The Fundingsland Group and its education host, the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah, are proud to launch the second annual Masterclass in the emerging field of Interventional Glaucoma therapy.
This 30-hour Moran IG Masterclass will accommodate 60 learners participating in the following exclusive activities:
The Masterclass aims to improve practice patterns and clinical outcomes and significantly grow the number of patients treated in the field of glaucoma.
Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC
Director, Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation at the John A. Moran Eye Center
The application deadline is June 1, 2025.
The Interventional Glaucoma Masterclass aims to offer comprehensive didactic and hands-on training to early-career cataract surgeons and select glaucoma fellows to improve glaucoma care and reduce the disease’s burden in our communities.
This Masterclass program will include the following:
Each learner is assigned a mentor to support questions and advise throughout the program. Participants will be part of a small WhatsApp group with direct access to their mentor.
Each month, learners will participate in one of the following online modules. Each has approximately two hours of content from leading experts.
Four interactive webinars with all mentors and learners, to summarize the module, review relevant literature, and answer any questions.
Each month, learners will participate in a structured journal club discussion led by mentors, focusing on critically analyzing key studies related to interventional glaucoma, evaluating clinical trial data, and discussing real-world application of research findings. Learners will gain deeper insights into the evidence supporting SLT, sustained-release medications, MIGS, and MIBS while honing their ability to assess literature and apply data to clinical decision-making.
In-person half-day case review grand rounds in Salt Lake City on October 3 and 4 (attendance required).
In-person wet labs in Salt Lake City at the Moran Eye Center on October 3 and 4 (attendance required), including hands-on experience with all the major IG technologies.
Each participant who completes these components and passes an exam will obtain a certificate of completion signed by the program director and mentors. A special certificate of commendation will be given to the top 20% of exam scores.
This Masterclass is primarily targeted towards Cataract, Comprehensive, and/or Glaucoma Surgeons who:
All Learners agree to complete all online course modules and attend the in-person case review, wet labs, workshops, and exam in Salt Lake City on October 3 and 4.
Program organizers will cover the cost of hotel accommodations on October 2 and 3 and all associated meals. All other travel costs will be the learner’s responsibility. The program's participation cost is $199, to be paid after the application is approved.
The fee will be waived for selected fellows and recent fellow graduates.
Click on name to read bio
IG Masterclass Chair
The John A. Moran Eye Center serves as the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
It is the largest ophthalmology clinical care and research facility in the Mountain West, with more than 60 faculty members and 10 satellite clinics.
Physicians provide comprehensive care in all ophthalmic subspecialties, making the Moran Eye Center a major referral center for complex cases, with over 150,000 patient visits and about 8,000 surgeries annually.
Moran supports 20 basic and translational research labs and centers, including the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation, directed by Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC.
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Moran among the Top 10 Best Hospitals for Ophthalmology and Doximity ranks its residency program among the Top 10 nationwide.
Moran CEO and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Chair Randall J Olson, MD, leads more than 700 employees working to achieve Moran’s vision that no person with a blinding condition, eye disease, or visual impairment should be without hope, understanding, and treatment. To increase access to care locally and in underserved countries worldwide, Moran runs the largest global outreach program of its kind at any U.S. academic institution.
The Fundingsland Group (TFG) is an independent medical education company that believes in providing compelling, compliant, and effective peer-to-peer education that addresses gaps in clinical knowledge, opinions, and practice patterns. Through a unique, data-driven process, TFG identifies key educational needs and evaluates progress towards meeting clearly defined goals. By strategically collaborating with education partners and industry experts, we create customized education programs that seek to change opinions, affect practice patterns and, ultimately, improve patient care.
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Inder Paul Singh, MD, is the President of The Eye Centers of Racine & Kenosha in Wisconsin. His strong passion for learning, world-class technology, and cutting-edge procedures has led to many industry firsts. He was one of the first surgeons in Wisconsin to perform several MIGS procedures, and one of the first in the United States to perform Nd:YAG vireolysis and also help develop the protocol for the procedure.
Recently, Dr. Singh was instrumental in bringing laser cataract surgery to the Wisconsin area. Dr. Singh was named to the America’s Best Eye Doctor listing in 2021, 2022, and 2023 for quality of care, continuity of care, and the quality of the technology used in his practice. Additionally, the American College of Elective Surgery ranked Dr. Singh as one of the best cataract surgeons in America.
Dr. Singh completed a residency at Cook County Hospital (Division of Ophthalmology) and a glaucoma fellowship at Duke University before returning to his hometown in Wisconsin. He received his doctorate of medicine from Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School and completed undergraduate school at Washington University in St. Louis.
Throughout his ophthalmology career, Dr. Singh has been involved with clinical research and is widely published. He has also presented his research at numerous national meetings and universities around the world. Dr. Singh maintains a full-time research facility and is currently involved in both industry-sponsored and independent research in glaucoma, cataract, ocular surface disease, and retina.
Outside of ophthalmology, Dr. Singh is a founding member of the band Funkadesi, which mixes Indo-Afro-Caribbean styles of music. The focus of the band is to bridge cultures and educate others on tolerance and understanding through music. The band tours the world spreading the message “one family, many children.”
Brian Shafer, MD, is the Founder and Medical Director of the Shafer Vision Institute in Pennsylvania. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor and Head of Cornea at Temple University Hospital.
With a passion for providing exceptional eye care, Dr. Shafer is dedicated to staying at the forefront of ophthalmic advancements, is heavily involved in clinical research and trials, and is published in the peer-reviewed literature. His commitment to excellence has earned him recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2023 and Castle Connolly Top Doctors: One to Watch in 2022. Additionally, in his first 2 years of practice in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Dr. Shafer became the city’s largest implanter of premium IOLs.
Dr. Shafer is also deeply committed to global ophthalmology. He has participated in numerous medical missions, providing sight-saving surgeries to underserved populations around the world. He is also actively involved in training the next generation of ophthalmologists through teaching and mentorship.
After undergraduate school at the University of Rochester in New York, Dr. Shafer received his doctorate of medicine from Temple University School of Medicine. He was Chief Resident at the Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania and completed a fellowship at Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Lorraine Provencher, MD, is a cataract surgeon and glaucoma specialist at Vance Thompson Vision. Her areas of expertise include glaucoma lasers, MIGS, and complex or challenging glaucoma surgical cases. Dr. Provencher is passionate about customized glaucoma care, which includes offering cutting-edge laser and surgical technology and extended drug delivery options. She is involved in clinical trials and research and has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals. Her published work focuses primarily on glaucoma, MIGS, and cataract surgery. She frequently presents at conferences and hosts podcasts talking about research advancements.
Passionate about educating other ophthalmologists, Dr. Provencher serves on the editorial boards of Ophthalmology and EyeWorld and hosts the Ophthalmology Journal podcast. She is a volunteer for Orbis, Cybersight.org, and the AAO Minorities in Ophthalmology Mentoring program.
Dr. Provencher has received many honors, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology Secretariat Award, Real World Ophthalmology Exceptional Leadership Award, and Rising Star Medical Leaders Award. She received a full tuition scholarship to Indiana University School of Medicine and completed her training at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Department of Ophthalmology and the University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center, in Michigan.
Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed, MD, FRCSC, is a glaucoma, cataract, and anterior segment surgeon and one of the world’s top surgeons for complex eye conditions. He splits his practice between Prism Eye Institute in Canada and Utah, where he is the Director of the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation.
Dr. Ahmed has pioneered innovative glaucoma therapeutics and coined the term microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) as a new genre of surgical approaches and devices. Dr. Ahmed is also renowned for conducting groundbreaking research and device development that has advanced the surgical treatment of diseases, including glaucoma and surgical complications. Throughout his career, Dr. Ahmed has been the principal investigator for numerous research studies and served as a medical monitor for many pivotal clinical trials including the first long-term outcomes study of a MIGS device. He has published more than 170 peer-reviewed papers and several books and made more than 1,000 scientific presentations, including 40 visiting professor’s lectures around the world. He sits on the editorial boards of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology-Glaucoma, Journal of Glaucoma, Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, EyeNet, Ocular Surgery News, and Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today. He is also the Chief Medical Editor of Glaucoma Today.
The Ophthalmologist magazine has repeatedly named Dr. Ahmed as among the most influential ophthalmologists worldwide on its annual Power List. He also has given many award lectures, including the prestigious American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s Binkhorst Medal Lecture, American Glaucoma Society Surgery Day Lecture, the United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons Pearce Medal Lecture, and he received the Charles Kelman Medal at the Brazilian Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Ahmed completed a glaucoma fellowship at Moran Eye Institute and received his doctorate of medicine from the University of Toronto, Canada, where he also completed his ophthalmology residency.
Manjool Shah, MD, is a board-certified glaucoma specialist at Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan. Dr. Shah is an early adopter of MIGS and is dedicated to teaching residents and fellows through his work at the University of Michigan and with multiple national societies.
Dr. Shah also teaches clinical and surgical techniques to ophthalmology residents and glaucoma surgeons in countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, Nepal, and Jamaica, with the hope of expanding access to quality glaucoma care throughout the world. Dr. Shah completed his residency at Providence Heath & Services Oregon and an ophthalmology fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. He received his doctorate of medicine from Washington University-St Louis.
Christine Funke, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist practicing at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center. She also provides cataract, diabetes, dry eye, and routine eye care.
Dr. Funke completed a residency at Case Western Reserve University, where she co-founded the University Eye Hospitals Alumni Association, was the representative to the Mid-Year Forum for the Women in Ophthalmology Society, spoke at numerous conferences, and was active on a myriad of research projects and publications. Dr. Funke also authored a chapter on alternative therapies for glaucoma treatment and has an interest in the effects of exercise and herbal therapy on eye pressure and vision. After residency, she completed a glaucoma fellowship at University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Funke received her undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Notre Dame and her doctorate of medicine from Rush Medical College.
Dr. Funke is an active member of The American Academy of Ophthalmology, The American Glaucoma Society, Women in Ophthalmology Society, Chicago Women in Ophthalmology group and Chicago Glaucoma Society. “Furthering my education and keeping current on surgical techniques is extremely important as a practicing physician. Being a member of these societies helps to ensure you are continuing to grow your armamentarium to treat eye disease.”
Oluwatosin U. Smith, MD, is a board-certified glaucoma specialist at Glaucoma Associates of Texas and an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Dr. Smith is heavily involved with the training of Glaucoma fellows.
Dr. Smith has many clinical, surgical, and research interests in the management of glaucoma and cataracts and a special interest in the surgical management of childhood glaucoma. Dr. Smith has presented numerous papers and publications at various academic meetings, served on numerous advisory boards, and is a member of multiple professional societies. Additionally, she manages the Glaucoma Associates of Texas Cure Glaucoma Fund, a nonprofit organization, is on the board of the Hospitals for Humanity, is a Councilor of the Glaucoma Research Foundation, and is a physician volunteer at the Child Vision Center in Fort Worth.
Born in Nigeria, Dr. Smith received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS) at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and graduated with the Andrew Blair Aitken’s Prize in Surgery. Dr. Smith completed a residency in general surgery at the Dewsbury and District Hospital in Yorkshire, United Kingdom, and a surgical internship at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. She served as the Chief Resident in ophthalmology at Howard University Hospital, graduating with the award of The Most Outstanding Resident of 2002. Dr. Smith completed a glaucoma fellowship at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Smith spent 5 years as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and the Chief of Glaucoma Division at University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Deborah Gess Ristvedt, DO, is a board-certified eye surgeon practicing at Vance Thompson Vision in Alexandria, Minnesota. Dr. Ristvedt specializes in advanced cataract surgery, glaucoma care, and oculoplastic surgery.
Dr. Ristvedt is a third-generation ophthalmologist, following in the footsteps of her grandfather and father, Lowell Gess, MD, and Timothy Gess, MD, respectively. She aims to involve patients in their own care, working with them to formulate customized treatment plans that achieve restorative, desirable results. Dr. Ristvedt has a curiosity and passion for research, participating in clinical trials, education, speaking at national meetings, and writing for ophthalmology journals.
Dr. Ristvedt received a bachelor’s degree from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and a medical degree from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Iowa. She completed residency at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan.