Over 60 POS members gathered on December 11 in the PNC Champions Club to welcome guest faculty Nitish Mehta, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Langone Health, New York. Thank you to Donald Morris, DO, board member for extending the invitation to Dr. Metha and to the following companies for their support of the meeting: Heidelberg Engineering, Johnson & Johson Surgical Vision, and Vertilocity/HBK CPA’s and Consultants.

Two engaging lectures were delivered by Dr. Mehta, focusing on the evolving role of data and technology in retinal care. Both sessions were well received, prompting lively discussion and questions from attendees.

The first lecture, “Real-world Data in Retina: Where do we get it from, How do we use it, What has it taught us?”, provided a comprehensive overview of real-world data sources in retinal research, including registries, electronic health records, and observational studies. Key principles of conducting high-quality observational research were discussed, alongside recent findings demonstrating how real-world data are shaping our understanding of retinal therapeutic utilization and outcomes in clinical practice. The second lecture, “Artificial Intelligence in Retina: Theory, Current Applications, and Future Directions,” explored the rationale for applying AI in retinal disease management. Dr. Mehta outlined the range of AI strategies currently in use, from image analysis to predictive modeling, and highlighted recent AI-based research that is influencing diagnosis, treatment decision-making, and future innovation in the field. Continue Reading.