Please note that this webinar has passed. A recording is available below.

October is Ergonomics Month and what better time to learn more about staying safe and healthy in your practice and personal life? Join us on Thursday, October 9, 2025 for an educational and lively discussion on Ergonomics and Injury Prevention.

Learn more from ergonomics experts Dr. Sam Masket, Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology (Retired), Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA and founding partner of Advanced Vision Care in Los Angeles, and Dr. Amy Zhang, Associate Clinical Professor of the Glaucoma Service at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. Moderated by Dr. R. Rishi Gupta, Chair of the COS Ergonomics and Injury Prevention Working Group, this accredited webinar will feature an interview-style presentation, practical and interactive “micro breaks” videos, and the premiere of our ergonomics video featuring ophthalmologist and COS Past President Dr. Dan O’Brien from Nova Scotia sharing his patient journey.

At the end of this webinar, participants will:

1. Understand the impact that musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders have on physician performance, job satisfaction and workforce limitations.
2. Understand the ergonomic problems associated with workplace equipment, such as operating microscopes, slit lamps, and indirect ophthalmoscopes.
3. Appreciate what modalities exist to reduce the impact of MSK disorders and how this subject should be part or Resident/Fellow education. 

Did you miss the webinar? Not to worry, a recording is available below!

Inherited Retinal Disorders: Progress, Promise, and Lessons Beyond Setbacks

Presented by Dr. Ioannis Dimopoulos, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Join us for an in-depth session as Dr. Dimopoulos explores the latest advancements in inherited retinal disease (IRD) research, emerging therapeutic approaches, and key lessons learned from clinical challenges.

Dr. Dimopoulos obtained his medical degree from the University of Athens and subsequently completed graduate studies and a research fellowship in Ocular Genetics at the University of Alberta. He was directly involved and lead the outcome measure assessment for an ocular gene therapy trial for choroideremia – the first in Canada. Following his ophthalmology residency training at the University of Ottawa, he completed a 2 -year fellowship in Medical Retina & Ophthalmic Genetics at the National Eye Institute / National Institutes of Health. He recently joined the University of Ottawa’s Department of Ophthalmology as an Assistant Professor. His clinical and research interests include inherited retinal disorders, gene therapy, AMD, CSCR, and diabetic retinopathy.

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Describe the genetic and clinical landscape of inherited retinal disorders (IRDs) and the associated unmet medical needs
2. Explain the principles, current applications, and clinical progress of gene therapy in retinal diseases, including the case of choroideremia
3. Discuss future directions, challenges, and emerging technologies in the development of gene therapy for IRDs.

We’re excited to announce that our webinar, “EyeNovation: International Webinar Series for Ophthalmic Expertise” series, ‘The SIRE Sign and Functional Vision in Geographic Atrophy Treatments‘, was presented by Dr. Robyn Guymer on April 10, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET.

Professor Robyn Guymer is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Melbourne University, deputy director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia, and a senior retinal specialist at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

A leading clinician scientist, she researches Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and has co-authored over 400 peer-reviewed papers. Her work focuses on early AMD treatments, novel imaging biomarkers, and surrogate endpoints for early intervention trials.

She has led industry-sponsored trials, serves on pharmaceutical advisory boards, and is part of international macular disease groups. An inaugural fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, she was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia in 2018 and inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2021.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

1. Understand the relevance and importance of the SIRE sign
2. Understand how functional vision has been tested in current GA trials
3. Understand the issues around showing a functional change in vision in geographic atrophy

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

Join us from Thursday, September 11 – Saturday, September 13, 2025

This year’s topic is Uveitis – Cells, Haze, and Macular Edema: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Over the course of 2.5 days, the program will delve into the realm of ophthalmology with top experts, captivating lectures, interactive learning and cutting-edge insights that will elevate your learning and practice. Seize this opportunity to enrich your knowledge and skills in this vital field, all while earning Section 1 MOC credits! 

Learning Objectives

At the end of the symposium, participants will be able to:

1. Assess and differentiate between common and uncommon presentations of uveitis, and apply appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies to enhance patient care.
2. Analyze recent advancements in uveitis research, including novel therapies, immunosuppressive treatments, and emerging diagnostic techniques, and integrate new findings into clinical decision-making.
3. Describe the complexities of uveitis and its impact on vision and overall health, demonstrate effective patient communication strategies, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive, patient-centered care plans.

CanMEDS: Medical Expert, Scholar, Communicator

Target Audience: This symposium is designed for attendance by ophthalmologists, ophthalmology fellows and residents, optometrists, orthoptists, medical students, technologists, nurses, and other allied health professionals.

Get a sneak peek at the preliminary program! Click here for more information.

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

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]

Location: Virtual – access the course HERE

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a cicatricial autoimmune disease primarily affecting mucous membranes of the conjunctiva, oral cavity, nasopharynx, oesophagus and genitals. Ocular involvement occurs in approximately 80% of cases, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis to prevent irreversible damage and potential blindness.

Authors: Melissa Lu (MD), Fady Sedarous (MD, FRCSC), Mona Harissi-Dagher (MD, FRCSC)

Learning objectives: Upon completion of this module, learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnostic and treatment principles of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (OMMP), enabling them to apply this knowledge in clinical practice.

Target audience: Ophthalmology residents and ophthalmologists.

COS is pleased to provide this Advocacy and Government Relations webinar for the upcoming Federal Election. This event is being offered exclusively to COS members and Residents. 

We are living in unprecedented times—facing evolving healthcare challenges, an aging population, and a rapidly changing political landscape. With the upcoming federal election serving as a pivotal moment for Canadians, this is a unique opportunity to unite in shaping the future of vision health and ophthalmology.

Join us on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET for an accredited webinar designed to equip you with the skills and key messages needed to advocate effectively with local and provincial policymakers. Your voice is critical in ensuring that ophthalmology and vision health remain a priority on the national agenda.

Dr. Ahuja leads the COS Advocacy Council and advises the Board of Directors on COS’ advocacy and government relations initiatives. She recently developed a framework for implementing Canada’s National Eye Care Strategy, along with other key submissions to the federal government.

Brett Hartley is a seasoned government relations professional with a deep passion for Canadian politics, public policy, and relationship-building. With over a decade of political experience, including significant time on Parliament Hill, he has worked closely with municipal, provincial, and federal officials to drive impactful initiatives and deliver meaningful results for both policymakers and clients.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Understand how to effectively communicate key issues to government officials and policymakers
• Learn best practices for securing and conducting successful meetings with elected officials
• Gain insights into the current political landscape and how it affects our ophthalmology profession

The following CJO Highlight summarizes key findings from the journal article “Effect of ginkgo biloba extract on macula and peripapillary perfusion examined using optical coherence tomography angiography.”¹

This pilot study investigated the effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extract (GBE) supplementation on macular and peripapillary perfusion in patients with early-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma. Despite promising clinical studies suggesting potential vascular and neuroprotective benefits of GBE, results of this study did not show significant clinical or statistical improvements in perfusion density over a 4-month supplementation period. The study observed a small, statistically significant decrease in peripapillary perfusion density in the GBE group, but this change was likely due to chance, as the control group also showed a small change in the same direction. In this pilot study, the authors could not draw conclusions about the presence or absence of neuroprotective effects of GBE. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is needed to clarify GBE’s potential benefits in glaucoma management.

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

Download Full Article

Reference:

1. Hodgson K, Palakkamanil MM, Zhang A, Dyachok OM, Smith CA, Nicolela MT, Chauhan BC, Shuba LM. Effect of ginkgo biloba extract on macula and peripapillary perfusion examined using optical coherence tomography angiography. Can J Ophthalmol. 2025 Feb 25:S0008-4182(25)00035-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2025.01.015. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39961352.

Submitted by: Audrey-Anne Lapierre

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:

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.