Annual CLCS Residency Forum offers hands-on training, inspires leadership

There is no substitute for hands-on experience, and 24 optometry residents received instruction and mentorship from highly experienced practitioners at the 14th Annual Contact Lens and Cornea Section (CLCS) Residency Forum in Houston in August. 

The event, hosted by the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section, was led by Melanie Frogozo, O.D., chair of the CLCS, and attended by AOA President Jacquie M. Bowen, O.D. The wet lab featured several different stations, including myopia management, presbyopia, dry eye, hybrids, sclerals/RGPs and diagnostic equipment and featured seven patients recruited for hands-on experiences. The Residency Forum is produced in partnership with CooperVision. 

This practical application time was illuminating, Ashley Tucker, O.D., CLCS vice chair, says. “At myopia management, I had two sisters talk about their experience with two different myopia management modalities: MiSight and Ortho-k,” she says. “They were both so grateful to be in [myopia management] because even as kids, they recognized that their prescriptions were getting worse and worse each year.” 

Residents attending the forum benefited not only from the medical aspects of several different modalities, but also from observing the inner workings of a primary care and contact lens practice, says Dr. Frogozo. “The opportunity for residents to work with patients with CooperVision products in person was a great experience,” she says.  

CLCS council members Renee Reeder, O.D., Karen DeLoss, O.D., Juan Menjivar, O.D., Jennifer Liao, O.D., and Ryan McKinnis, O.D., helmed the stations, offering their expertise. CooperVision representatives Jennifer Palombi, O.D., Priscilla Chang, O.D., and Arti Shah, O.D., also joined the meeting. 

Inspiring leadership opportunities 

Although contact lens advancements and techniques were the clinical focus, the forum also emphasized leadership and giving back. The event began with a build-a-bike activity. Splitting into two groups, residents worked together to build two bicycles to be donated to See to Succeed, a public-private partnership children's vision program that addresses the critical need of sight and eye care in Houston.

Later in the forum, AOA CLCS council members shared ways to give back by volunteering, both in their communities and as advocates for the profession. Dr. Bowen offered advocacy opportunities within AOA and shared her experiences advocating on the national level, as well as in her home state of Colorado.  

Dr. Tucker stood as a role model for incoming optometrists. “We focused on the residents' understanding of the importance of maintaining their AOA membership to ensure our profession continues to thrive and grow,” she says. “They can give back through the AOA by volunteering their time through task forces and committees like the CLCS.” 

The CLCS focuses on educating and sharing resources about the rapidly developing contact lens space, both in technology and legislation. It is also committed to building the next generation of contact lens experts. The CLCS Residency Forum is held every year, and all doctors of optometry who match in a residency program are eligible to attend. Future applicants can apply on the CLCS page.