Kirk Smick, OD, FAAO, chairman of International Vision Expo’s Conference Advisory Board.

NEW YORK— Kirk Smick, OD, FAAO, chairman of International Vision Expo’s Conference Advisory Board, and members of Expo’s conference team updated the media about new continuing education initiatives for the upcoming Vision Expo West Show & Conference scheduled for Oct. 2 to 5 in Las Vegas. During a first-ever Vision Expo press call yesterday, Smick outlined new education tracks planned for three areas of interest at Expo—Clinical Practices, Business Solutions and Optical Technology. Online registration will be available starting next week by logging on to www.visionexpoeast.com.

As pharmaceutical companies track the number of prescriptions being written by ODs for glaucoma, the numbers indicate that the treatment of glaucoma is experiencing a dramatic increase, according to Smick, leading to the creation of a 14-hour CE program concentrating on glaucoma at Expo West. Another area of growing interest is patient wellness and the dispensing of nutritional supplements associated with eye health. A 9-hour program on nutraceuticals has been added to the lineup and will feature Laurie Capogna, OD, leading author of Eyefoods and Eyefoods for Kids.

In the Business Solutions arena, a 9-hour block of CE will concentrate on the implications for ODs due to the upcoming Health Care Reform Act and pending government regulations, which will take effect in January 2014. Smick pointed to “huge implications for the Meaningful Use regulations surrounding electronic health records (EHRs)” and said the focus for practices is shifting back to clinical mandates concerning patient wellness. “A lot of opticians and optometrists aren’t able to get their CE in business categories. We want to become, and have become, the place to go to learn how to manage your practice,” Smick said.

Finally, in the area of Optical Technology, the Spectacle Lens Specialist Mini Track, a new 6-hour program, will look at today’s lens technologies, the importance of measurements and updates on lens coatings and designs.

“After the year-long process of planning the CE program with the Conference Advisory Board, we’re very excited about getting ready for the future,” Smick said.

Also new and noteworthy at the Expo this year will be the Young Professionals Club, a members group for young optometrists who have been out of school for up to five years. Members are entitled to free exhibit hall entry, six free hours of continuing education and other benefits. A new addition to this year’s Exhibit Hall is Vision Monday’s Eye2 Zone. Launched at Vision Expo East 2013, this is a dedicated showcase for new, non‐traditional vision technologies where patients and customers can enhance vision or athletic performance, communicate or view media, measure and monitor biometric data, promote wellness and more. Vision Monday’s Eye2 Zone is named after, Eye2 , Vision Monday’s monthly e-newsletter and companion section in VM’s print edition that keeps eyecare professionals informed about the latest, most innovative developments in vision technology.

This Fall’s meeting will mark the 25th anniversary of International Vision Expo and show sponsors Reed International and The Vision Council will host an evening cocktail reception and opening night party on Oct. 3 to mark the occasion.

Early bird registration and other discounts on hotels and entertainment will be available for ECPs as well. For more information, attendees can visit www.visionexpowest.com.