Professional and Academic Affairs at CooperVision, then took to the stage to educate the residents on utilizing industry to advance patient care.
Mark Andre, FAAO of CooperVision North America Professional Affairs, and Steve Diamanti, PhD, Senior Manager of Technical Marketing at CooperVision, then co-presented on CooperVision’s Legacy Lenses. They took a deep and engaging dive on the history and chemistry of contact lens materials and designs.
With the topic of the weekend being myopia, Maria Liu OD, PhD, MPH, MBA, FAAO, Chief of Myopia Control Clinic at UCBSO and one of the global leaders in myopia, led the conversation on understanding the etiology and mechanisms for control. She made many of those in attendance start to think differently about the strength (or lack of strength) of evidence in many of the myopia control studies being referenced in the literature.
Mark Bullimore, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO next led the discussion on the safety of orthokeratology. He states that “The risk of microbial keratitis with overnight corneal reshaping contact lenses is similar to that with other overnight modalities.”1
In between listening to leaders of myopia control and of orthokeratology, Emily Schwartz, PhD, a public speaking coach educated the residents in a memorable way how to get the audience to listen, understand and act.
Rounding out this busy day, Leah Johnson, OD, FAAO, Global Professional Services Director at Paragon Vision Services led an educational presentation on interpreting topography and understanding both the Paragon CRT and Paragon CRT Dual Axis technology. To top it off, she led a live fitting of an orthokeratology patient at the state-of-the-art Paragon Academy.
After an amazing day one, day two started with Shelia Morrison, OD, MS, FSLS, who told her story about transitioning from academia to private practice. Many of the residents in attendance were listening intently as they too have that same transition coming within the next few months.
After a great weekend of education and networking, Charles Morris, Director of Marketing at Paragon Vision Sciences, Rich Jefferies and Dr. Michele Andrews wrapped up the Myopia Symposium with some final words of wisdom. The residents left this event with a wealth of knowledge on orthokeratology, as well as myopia control, and will surely use this to impact the lives of many patients in the years to come.
Steve Rosinski, OD, Senior Manager, Professional and Academic Affairs at CooperVision, stated “CooperVision and Paragon Vision Sciences were proud to host this event and believe in the value of education and support of the future contact lens leaders. Not only do we want to support current eye care practitioners but those of tomorrow as well.”
Optom Vis Sci. 2013 Sep;90(9):937-44. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e31829cac92.
