Smoky Mountain Ophthalmic Summit 2025

The 2025 Smoky Mountain Ophthalmic Summit takes place October 3-4, 2025, at Dollywood’s Heartsong Lodge Resort in Pigeon Forge, TN.

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* Earn up to 12hours COPE Approved In-Person CE

October 3, 2025 - October 4, 2025

Register For This Event

Speakers

Schedule

Sponsors

Lodging

Summit Speakers

Marty Carpenter

OD

Dr. Martin W. Carpenter, OD, lives and practices optometry in Fairmont, WV.

Learn more about Marty Carpenter

Ron Melton

OD, FAAO

Dr. N. Ron Melton is an optometrist who specializes in comprehensive eye

Learn more about Ron Melton

Randall Thomas

OD, MPH, FAAO

Dr. Thomas is a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and

Learn more about Randall Thomas

Summit Schedule

Friday, October 3rd

 

Welcome Breakfast with our Vendor Friends | 6:00 am-7:30 am

Session 1: Contemporary Glaucoma Care | 6:30 am-7:20 am

COPE Pending-GL – 1 Hour | Insightful strategies for diagnosing and managing glaucoma in modern clinical settings. | Ron Melton, OD, FAAO & Randall Thomas, OD, MPH, FAAO

Session 2: Therapeutic Update – Clinical Applications | 7:30 am-9:10 am

COPE Pending-PH – 2 Hours | A practical guide to current oral and topical therapies for ocular disease. | Ron Melton, OD, FAAO & Randall Thomas, OD, MPH, FAAO

Vendor Round Table Discussion & Workshop | 9:15 am-9:45 am

An interactive opportunity for industry partners and attendees to exchange insights, explore collaboration, and discuss innovations in eye care.

Session 3: Ocular Therapeutics Update | 9:50 am-11:30 am

COPE Pending-PH – 2 Hours | Latest advances in medical treatments and case-based applications. | Ron Melton, OD, FAAO & Randall Thomas, OD, MPH, FAAO

Session 4: Glaucoma Update | 11:40 am-12:30 pm

COPE Pending-GL – 1 Hour | More depth on emerging glaucoma care protocols and technology. | Ron Melton, OD, FAAO & Randall Thomas, OD, MPH, FAAO

Networking & Collaboration with Colleagues | 12:30 pm – 6 pm

Satellite Dinner Symposium – The Future In Focus: Tackling Eye Care Challenges | 6:00 pm-7:00 pm

Co-sponsored by Alcon and Lenz Therapeutics

Welcome Reception | 7:00 pm-8:00 pm

Bring your family to enjoy S’mores and connect with Colleagues and Vendor Friends.
(Outside Firepit at the HeartSong Lodge)

Saturday, October 4th

 

Vendor Breakfast | 6:00 am-7:30 am

Breakfast Served with our Vendor Friends

Session 5: Key Issues in Ocular Disease Management | 6:30 am-8:10 am

COPE Pending – 2 Hours | Targeted insights into contemporary diagnosis and disease treatment. | Ron Melton, OD, FAAO & Randall Thomas, OD, MPH, FAAO
Download CE Notes

Vendor Round Table Discussion | 8:15 am-8:35 am

An interactive opportunity for industry partners and attendees to exchange insights, explore collaboration, and discuss innovations in eye care.

Session 6: Common Injections for Optometric Eye Care | 8:40 am-10:30 am

COPE Pending – 2 Hours | A deep dive into ocular injections including Botox and their growing role in primary eye care. | Marty Carpenter, OD
Download CE Notes

Additional Workshop: Hands-on Botox/ Aesthetics Workshop | 10:20 am-12:00 pm

The Hands-on Botox/ Aesthetics workshop is limited to 30 doctors with a minimum of 15 doctors to hold the workshop. Additional fee is $250.
 

Session 7: Mystery Solved: Conquering Therapeutic Dilemmas | 10:40 am-12:30 pm

COPE Pending – 2 Hours | Interactive, case-based session decoding complex clinical puzzles. | Ron Melton, OD, FAAO & Randall Thomas, OD, MPH, FAAO

Final Remarks & Conference Close | 12:30 pm

Blake W. Tarr, OD | Explore Dollywood, enjoy the resort, or connect with colleagues.

Summit Sponsors

Lodging

Dollywood Heartsong Resort

 

Tucked away in a beautiful cove in the rolling foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort is a well-appointed, reimagined property that features a variety of accommodations and amenities.

Complementary Transportation to and from Dollywood Theme Park is included via the HeartSong Lodge.

Room block cut-off date is September 4, 2025. 

Room rate is available 2 days Pre/Post conference. 

To book outside the block, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD, Option#2, Option#1 and mention you are with the “Tarr Trek Summit” if your reservation includes pre/post stay.

Book Now: Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort – TarrTrek Guestrooms Link