2026 Indiana Optometry's Meeting
4/17/2026 - 4/18/20268:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield, 6089 Clarks Creed Road, Plainfield, IN 46168
Event Description
Offering 14 continuing education hours that qualify for Indiana Optometry Board credit (14 Legend Drug hours) and six support staff education hours, Indiana Optometry's Meeting will be held April 17 - 18, 2026, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield, IN. The annual convention includes top notch education, the annual Awards Luncheon, an engaging trade show with industry partners, the House of Delegates meeting, and the chance to connect with friends and other professionals in optometry.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Plainfield Conference Center & Hotel located at 6089 Clarks Creek Road, Plainfield, IN 46168. For those attendees that are not staying at the hotel, please use the conference center address of 2353 Perry Road, Plainfield, IN 46168.
OD EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, April 17, 20267:00 am – 9:00 am
House of Delegates Breakfast and Meeting (Breakfast starts @ 7:-00 am)
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 am – 10:00 am
The Updated Prevalence of Pediatric Keratoconus; Much Greater Than You Thought!
Jennifer Harthan, OD - Chicago, IL
This course will include a review of keratoconus and classic prevalence of the disease based on current literature. An in-depth review of the prevalence of keratoconus in a pediatric population, as found by a large scale study that screened for the presence of keratoconus on objective metrics from Scheimpflug corneal tomography will be highlighted. 1 Hour IOB & Legend Drug
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Corneal Irregularity and Ocular Surface Disease Management with Contact Lenses
Jennifer Harthan, OD - Chicago, IL
This course will supply detailed information on several cases of patients with corneal irregularity and ocular surface disease who were successful with advanced contact lens design. We will discuss the intricacies of correct diagnosis, modification of contact lenses to achieve therapeutic aims, and adjunctive therapies to improve patient outcomes.
1 hour IOB & Legend Drug
11:00 am - Noon
Dry Eye Treatment in Practice: What to Use, When, and Why
Jennifer Harthan, OD - Chicago, IL
Dry eye disease diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming with all of the options available to the practitioner. This course will cover the strategies treating dry eye disease based on underlying etiology. Clinical pearls wil be highlighted throughout the course. Clinical cases will be discussed. 1 hour IOB & Legend Drug
Noon – 2:00 pm
Indiana Optometry's Awards Luncheon (included in registration)
Sponsored by VSP
Please join us to celebrate the best of the Indiana Optometric Association! This luncheon includes the incoming IOA president’s speech and the annual awards presentation, featuring the Optometrist of the Year award and President's Citation/Young OD of the Year.
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Tips and Tricks for Laser Proficiency
Andrew Steele, OD - Louisville, KY
After a quick review of indications and pathophysiology, this lecture delves deeper into clinical pearls. YAG Capsulotomy, Laser Peripheral Iridotomy and
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty are covered. The aim of the lecture is to highlight best practices as well as introduce new techniques or approaches. The
hope is that these can be immediately applied to clinical practice both for the fledgling practitioner and for the experienced laser surgeon. 2 Hours IOB & Legend Drug
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Office-based Surgeries for the Optometric Physician
Andrew Steele, OD - Louisville, KY
This lecture aims to dive into techniques of more advanced and novel procedures for the optometric surgeon. Among review of lesion management, a number of newer procedures are introduced and discussed. These surgeries are currently being performed actively by only some optometrists in states where the law permits but certainly have increased relevance in light of national scope expansion efforts. 2 Hours IOB & Legend Drug
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Indiana Optometry's Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by Eye Surgeons of Indiana
Join your colleagues and industry leaders in the exhibit hall for a fun social gathering with appetizers and drinks!
Dinner on your own
Saturday, April 18, 2026
7:00 am – 8:00 am
Continental Breakfast & Registration
7:00 am – 8:00 am
Past President’s Breakfast
All past IOA presidents are invited to attend this special breakfast conversation.
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Lies & Damn Lies About Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy
Paul Chous, MA, OD - Maple Valley, WA
This course will consider a number of half-truths and downright falsehoods about diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, with an aim to better prepare clinicians to manage their patients with diabetes. 3 Hours IOB & Legend Drug
11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Trade Show & Luncheon
Featuring more than 60 vendors, show specials and fun trivia with raffle prizes!
Sponsored by Eye Specialists of Indiana
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Glaucoma Diagnosis: Natural History & Technological Innovation
Nora Cothran, OD - Largo, FL
This course creates a framework to accurately diagnose glaucoma by reviewing the pathophysiology of the disease and highlighting the fundamental components of the glaucoma exam. Gonioscopy, optic nerve evaluation, OCT analysis and visual field interpretation will be explained. Additionally, the role of genetics and genetic testing, artificial intelligence (AI) and the integrative field of oculomics will be introduced. 1 Hour IOB & Legend Drug
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Glaucoma Management: Therapeutics, Laser, MIGS, and More
Nora Cothran, OD Largo, FL
Get up to date! This course provides optometric physicians a comprehensive overview of the interventional model of glaucoma management. Both topical therapies and investigational molecules will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on early intervention via lasers and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS). and non-traditional treatment options explored. 1 Hour IOB & Legend Drug
3:30 - 4:30 pm
Glaucoma Grand Rounds: Curious Cases & Coding Conundrums
Nora Cothran, OD Largo, FL
Ready to put your diagnostic skills to the test? This course utilizes an interactive, grand-rounds style of presentation and features a variety of glaucoma cases identified by the optometric community at-large. Each unique case features relevant ophthalmic findings and diagnostic testing while focusing on the pathophysiology and, in some cases, the epidemiology of underlying or concurrent systemic disease. 1 Hour IOB & Legend Drug
4:30 - 5:30 pm
"Would You Rather...? Personal Preferences of Clinical Conditions with Evidence-Based Perspectives"
Austin Lifferth, OD, Noblesville, IN
How do our personal preferences align with evidence-based perspectives and principles? Stick around for this informal, interactive, and informative discussion (with the help of some of your colleagues) as we learn together to handle a handful of clinical conditions. 1 Hour IOB & Legend Drug
OPTOMETRY SUPPORT STAFF PROGRAM
Saturday, April 18, 2026
This one day program provides six hours of continuing education for paraoptometrics, opticians and staff. Take advantage of our special discount and register three participants for the price of two! There will be one track offered for 2026 focusing on technical aspects of optometry and leadership with a special 1 hour course on social media!
A separate registration link for the Optometry Support Staff educational program can be found here. ODs will have the opportunity to register support staff after completing their OD event registration.
OPTOMETRY STUDENTS
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Students are invited to attend Indiana Optometry's Meeting free of charge. While registration is complimentary, please fill out the registration form so we can include you in the trade show lunch count.
Details
Approval of courses by states other than Indiana is the responsibility of the attendee.
Should any scheduling changes be necessary, they will be posted on this webpage.
Questions? Contact the IOA at 317-237-3560 or education@ioa.org.
OD price includes education, continental breakfast, lunch and breaks both days, and the Friday night reception.
CONVENTION REFUND POLICY
All requests for refunds must be in writing and must be postmarked or sent via email no later than March 27, 2026. Refund request made on or before March 27, 2026, will receive a full refund. Requests postmarked or emailed between March 28 and April 16, 2026, will receive a 75% refund. No refunds will be made after April 16, 2026.
Should any scheduling changes be necessary, they will be posted on this webpage.
Questions? Contact the IOA at 317-237-3560 or education@ioa.org.
OD price includes education, continental breakfast, lunch and breaks both days, and the Friday night reception.
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CONVENTION REFUND POLICY
All requests for refunds must be in writing and must be postmarked or sent via email no later than March 27, 2026. Refund request made on or before March 27, 2026, will receive a full refund. Requests postmarked or emailed between March 28 and April 16, 2026, will receive a 75% refund. No refunds will be made after April 16, 2026.