The American Academy of Ophthalmology today announced the launch of a new online resource for eye physicians and surgeons dedicated solely to children's ocular diseases and disorders. The Knights Templar Eye Foundation Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center is an important tool that enables ophthalmologists to better serve the 19 million children worldwide who suffer visual impairment. The new resource will be unveiled this week at AAO 2015, the 119th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The Pediatric Ophthalmology Learning Center was funded by a Knights Templar Eye Foundation grant. It is the Academy's latest offering focused on advancing knowledge in major ophthalmology subspecialties. The virtual education center provides ophthalmologists with the most current clinical guidance specific to children's eye care. It is expected to be especially useful for ophthalmologists training in low-resource areas. The online center includes:
- Reference guides on diagnostic and treatment criteria in critical and emergency situations
- More than 80 video demonstrations on surgical techniques, symptomology and diagnostic approaches
- The latest information on evolving standards in diagnosis and treatment
- Interactive simulators and virtual patient cases
These new pediatric resources are part of the Academy's Ophthalmic News & Education Network®. The ONE Network is the largest online source of peer-reviewed and high-quality clinical information for ophthalmologists. It serves eye physicians and surgeons in more than 140 countries with content that is translated in eight languages.
"The Academy is committed to continually augmenting the online educational content available to ophthalmologists," said Dale Fajardo, Ed.D., M.B.A., vice president for education for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "The new Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center within the ONE Network bolsters this innovative offering by equipping eye physicians and surgeons with the specialized tools and information they need to fight the growing threat of visual impairment in children."
Other new clinical resources on the ONE Network include:
- Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
This resource establishes the most comprehensive collection of oculofacial plastic surgery reference materials online. Video and images on more than 50 clinical topics are available. It was developed in partnership with the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
- Eye Care for Older Adults
Caring for geriatric eye patients presents a particular set of challenges. Ophthalmologists can use this resource for guidance on treating seniors. A new podcast series features advice from leading experts in senior care. The section also includes the American Geriatrics Society's clinician toolkits. The kits include pre- and post-operative assessment and decision-making tools. The resource was made possible through a grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation and the American Geriatrics Society.
The new ONE Network resources will be presented on 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 14 in the Tech Pavilion during AAO 2015 (TECH02). Known as the place "Where all of Ophthalmology Meets,"™ the Academy's annual meeting takes place from Nov. 13-17 at the Sands Expo/Venetian in Las Vegas.
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