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2026 DESA CONFERENCE AGENDA
Join leading eye-care professionals, researchers, and innovators at the Dry Eye Society of the Americas (DESA) Inaugural Dry Eye Conference, a first-of-its-kind gathering dedicated entirely to advancing the understanding, treatment, and lived experience of dry eye disease.
Friday Night Mixer: July 10th 2026 5pm EST
Saturday All-Day Conference: July 11th 2026 am EST
Hosted at the Metropolitan in New York City with a mixer on July 10, 2026 and a full day conference on July 11, 2026, this one-day, high-impact event brings together ophthalmologists, optometrists, allied health professionals, industry partners, and patient advocates for a full program of education, collaboration, and innovation.
DESA Agenda - July 11 2026
Dry Eye Society of the Americas
| Time | Speaker | Topic | Panel / Chair |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00–7:45 AM | — | Standup Breakfast — Visit Sponsor Booths | |
| 7:45–7:55 AM | Seating | ||
| 7:55–8:05 AM | Platinum Sponsor | Platinum Sponsor Welcome | |
| 8:05–8:12 AM | Hamada | Diagnostics | Chair: Lisa Nijm |
| 8:12–8:22 AM | Sharma | Tear Fluid Biomarkers | Panel: Hamada, Sharma, Pruden, Mastrota, Lin |
| 8:22–8:32 AM | Lin | Care Core – Longevity Medicine | |
| 8:32–8:39 AM | Nijm | Tear Osmolarity | |
| 8:39–8:49 AM | Pruden | Nutritional Genomics | |
| 8:49–9:03 AM | Panel Discussion | ||
| — Transition — | |||
| 9:05–9:15 AM | KeynoteHamrah | Neurotrophic Keratitis | Chair: Brown |
| 9:15–9:22 AM | R. Toyos | Cornea Confocal Microscopy Images | Panel: Hamrah, Toyos, Alsaati, McLoughlin |
| 9:22–9:29 AM | McLoughlin | Nerve Growth Factor | |
| 9:29–9:36 AM | Alsaati | Platelet Rich Plasma | |
| 9:36–9:46 AM | Rager | Exosomes | |
| 9:46–10:00 AM | Panel Discussion | ||
| — Transition — | |||
| 10:05–10:20 AM | Sponsor Spotlight · Host: Madan | ||
| 10:20–10:40 AM | Coffee Break | ||
| — Transition — | |||
| 10:45–10:55 AM | KeynoteMaubon | Autoimmune Disease and Dry Eye Disease | Chair: Lee |
| 10:55–11:03 AM | M. Toyos | Biologics | Panel: Ioussifova, Budimlija, Asbell, M. Toyos |
| 11:03–11:12 AM | Asbell | Dream Study | |
| 11:12–11:22 AM | Ioussifova | Diet | |
| 11:22–11:32 AM | Budimlija | Lifestyle | |
| 11:32–11:40 AM | Hamidallah | Social Media and DED | |
| 11:40–11:55 AM | Panel Discussion | ||
| Explanation of the Afternoon — Budimlija | |||
| Time | Speaker | Topic | Panel / Chair |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00–12:30 PM | Exhibit Hall · Sponsor | ||
| 12:30–1:15 PM | Madan, Williams, Sabater, Benatti, McCann, Alsaati | Interesting Cases — 4-min presentations + Panel Discussion (Case utilizing sponsor product) | Chair: Juan Carlos Serna |
| 1:15–1:45 PM | DistinguishedTsubota | Stem Cell Therapy Heinrich Meibom Distinguished Lecture |
Introduction: Toyos |
| 1:45–1:55 PM | Nobrega | Blepharitis | Panel: Shaba, Dierker, James, Nobrega, Starr |
| 1:55–2:05 PM | Starr | TRMP8 | |
| 2:05–2:15 PM | Shaba | Topical Anti-Inflammatory Meds | |
| 2:15–2:25 PM | Dierker | Tear Evaporation Inhibitors | |
| 2:25–2:35 PM | Lyndon James | Keratolytics | |
| 2:35–3:00 PM | Exhibit Hall Break | ||
| Time | Speaker | Topic | Panel / Chair |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:05–3:15 PM | KeynoteFarrant | LLLT | Chair: Tedesco |
| 3:15–3:25 PM | TBA | Thermal Pulsation | Panel: Jaccoma, Farrant, Tedesco, Toyos, Serna |
| 3:25–3:35 PM | Jaccoma | RadioFrequency | |
| 3:35–3:45 PM | Tedesco | QMR Technology | |
| 3:45–3:52 PM | Toyos | 10 Tips to Improve IPL Success | |
| 3:52–4:02 PM | Hamada | Conjunctivochalasis | |
| 4:02–4:12 PM | Serna | Salivary Gland Transplantation | |
| 4:12–4:22 PM | Sarnicola | Limbal Cell Transplant | |
| 4:22–4:35 PM | Panel Discussion | ||
IPL — Toyos, Madan, Gann
Onmicad
Throughout the event we will be filming one-on-one interviews with board members and speakers. A schedule will be provided before the event. The event will also be filmed in its entirety. All filming will provide content for our social media platforms and website.
Through expert-led keynotes and interactive sessions, attendees will explore:
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Cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments for dry eye, including new therapies, technologies, and clinical protocols.
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Real-world practice strategies to improve patient outcomes, streamline care, and integrate dry eye services into busy clinics.
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Consumer behavior and patient experience insights that shape how dry eye is discussed, diagnosed, and managed.
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Innovation and industry showcases, featuring emerging products, devices, and solutions designed to support both clinicians and patients.
The conference also features dedicated time for networking, mentorship, and partnership-building, including a welcome mixer the evening before the event.
DESA’s mission is to create a collaborative community that drives research, education, and patient-centered care for millions living with dry eye across the Americas.
Whether you’re a seasoned dry eye specialist or expanding your interest in ocular surface disease, the DESA Dry Eye Conference offers a unique opportunity to:
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Earn high-value education from respected leaders in the field
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Discover new tools and technologies for your practice
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Connect with peers, innovators, and potential collaborators
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Help shape the future of dry eye care, research, and advocacy
Be part of the inaugural DESA Dry Eye Conference and help set a new standard for dry eye education and innovation in the Americas.