The 48th Annual Meeting of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society in Austin, Texas

Neuro-Ophthalmology News Section Editors: Kathleen B. Digre, MD Meagan D. Seay, DO The 48th Annual Meeting of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society in Austin, Texas T he North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) held its 48th Annual Meeting at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas from February 12–17, 2022 (Fig. 1). This year marked the return of the in-person meeting after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A hybrid (part in-person and part virtual) meeting was not feasible; however, the content was available on-demand after the conclusion of the meeting for those unable to attend in-person. There were over 770 registrants and an estimated 600 physically in attendance, including 140 international attendees. To attend, proof of vaccination was required, along with wearing a mask. The Frank Walsh Society meeting was co-hosted by the University of British Columbia. Due to the pandemic, the experts were virtual for this event. Special experts included Dr. Manraj K.S. Heran (neuroradiology) and Dr. Veronica Hirsch-Reinshagen (neuro-pathology). The best Walsh abstract by a fellow was presented by Jeffrey Gluckstein, MD from Massachusetts Eye and Ear entitled “Double Crossed” Posters were virtual, although attendees were able to interact with poster authors at the first poster session entitled “Meet the Poster Author: Descriptive Studies.” All together there were 332 posters presented this year. There were 10 outstanding general sessions and 4 optional symposia. Day 2 began with “State of the Art in Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease” where topics included preserving and re-innervating the corneal surface, CNS lymphatics and glymphatics, MS therapies, glaucoma and the neuroophthalmologist, and inflammatory orbital disease. The “Hot Topics” session was next where speakers discussed patient reported outcomes, COVID-19, treatment of MOGrelated disorders, myasthenia gravis and thymectomy, and optic disc drusen (ODD) (Fig. 2). The afternoon included a session to discuss fostering leadership and mentorship in neuro- FIG. 1. JW Marriott Austin, Texas e528 FIG. 2. Steffen Hamann giving his talk “Mining for ODD using Multimodal OCT.” ophthalmology (Fig. 3) and a second session involving challenging cases for surgical neuro-ophthalmologists. The day concluded with the first session of scientific platforms. Day 3 kicked off with two riveting sessions of scientific platforms, followed by an afternoon free for activities. After this reprieve, attendees gathered again for a poster session entitled, “Meet the Poster Author: Analytical Studies.” We reconvened on day 4 for a morning of lectures on “Mitochondrial Disorders: More Than the Optic Nerve” and “Does My Patient Need Surgery/A Procedure? Indications, Outcomes, and More!” This year’s Jacobson lecture was given by the always enthusiastic and charismatic Fiona Costello, entitled “The Power of Connection” (Fig. 4). In the afternoon there was a practical and informative session entitled “Vestibular and Ocular Motor Skills Transfer.” The Seay and Digre: J Neuro-Ophthalmol 2022; 42: e528-e530 Copyright © North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Neuro-Ophthalmology News FIG. 3. “Fostering Leadership and Mentorship in NeuroOphthalmology: Evolving Concepts from Medical School to Retirement” panelists from left to right (back row): Susan Mollan and Barbara Yates and (front row): Kimberly Winges, Nailyn Rasool, and Sangeeta Khanna. last day of the meeting brought insightful talks regarding “Functional Disorders and the Neuro-Ophthalmologist,” which discussed classifications, roles of imaging, pearls and pitfalls of diagnosis, delusions and hallucinations, and treatment of functional disorders. The meeting ended with a discussion of difficult cases in pediatric patients. FIG. 4. Randy Kardon (left) and Fiona Costello (right) after Dr. Costello presented the Jacobson Lecture and was introduced by Dr. Kardon. Seay and Digre: J Neuro-Ophthalmol 2022; 42: e528-e530 FIG. 5. Attendees of the NANOS Annual Meeting Banquet letting loose on the dance floor! The annual banquet was held at the JW Marriott Lone Star room. The night featured great food, awards, and of course, dancing (Fig. 5)! This year’s awardees: Best Frank B. Walsh Session Paper Presented by a Fellow Jeffrey Gluckstein, MD—“Double Crossed.” James A. Sharpe Best Abstract by a Fellow Andre Aung, MD—“Referral Patterns to NeuroOphthalmology for Presumptive Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) Based on Isolated Neuroimaging Findings.” Best Abstract by a Resident James Mitchell, MB, BS, MRCP—“A Randomized Controlled, Trial of the GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Exenatide in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.” Best Abstract by a Student Micalla Peng, BS—“Electric Fields Direct Full-Length Optic Nerve Regeneration And Partial Restoration of Visual Function.” Thomas Carlow Distinguished Service Award: Leah Levi, MD (Fig. 6). 2022 Merit Award: Patricia Johnston McNussen, MD and Victoria Pelak, MD Hoyt Lecture Award Valerie Biousse, MD—“Acute Retinal Ischemia: Time for Action!” American Academy of Ophthalmology—Annual Meeting November 13, 2021— New Orleans, LA J. Lawton Smith Award: Alvin Liu, MD—“Detection of Optic Disc Abnormalities in Color Fundus Photographs Using Deep Learning.” Dr. Ivy Dreizin Leadership Development Grant Zoe Williams, MD We especially thank members of the NANOS Executive Office Katie Connelly, Janel Fick, Toma Ossian, and Tara Thebeau for their hard work putting on another amazing meeting! The 49th NANOS Annual Meeting will be held at the Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate, Orlando, Florida from March 11–16, 2023. e529 Copyright © North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Neuro-Ophthalmology News Meagan D. Seay, DO Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah Moran Eye Center, Salt Lake City, Utah Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah Kathleen B. Digre, MD Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah Moran Eye Center, Salt Lake City, Utah Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FIG. 6. Leah Levi is presented the Thomas Carlow Distinguished service award (left to right: Lynn Gordon, MD, PhD, Leah Levi, MD, and Valerie Biousse, MD). e530 Drs. Seay and Digre are supported in part by an Unrestricted Grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, NY, to the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah. Seay and Digre: J Neuro-Ophthalmol 2022; 42: e528-e530 Copyright © North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.