EXPLORE THE PRACTICE RESOURCE CENTRE – we are pleased to share the new PRC promotional video. In just over two minutes, we highlight the benefits of the site for seasoned practitioners and those just starting their career, how to easily submit ideas and resources, how to create a custom reading list, and much more.

Glaucoma OCT Interpretation is an online, Section 3 accredited course available at EyeCarePD.com. A game-based approach is applied to learning OCT interpretation. This course covers commonly encountered OCT presentations of glaucoma as seen on standard optic nerve head and retinal nerve fiber layer scan protocols with the purpose of improving interpretation skills using perceptual learning strategies.

Getting started is easy: 

1. Using the Google Chrome browser, navigate to https://eyecarepd.com/catalog/glaucoma-group/
2. Select Glaucoma OCT Interpretation 101 (COS Accredited) and add the product to the cart
3. At checkout, use the coupon code ECPDCOSGLAUCOMA to set the price to 0.
4. Your course is now available under My Courses at the top of the screen. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify segmentation errors and their role in OCT scan interpretation
2. Utilize varying sections of the OCT report including tabular data, sector analysis and graphical displays
3. Interact with expert interpretation in order to compare their findings in selected cases

Accreditation

This activity is an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This web-based lesson was approved by the COS on October 23rd, 2020 and expires October 2023. Remember to visit MAINPORT to record your learning and outcomes. You may claim a maximum of 1 hour (credits are automatically calculated).

This activity was co-developed with EyeCarePD and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) and was planned to achieve scientific integrity, objectivity and balance.

Access Details
To participate in this course visit https://eyecarepd.com/catalog/glaucoma-group/

Date: Friday April 12, 2024

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

Title:  Beyond the Vaccine: Uveitis in the Era of COVID-19 Immunization

Speaker: Dr. Larrisa Derzko

Zoom Link:  Register in advance for this webinar

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

Objectives:

1. To discuss uveitis presentations related to COVID-19 vaccination;

2. To understand mechanisms and treatment of uveitis post COVID-19 vaccination;

3. To review current recommendations for managing patients with vaccine associated uveitis or  pre-existing uveitis in the era of COVID-19 immunization.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

The latest issue of Canadian Eye Care Today is now available! This publication features clinical perspectives and practical information on topics in eye care relevant to today’s clinician. Its peer-reviewed articles focus on the treatment and management of eye disease from a Canadian perspective.

The content of this issue includes:

• Gene Therapy Updates for Inherited Retinal Dystrophies
  • Melissa Lu, MD; Daniel Milad, MD; Cynthia X. Qian, MD, FRCSC.
• Recent Advances in the Evaluation and Treatment of Primary Angle Closure Disease
  • Alanna James, MD; Benjamin Y. Xu, MD, PhD.
• Corneal Lumps and Bumps
  • Mohammad Al-Fayyadh, MD; Mona Koaik, MD.
• Retinal Artery Occlusion and Neurovascular Risk
  • Jesia Hasan, MD, FRCSC.
• Approach to Infectious Keratitis: Clinical Pearls While on Call
  • Sonia N. Yeung, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS; Alfonso Iovieno, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS; Barbara Burgos-Blasco, MD, PhD.

To access the latest issue, click on the picture below!

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

Editor-in-Chief’s report: 2023 at CJO: In this editorial, Dr. Varun Chaudhary highlights some of the CJO’s key accomplishments and outcome metrics from 2023, including another significant increase in the journal’s Impact Factor, which now sits at 4.2.

Resident Perspectives + visual abstract: Our talented team of residents have summarized 3 articles with a focus on what’s most relevant to ophthalmology learners here in Canada and around the globe. In addition, our February visual abstract provides a visual summary of an article on Risk factors for ischemic cerebral stroke in patients with acute amaurosis fugax.

Original research articles:

• Analysis of ophthalmology subspeciality opioid prescribing patterns during the opioid public health crisis
• Safety and efficacy of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation
• Use of virtual care in ophthalmology in Ontario, Canada in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion landscape in Canadian postgraduate medical education for ophthalmology
• Multifocal electroretinographic findings in angiographic macular leakage in the setting of intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis

Research letters, photo essays, and case reports:

• Comparison of ChatGPT to ophthalmology resident and staff consultants on an ophthalmological training tool [research letter]
• Text-to-image artificial intelligence models for preoperative counselling in oculoplastics [research letter]
• Cilioretinal artery occlusion secondary to central retinal vein occlusion [photo essay]
• Retinal ischemic perivascular lesions and sickle cell maculopathy [photo essay]
• Strabismus in early disseminated Lyme disease: case report and summary of the literature [case report]
• Poor response of solitary optic disc retinal capillary hemangioblastoma to intravitreal propranolol [case report]
• Blockchain technology: revolutionizing ophthalmology and patient-centered care [correspondence]

Follow the CJO on social media:

Facebook: CanJOphth

Instagram: @cjo_jco

LinkedIn: CJO – JCO

Twitter: @CanJOphth

Location: VIRTUAL

Date: April 20th, 2024

This masterclass is a collaboration between the University of Toronto, surgeons at Moorfields Eye Hospital, the Canadian Priory of the Order of St John and the postgraduate arm of St John’s Eye Hospital Group. Please join them on a Zoom Webinar for a hybrid masterclass, dedicated to applications of Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, and Machine Learning in Ophthalmology.

This unique and multidisciplinary gathering is aimed at the clinician with minimal computer science background and will highlight promising areas of research and development.

Professor Geoffrey Hinton, co-winner of the 2018 Turing Prize in Computer Science, will be their keynote speaker.

For more information on registration and the number of credits you can obtain for this accredited activity, please click HERE.

Doctors are people, too. Making meaningful connections—with each other, with patients, and within our health systems—is integral to physicians’ health and well-being. The International Conference on Physician Health (ICPH) 2024 is an opportunity for physicians and researchers from Canada, the United States and United Kingdom to learn from each other, network around their work and connect on issues that matter. Showcase your work, share your knowledge and engage your peers by submitting an abstract for written posters, oral, panel and workshop presentations by April 12, 2024.

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Date: October 17 – 19th, 2024

For more information about registration and the conference, click HERE.

To submit an abstract, click HERE.