2025 GWCO Congress CE Descriptions
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Thursday  |  Friday  |  Saturday  |  Sunday

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | COPE #: 94457-NO
Grand Rounds in Optic Neuropathies: You've Got Some Nerve presented by Dr. Sowka

Description: In a case-based grand rounds format, this course will examine the gamut of optic neuropathies. Included in the discussion will be papilledema, pseudotumor cerebri, ischemic neuropathy, infiltrative neuropathy, compressive neuropathy, optic atrophy, and infectious neuropathy. Differential diagnoses, clinical findings, and management algorithms are emphasized. Proper neuroimaging and serologic evaluation are discussed. Numerous odes are presented to assist the audience in remembering key concepts.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | COPE #: 98695-NO
When the Eye Pain is a Pain in the Neck presented by Dr. Theis

Description: This course will provide primary care optometrists with the comprehensive knowledge of cervicogenic eye pain and provide a screening evaluation optometrists can provide chairside.

9:00 AM - 10:00 PM | COPE #: 95769-SD
Ocular and Visual Complications of Parkinson's Disease presented by Dr. Theis

Description: There are numerous ocular health, oculomotor, and visual processing findings that can occur in patients with Parkinson’s disease and due to Parkinson’s related treatment options that can present in primary care optometry. This presentation uses cases to elaborate the various presentations of vision/ocular findings in Parkinsons disease, and offers practical clinical management solutions.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | PENDING COPE
Phone a Friend: The Greatest Cases That I Never Saw presented by Dr. Sowka

Description: In a case-based format, several entities are discussed which presented in consultation, not in person, but via text, phone call, and email. In each case, despite limited diagnostic information and distant clinical examination, pertinent details are identified, confounding information is dissected, and key diagnostic clues and considerations are emphasized leading to proper management in each situation. This lecture emphasizes the value of secondary consultation and opinion through distant means for the betterment of patient care and improving patient outcomes.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | COPE #: 98696-NO
Dizziness: Is it coming from my Eyes? presented by Dr. Theis

Description: Dizziness is a vague symptom that can come from a vast etiology including vestibular, ocular, cardiovascular, neurologic, metabolic and psychologic. This course delves into the various etiologies, providing optometrists with advanced skills in differential diagnosis.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | COPE #: 98608-TD
Blood Work for Dry Eye Disease - What your Patient's Labs are Telling You presented by Dr. Ioussifova

Description: This course explores the systemic contributors to dry eye disease (DED) and how laboratory evaluations can enhance diagnosis and management. Clinicians often encounter patients with persistent or refractory DED despite standard therapies. This lecture will discuss when to consider ordering blood work, which panels to order, how to interpret key lab values, and how to use this information to provide holistic, targeted care. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to improve their clinical decision-making and enhance patient outcomes by identifying underlying systemic dysfunction

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | COPE #: 98493-TD
What's Fueling the Fire? Systemic Inflammation Diet, & the Dry Eye Epidemic presented by Dr. McMurren

Description: This course examines the role of systemic conditions, nutritional status, and lifestyle influences in dry eye disease, providing optometrists with evidence-based strategies to enhance diagnosis, patient education, and treatment outcomes.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | COPE #: 98609-TD
Dry Eye & the Hormonal Connection: Understanding the Endocrine Influence presented by Dr. Ioussifova

Description: This one-hour course explores the complex relationship between hormonal changes and dry eye disease (DED). It will examine how endocrine fluctuations related to sex hormones, thyroid function, and adrenal balance affect the ocular surface, tear film composition, and meibomian gland health. Participants will gain a better understanding of hormonal etiologies contributing to dry eye and learn evidence-based approaches to diagnosis and treatment with a hormonal lens. This course is designed to help clinicians tailor treatment plans by recognizing systemic endocrine influences on ocular surface health.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | COPE #:98494-TD
The Eye-Brain Diet: Nutritional Strategies for Visual and Cognitive Wellness presented by Dr. McMurren

Description: This course explores the evidence-based role of nutrition in supporting ocular and cognitive health, with practical guidance for integrating dietary counseling into the management of age-related eye diseases.