Winter Ophthalmic Summit 2027

The 2027 Winter Ophthalmic Summit takes place March 12-14, 2027, at The Hythe in Vail, Colorado.

Early Bird Pricing Ends

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* Earn up to 10hours COPE Approved In-Person CE

March 12, 2027 - March 14, 2027

Summit Speakers

Selina McGee

OD, FAAO

Dr. Selina McGee is the Visionary Founder and Owner of BeSpoke Vision.

Joseph Allen

OD

Dr. Joseph J. Allen graduated Magna Cum Laude and Salutatorian from the

Jacqueline Theis

OD, FAAO, FNAP

Dr. Jacqueline Theis OD, FAAO, FNAP is a practicing optometrist, clinical researcher,

Summit Schedule

 

Thursday, March 12th

 

 

2:00 pm: Welcome and Opening Remarks

Blake W. Tarr, OD

 

2:05 pm – 3:45 pm: Retinal Imaging Grand Rounds    

Betty Zhang, OD (2 hours CE, COPE# 102547-TD)                     

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This course will demonstrate how to systematically interpret multi-modal retinal imaging in the context of retinal pathology.  Diagnostic process as well as considerations in treatment and management of retinal disease will be illustrated.

 

 

3:50 pm – 5:20 pm: Clinical Presentations You Can’t Afford To Miss

Randall Thomas, OD, MPH, FAAO (2 hours CE, COPE# 101740-GO)

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This interactive course presents a series of clinically challenging and easily overlooked cases, emphasizing the diagnostic clues, decision pathways, and evidence-based strategies essential for timely recognition. Attendees will learn how to avoid common pitfalls, sharpen clinical vigilance, and ensure that high-risk or subtle presentations are never missed in practice.

 

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Summit Check-In and Vendor Social Reception

Bring Your Family and Enjoy S’mores & Hot Cider with Our Vendor Friends
(Apres’ Deck Firepit at The Hythe Hotel)

 

Dinner Symposium

 

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Optometrists’ Guide to GA: Best practices for early detection and referral

– Sponsored by Apellis

Betty Zhang, OD and Murtza Adam, MD

 

 

Friday, March 13th

 

Breakfast Symposium

6:00 am – 6:20 am: Clinical Perspectives on Presbyopia Management

– Sponsored by LENZ Therapeutics

Ian Whipple, OD

 

Exhibit Hall Opens

 

 

 

 

 

6:25 am – 6:50 am: Tarr Trek Ambassador Forum – How to Apply Amniotic Membranes

Hosted in the Exhibit Hall – Blake Tarr, OD & Guest

 

 

6:50 am – 7:40 am: “The Fine Line” of the Vitreomacular Interface

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Abigail Maynard Hartle, OD (1 HR CE, COPE# 99235-TD)

This course will explore vitreomacular interface abnormalities including vitreomacular adhesion, vitreomacular traction, epiretinal membranes, lamellar macular holes, pseudoholes, and full thickness macular holes. OCT examples will be provided to enhance understanding, aid in differentiating, and diagnosing the various disorders. We will cover the various treatments, surgery, and post-operative care for vitreomacular pathology.

 

7:45 am – 9:25 am: Beyond the Eyes: Understanding Migraine Mgt

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Jaci Theis, OD, FAAO, FNAP (2 hours CE, COPE# 94940-NO)

This course explores the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatments for migraines. The role of optometry will be emphasized for identifying migraine-related visual disturbances, ocular implications, and integrating collaborative care strategies for effective patient management.

 

9:25 am – 10:15 am: Bridging Regeneration and Repair: The Role of Amniotic Membrane in Corneal Healing

James Tian, MD (1 HR CE, COPE# 102650-TD)

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Amniotic membrane grafting (AMG) has become a cornerstone in managing corneal surface disease due to its unique biologic and regenerative properties. This lecture will review its clinical indications and efficacy across a spectrum of corneal disorders, including severe dry eye, neurotrophic keratitis, limbal stem cell deficiency, and ocular inflammatory conditions such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome and chemical burns. 

 

10:15 am – 3:00 pm: Exhibit Hall & Networking with Colleagues 

 

 

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Après Raclette Social with Vendor Friends

(10th Mountain Bar at The Hythe Hotel)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3:35 pm – 4:25 pm: Corneal Cases: Real World Pearls and New Frontiers

James Tian, MD (1 HR CE, COPE# 102651-TD)

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This case-based lecture highlights challenging and instructive scenarios in modern corneal practice, covering the latest in endothelial dystrophy management, adjunctive therapies for resistant infectious keratitis, and advances in artificial iris implantation for anterior segment reconstruction. It also reviews current strategies in keratoconus care, including cross-linking, CTAKs, and other surgical management. Through these diverse cases, the session emphasizes practical decision-making, clinical pearls, and the integration of new technologies to optimize outcomes in corneal and anterior segment disease.

 

4:30 pm – 5:20 pm: Visual Dysfunction After Concussion: What Matters, What Changes, What Heals & What Everyone Keeps Missing

Jaci Theis, OD, FAAO (1 HR CE, COPE# 102637-NO)

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This practical interactive lecture is engaging and tailored to the Primary Care OD.  Prepare to have fun and stay focused on real-world applications.

 

 

5:25 pm – 6:15 pm: Pediatric Problems – Is it Really Dyslexia

Jaci Theis, OD, FAAO, FNAP (1 HR COPE #102874-FV)

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Is it really dyslexia? Developmental oculomotor dysfunction, uncorrected refractive error, and visual processing disorders can be misdiagnosed as “dyslexia,” putting the patient at risk of suffering from treatable visual conditions. 

 

 

Exhibit Hall: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

 

Networking and Connecting with Colleagues From 10:15 am – 3:00 pm

Saturday, March 14th

 

Breakfast Symposium

 

6:00 am – 6:40 am: Identification and Treatment of Neurotrophic Keratitis

– Sponsored by Dompe’

Jaci Theis, OD, FAAO, FNAP and James Tian, MD

 

 

 

 

 

6:40 am – 7:05 am Exhibit Hall 

 

 

7:10 am – 8:00 am: The Patient Journey – Modern Marketing For Medical Practices

Gavin Baker, MBA (1 HR CE, COPE# 102208-PM)

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Using insights from the 2025 Patient Perspective Report, participants will understand patient expectations in eye care and common breakdowns. This course focuses on communication improvements that strengthen patient experience, continuity of care, and practice performance.

 

 

8:05 am – 8:55 am: Adult Diplopia Grand Rounds

Jaci Theis, OD, FAAO, FNAP (1 HR CE, COPE# 102648-NO)

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Adult diplopia is an inevitable patient complaint in every optometric office. This course aims to provide the primary care optometrist with a vast presentation of different types of adult diplopia that may present to their office and clinical approaches to best manage each case in a grand rounds presentation format. Emphasis will be placed on being able to differentiate what is developmental vs. pathological and what warrants further systemic and neurological workup beyond prismatic correction.

 

8:55 am – 9:25 am: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership & Cultivating High Performance Culture

T.J. Waggoner (Non-CE Bonus Presentation)

 

Featured Symposium

 

9:25 am – 10:05 am: Protecting Vision Across a Lifetime: Myopia Management Strategies

 – Sponsored by CooperVision

Justin Kwan, OD, FAAO 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Hall & Networking with Colleagues

10:05 am – 2:00 pm 

 

 

2:00 pm – 2:50 pm: White Dot Syndromes: Illustrating the Role of Multimodal Ophthalmic Imaging in the Clinical Evaluation of Posterior Uveitides

Andrew Zheng, MD (1 HR CE, COPE# 102544-TD)

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3:00 pm – 3:20 pm: Exhibit Hall Raffle

 

 

Featured Symposium

3:20 pm – 3:40 pm: From Examination to Efficacy: XDEMVY® (lotilaner ophthalmic solution) 0.25%

– Sponsored by Tarsus

Jaci Theis, OD, FAAO, FNAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

3:40 pm – 4:00 am: Tarr Trek Ambassador Forum – Rethinking Chronic Dry Eye

Hosted in the Exhibit Hall – Blake Tarr, OD 

 

4:10 pm – 5:00 pm: Complex Anterior Segment Made Simple

Cullen Ryburn, MD (1 HR CE, COPE# 103132-PO)

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5:05 pm – 6:00 pm: When Eye Pain is a Pain in the Neck

Jaci Theis, OD, FAAO, FNAP (1 HR CE, COPE# 98695-NO)

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This course will provide primary care optometrists with the comprehensive knowledge of cervicogenic eye pain and provide a screening evaluation that optometrists can provide chair side

 

 

 

Farewell Dinner Symposium

 

6:00 pm– 7:00 pm: Oxygen Enriched Crosslinking 

– Sponsored by Glaukos

Cullen Ryburn, MD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Hall: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Networking & Connecting with Colleagues From 10:05 am – 2:00 pm

Lodging

The Hythe Vail

Room block is $489/night plus tax and hotel fees. Book early as availability is limited.

When reserving your room, be sure to mention you are with Tarr Trek Winter Ophthalmic Summit.