Date: Friday, May 31st 2024

Location: Hockey Hall of Fame – Toronto, ON

Don’t miss this session with renowned experts sharing their experience with the latest digital and surgical innovations to improve patient outcome and optimize clinical workflows.

This session includes:

• Shamik Bafna, MD
• Hady Saheb, MD
• David Wong, MD

For more information, visit: https://www.zeiss.ca/meditec/en/news-events/events/cos_2024_zeiss.html

Date: Friday, May 3, 2024

Time: 8:45 AM – 12:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Location: 45 Brunswick Ave., Multi-purpose Room B, Toronto, ON

Title: Cataracts: preoperative evaluation & history of cataract surgery and IOLs AND Paediatric lens diseases & pediatric cataract surgery

Speakers:  Drs. John Lloyd and Kamiar Mireskandari

The VPP Grand Rounds Local and Visiting Professor Program is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

The Royal College is excited to launch the MOC Learn & Connect Series which will provide details on the new changes to the MOC framework, as well as share the educational strategies that will support the medical community.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Describe the motivation and rationale for updating the MOC program;
• Identify key elements of the updated MOC program, including new learning activities, section descriptions, cycle requirements and other changes;
• Explain each section of the refreshed MOC program to promote meaningful learning.

In addition to these virtual events, the MOC Learn & Connect series includes pre-recorded videos and opportunities for live Q&A with MOC team members.

MOC Credits

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the Royal College Learning Improvement Unit. You may claim a maximum of 1 hour.

To register, CLICK HERE.

Questions? Contact the Royal College Services Centre at (613) 730-6243, 1-800-461-9598 or [email protected]

The April 2024 CJO is now available online. Here are some of the highlights: 

Resident Perspectives + visual abstract: Our talented team of residents have summarized 4 articles with a focus on what’s most relevant to ophthalmology learners here in Canada and around the globe. In addition, our April visual abstract provides a visual summary of an article on OCT outcomes as biomarkers for disease status, visual function, and prognosis in diabetic macular edema.

Original research articles:

·        Development and validation of the first Canadian Aboriginal syllabics visual acuity chart

·        Zonular dialysis and cataract surgery: results from a UK tertiary eye care referral centre

·        Development of a standardized Canadian undergraduate medical education ophthalmology curriculum

·        Incidence of ocular surface squamous neoplasia in pterygium specimens

·        Effect of race and ethnicity on surgical outcomes for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments

• Characterization of pentosan polysulfate patients for development of an alert and screening system for ophthalmic monitoring

Photo essays, correspondence, and case reports:

·        Bilateral conjunctival melanosis in diffuse melanosis cutis and metastatic melanoma

·        Unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy in hand, foot, and mouth disease

·        Laser pointer-induced maculopathy with secondary macular neovascularization

·        A virtual Canadian Ophthalmology Mentorship Program (COMP) for medical students

·        Surgical technique enhancements for successful subretinal gene therapy delivery

·        Ocular syphilis with coincident Bartonella infection

·         Unveiling ocular surface squamous neoplasia within a conjunctival epithelial inclusion cyst

Follow the CJO on social media:

Facebook: CanJOphth

Instagram: @cjo_jco

LinkedIn: CJO – JCO

Twitter: @CanJOphth

Join us for the 55th Sally Letson Symposium chaired by Dr. Ian Clark, University of Manitoba, and Dr. Solin Saleh (Co-Chair), University of Ottawa.

This year’s topic is “Paediatric Ophthalmology – Making a difference that lasts a lifetime.” Over the course of 2.5 days, the program will delve into the realm of paediatric ophthalmology. Esteemed guest speakers will deliver captivating lectures and presentations, fostering interactive learning and encouraging critical thinking. Seize the opportunity to enrich your knowledge and skills in this vital field.

Location: Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4

Date: September 19 – 21, 2024

For more information, please visit the Sally Letson Symposium Website.

QUESTIONS? For inquiries relating to the scientific program and CPD credits, please contact Jill Garner [email protected]

The podcast features guest speakers from across Canada and innovative practitioners from around the world discussing diverse topics and how they impact ophthalmology. Topics range from emerging techniques and technologies to building individual resilience as Canadian physicians. Through it all, this podcast aims to build connections within the ophthalmological community, share our experiences, and to truly promote the value the profession brings to the lives of patients.

Episode Guide Season 4

Episode Guide Season 3

Episode Guide Season 2

Episode Guide Season 1

Date: July 3 – 6, 2024

Location: McGill University Health Center, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, Quebec

Registration is now open for the Refractive Surgery Alliance’s course on Refractive Lens and Cataract Surgery. This course is a comprehensive, interactive course that covers all aspects of refractive lens and cataract surgery and is open to all cataract and refractive surgery ophthalmologists.

The course covers the following key topics:

• Principles and philosophy of lens refractive surgery
• Lens-based approaches for the surgical management of presbyopia
• Patient evaluation and education
• Preoperative technologies, biometry, and surgical planning
• IOL technologies
• Surgical pearls
• Postoperative considerations and complication management
• Phakic IOLs and myopic lens surgery
• Growing your lens refractive practice
• Future considerations

The course faculty includes:

• Guillermo Rocha, MD, FWCRS (Course Chairman)
• Roger Zaldlvar, MD, MBA, FWCRS
• Samuel Masket, MD
• Damien Gatinel, MD, PhD, FWCRS
• Baseer Khan, MD
• Paul Harasymowycz, MD
• Guy M Kezirian, MD, MBA, FWCRS
• Erik Mertens, MD, FWCRS

To learn more about this course and for registration details, visit: https://www.refractivealliance.com/moderncataractsurgery/

UPDATE (2024-04-17): We are collecting case reports on solar retinopathy following the recent solar eclipse. If a patient you’ve seen experienced vision impairment or related symptoms after viewing the eclipse, please fill out the following form to contribute to our research efforts. Your participation is crucial in helping us gather valuable data to better understand and mitigate the effects of solar retinopathy. You can access the form by clicking HERE.

Looking directly at the sun without proper protection can cause significant damage to your eye leading to a condition called solar retinopathy. During unshielded observation of a solar eclipse, the lens of the eye acts just like a magnifying glass, focusing the sun’s rays onto the retina at the back of the eye. This concentrated energy can result in permanent burns of the retina, and even irreversible blind spots.

The retina has no pain receptors. Therefore, it can take time before someone realizes that retinal damage may have occurred. You should be attentive to signs such as a blurry vision, visual distortion, and decreased colour vision and if you have looked at the solar eclipse without eye protection.

Let’s delve into some commonly asked questions about solar retinopathy and solar eclipse safety, and expert answers to equip both patients and providers with valuable insight during this event.

Commonly asked questions and answers

Q: What is the best primary prevention?

A: Refraining from viewing the solar eclipse is the best primary prevention to solar retinopathy. You can safely view the event indirectly, by TV or web.

Q: Which glasses are unsafe?

A: Sunglasses, glasses with transition lenses, glasses with polarizing filters, exposed film, x-ray film, and neutral density filters, do not provide enough safety to view the eclipse.

It is equally unsafe to view the eclipse from your telescope, camera, binoculars without the appropriate special filter, or through a window without the correct eye protection.

Q: Can one take pictures of the eclipse with a smartphone?

A: You can take pictures of the eclipse with your smartphone or tablet device, but make sure that you are not viewing the eclipse without the proper eye protection while aligning the device for the photo. Please keep in mind that some manufacturers state that prolonged pointing of the smartphone/camera to the sun may affect its sensors.

Q: What is the right filter to have when viewing the eclipse?

A: ISO 12312-2 certified. Upon receiving your glasses, please take the time to inspect as the glasses should not be scratched or torn. If the glasses are being worn by children, ensure that they are supervised at all times.

Q: What is the maximum duration of time that we can view the solar eclipse without permanent damage? What if I glance at the eclipse, look away, and then back again?

A: There is no duration of time that you can view the eclipse without permanent damage! The effects of the damage by the sun are cumulative, so looking at the eclipse multiple times would do more damage than looking at it once. It is advised that you do not look directly at the sun at all.

Please keep in mind that if on the totality path, to use great caution and under expert supervision to indicate the time that you may securely remove and put back on the certified glasses.

Q: Can animals suffer from solar retinopathy as well?

A: In theory, yes, if they are looking at the sun during the eclipse.

Q: Can someone with a previous history of ocular disease view the eclipse?

A: Yes, but only with precaution and the correct eye protection. If unsure, they can enjoy the solar eclipse by viewing it indirectly (such as through a livestream or broadcast on TV).

Resources

The authors of this Q&A on solar eclipse eye safety have compiled a comprehensive set of resources tailored to both patients and ophthalmologists, ensuring that everyone can access reliable information and guidance.

For the general public

Government of Canada – Stay safe while watching the solar eclipse

American Astronomical Society – Viewing the solar eclipse safely

Exploratorium – View the eclipse safely through livestream

Association des médecins ophthalmologistes du Québec – Éclipse solaire du 8 avril (French only)

Canadian Ophthalmological Society – Protect your vision

The Dose – How can I watch a solar eclipse and keep my eyes safe?

For the ophthalmologist

American Academy of Ophthalmology EyeWiki – Solar retinopathy

The Astronomical Journal – Physical and visual evaluation of filters for direct observation of the sun and the international standard ISO

Queen’s University – Grand Rounds Presentation: Total solar eclipse and eye health

Ophthalmology Times – Protecting vision during solar eclipses: Insights for ophthalmologists

Thank you to Dr. Marie-Josée Aubin and Dr. Cynthia Qian for creating this helpful resource!

Join the International Council of Ophthalmology for their 39th World Ophthalmology Congress® (WOC2024®), taking place in the exciting city of Vancouver, Canada from August 16th to 19th 2024. The Vancouver Convention Center is a stunning waterfront landmark that offers convenient access to all the major visitor amenities in downtown Vancouver.

WOC2024® will once again bring together the world ophthalmology community and those who work with them for a uniquely immersive learning experience designed to shape the future of sight. Benefit from the WOC2024® scientific program comprising all eye care subspecialties to stay up to date with the latest research and trends in ophthalmology.

With discounted early bird registration rates available until April 15, 2024, now is the perfect time to register. Enjoy interactive sessions with society symposia, surgical wetlabs, subspecialty days, industry symposia, and poster presentations, as well as invaluable networking opportunities

For more information, CLICK HERE.