Maximizing Networking Opportunities at the Hawaiian Eye Conference 2024 for Vision Care Brokers

April 15, 2024

James Ashford

Table of Contents

The Hawaiian Eye and Retina Meeting is a yearly event that brings eye health professionals together in an exotic setting. It’s a unique opportunity to catch up on industry trends, explore new treatment options, and meet industry professionals.

The Hawaiian Eye Conference 2024 was one of the year’s most exciting industry events for vision care providers. Let’s reflect on this conference and the many learning opportunities it created for eye health providers.

Hawaiian Eye Conference 2024 Overview

The 2024 conference took place from January 14th to January 19th at the Grand Wailea Maui, a luxury beachfront resort with stunning views of Maalaea Bay.

The Hawaiian Eye Conference 2024 was packed with seminars, discussion panels, workshops, and other programs. It included presentations from R&D companies revealing the latest therapies, industry professionals sharing business advice for optometric practices, and faculty members discussing noteworthy cases.

Over six days, attendees got a unique insight into how the industry is changing while interacting with other eye health providers, researchers, brokers, and other industry professionals.

Hawaiian Eye Conference 2024 Highlights: From New Technologies to World-Class Educators

The Hawaiian Eye Conference 2024 was a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity. Here are some of the highlights.

Combined Sessions

The first two days of the event included several programs with a broad focus. The purpose of these combined sessions was to bring eye health professionals together. Attendees included providers, brokers, researchers, equipment manufacturers, and more.

There were plenty of opportunities to delve into the specifics of vision care later during the conference, but these first two days were an eye-opener for many attendees regarding global trends shaping the industry, such as the rise of AI, precision medicine, and the need to offer a patient-centric experience.

The organizers also planned several programs to unite attendees, including breakfast seminars, luaus, workshops, and more. Taking a hands-on approach to learning and exchanging ideas in a more informal setting was truly ideal for forming professional connections and getting a better idea of where the industry is going.

Iridex Corp

Among the many companies showcasing new products at the conference, Iridex Corp stood out with the official launch of its Iridex 532 and 577 lasers.

These lasers represent a turning point for Iridex Corp as the company introduced user-centric controls that make laser surgery more accessible than ever for practitioners. These laser systems use high-speed pulse durations for fast treatment and support multiple customizable presets for targeting glaucoma and other retinal disorders.

This product launch reflects recent industry trends. The user-centric controls of these laser systems represent the increasingly advanced solutions available to providers, while the customization features show how versatile modern equipment is becoming.

Duke University

A team of six faculty members from Duke University traveled to Maui to host a number of discussion panels and present their research.

These experts discussed a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

Recent findings in areas like diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, and pediatric eye health conditions.
New best practices for deciding to take on cases and managing degenerative retinal diseases.
The changing business environment for practice owners and the best strategies to adopt.
Many of these presentations featured clinical cases and provided attendees with invaluable insights into how experts approach real-world scenarios.

Thanks to their thought-provoking research, real-world examples, and interactive approach, these presentations indeed were one of the highlights of the Hawaiian Eye Conference 2024.

Preparing for the 2025 Hawaiian Eye Conference

The Hawaiian Eye Conference 2024 was a memorable event for those who attended, thanks to the quality of the presentations and the great atmosphere.

If you’re considering attending the 2025 edition, we recommend brushing up on industry trends to get a better idea of what to expect. You can get started by keeping up with industry news via Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma’s blog.

Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma offers doctor-owned vision plans designed to make eye health more accessible while supporting practices like yours. Find out more about how we support providers and their patients!

Summary

The Hawaiian Eye Conference 2024 was a major professional event for eye health professionals. Our latest blog post reflects on the conference and the unique learning opportunities it created for those who attended.

Not sure where to get started with recommending self-funded plans? Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma is pre-paid plan provider with and extensive of specialists who deliver eye care in Tulsa and nationwide with excellent value for employers and plan recipients.

Find out more about our self-funded plans and other flexible options.

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