2026 PEARLS Conference

This is an accredited CME event hosted by the WVU School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the WVU Eye Institute.

  • WVU Eye Institute - Pangilinan Auditorium

About

Target Audience

Physicians, fellows, and residents who practice ophthalmology

Conference Objectives

By attending this conference, participants should be able to:

  1. Describe the ocular side effects of several classes of immunotherapies or targeted cancer agents.

  2. Identify neuro-ophthalmic disorders and red flags that may present to the cataract surgeon and understand how to address them.

  3. Explain the mechanism by which goniotomy and GATT reduce intraocular pressure in uveitis and steroid response glaucoma.

  4. Determine which patients with uveitis are better candidates for valved versus non-valved glaucoma tube implants.

  5. List five (5) sight threatening complications of retinal detachment surgery.

  6. Recognize how to identify and treat increased intracranial pressure (IIH).

  7. Describe a stepwise treatment approach to management of ocular inflammation.

  8. Identify the largest contributors to medical waste in a retina clinic and how to reduce landfill.

  9. Describe non-surgical management of complex basal cell carcinoma.

  10. Explain the advantages of capsule autograft versus cadaveric tissue.

  11. Discuss the needs of global ophthalmology and how to plan a surgical mission trip.

For questions or additional information regarding the 2026 PEARLS Conference, please contact Kerry Fluharty.

Schedule

Day 1: Saturday, April 25

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Registration / Breakfast / Welcome Announcements:

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Complications of Retinal Detachment Repair
  • Geoffrey G Emerson, MD, PhD

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Keeping an Eye on Ocular Toxicities of Immunotherapies and Targeted Cancer Agents
  • Meghan Berkenstock, MD

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Neuro-Ophthalmology in the Cataract Surgeon’s Office
  • Joseph G Chacko, MD

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Surgical Management of Uveitic Glaucoma
  • Jonathan Eisengart, MD

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Break

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Medical Waste in a Retina Clinic: Solving the Puzzle
  • Geoffrey G Emerson, MD, PhD

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Treatment Strategies for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
  • Kristina Lopez, MD

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Pearls for Caring for a Patient with Uveitis
  • Meghan Berkenstock, MD

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Lunch

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Advanced Tube Techniques
  • Jonathan Eisengart, MD

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Updates in Orbital and Ocular Adnexal Oncology
  • Bradley Thuro, MD

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Mission Possible: Global Ophthalmology
  • Joseph G Chacko, MD

Closing Remarks / Conference Adjourned

Speakers

A silhoutte outline indicating no photo of Geoffrey G Emerson available.
Geoffrey G Emerson, MD, PhD
Positions
Adjunct Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota
Vice President, Retina Consultants of Minnesota,
President, American Society of Retina Specialists
A silhoutte outline indicating no photo of Meghan Berkenstock available.
Meghan Berkenstock, MD
Positions
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Medical Director, Wilmer Eye Institute
A silhoutte outline indicating no photo of Jonathan Eisengart available.
Jonathan Eisengart, MD
Positions
Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
Glaucoma Section Chief, Glaucoma Fellowship Director, Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute
A silhoutte outline indicating no photo of Joseph G. Chacko available.
Joseph G. Chacko, MD
Positions
Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurology, Sally McSpadden Boreham Chair in Ophthalmol, UAMS College of Medicine
Clerkship Director for 3rd Year Medical Students, Director of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute
Bradley Thuro.
Bradley Thuro, MD
Position
Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
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Continuing Education Credits

The West Virginia University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The WVU Office of CME designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosures

It is the policy of the WVU School of Medicine Office of CME to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities. All faculty/authors/planners participating in our activities are expected to disclose any relationships they may have with commercial companies. For this conference, the following relationships have been disclosed:

Dr. Berkenstock has disclosed:

  • Receiving an honorarium from Glaxo Smith Klein as a consultant.

  • Receiving an honorarium from AbbVie as a consultant.

  • Receiving an honorarium from Sanofi as a consultant.

Dr. Eisengart has disclosed:

  • Receiving an honorarium from Nova Eye as a consultant.

All others have indicated that they have no relevant interests to disclose

These relationships, along with the educational content of this program, have been reviewed and any potential conflicts of interest have been resolved to the satisfaction of the WVU School of

Medicine Office of CME prior to the activity. If a conflict cannot be resolved, the person involved will be removed from control of content or the content will not be presented as part of the educational program.

Planning Committee

  • Lingo Lai, MD – Assistant Professor, Cornea Fellowship Program Director

  • Nicole Pumariega, MD – Assistant Professor

  • Kerry Fluharty – Department Manager

  • Chylyn Martin – Administrative Assistant

  • Emily Messenger – Administrative Assistant

  • Victoria Moore – Administrative Assistant

Venue

WVU Eye Institute - Pangilinan Auditorium

1 Medical Center Drive, Pangilinan Auditorium, Morgantown, WV 26506

Get Directions

Registration