Date: Friday May 10, 2024

Time: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM (Eastern Standard Time)

Title:  Reducing Waste and Waits: Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

Speaker: Drs. Wendy Hatch and Stephanie Low

Zoom link: Register in advance for this webinar

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Objectives:

1. Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Cataract Surgery at KEI with Recycling;

2. An Epic Approach to Reducing Wait Times for Ophthalmology Consults at the Hospital for Sick Children’s Emergency Department.

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. You will be able to claim 1 credit for this round.

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]

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!

The Master Clinician Alliance (MCA) is providing a Section 3 accredited online self-assessment program focusing on ocular AE assessment and management. Navigate through a learning path that includes a pre- and post-questionnaire, patients cases, knowledge questions as well as presentations.

QUICK AND EASY PARTICIPATION, NO ZOOM MEETINGS! Simply complete the program on your own, conveniently from your mobile device or computer. The program is expected to take about 1 hour to complete. Please note that the program is available in English and French.

Learning objectives:

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

1. Describe the mechanisms of action and design of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs)
2. Recognize the corneal toxicities caused by ADCs and propose appropriate corneal adverse event (AE) management strategies to minimize ocular complications
3. Implement effective communication and coordination strategies to enhance collaborative care for oncology patients experiencing corneal toxicities

To register for this self-assessment program, please click HERE.

Thank you to all the participants who were able to join us during the live session, we hope you enjoyed the webinar! We are pleased to offer a recording of the forum. If you missed the live session, you will still be able to access presentations on Advocacy; Artificial Intelligence; Sustainability in Ophthalmology; and Drug Shortages & Essential Medications.

Learning objectives:

1. Understand how COS is advocating for policy changes at the government level to improve eye care accessibility and quality
2. Be able to describe how COS is working with partners at Health Canada to analyze the causes and consequences of ophthalmic drug shortages and develop strategies to lessen their impact on patient care
3. Know more of the current and potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmology and their potential to impact patient care and clinical decision-making
4. Be more aware of the environmental impact of ophthalmic practices and devices and the strategies for promoting sustainability in ophthalmic practice

The fourth issue of the 2023 Video Journal of Cataract, Refractive & Glaucoma Surgery is out! This issue is titled: SHOCKING CASES!

The Video Journal of Cataract, Refractive and Glaucoma Surgery (VJCRGS) represents a lifelong mission of renowned ophthalmic surgeon and educator, Robert H. Osher, MD, to advance knowledge and surgical training of eye surgeons. The VJCRGS pioneered video-based surgical education when it debuted in 1985 as a quarterly subscription serving the needs of cataract and refractive surgeons. In 2018, the Video Journal’s scope expanded to include glaucoma surgery in line with the evolving trends in anterior segment surgical management.

Table of contents

To access this educational content, visit: http://www.vjcrgs.com/

Peer feedback is an essential element of the Royal College Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program. While there are many ways to receive peer feedback, one of the most powerful forms of feedback is the type you receive in a peer coaching or mentoring relationship.

This site provides support and resources to guide your personal peer coaching or peer mentoring journey.  

Peer Coaching in Practice

A Canadian Ophthalmology Resident’s guide to preparing for life after residency. Learn about the career in general vs subspecialty ophthalmology practice, compare different subspecialties, and how to apply for fellowship. Insights shared are a compilation of previous CCOR fellowship talks and tips from a recent survey of graduating residents.

As a team of ophthalmologists, ophthalmology residents, and medical students at the University of Calgary, we are dedicated to exploring and developing simulation-based learning endeavours and 3D printing innovations in surgical ophthalmology.

Check out the latest simulation walkthrough videos below:

The EyeSi Simulator Walkthrough

In this project, we provide walkthrough videos of the levels of the VR Magic EyeSi® Surgical simulator. A staple in many ophthalmology training programs, the EyeSi® system provides virtual modules to practice surgical skills in cataract surgery. However, there are no specific walkthroughs and tips provided by the simulator in completing each individual level. Hence our library of over 100 videos on Youtube® include individualized advice and narration on video walkthroughs on how we approached each level, and our final scoring as well. We hope these videos help ophthalmology residents in completing all the levels in the EyeSi® cataract simulator, that will translate directly into real-life operating room success!

EyeSi Vitreoretinal Simulator Walkthrough

In this project, we provide walkthrough videos of the levels of the VR Magic EyeSi® Surgical simulator for the Vitreoretinal module. A staple in many ophthalmology training programs, the EyeSi® system provides virtual modules to practice surgical skills in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery. However, there are no specific walkthroughs and tips provided by the simulator in completing each individual level. Hence our library of over 100 videos on Youtube® include individualized advice and narration on video walkthroughs on how we approached each level, and our final scoring as well.

Read more here to learn about the Clinical Ophthalmologists and the Design Teams involved in this innovative project.