This article is authored by M. Shayyan Wasim, who has ancestral ties to the African Siddi community in Pakistan
Post reviewed and approved by: Dr. Marie-Josée Aubin and Dr. Anne Xuan-Lan Nguyen

Celebrating Black Excellence in Ophthalmology
Black History Month recognizes the significant contributions of Black individuals in various fields, including medicine. In ophthalmology, Black pioneers have made groundbreaking advancements in clinical practice, research, education, and advocacy. Their work has improved patient care while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field.

Pioneers in Ophthalmology

Dr. David K. McDonogh (c. 1821–1893)
Born into slavery, Dr. McDonogh pursued medical education after gaining his freedom and became one of the first Black physicians in the United States. He specialized in ophthalmology and dedicated his career to improving eye care for underserved populations while advocating for increased opportunities for Black medical students. 

Dr. Charles Victor Roman (1864–1934)
Dr. Roman was a pioneering ophthalmologist and educator who founded and chaired the Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology at Meharry Medical College. Born to parents who were fugitive slaves, he overcame significant hardships to become a respected advocate for Black healthcare and medical education. 

Dr. Patricia Bath (1942–2019)
A trailblazing ophthalmologist, inventor, and academic, Dr. Bath was the first Black female physician to receive a medical patent for her invention of the Laserphaco Probe, which revolutionized cataract surgery. She was also the first Black female ophthalmology resident at NYU and co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness. 

Dr. Maurice F. Rabb Jr. (1932–2005)
Dr. Rabb was a renowned ophthalmologist recognized for his work in cornea and retinal vascular diseases. As one of the first African American students at the University of Louisville, he later became the first Black chief resident at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. His leadership in ophthalmic research and education remains influential today. 

Dr. Howard P. Venable (1913–1998)
Dr. Venable played a pivotal role in desegregating hospitals and ophthalmology training programs. A dedicated mentor, he expanded opportunities for Black physicians in the field. His civil rights activism extended beyond medicine, as he fought against racial discrimination in housing and healthcare. 

Dr. Lois Young-Thomas
Dr. Young-Thomas was the first Black female graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1960. She dedicated her career to serving disadvantaged communities and fostering medical education. She later became a professor and mentor, receiving numerous teaching awards for her contributions to ophthalmology education. 

Dr. Eve Higginbotham
A leader in academic medicine, Dr. Higginbotham became the first Black woman to chair an ophthalmology department in the United States at the University of Maryland. A glaucoma specialist, she has made significant contributions to research, healthcare policy, and diversity in medicine. 

Dr. Keith Carter
Dr. Carter is a distinguished leader in academic ophthalmology. As Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa and past president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), he has championed diversity initiatives and mentored underrepresented medical students and residents. 

Dr. Fasika Woreta
A pediatric ophthalmologist and geneticist, Dr. Woreta is an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University. She has conducted significant research on congenital cataracts and retinal diseases in children while advocating for global pediatric eye care access and increasing diversity within ophthalmology. 

Conclusion
These individuals have left a lasting impact on the field of ophthalmology and beyond. Their perseverance, innovation, and advocacy continue to inspire future generations of physicians and researchers. As Black History Month is celebrated, their contributions are acknowledged, reaffirming a commitment to fostering diversity and equity in medicine.

The February 2025 CJO is now available online. Here are some of the highlights: 

Resident Perspectives + visual abstract: Our talented team of residents have summarized 4 articles from this issue with a focus on what’s most relevant to ophthalmology learners here in Canada and around the globe. And our February visual abstract provides a visual summary of an article on the Morphometric analysis of bony nasolacrimal canal and sinonasal anatomical variations in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Reviews and Original Research Articles:

• The state of eyecare and health among Indigenous Peoples in Canada
• Trends in immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery in Ontario
• Cardiovascular risk in anti-VEGF treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration
• Visual impairment, employment status, and reduction in income: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
• Pars plana vitrectomy and scleral-fixated intraocular lenses: comparison of Gore-Tex suture and flanged intrascleral haptic fixation techniques
• ChatGPT and retinal disease: a cross-sectional study on AI comprehension of clinical guidelines

Research Letters, Photo Essays, Case Reports, and more:

• Appointment patterns and patient perspectives in corneal telemedicine
• Attitudes of Canadian ophthalmology residents on rural and Indigenous ophthalmology education 
• Impact of a slit lamp program on medical student competence, confidence, and career interests  
• Illuminated depressor enhanced fundus photography  
• Frontal periosteum flap: an approach for improved vascular supply for buccal membrane graft
• Isolated case of noninfectious and nontraumatic panophthalmitis
• F. Y. EYE Column

Follow the CJO on social media:

BlueSky: @cjo-jco.bsky.social

Facebook: CanJOphth

Instagram: @cjo_jco

LinkedIn: CJO – JCO

We’re excited to announce the next webinar in our “EyeNovation: International Webinar Series for Ophthalmic Expertise” series, ‘The value and importance of the double layer sign’, was presented by Dr. Usha Chakravarthy on February 18, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET.

Dr. Chakravarthy will provide a background on the double layer sign, its definition, and how it’s detected. She’ll discuss data from the EDNA trial, which captured longitudinal imaging data in over 500 high-risk eyes and obtained solid rates of progression to neovascularization. You’ll learn about the relationship between the DLS and the SIRE sign, as well as the clinical significance of these findings.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Know what the double layer sign is and become aware of its clinical relevance
• Consider how the DLS influences progression to from intermediate to late neovascular AMD
• Understand the relationship between the DLS and the SIRE sign

If you missed this webinar, not to worry! The recording is available below:

The Wills Eye Hospital and University of Toronto are excited to bring you the next installment of the Cornea Surgical Video Learning Series:

Date:  Saturday February 15th 2025
Time:  10:00 – 11:30 EST

Co-moderated by Professors Sadeer Hannush (Wills Eye Hospital) and Allan Slomovic (University of Toronto).

Keynote Presentation:
Alain Saad, MD 

Vice Head 
Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgery

Rothschild Fondation, Paris, France

Guest panelists
Stephan Ong Tone, MD FRCSC and Hall Chew, MD FRCSC (University of Toronto)

Nick Hadjokas, MD and Brenton Finklea, MD (Wills Eye Hospital)

Surgery Case Presentations:
Meena Zakher, MD (Wills Eye Hospital)

Dana Baraquet, MD (University of Toronto)

CME credits are available for the following:

· Royal College Maintenance of Certification Section 1: 7.5 credits (1.5 Section 1 hours per session)

· American Medical Association Category 1: 7.5 credits (1.5 Category 1 credits per session)

· European Union for Medical Specialists UEMS-EACCME®: 7.5 credits (1.5 ECMEC credits per session)

You will need to register in advance for this webinar. To register, please click the button below:

The following CJO Highlight summarizes key findings from the journal article “Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma Risk: A Comparative Study of Escitalopram and Antidepressants.”¹

Acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) is an ophthalmic emergency that has been linked to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) due to their mild anticholinergic effect and possibility of mydriasis. Escitalopram, one of the most prescribed SSRIs, has been implicated in the risk of AACG in case reports. However, prior to this CJO study by Khan et al., it remained unclear whether AACG secondary to escitalopram is a class effect or carries a higher risk than other SSRIs. The highlighted study investigated whether escitalopram poses a greater risk of AACG compared to other SSRIs or non-SSRI antidepressants. A total of 865,546 subjects were included to assess the incidence of AACG among new users of citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, and venlafaxine. Results indicated trends toward a lower AACG risk in users of citalopram, escitalopram, and venlafaxine compared with sertraline, though none of these differences reached statistical significance. Findings suggest that escitalopram may be associated with a reduced risk of AACG, but further research with larger cohorts is needed. Clinicians should remain cautious when prescribing antidepressants, particularly for patients at risk of glaucoma.

To access the full article, please follow the link below:

Download Full Article PDF

Reference:

1. Khan HM, Schendel S, Mikelberg FS, Etminan M. Acute angle-closure glaucoma risk: a comparative study of escitalopram and antidepressants. Can J Ophthalmol. 2025 Jan 24:S0008-4182(25)00004-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2025.01.004. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39870359.

Submitted by: Audrey-Anne Lapierre
Reviewed and Approved by: Anne Xuan-Lan Nguyen, MD

This webinar took place on January 23, at 7:00 PM EST. If you missed it, not to worry! A recording is now available at the bottom of this page.

Hear from speakers on key topics, including: Advocacy in Eye Health Barriers, Corneal Donation, Ergonomics and Injury Prevention, Ethical Considerations in Ophthalmology, and Annual Meeting Updates: 2025 AI Stream Preview.

After this session, participants will:

• Understand how COS is advocating for policy changes at the government level to improve eye care accessibility and quality. 
• Be more aware of the latest information on ergonomics and injury prevention and how the profession is affected by injury. Present the latest updates on funding opportunities to CMA and outputs related to project development. 
• Know more of the status of the COS Annual Meeting in 2025 and provide information about our new stream on Artificial Intelligence. 
• Understand the importance of ethics in our profession and learn about the virtues exemplified by the ethical physician. 

Join Dr. Nina Ahuja, Chair of the Council on Advocacy for the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, as she explores the multifaceted role of advocacy in ophthalmology. Discover how advocacy shapes clinical practice, drives research, raises public awareness, and influences health policy. Learn actionable strategies to amplify our collective voice, inspire meaningful change, and ensure a future of eye care defined by inclusivity, innovation, and excellence.

*Elisabeth Fowler covers this topic in our French Forum on January 29.

Dr. Adam Muzychuk shares exciting updates on the planning process and highlights of what to expect at the 2025 COS Annual Meeting in Vancouver. As the COS Annual Meeting Chair and a new member of the COS Board, Dr. Muzychuk discusses how the event is shaping up to be an extraordinary experience for Canadian ophthalmologists, featuring world-renowned experts across every subspecialty.

*Dr. Mona Dagher covers this topic in our French Forum on January 29.

Dr. Samir Jabbour delves into current guidelines on corneal donation and their impact on the Canadian eye banking system. His presentation will address the specific limitations faced by corneal donors from the MSM community and explore future opportunities to improve these regulations.

Dr. Chryssa McAlister runs a diverse comprehensive ophthalmology practice with an academic focus on bioethics and organizes the biennial Macrae Bioethics and Professionalism Course for senior ophthalmology residents. McAlister is a frequent speaker at conferences on topics of bioethics in ophthalmology and medical education. Her presentation will highlight how to cultivate virtues in a business model of ophthalmology. 

Dr. R. Rishi Gupta is on a mission to educate every Canadian Ophthalmologist on injury prevention and ergonomics. His presentation will highlight the strong collaboration and efforts of the newly established COS working group, and their lofty goals for the years to come. Not to worry – we’ve got your back!

*Dr. Cyril Archambault covers this topic in our French Forum on January 29.

Our COS President, Dr. Mona Dagher, will be moderating the session.

Submitted by: Joshua Huang
Reviewed and approved by: Dr. Marie-Josée Aubin, Dr. Anne Xuan-Lan Nguyen

What is Uveal Melanoma?

Uveal melanoma (commonly referred to as ‘intraocular melanoma’) encompasses melanomas that arise in the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, all of which make up the uvea or uveal tract. The uvea is the second most common location for the development of melanoma, after the skin, and uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer in adults. Although it is rare (it affects 5 adults out of 1 million people each year), it can lead to vision loss, eye loss and even death.

Symptoms

Although most patients are asymptomatic, symptoms can include:

• Blurry vision
• Flashes or photopsia
• Floaters or spots in your vision
• Visual field loss
• Visible dark spot on your iris
• Pain (uncommon)

Risk Factors

• Older individuals (peak age of 70)
• Existing skin moles,iris or choroidal nevi
• Fair skin and light eye colour
• Skin that burns easily with an inability to tan
• Arc welding
• Indoor suntan bed use
• Note: Although sunlight is a risk factor for cancers of the skin and the ocular surface, its association with uveal melanoma is controversial and has not been established

Diagnosis

1. Complete eye examination, including a dilated view of the back of the eye (fundus)
2. Ocular ultrasonography (B-scan)

Treatment Options

• Based on size and location
• Includes observation, resection, radiation therapy, or enucleation
• Immunotherapy if the cancer has spread (metastasis)

Conclusion

Despite advancing uveal melanoma treatment modalities, there has been no change in survival over the last 50 years. Therefore, awareness and prevention are critical to improving outcomes. talk to your doctor or eye care provider for a complete annual eye exam.

The Eye Physicians and Surgeons Association of Alberta is proud to announce that the 2025 Scientific Meeting and AGM is scheduled to take place from February 7th to February 8th, 2025 in Banff, Alberta.

From this program, learners are expected to:

• Discuss modern approaches to diabetic retinopathy;
• Build knowledge of contemporary neuro-ophthalmic diagnoses;
• Evaluate approaches to glaucoma care;
• Build knowledge of clinical presentations and risk factors for visual loss due to systemic medications;
• Update knowledge on novel research being performed by resident physicians in Alberta.

The 2025 Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta Annual Scientific Meeting 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 was approved by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Physicians may claim a maximum of 5.5 hours.

More program details are included in the PDF below. For more information on registration, click HERE.

The Providence Health Department of Ophthalmology is pleased to announce that they will be hosting an in-person event called: Whistler Cataract and Retina Update: Innovations and Insights.

This one day event will bring together specialists for a day of learning with a focus on the integration of advanced IOL technologies in retina care to enhance surgical and patient outcomes.

When: Friday, February 28, 2025

Time: 8AM-4PM

Conference Location
Nita Lake Lodge
2131 Lake Placid Rd
Whistler, BC V8E 0B2
Directions/Map

Registration to this event includes: Course materials, welcome breakfast, lunch, refreshments and more!

Interested in registering? Click HERE for more information!