Curtis R. Baxstrom, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, FNORA

Dr. Baxstrom, a graduate of Pacific University College of Optometry, is currently in private practice in Federal Way specializing in vision therapy. His practice consists of special needs patients, learning disabled children and patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries or strokes. He holds privileges at several local rehabilitation hospitals and consults at the Good Samaritan and Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy Unit. In 1989 he was named California’s Young OD of the Year and was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by the Kent Lions Club. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on a variety of visual topics in the areas of child development, learning, visual rehabilitation and vision therapy.

Saturday July 17, 10:00-12:00
Infantile Esotropia: Diagnosis and Treatment

Approximately 28-43% of all esotropia is infantile esotropia, and there may actually be multiple different types of infantile esotropia, each with varied treatment considerations. Practitioners who treat strabismus may find this a unique population. This course will review some modifications of your traditional approach to esotropia to more thoroughly evaluate the infant. These probes may directly lead to therapeutic applications that are modified from the more traditional esotropia therapy. We will look at abduction deficit, motion asymmetries, inferior oblique overaction, dissociated vertical deviation and the use of binasal and sector occlusion. Several cases will be discussed to help provide a basis for understanding.

Saturday July 17, 2:30-3:30
Occlusion - A Potpourri of Treatment Strategies

Binasal occlusion is probably the most commonly known occlusion technique outside of direct patching for amblyopia. This course will look at binasal occlusion from different treatment perspectives. In addition, a variety of different occlusion techniques will be demonstrated. Each technique will be evaluated as to the purpose (eliminate diplopia, decrease confusion, modify gaze preference, etc.), how to apply it and how to modify it as the patient progresses.

Saturday July 17, 3:30-4:30
EOM Paresis & Palsy - To Treat or Not to Treat...Is the Question?

This course will look at the rehabilitation and compensatory Optometric approaches to patients with ocular motor concerns. The emphasis will be on monocular considerations, but cases will demonstrate how to apply the principles for improving binocularity as well. An emphasis in treatment will be to look at ocular motor subsystem transfer in which improving one type of ocular motor ability may transfer to other subsystems. Thus applications in treatment will emphasize a comprehensive approach on as many subsystems as possible.

Pam Benson

Saturday July 17, 2:30-4:30
Beginning Hands-on Dispensing

This course will cover the basic frame adjustment techniques, fitting skills, and shortcuts to adjusting and repairing eyewear.

Sunday July 18, 8:00-10:00
Advanced Hands-On Dispensing

This course will cover advanced frame adjustment, fitting skills, and tips to adjusting and repairing eyewear.

Cynthia Cid, OD and Felicia Popowski, OD

Saturday July 17, 9:00-10:00
CPOA Review Course: Office Procedures

Practice management including office procedures, patient handling, office finances, and professional issues will be covered. Appropriate triage procedures will be discussed. Basic ocular pharmacology will be covered.

Saturday July 17, 10:00-11:00
CPOA Review Course: Anatomy and Physiology

General anatomy and physiology including basic functions of anatomical structures, common pathological and functional disorders will be covered.

Saturday July 17, 11:00-1:00
CPOA Review Course: Basic and Special Testing

Preliminary testing, case history, and exam instrumentation will be covered. Visual acuity, pupils, cover test, and motilities. Special procedures including tonometry, visual fields, blood pressure, and surgical instrumentation will be discussed.

Saturday July 17, 2:30-3:30
CPOA Review Course: Frame Selection/Dispensing

Neutralization and verification of spectacles, pupillary distance, and lensometry will be covered. Appropriate use of prism and different base curves will be discussed. Frame selection and adjustment will be covered.

Saturday July 17, 3:30-4:30
CPOA Review Course: Contact Lenses

Keratometry measurement and interpretation, radioscope, types of lenses, and contact lens parameters will be discussed. Insertion and removal techniques will be covered as well as contact lens complications. Patient selection for contact lens wear will be discussed.

Sunday July 18, 10:00-12:00
CPOA Review Course: Refraction, Binocularity and Optics

Will cover refractive error, refractive conditions, eye movements as well as binocular vision. Transposition of prescriptions, optical cross, and vertex distance will be discussed.

Saturday July 17, 9:00-11:00
Latest in Lens Technology

With the introduction of new lens materials, designs and coatings coming into the market so rapidly, it’s sometimes difficult to keep up with the latest products. This seminar discusses the latest in designs, coatings and lens materials with an emphasis on their features, benefits and how to best utilize them. It also will provide an insight into products that may be in the pipeline but not yet introduced into the marketplace.

Saturday July 17, 11:00-1:00
Troubleshooting the Uncomfortable Patient

Nothing can be more frustrating than a patient who isn't comfortable or isn't seeing clearly with his/her new eyeglasses! Sure, you need to recheck the accuracy of the lenses against the work order and the prescription, but there is more to solving these problems than the accuracy of the glasses! There are clues you can find in the prescription and symptoms patients will tell you as you question them, as well as nonprescription factors you should look for. This seminar will help you understand these issues so you will be able to better serve these patients.

Saturday July 17, 2:30-3:30
Five Simple Techniques for Improving Sales

We all want to satisfy our patients and do the best job we can. We also want to have the best possible sales we can. Here is a seminar that can improve patient satisfaction and your bottom line as well! Five easily utilized techniques will be presented that any dispensing office can incorporate.

Saturday July 17, 3:30-4:30
Optical Patient Expectations

Are you interested in satisfying every patient that enters your office for services? If so, the most important thing you need to focus upon is the patient’s expectations. Knowing in advance what their expectations are gives you the insights you need to meet or exceed them … and that’s a formula for success. You don’t need to be clairvoyant or have a crystal ball; this seminar will show you how.

Leanna Dudley, OD

Saturday July 17, 10:00-1:00
Vision Therapy for Vertical Deviations
(With Jennifer Simonson, OD FCOVD)

This hands-on course will demonstrate vision therapy techniques for treating vertical strabismus. The use of prisms, appropriate fusional targets, and therapy equipment will be discussed and practiced. We will discuss how to support and load each activity to build fusional skills.

Donna Ellinger, OD

Sunday July 18, 10:00-12:00
Here's Looking at You: Human Eye Anatomy and Cow Eye Dissection

The first part of this course will review the anatomy of the human eye. The second part will feature a hands-on dissection of the bovine eye. Don’t want to dissect? Join us and watch! All class and dissection materials will be provided.

Saturday, July 17, 8:00-9:00
VSP's Necessary Contact Lens Coverage and Coordinating Benefits with Health Plans

Come learn about VSP's Necessary Contact Lens coverage such as eligibility, claims submissions, service verification and reimbursements. Additionally we will discuss helpful tips for coordinating VSP benefits with Health Plans, including how to avoid common problems when submitting claims.

Shannon Harper, LDO, FCLSA

Sunday July 18, 8:00-9:00

Soft Lens Care Update

This course will discuss the evolution of soft contact lens care systems from heat disinfection to those currently available on the market, and how the market has changed due to patient needs and regulatory requirements. This talk will include explanations of FDA testing, objective comparisons of lens care regimen, investigation of current preservatives used, tips for successful management of lens care complications and incompatibilities, how to prevent dropouts and to improve compliance.

Sunday July 18, 9:00-10:00

Silicone Hydrogel Multifocal Contact Lenses

This course will discuss contact lens options for a new generation of emerging presbyopes who are tech savvy, have diverse vision needs, and are highly motivated to preserve a youthful appearance. An update of all new silicone hydrogel multifocal lens options and fitting pearls will be presented.

Sue E. Lowe, OD FAAO FCOVD

Sunday July 18, 9:00-12:00
Hands-On Sports Vision Techniques

This will be a clinical approach to enhance those visual skills that are necessary for peak sports performance, in specific sport activities. Hands on training techniques will be demonstrated with audience participation. Emphasis will be on specific vision techniques that have been used successfully on amateur and professional athletes alike.

Jennifer Simonson, OD FCOVD

Saturday, July 17, 9:00-10:00
Anatomy of Vertical Strabismus

This course will discuss hypertropia, hypotropia, and cyclotropia. An understanding of the ocular muscles and nerves will be the emphasis of the course. We will specifically learn about vertical strabismus resulting from anatomical, neurological, post-surgical, injury, and tumor causes.

Sunday July 18, 8:00-9:00
Clinical Pearls in Treating Vertical Strabismus

This course will discuss the sequence of programming a vertical strabismic patient and recommended techniques to decrease symptoms and improve fusion skills.