Berkeley Practicum
The 37th Annual Berkeley Practicum, a three-day virtual continuing education event, took place in January 2026. This year’s Karen Walker-Brandreth Lecture was delivered by Dong Feng Chen, MD, PhD: “Thinking Glaucoma Through the Lens of Neuroinflammation.” Attendees explored the diverse range of lecture topics listed below. Berkeley Practicum was a COPE-Accredited Activity, ID: #132051 (12 hours).
Event Details
January 17–19, 2026Online Zoom Webinar
12 CE hours (COPE-Accredited Activity ID: #132051)
Speakers and Topics
Below is the Berkeley Practicum 2026 schedule of speakers and topics. These high-quality, interactive lectures were offered via Zoom. Attendees were able to interact with speakers and ask questions in real time. Speakers are listed below and pictured above, from left to right. Schedule was subject to change.
Saturday, January 17, 2026 (8:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Interventional Glaucoma Management: From Reactive to Proactive Michael Cymbor, OD, FAAO Optometrist, Nittany Eye Associates
This course highlighted interventional glaucoma management as a proactive approach rather than a reactive one, emphasizing early predictive diagnostics, advanced monitoring, and earlier intervention to support better patient outcomes.
COPE Course: #101656-GL TPA-GLC
Retina Update Michael Cymbor, OD, FAAO Optometrist, Nittany Eye Associates
This course explored the latest advances in diagnosing and managing age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertensive retinopathy, blending current research with practical clinical strategies.
COPE Course: #101651-TD TPA
Karen Walker-Brandreth Lecture: Thinking Glaucoma Through the Lens of Neuroinflammation Dong Feng Chen, MD, PhD, FARVO Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
This lecture discussed the role of microglia–T cell interplay in driving glaucomatous neurodegeneration.
COPE Course: #101833-GL TPA-GLC
Discerning Optic Discs: Systematically Differentiating Diseases Melissa Tawa, OD, FAAO Assistant Professor, Marshall B. Ketchum University
This course used case studies to present a structured approach to diagnosing optic neuropathies, illustrating distinguishing features among commonly confused conditions and reviewing clinical examination techniques, multimodal imaging, diagnostic reasoning, and recommended management.
COPE Course: #101578-NO TPA
Sunday, January 18, 2026 (8:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Pediatric Anterior Segment: Red Eyes and Bumps Madison Brown, OD Optometrist, UCSF Health
This course covered pediatric anterior segment conditions, reviewing clinical presentation, known etiology, and management options.
COPE Course: #101577-TD TPA
Serology Simplified: Clinical Applications in Eye Care Mary Kate Walters, OD, FAAO, ABO Benedict Professor and Adjunct Faculty, University of Houston
Participants learned how to interpret and apply serology results to enhance diagnosis and co-management of ocular and systemic conditions.
COPE Course: #101576-SD TPA
Autoimmune Disease and the Eye Anthony DeWilde, OD, FAAO TeleEye Optometrist, VA VISN 22 Clinical Resource Hub
This course reviewed how autoimmune diseases affect the eye and emphasized recognizing ocular complications for appropriate testing, treatment, and referral.
COPE Course: #101573-SD TPA
Monday, January 19, 2026 (8:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Accommodation Insufficiency: Advocate for Your Low Vision Patients Emily Gorski, OD Assistant Clinical Professor, UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science
This course provided guidance on helping low vision patients qualify for services and accommodations, including California driving laws, legal blindness criteria, and school accommodations.
COPE Course: #101575-LV MISC
Beyond the Spectrum: A Case of Diagnostic Overshadowing Yasmin Javed, OD, FAAO Assistant Clinical Professor, UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science
This lecture emphasized comprehensive care for patients with neurodevelopmental, cognitive, or behavioral disorders.
COPE Course: #101642-FV MISC
Stepwise Approach to Understanding and Prescribing Powerboost Lenses Isabel Kazemi, OD, FAAO Associate Clinical Professor, UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science
This presentation clarified indications, patient selection, and prescribing workflows for powerboost lenses.
COPE Course: #101574-GO MISC
Immunization for Optometrists Angela Shahbazian, OD, FAAO Assistant Clinical Professor, UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science
This course reviewed immunization history and science and provided instruction on conducting immunization services in compliance with California law.
COPE Course: #101579-PB MISC
Continuing Education Credits
12 COPE-accredited CE hours were included in the full, three-day virtual program. These interactive lectures were offered via Zoom webinar.
COPE CE Course Format
The program took place via Zoom webinar. Attendees were able to interact with speakers in real time. The program was considered a Synchronous Virtual course format by COPE, and post-course tests were not required.
Certification Timeline
CE certificates were emailed within 10 business days after completion of the program to attendees who met attendance requirements.