CJO: October 2023 Issue Highlights

The October 2023 CJO is now available online. Here are some of the highlights:
Resident Perspectives + visual abstract: Our talented team of residents have summarized 4 articles with a focus on what’s most relevant to ophthalmology learners here in Canada and around the globe, including the article featured in our October visual abstract, OCTA changes following loading phase with intravitreal aflibercept for DME.
Original research articles:
- Investigation of ocular microstructural changes according to disease severity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Misdiagnosis of fungal infections of the orbit
- Patient perspective on the participation of ophthalmology residents in their cataract surgery
- Cost-effectiveness of locally prepared Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty grafts in Edmonton
- Comparison of surgical techniques for recurrent pterygium
- Indications and pathologic diagnoses of diagnostic chorioretinal biopsies in the province of Quebec, Canada
Research letters, photo essays, and case reports:
- Split-detection adaptive optics imaging for cytoid body-like materials in a cotton wool spot [photo essay]
- Polyp clusters: atypical presentation of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy using OCT angiography [photo essay]
- Intraretinal granuloma in neurocysticercosis [photo essay]
- Accidental intralenticular injection of a dexamethasone implant in an adult male [case report]
- Endoscopy-assisted total pars plana vitrectomy during Boston keratoprosthesis type 1 implantation [case report]
- COVID-19-associated vestibular neuritis in an infant [case report]
- To save the vision of persons with diabetes Canada needs data-informed timely screening [correspondence]
Follow the CJO on social media:
Facebook: CanJOphth
Instagram: @cjo_jco
LinkedIn: CJO – JCO
Twitter: @CanJOphth
The Canadian Ophthalmology Mentorship Program (COMP)


The Canadian Ophthalmology Mentorship Program (COMP) is an annual national mentorship program that connects 3-4 Canadian medical students per ophthalmology resident mentor for the purposes of networking, career exploration, and community building. Recruitment is now open for ophthalmology resident mentors and Canadian medical student mentees.
Sign-ups are open till September 22, 2023.
Link to sign up: tinyurl.com/738u8h8e.
Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Cornea Learning Modules

Cornea Learning Modules
This educational program consists of online learning modules of corneal topography and tomography using a case-based format, with the goal of improving knowledge and comfort in interpreting corneal imaging.
Learning Objectives
· Understanding differences between topography and tomography, and which clinical scenarios require use of corneal imaging
· Understand different maps and data presented in topography and tomography, and how they are used in the diagnosis and management of corneal related anomalies
· Interpret corneal imaging in context of normal and diseased eyes (including keratoconus, corneal ectasias, pterygium, assessment prior to cataract or refractive surgery)
CanMEDS Roles
· Medical expert
· Scholar
This is a Member’s Only Section 3 MOC Accredited Activity. You must first log in to your account.
Click here for the Modules Link
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 and approved by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. You may claim a maximum of 2 section 3 credits.
CCOR Fellowship Directory
This is a sortable directory of subspecialty clinical fellowships attended by over 210 Canadian ophthalmology residents. It includes contact information for past residents who indicated they were open to being contacted by prospective fellows.
CCOR Post-residency Guidebook
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.
Cornea Surgical Video Learning Series – IOL Complications: Best Management Approaches
When: Sep 21, 2023 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Wills Eye Hospital and the University of Toronto are excited to bring you the next installment of the Cornea Surgical Video Learning Series
Co-moderated by Professor Sadeer Hannush (Wills Eye Hospital) and Professor Allan Slomovic (University of Toronto).
Keynote Presentation:
Professor Mitchell Weikert, MD
Cullen Eye Institute
Baylor College of Medicine
Guest panelists
Beeran Meghpara, MD and Aditya Kanesa-Thasan, MD (Wills Eye Hospital)
Randal Ulate, MD, FRCSC and Mojgan Hassanlou, MD, FRCSC (University of Toronto)
Surgery Case Presentations:
Alonso Gutierrez, MD (University of Toronto)
Violet Lin, MD (Wills Eye Hospital)
Register in advance for this webinar
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The evening will as usual be recorded and placed online for viewing.
If you would like to visit any of our prior series, please see the link here.
CME credits are available for the following:
· Royal College Maintenance of Certification Section 1: 7.5 hours (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)
COS 2023 – Looking Beyond VEGF Suppression: Optimizing the Patient Journey Video Now Available for Viewing
Looking Beyond VEGF Suppression: Optimizing the Patient Journey was held on Saturday, June 17 from 6:30 – 8:00 am ET at the 2023 COS Annual Meeting.
Our host, Dr. Wai-Ching Lam, joined by four international experts, discussed the following objectives:
- Outline the role of the Tie-2/ang pathway in DME and nAMD and how it may impact patient outcomes
- Identify the important biomarkers on structural OCT that can help predict treatment response in DME and nAMD
- Discuss real-world case presentations and when to switch patients from one agent to another
International Experts
- Shaheer Aboobaker, MD
- Toronto, ON
- Case presentations
- Diana Do, MD
- Stanford, CA
- Update on faricimab in diabetic macular edema and neovascular AMD
- Sunir Garg, MD
- Philadelphia, PA
- Emerging treatments for neovascular AMD
- SriniVas Sadda, MD
- Los Angeles, CA
- Biomarkers to help predict treatment response in DME and nAMD


COS 2023 Lion’s Lair Video is Now Available for Viewing
The Lions of Canadian Ophthalmology gathered on Friday, June 16 from 6:30 – 8:00 am ET at the 2023 COS Annual Meeting & Exhibition to judge three research presentations related to retinal disease.
Dr. Diana Do delivered a keynote lecture on Clinical Innovations: From Bench to Bedside ̶ The Future is Now.
Lions of Canadian Ophthalmology:
- Eric Tourville, MD (Chair)
- David Maberley, MD
- Cynthia Qian, MD
- Geoff Williams, MD
International Speaker:
- Diano Do, MD
- Stanford, CA
Canadian Researchers:
- Gareth Mercer, MD, PhD
- Marko Popovic, MD, MPH
- Matthew Quinn, MD, PhD
The Innovation in Retina Research Award is being offered by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) with the support of Bayer Inc. for clinical trainees (residents or fellows) for a research project proposal related to retinal disease, with preference being given to research that has the potential to advance knowledge about or improve the care of patients. To determine final standing, the top three selected submissions will present their research proposal during this virtual symposium and respond to questioning by our judging Lions. The symposium audience will also be able to vote for its choice of the top pitch.
CANMEDS Roles: Medical expert, Scholar
This symposium was co-developed by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and Bayer Inc. and was planned to achieve scientific integrity, objectivity and balance.
First Prize $35,000
- Dr Gareth Mercer
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto
- Microinvasive Suprachoroidal Buckling: Research and Development of a Novel Device and Technique for Retinal Detachment Repair

Second Prize $22,500
- Dr Matthew Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa
- Dysbiotic Events and the Risk of Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Population-based Study
- Audience Choice Award Winner: Additional $5,000

Third Prize $12,500
- Dr Marko Popovic
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto
- A Prospective Matched Cohort Study of Intravitreal Topotecan in the Repair of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment with Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all of our applicants! The future of retinal research certainly looks bright.

Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology Update 2024

February 23 – 25, 2024 – JW Marriot Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa – Orlando, Florida
Course Directors: Sophie Bakri, M.D., Richard TenHulzen, M.D. and Joanne Shen, M.D.
This three-day live and livestream conference offers comprehensive updates in ophthalmology and optometry that can be immediately applied to clinical practice. Topics will include neuro-ophthalmology, glaucoma, retina, cornea and external disease, oculoplastic and orbital surgery, and more.
Target Audience
Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Physicians, Residents, Fellows, Scientist Researcher PhD, Health Professionals
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the evaluation and management of patients with macular degeneration
- Describe common eyelid, lacrimal and orbital disorders
- Identify appropriate management of patients with glaucoma
Attendance at any Mayo Clinic course does not indicate or guarantee competence or proficiency in the skills, knowledge or performance of any care or procedure(s) which may be discussed or taught in this course.