5th International Conference on Ocular Infections 2010

Meeting Chair: Terrence P. O’Brien

The 5th International Conference on Ocular Infections will be held for the first time in the United States fromFebruary 18-21, 2010 at the Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. “The conference is held approximately every four years and represents “the Olympics” of ocular infectious diseases“

“As Chair for this meeting I wish to deliver a diverse scientific program with significant contributions from faculty experts outside of ophthalmology in related areas of infectious diseases and microbiology to educate attendees on the latest advances that may have relevancy to ocular infectious diseases rather than simply speaking to each other on concepts already familiar. In this way I believe participants can truly learn new concepts and think of innovative ways to apply them for the ultimate benefit of those suffering from ocular infections.”, declared O’Brien. “We are indeed fortunate to have the support of an outstanding international expert scientific advisory board as well as strong national and regional organizing groups from within the United States”, O’Brien proclaimed.

“After successful prior conferences in Europe and Asia, the International Conference on Ocular Infections is excited to hold its 5th meeting in a national historical venue such as the Breakers resort within the United States this winter”, observed William Freeman, M.D. Meeting President. “The location, timing and unique scientific program are widely attractive to interested individuals both from outside and within the United States”, added co-President Prof Joseph Frucht-Pery of Israel. “We are honored to host this excellent conference that offers something for everyone in general and subspecialty ophthalmic practice with interest in ocular infections right here in the state of Florida“, exclaimed Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., Conference Vice President and Chair of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The ICOI 2010 Scientifc Program spans over 3 days with Opening Session entitled “Ocular Infection: Past, Present and Future” begins on Thursday evening February 18 prior to the Welcome Reception. There will be three short 10 minute presentations featuring distinguished experts Prof. Richard K. Forster (USA) and Prof. Dan B. Jones (USA) looking at the history and challenges with ocular infections in the Past, current approaches and shortcomings in the Present and a glimpse into the Future at how management of ocular infections is likely to change as technologies advance and capabilities evolve. In many ways this session will serve as a nice Introduction to and in many ways mirror the next two and one half days of scientific sessions. It will be a three person story shedding light on Ocular Infectious Diseases. As we discussed, I would like you, DBJ, to provide the view of the Present.After this opening trilogy that is intended to essentially preview the entire meeting, Dr. Steve Projan, a Ph.D. basic scientist with extensive experience in microbiology and antiinfective drug development will deliver a welcome keynote to follow entitled “Where Have all the Magic Bullets Gone”,addressing the challenges of new antiinfective development in an era of increasing resistance. He is an engaging, informative, educational and unbiased speaker. The Opening Ceremony will close and be followed by a social Welcome Reception on The Breakers’ Oceanfront lawn at sunset.

Friday begins with a special series of

LIVE Surgery sessions simultaneously broadcast from the campus of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the Palm Beaches to international panels of experts and attendees at the Breakers Resort. These sessions will provide an in depth step-by- step approach to Prevention of Ocular Infection with Cataract, Keratorefractive, and Glaucoma Surgeries as well as office-based Intravitreal Injection procedures and will feature Sam Masket, Peter Barry, Joseph Colin, PrashantGarg, Yosh Shimomura, Choon-kiJoo, Ces Espiritu, Steve Pflugfelder, Prof Donald Tan, Harry Flynn, Richard Parrish, WilliamSmiddy, Eugene deJuan, Janet Davis, Fernando Arevalo and others. Bascom Palmer’s expert surgical faculty include Drs. David Goldman, Sonia Yoo, David Greenfield, and Andrew Moshfeghi. This is followed by a special session on Prevention of TASS and evolving Issues with Ophthalmic Surgical Instrument Sterilization chaired by Henry Edelhauser, Ph.D..; After the unique sessions on Prevention of Infection there will be a comprehensive session on Management of Endophthalmitis chaired by Drs. Harry Flynn and Richard Forster. There is a practical session utilizing case presentations that will highlight preferred management strategies for common ocular infections chaired by Allan Slomovic with an internationally prominent expert panel of Eduardo Alfonso, John Dart, Ana Luisa Hofling-Lima and Donald Tan with audience interaction.

An important session on

New Perspectives on Antimicrobial Resistance in Ophthalmology chaired by David Hwang includes Dr. Rachel Gorwitz from the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA, USA on the Epidemiology of MRSA and impact on clinical practice. An expert panel including Thomas Lietman, Steve Projan, Ana Luisa Hofling-Lima, Donald Tan and Rachel Gorwitz led by Dr. Hwang will discuss what should be the ICOI response focusing on R&D to address unanswered questions and unmet clinical needs, as well as call-to-action for ophthalmology. Friday afternoon also includes a highly unique session bridging basic science and clinical practice with an examination of Ocular Inflammation and Immunity with Ocular Infection chaired by Dr. Victor L. Perez, and featuring a keynote lecture by Prof. Gerald B Pier, PhD Professor of Medicine (Microbiology and Molecular Genetics) Department of Medicine Brigham and Women Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston on Mechanisms of Systemic Inflammatory Responses to Infections: Applications to the EyeOther lectures Dr. Eric Pearlman PhD: Immune Responses in Bacterial KeratitisDr. Stephen C. Pflugfelder MD: Blepharitis and Corneal Infections, Dr. James Chodosh, MD: Mechanisms of Inflammation during Adenoviral infections in the Cornea, Dr. Jerry Niederkorn, PhD: The Biology and Immunology of AcanthamoebaKeratitisandDr. Pearlmanon

One of the most essential steps for proper management of ocular infection is making a prompt and accurate diagnosis. The Ocular Microbiology Laboratory is an invaluable tool to aid the clinician in optimal management of ocular infection. Darlene Miller is leading a special session on Advances in Ocular Microbiology Laboratory Techniques co chaired by Regis Kowalski and Savitri Sharma with a keynote lecture by Brent Seaton, Ph..D,.,Director Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Focus Diagnostics, Inc, USA on the subject of “The Microbiology Laboratory-Where We Are-Where We Going?”. Also included the special session are lectures by expert ocular microbiologists Consuelo Ferrer, Phillip Thomas, Mahender Shah, Darlene Miller, Regis Kowlaski and Savitri Sharma.

Additional sessions include

Newer Antiinfective Agents examining the latest advances in antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal compounds with potential for use in treatment of ocular infections including Eric DeClercq and Steven Projan. A session highling innovative approaches to Ocular Drug Delivery of Ophthalmic Antiinfective and Antiinflammatory agents chaired by Eugene deJuan will include Janet Davis, Baruch Kupperman, William Freeman and Richard Awdeh.

On Saturday Sessions covering Blepharitis, Conjunctivitis, Keratitis, Retinitis and Uveitis will take place as part of the scientific program. A special session devoted to

Contact Lens-associated Keratitischaired by John Dart from Moorfields’Eye Hospital, London, UK and co-chaired by Eduardo Alfonso and Oliver Schein will explore all aspects of the pervasive threat of potentially sight threatening infections in association with contact lens wear with an expert international panel critically analyzing the recent epidemics of contact lens-related infections.

The ICOI 2010 has received the largest number of abstracts submitted from the largest number of countries for free papers and posters. These excellent free papers and posters will be interspersed throughout the program to complement the invited papers and symposia.

On Sunday morning, a special session examining Global Infectious Blindness chaired by Thomas Lietman and including representatives from all over the world discussing the most common causes of ocular infections resulting in blindness and advances in strategies to reduce the threat and significant impact of global infectious blindness. The ICOI 2010 scientific program will adjourn on Sunday at noon.

“All in all, this ICOI 2010 program offers the greatest diversity to date with a multinational, multidisciplinary comprehensive educational exchange in a fabulous setting at an opportune time to fill the current gaps of knowledge and bring advances to the care of patients suffering from ocular infectious diseases”, said Dr. O’Brien