
Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons
2026 Spring Meeting & Comprehensive Ophthalmology Conference
May 8-9, 2026
Louisville Marriott East — Louisville, Kentucky
KAEPS is proud to welcome you to the 2026 Ophthalmology Scientific Seminar. On behalf of our Board of Directors, thank you for joining us for what promises to be an outstanding weekend of education, collaboration, advocacy, and fellowship among ophthalmology professionals from across the Commonwealth and beyond.
This year’s program reflects a rapidly evolving landscape, featuring nationally-recognized faculty and timely discussions on innovation, patient safety, artificial intelligence, inherited retinal disease gene therapy, glaucoma progression, corneal disease, neuro-ophthalmology, cataract and refractive surgery, and low vision advancements
We are especially excited to highlight presentations including:
- “A New Path for Inherited Retinal Disease Gene Therapy” with Dr. Thomas Mendel
- “Cornea and AI … Where We Are and What the Future Holds” with Dr. Brad Tannen
- Resident research on artificial intelligence and glaucoma progression
- “ Dogma, Pitfalls, and Pearls: Updates in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis” with Dr. Collin McClelland
- OMIC’s important patient safety lecture presented by Dr. Hans Bruhn
- “Speed Meets Precision: Optimizing High Volume Cataract and Refractive Surgery” and our annual Cataract Symposium with Dr. Taylor Strange
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Eye: More Than Floppy Eyelid Syndrome” with Dr. Andrea Tooley
In addition to our educational sessions, the seminar offers valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues, exhibitors, residents, technicians, and industry leaders throughout the weekend. We look forward to gathering for our Welcome Reception, Bourbon Tasting, and Silent Auction supporting KOPAC.
KAEPS remains committed to excellence in eye care through education, advocacy, and professional collaboration. We are grateful to our speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees whose participation makes this meeting possible.
Thank you for being part of this event. We hope you enjoy an engaging and rewarding experience.
Sincerely,
John Franklin
President, 2024–2026
- CME Credits
- 7.0
- Venue
- Louisville Marriott East
- Location
- Louisville, KY
Featured Speakers
Leading ophthalmology experts sharing the latest clinical insights and best practices.
Thomas Mendel, MD
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Bradford Tannen, M.D., J.D., M.B.A.
Vernon Smith Professor and Department Chair
University of Kentucky Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
Taylor Strange, D.O.
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Founder, Alliance Vision Institute
Hans K Bruhn, MHS
Risk Manager
Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (OMIC)
Collin McClelland, MD
Neuro-Ophthalmologist & Adult Strabismus Surgeon
Northwest Eye Clinic (Minneapolis, MN)
Vahid Mohammadzadeh, M.D.
PGY-3 Ophthalmology Resident
University of Louisville
Andrea Tooley, MD
Culofacial/Orbital Surgeon & Director of Aesthetics
Innovative Ophthalmology (Paducah, KY)
2026 Conference Schedule
Two days of expert ophthalmology education, networking, and CME credit opportunities.

Board of Directors Meeting and Welcome Reception.
Full-day CME program with leading ophthalmology faculty.
Board of Directors Meeting
Steamboat Room
–
Exhibits
–
Welcome & Announcements
–
Thomas Mendel, MD
A New Path for Inherited Retinal Disease Gene Therapy
–
Break
–
Bradford Tannen, M.D., J.D., M.B.A.
Cornea and AI ... Where We Are and What the Future Holds
–
Vahid Mohammadzadeh, M.D.
Resident Research Challenge – “Application of Artificial Intelligence for Predicting Glaucoma Progression”
–
Break
–
Collin McClelland, MD
Dogma, Pitfalls and Pearls: Updates in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis
–
Legislative Update – Presented by Senator Stephen Meredith; Kate Hall, Lobbyist, Commonwealth Alliances; John Franklin, MD; OPTHPAC Update – Jeremy Clark, MD; KOPAC Update – Garrett Oberst, MD
–
Business Meeting – Full Membership
–
Exhibits
–
Welcome Reception, Legislative Meet & Greet, Bourbon Tasting & Silent Auction for KOPAC
–
Board of Directors Meeting and Welcome Reception.
Board of Directors Meeting
Steamboat Room
–
Exhibits
–
Welcome & Announcements
–
Thomas Mendel, MD
A New Path for Inherited Retinal Disease Gene Therapy
–
Break
–
Bradford Tannen, M.D., J.D., M.B.A.
Cornea and AI ... Where We Are and What the Future Holds
–
Vahid Mohammadzadeh, M.D.
Resident Research Challenge – “Application of Artificial Intelligence for Predicting Glaucoma Progression”
–
Break
–
Collin McClelland, MD
Dogma, Pitfalls and Pearls: Updates in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis
–
Legislative Update – Presented by Senator Stephen Meredith; Kate Hall, Lobbyist, Commonwealth Alliances; John Franklin, MD; OPTHPAC Update – Jeremy Clark, MD; KOPAC Update – Garrett Oberst, MD
–
Business Meeting – Full Membership
–
Exhibits
–
Welcome Reception, Legislative Meet & Greet, Bourbon Tasting & Silent Auction for KOPAC
–
Full-day CME program with leading ophthalmology faculty.
Exhibits
–
Breakfast
Pre-function area
–
Hans K Bruhn, MHS
OMIC Lecture – “Cataract Surgery Safety: Strategies to Reduce Adverse Events using a Systems Approach”
–
Taylor Strange, D.O.
Speed Meets Precision: Optimizing High Volume Cataract and Refractive Surgery
–
Break
–
Taylor Strange, D.O.
IOPCL MAG low vision technology
–
Andrea Tooley, MD
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Eye: More Than Floppy Eyelid Syndrome
–
Awards & Adjournment
–
Continuing Medical Education
7.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Sign-in sheets required at each session. Credits will be distributed following the conference.
Planned and implemented through joint providership of the Kentucky Medical Association and KAEPS.
The Kentucky Medical Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are grateful for the generous support of our 2026 conference sponsors.

