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NEW YORK—With just two days to go before the opening session of the 2021 Vision Monday Leadership Summit, event organizers said that late registrations are still being accepted. The one-time-only session, VirtualEYZE!, will explore how virtual health is expanding eyecare’s boundaries. It will be held Wednesday, June 23, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET. Virtual eyecare, in the form of comprehensive eye exams performed remotely with the direct involvement of an optometrist, is rapidly gaining favor with both patients and practitioners.

VirtualEYZE! will explore how this reimagining of vision care—a form of “Creative Disruption”—is opening up new possibilities for optometrists in all modes of practice. The session is the first in the multi-part 2021 VM Summit program, "CREATIVE DISRUPTION, THE NEW NOW: How to Survive It. Why You Need It." VirtualEYZE! will bring together experienced optometrists, optical retail executives, insurance reimbursement experts and the former chair of the American Telemedicine Association’s ocular telehealth committee to present an up-to-the-minute take on how this new form of eyecare is gaining ground and credibility.

The June 23 VirtualEYZE! session will feature a first-of-its-kind panel discussion moderated by Mike Rothschild, OD, an optometric practice consultant and authority on the delivery of eyecare through all forms of telemedicine. Joining him will be four ODs who are currently performing remote, comprehensive eye exams and will discuss what’s working, and why. Jacqueline Evans, OD, an independent practitioner based in Denver, Colo.; Deanna Ippolito, OD, an independent practitioner based in New Jersey; Harvey Moscot, OD, CEO of Moscot, a 106-year-old eyewear company based in New York City, and Sukumar Pandit, OD, a private practitioner and business owner and nursing home eyecare provider.

Rounding out the panel is Kirk Lauterback, chief operating office of Shopko Optical, who oversees the company’s retail optical centers and merchandising as well as its manufacturing facility in De Pere, Wis.

VirtualEYZE! will also feature an interview with Wally Lovejoy, an independent health care consultant, specializing in eyecare and optical retailing, Julian Roberts, executive director of the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) conducted by Marge Axelrad, SVP and Vision Monday editorial director. Lovejoy and Roberts will explain how payors are reimbursing for remote, comprehensive eye exams conducted by an OD.

Christopher Brady, MD, an assistant professor in the Ophthalmology Division at the University of Vermont and immediate past chair of the American Telemedicine Association Ocular Telemedicine Special Interest Group, will start off the program with his broad perspective on the rapid rise of ocular telemedicine and how it is changing the way he works with patients. And Axelrad will talk with Andrew Karp, VM's lens & technology editor about how the shift toward patient-centric care is impacting optometry and offering a new option for patients.

The wide-ranging program will interest optometrists at all levels who want to learn about the pros and cons of delivering primary care remotely, as well as patient acceptance and career options.

The second VM Summit virtual session, “ALL-CONSUMING: A Deep Dive into the New Consumer Mindset,” is set for Wednesday, August 11, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET.

Registration for the two virtual events is open now. Registration includes both virtual broadcasts, full access to the VM Summit virtual platform, networking, on-demand viewing, door prizes, and exclusive access to attendees-only content after the event. Optometrists, opticians, ophthalmologists and students can register for no charge. All other industry registration is $99. Details and registration information is posted here.

The multi-part Summit program, "CREATIVE DISRUPTION, THE NEW NOW: How to Survive It. Why You Need It." culminates in an in-person live + virtual event on Wednesday, Sept 22 in Las Vegas, called "Retail & Healthcare: UPENDED! Ripping Up The Rulebook."

The Platinum Sponsors of the 2021 VM Leadership Summit are EssilorLuxottica and VSP Global Premier Program. The Gold Sponsor is The Vision Council and the Silver Sponsors are Alcon and Ocuco.