DRY EYE IN THE DESERT 2026
Culinary Dropout, 5632 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Agenda
*All times are in Pacific Time
Saturday, April 18th 2026
Welcome Reception
Kick off our annual meeting with a fabulous happy hour with curated appetizers and cocktails. Mingle with some of your friends and colleagues during this reception graciously sponsored by Harrow.
Consider Scleral Lenses for your Dry Eye Patients
Caity Morrison, OD
After our happy hour, enjoy a delicious dinner and learn how scleral lenses can benefit your dry eye patients. Thank you to Bausch and Lomb SVP for sponsoring this dinner event.
Sunday, April 19th 2026
Registration & Check-in (Attendees)
Breakfast presentation on behalf of Bausch and Lomb Miebo
Cory Lappin, OD
Zen Lens Product Demonstration at the B+L SVP Booth
Caity Morrison, OD
CE #1: (2 hours)
Advancements in Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease Treatment and Management
Cory Lappin, OD
Click here to view handouts
BREAK
Lunch Presentation on behalf of Harrow
Exhibit Hall Break
CE# 2: (1 hour)
Focus on the Lids for OSD Success
Melissa Barnett, OD
Click here to view handout
CE #3: (1 hour)
Dry Eye Jeopardy
Melissa Barnett O.D.
Click here to view handouts
Closing Comments
EVENT SPEAKERS
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Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, is a world-renowned key opinion leader recognized for her expertise in dry eye disease, specialty and scleral lenses, keratoconus and presbyopia. She has authored more than 300 articles and books, delivered over 500 lectures, is a board member and founding member of Intrepid Eye Society and serves on several industry boards.
Dr. Barnett is the author and editor of Specialty Contact Lenses and Contemporary Scleral Lenses: Theory and Application, which features insights and contributions from leading international experts. Her work has been featured in medical journals, professional magazines, as well as consumer publications such as The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Prevention Magazine, and Good Housekeeping.
Dr. Barnett is a certified professional life coach with a focus on mindful leadership, wellness, and public speaking. She empowers individuals to become their best selves in their personal and professional lives.
She is energized by her passion for helping people improve their lives by optimizing their vision, health and wellness with a customized approach.
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Dr. Lappin received his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, where he concurrently earned his Master of Science degree in Vision Science and served as Class President. He then continued his training by completing a residency in Ocular Disease at the renowned Cincinnati Eye Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dr. Lappin’s practice focuses exclusively on the treatment of dry eye and ocular surface disease and he has authored numerous articles and lectures on these topics. He is currently in the process of opening the Dry Eye Center of Ohio, a dedicated dry eye and ocular surface disease practice in Cincinnati.
He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of the American Optometric Association, the Ohio Optometric Association, and Intrepid Eye Society. He previously served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Optometric Association. He is also Chief Medical Editor for the e-journal Optometric Physician and an editorial board member for the eye care publications Eyes On Eyecare and Optometry 360.
Dr. Lappin received the American Academy of Optometry Foundation Practice Excellence Award and was named the 2023 Young Optometrist of the Year by the Arizona Optometric Association. He is also a graduate of the AOA Leadership Institute 1.0 and 2.0 programs.
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Dr. Morrison is passionate about designing specialty contact lenses to restore sight to those who have lost vision due to severe ocular surface conditions including keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, radial keratotomy, corneal scarring, pediatric aphakia, severe dry eye, corneal transplants, and ocular disfigurement.
After graduating from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Dr. Morrison completed a Cornea & Contact Lens Residency at SUNY College of Optometry in New York City.
She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), a Fellow of the Scleral Lens Society (FSLS), and the recipient of both the Bert C. and Lydia M Corwin Contact Lens Award and the Johnson & Johnson Award for Excellence in Contact Lens Patient care.
She is a frequent lecturer, writer, and industry consultant in the topic of specialty contact lenses, as well as practice management.
Prior to moving back to her home state of Arizona, Dr. Morrison worked in the cornea department of New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai in Manhattan specializing in corneal diseases and complications.
She is inspired by her patients who have overcome many visual obstacles and are motivated to regain quality vision once again.
Thank You To Our Amazing Sponsors!