Pearls Conference 2026

Conference Details

Schedule

• Registration / Breakfast / Welcome Announcements: 7:30 - 8 a.m.
• Lectures: 8 - 12:15 p.m. (including breaks)
• Lunch: 12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
• Lectures (continued): 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• Conference Adjourned: 3 p.m.

To see the full schedule for the day, including all speakers and presentation titles, view the full Pearls Conference 2026 itinerary.

Registration

Registration is required to attend this event. To register, fill out this online RSVP form by Friday, April 17.

Speakers

• Meghan Berkenstock, M.D. — Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Medical Director, Wilmer Eye Institute
• Joseph G. Chacko, M.D. — Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurology and Sally McSpadden Boreham Chair in Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine; Clerkship Director for 3rd Year Medical Students and Director of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute
• Johnathon Eisengart, M.D. — Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University; Glaucoma Section Chief and Glaucoma Fellowship Director, Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute
• Geoffrey G. Emerson, M.D., Ph.D. — Adjunct Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota; Vice President, Retina Consultants of Minnesota; President, American Society of Retina Specialists 
• Kristina Lopez, M.D. — Associate Professor and Residency Program Director, Department of Neurology, West Virginia University and WVU Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute
• Bradley Thuro, M.D. — Associate Professor and Residency Program Director, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University and WVU Eye Institute

Continuing Education Information

Target Audience

Physicians, fellows and residents who practice ophthalmology.

Conference Objectives

Following this conference, participants should be able to:

• Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of air vs SF6 and C3F8 gas tamponades
• Describe the ocular side effects of several classes of immunotherapies or targeted cancer agents 
• Identify neuro-ophthalmic disorders and red flags that may be presented to the cataract surgeon
• Explain the mechanism by which goniotomy and GATT reduce intraocular pressure in uveitis and steroid response glaucoma 
• Determine which patients with uveitis are better candidates for valved versus non-valved glaucoma tube implants
• List five sight-threatening complications of retinal detachment surgery
• Recognize how to identify and treat increased intracranial pressure (IIH)
• Describe a stepwise treatment approach to the management of ocular inflammation
• Identify the largest contributors to medical waste in a retina clinic and how to reduce landfill
• Describe the non-surgical management of complex basal cell carcinoma
• Explain the advantages of capsule autograft versus cadaveric tissue
• Discuss the needs of global ophthalmology and how to plan a surgical mission trip

CME Credit

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 5.5 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, M.D. — Assistant Professor, Cornea Fellowship Program Director
• Nicole Pumariega, M.D. — Assistant Professor
• Kerry Fluharty — Department Manager
• Chylyn Martin — Administrative Assistant
• Emily Messenger — Administrative Assistant
• Victoria Moore — Administrative Assistant

For questions or additional information regarding Pearls Conference 2026, please send an email to kfluhar1@hsc.wvu.edu