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.

We are excited to announce the next webinar in our “EyeNovation: International Webinar Series for Ophthalmic Expertise” series, “Impact of corneal spherical aberration and pupil dynamics on premium IOLs’ optical behavior,” presented by the esteemed Professor Damien Gatinel from Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Université Paris Cité.

Professor Gatinel, a Hospital Practitioner currently on secondment at Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Université Paris Cité, has an impressive background. He has been leading the Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgery Department at the Rothschild Foundation Hospital since 2009 and serves as an Associate Professor at the International Abulcassis University of Health Sciences in Rabat, Morocco. With a PhD in applied mathematics, Professor Gatinel has pioneered a new classification of ocular optical aberrations and issued several patents, including the first design of a diffractive trifocal lens. His contributions have earned him over 25 international awards and recognition as a Knight of the Order of the Crown by the Kingdom of Belgium.

In this webinar, Professor Gatinel will:

• Analyze how corneal spherical aberration influences the optical behavior of premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), with a focus on their interaction with different corneal profiles.
• Examine how variations in pupil size affect the modulation transfer function (MTF) and other optical parameters of premium IOLs under simulated conditions.
• Apply insights from measurements and simulations to optimize the selection of premium IOLs.

If you missed this incredible opportunity to learn from a leading expert in the field and advance your ophthalmic expertise, you can review the recording below:

Stay tuned for future webinars in the EyeNovation series, as we continue to bring you the latest advancements and expert perspectives in ophthalmology. Together, we can improve patient care and push the boundaries of what is possible in this dynamic field.

We are thrilled to announce the next webinar in our “EyeNovation: International Webinar Series for Ophthalmic Expertise” series, “The Light Adjustable Lens: Impressions after 500 and my 2 eyes,” presented by esteemed ophthalmologist Dr. Samir Melki from Harvard Medical School. This webinar took place on October 30th, from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET.

Dr. Melki, an associate professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, has an impressive background, including completing a fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, an MD PhD from Vanderbilt University, and an Ophthalmology residency at Georgetown University. He is the founder of Boston Vision, an academically-oriented practice, and has published 4 textbooks and 57 articles in respected peer-reviewed scientific journals.

In this webinar, Dr. Melki shared his LAL experience with the first 500 eyes, discussing the technology, process, and outcomes. Attendees will gain insights into:

• The process of the LAL;
• Comparison of the visual outcomes of the LAL and other IOLs;
• Patient satisfaction after LAL implantation.

Dr. Melki also discussed the success rate of monovision after LAL, the percentage of patients requesting a change in refractive aim, and his personal experience with LAL and LAL plus from a surgeon’s perspective.

You can watch the recording below:

Missed this webinar? Stay tuned for future webinars in the EyeNovation series, as we continue to bring you the latest advancements and expert perspectives in ophthalmology. Together, we can improve patient care and push the boundaries of what is possible in this dynamic field.