Retina Subspecialty Retina returns to San Francisco for 2023. Retina meetings have recovered with a bang as the pandemic has receded, and nowhere is this more evident than the upcoming 2023 American Academy of Ophthalmology. I have been blessed to Chair the program committee with spectacular colleagues including Barb Blodi, Sophie Bakri and Diana Do. This committee is structured to integrate representation from the ASRS, Retina Society, Macula Society and the AAO focusing on a balanced approach to advanced education in retina that benefits the vitreoretinal specialist along with ophthalmologists looking for specific knowledge within our field. Each Retina Subday member serves for 4 years and this year will conclude my tenure with Dr. Blodi assuming the Chair for next year.
Retina Subday represents a major milestone in the education milieu of the AAO and incorporates invited speakers, moderated panels, Pro/Con debates and invited late-breaking presentations that focus on major clinical trials both in late development and concluded. The two-day program covers virtually the entirety of vitreoretinal disease in a relatively rapid format. For 2023 170 speakers will participate in delivering presentations highlighted by world-renowned specialists in speaking in their area of expertise. Of these 170 speakers, 63 are women with a broadly diverse program.
A major highlight for this year will be our panel discussions that critically highlight evidence and case-based approaches to complex retinal disease. These panels are structured to bring a diversity of opinion to our patient management yet still remain laser focused on the best care practices for each individual patient and their physician. A second major highlight will be the Late Breaker sessions. These sessions are the only presentations chosen by review of submitted abstracts. For this year over 70 abstracts competed for the 10 available slots and included randomized clinical trial results along with novel imaging and drug delivery approaches. Finally, the PRO/CON debates remain a favorite as they focus on evolving clinical issues and incorporate audience evaluation to determine the “winner”.
Finally, two first in class drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Geographic Atrophy in the setting of age-related macular degeneration. Initial real-world data will be presented along with the recent recognition of treatment associated complications. These presentations, and their discussions, have the potential to impact treatment approaches across the nation and beyond.
Ultimately, as amazing as the program is for 2023, much of the value of Retina Subday lies in the conversations that take place at the break, over lunch, or even a late dinner. These conversations were sorely missed during the pandemic and are only now returning to pre-COVID levels.
The 2023 Retina Subday is a must for the practicing retinal specialist, or even the non-retina specialist, looking to broaden their understanding of imaging, diagnosis, and treatment at the forefront of our field. San Francisco is the home of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and we look forward to sharing this beautiful city and its outlying communities with our members. Clearly, we are focused on “Looking toward the Future” at AA) 2023 Retina Subspecialty Day.
Dr. Murray has no conflicts of interest to report.
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