SURF'S UP FOR SIGHT: RIDING THE VISION WAVE
October 15-18, 2026 | Portland, Oregon
Congress Speaker Profiles
Dr. Melissa Barnett
Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, is a TEDx speaker and 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 publications, delivered over 500 lectures, and serves as a founding member and board member of the Intrepid Eye Society, as well as on multiple industry boards.
Dr. Barnett is the author and editor of Specialty Contact Lenses and Contemporary Scleral Lenses: Theory and Application. Her work has been featured in medical journals, professional publications, and consumer outlets, including The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Prevention, and Good Housekeeping.
An Associate Certified Coach (ICF-ACC), Dr. Barnett specializes in mindful leadership, wellness, and effective communication, helping individuals thrive personally and professionally. She is also the host of the Clearly KC and Starting Strong podcasts and a passionate advocate for advancing eye care through innovation, leadership, and connection.
Dr. Chris Borgman
Dr. Chris Borgman is an associate professor at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. He earned his O.D. degree from the Illinois College of Optometry then completed a one-year residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease at the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He has lectured in numerous continuing education venues on the topics of: primary care ocular diseases, ocular manifestations of systemic diseases, and neuro-optometric diseases.
Dr. Greg Caldwell
Greg Caldwell, O.D., graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1995 and completed a residency in primary care and ocular disease at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry (ABO), and a member of both the Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS) and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Recognized as a leader in ocular disease management, Dr. Caldwell has contributed extensively to advancements in the field. He has participated in numerous FDA investigations and clinical trials, focusing on innovative approaches to diagnosing and treating anterior and posterior segment ocular diseases.
A strong advocate for integrative optometry, Dr. Caldwell incorporates nutrition, prevention, and wellness into his patient care. He emphasizes the pivotal role of dietary and lifestyle choices in preventing and managing ocular diseases, blending holistic strategies with medical expertise to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
Based in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, Dr. Caldwell continues to see patients while specializing in the diagnosis and management of ocular diseases. His hands-on approach allows him to stay connected with patient care while advancing his work as a leader in the field. He also served as President of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) in 2010 and was a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA) Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2016. He was recognized as Chairman of the Year by the POA for his work on the Third-Party Committee.
As a co-founder of Optometric Education Consultants and co-administrator of OCT Connect on Facebook, Dr. Caldwell has lectured extensively, sharing his knowledge across the United States and in over thirteen countries worldwide.
Dr. Jason Clopton
Dr. Jason Clopton is a 1999 graduate of Southern College of Optometry. He is the director of the Center of Vision Development, Pllc. and managing partner of the Centers of Development, Pllc. referral centers for pediatrics and neuro re/habilitation in Cookeville, Tennessee, USA. Dr. Clopton has presented numerous lectures worldwide on the Optometric subjects of genetics, neurological pathways for vision, neuro-optometry, visual function with brain injury, vestibular interactions with visual function, practice management in a therapy office, pediatrics, strabismus, amblyopia, genetics, nutrition and vision, and coding and billing for vision therapy and neuro-re/habilitation. In 2002 he was awarded the Tennessee – “Young Optometrist of the Year”. Dr. Clopton attained Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development in 2006 and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry in 2013. He is a former board member of the College Of Optometrists in Vision Development and Tennessee Brain Injury Association. He is a past Chairman of the Vision Re/habilitation Committee for the American Optometric Association (AOA). He wrote the AOA Guidelines for - Coding and Billing for Vision Therapy and Neuro-re/habilitation. He has co-authored chapters Optometric Management of Functional Vision Disorders and The Optometric Practice in the book “Visual Diagnosis and Care of the Patient with Special Needs” – First Edition. He is also U.S. Patent holder for– System And Method For Real Time Monitoring And Dynamic Treatment Of Oculomotor Conditions. US Patent # 8,845,099 granted September 30, 2014. He became a SSI licensed scuba diving instructor in 2021. And he is a certified genetics provider and NeuroBiologix Board of Medical Directors with development of the Ocular Genetics Panel for Macular Degeneration.
Dr. Jade Coats
Jade Coats, OD, FAAO is a nationally recognized optometrist from Bentonville, Arkansas, with clinical expertise in ocular surface disease, dry eye management, contact lenses, and perioperative care for premium cataract and refractive surgery. An honors graduate of the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Dr. Coats spent the first decade of her career in a collaborative OD/MD practice, integrating evidence-based care with a strong emphasis on patient education, pharmaceuticals, and clinical innovation in premium surgical care. Now in a private practice, she continues to focus on comprehensive care, ocular surface disease, aesthetics, and surgical co-management.
Dr. Scott Lewis
Developmental Optometrist & Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development
Having struggled through his early education until his own vision problem was located and treated, Dr. Lewis is dedicated to helping ensure that children have all the visual skills required for successful learning.
Dr. Lewis’ interest in Vision Therapy and Developmental Optometry began even before he entered optometry school, when a Developmental Optometrist, Dr. David Damari, gave him a powerful description of this specialized field. Dr. Lewis, already very interested in helping others, especially children, began to consider this course for his own practice after graduating.
Then, during his routine eye exam for all entering students, it was discovered that he had a visual condition called Convergence Insufficiency – a condition where the eyes do not easily converge at the near distance, often resulting in headaches and difficulty with reading. His condition was a classic developmental case, but because he always had 20/20 vision growing up, the diagnosis was missed until the age of 25, when he entered optometry school.
Soon after his own diagnosis, Dr. Lewis began a routine of vision therapy, and as his symptoms disappeared, he gained an intense desire to help others obtain their fullest visual potential as well.
In 2008, Dr. Lewis started the vision therapy/rehabilitation and vision training practice, Focus Vision Therapy Center, in the greater Boise area. He was admitted as a Fellow of the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association in 2009. Dr. Lewis was awarded the Idaho Business Review Accomplished under 40 award in 2012.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Lewis has lectured in various places across the country on topics pertaining to vision development and skills training. He has worked with several athletic groups; performing vision screenings for the Junior Olympics organization, DePaul University, and locally with Coach Van Tol and his Idaho Cubs winter camps. Dr. Lewis was a proud member of the Boise State University Baseball Team Staff as the Vision Specialist.
Dr. Lewis shares his passion for helping school-age children with his wife, Cherie, who has her MBA. Dr. and Mrs. Lewis have seven beautiful children: Maddison, Eliza, Caden, Jacob, Archie, Isabel, and Alexander
More information coming soon!