Canadian Ophthalmology Curriculum Topics & Objectives

This document is the finalized list of curriculum topics and objectives for Canadian undergraduate medical education in ophthalmology. The development of this list was based off  three resources: The 2018 objective list developed by the Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology (AUPO) with endorsement from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)¹, the AUPO’s 2009 Ophthalmology Core Knowledge and Skills competencies²,and the Medical Council of Canada’s (MCC) objectives pertaining to ophthalmology³.

After a preliminary list of objectives was made based off the previously mentioned resources, a survey was sent to the members of AUPO asking for expert opinion on each curriculum objective and if they warrant inclusion. Based on this survey, talking points were created and later discussed in a virtual meeting where the list was finalized.

*Urgent and red flag conditions have been denoted with a red Asterix. These warrant urgent referral to an ophthalmologist.

Download the full PDF Document here:

Click on the links below to explore the topics:

The third fully virtual Retina Case Conference Canada will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022. Last year’s meeting had the highest RCCC attendance to date with more than 80 retina colleagues logging in from across Canada!
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In keeping with the successful RCCC model, our live Zoom program will center around surgical and medical interactive cases presented remotely by participants from across the country. Complementary to the case sessions, we are pleased to welcome international guest speakers Dr. Anat Loewenstein from Tel Aviv University and Dr. Ramin Tadayoni from Université de Paris, who will present on current topics in retina and provide commentary on our cases.

Date: November 19th, 2022

Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm EST

Speakers: Drs. Anat Loewenstein and Ramin Tadayoni

Click here for more information and to register:

Varun Chaudhary hosts three International Experts, Dr. Sunir Garg, Dr. Michael Ip, and Dr. Wai-Ching Lam with whom we will explore new surgical and non-surgical treatments for nAMD and DME, and will review the top five signs not to miss in imaging.

Do you Dare Enter the Lions’ Lair? COS 2022 The Lions of Canadian Ophthalmology gathered on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the Halifax Convention Centre to judge three research presentations related to retinal disease. Dr. Steve Houston delivered a keynote lecture on The future is now: Advances in digital health and technology. The Innovation in Retina Research Award was 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 those using digital innovations in optimizing patient care and screening.

Fuchs VIII Symposium Save-the-Date

Date: April 1st, 2023

Place: Miami, Florida

The upcoming Fuchs VIII Symposium will feature novel therapeutics for endothelial disease as well as in-depth discussions on advanced endothelial Keratoplasty techniques and clinical research, led by thought leaders in the field. 

We hope to see you in Miami, Florida, on April 1st, 2023!

July 19th, 2022

Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) Position Statement on Biosimilars

Biosimilar biologic drugs (or biosimilars*) were introduced in the Canadian market in 2009, however, the first ophthalmic biosimilar is expected to be launched in Canada in the fall of 2022. With the advent of biosimilar drugs into the Canadian market payors (government and insurers) are developing policies on how these medications are integrated into reimbursement programs for existing “innovator” or reference drugs. The trend currently seems to be toward limiting or restricting physician and patient choice in incorporating biosimilars into the Canadian market.

This seems contrary to the European experience where forced substitution has not been necessary to encourage uptake and realize significant savings.

The physician-patient relationship and a patient’s resulting confidence in their treatment plan is crucial to successful treatment. Limiting choice and mandating changes to existing successful treatment regimens undermines that confidence and could be detrimental to patient care.

In addition, given the unique immunological environment and limited tolerance for inflammation which exists with direct administration of the medication into the eye, the COS cautions against mandating large scale, automatic shifts from the reference to biosimilar medications until sufficient human experience has been accumulated to ensure confidence in safety. Furthermore, as individual patient response to medication varies, physicians must have the opportunity to switch back to the original medication if problems develop in order to prevent harm.

The COS welcomes and supports the potential of biosimilars to expand the choices available for effective treatment of eye disease in a cost-effective manner, however it is vital that payors and payor’s policies do not constrain medical choice or undermine patient confidence in treatment plans.

Created June 2022

*A biosimilar biologic drug, or biosimilar, is a biologic drug that is highly similar to a qualifying biologic drug that was already authorized for sale (known as the reference biologic drug). (Health Canada, Handbook for healthcare professionals on biosimilar biologic drugs, https://www.canada.ca/en/health- canada/services/drugs-health-products/biologics-radiopharmaceuticals-genetic-therapies/biosimilar- biologic-drugs/handbook-healthcare-professionals.html#Biosimilar_Drugs accessed June 27, 2022)

The Eye Care in Health Systems: Guide for Action provides practical, step-by-step, guidance to support Member States in planning and implementing the recommendations of the World report on vision with the goal to provide integrated people-centered eye care services.

This new resource leads Member States through a four-step process: situation analysis; development of an eye care strategic plan and monitoring framework; development and implementation of an operational plan; and establishing and maintaining ongoing review processes.

Currently, more than 2 billion people are living with a vision impairment and of these, at least 1 billion people are needlessly living with poor vision due to lack of access to eye care services. This burden is not borne equally: 90 percent of people with vision impairment or blindness live in low- and middle-income countries. Often, all that is needed is a cost-effective intervention, such as a pair of spectacles or cataract surgery.

Implementing integrated people-centred eye care has the potential to improve millions of lives worldwide and produce huge benefits for the economy, gender equity, inclusion, education and the workplace.

The Guide links to other tools developed by WHO, through consultations with international experts, including:

 The Guide currently links four resources, or tools, including:

1. Eye care situation analysis tool (ECSAT)
   Purpose: Questionnaire based survey tool to comprehensively assess eye care in a country.
2. Eye care indicator menu (ECIM) 
   Purpose: List of recommended eye care indicators to be collected regularly.
3. Package of eye care interventions (PECI)
   Purpose: Planning and budgeting for eye care at each level of the health system.
4. Eye care competency framework (ECCF)
   Purpose: Planning tool for eye care human resources based on competencies.

For more information click the link below:

Issue 2 of the 2022 Video Journal of Cataract, Refractive, & Glaucoma Surgery features highlights of the ESCRS Videosymposium bringing the viewer a smorgasbord of challenging cases, intraoperative complications, and complex problems following cataract surgery.  This action-packed program is entitled Pumping Adrenaline!  

The VJCRGS is in its 38^th year of providing the highest quality of education to anterior segment surgeons around the world.  It is a free member benefit of COS in addition to educating residents, fellows, and private practitioners every quarter. 

Table of Contents

Volume 38, Issue 2, 2022

ESCRS 2021 Videosymposium – Pumping Adrenaline Preoperative Challenges

Posterior Lenticonus……………………………………………………………………….. Dr. Ashraf Armia, Egypt

Subluxed Cataract……………………………. Drs. Victoria de Rojas, Marcelino Alvarez, Patricia Simon,

Lorea Zurutuza, Isabel Escofet, Spain Bilateral Anterior Lens Dislocation………………………….. Dr. Hazem El-Nashar, Egypt

Traumatic Cataract with Iris Loss……………………………………………….. Dr. Vladimir Pfeifer, Slovenia

Colored Iris Implant Disaster……………………………………………. Dr. Ahmed M. Abdelrahman, Egypt

Intraoperative Complications

Mature with Anterior Capsule Tear……………………………………………………… Dr. Nandini Ray, India

Fluid Misdirection with Posterior Polar………………………………………………… Dr. Sheetal Brar, India

Implantation Surprise………………………………………………………………….. Dr. Dres. Kohler, Germany

Flecked IOL…………………………………………………………………….. Dr. Lionel Raj Daniel Ponniah, India

Monster Plaque………………………………………………………………………………… Dr. Robert Osher, USA

Postoperative Surprises

Secondary Implantation following Choroidal Hemorrhage…………………. Dr. Mayank A. Nanavaty,

United Kingdom Chronic Anisometropia…………………………………………………… Dr. Ahmed H. Assaf, Egypt

Fuchs Dystrophy with Extreme Hyperopia………………………………. Drs. M. Dominques, J. Mendes,

H Luz Guimaraes, Portugal CME, Dislocated IOL, and Aphakia: 3 Techniques      Drs. MJ Quiroz-Quiroga, Jorge Armentia,

Pablo Marti, Emilio Segovia, Ana Matheu, Paula Burgos, Spain Decentration of Premium IOLs          Drs. Durval M. Carvalho Jr., Lara Picanco, Caroline Lima, Brazil

Subluxed IOL/Bag Complex with Pseudoexfoliation………………………. Dr. Evripidis Sykakis, Greece

Click here to watch the latest issue:

Registration for the 2022 Sally Letson Symposium Now Open! 

Join us for the 53rd Sally Letson Symposium chaired by Dr. Michael E Snyder, Cincinnati Eye Institute, and Dr. Mona Koaik (Co-chair), University of Ottawa Eye Institute.

This year’s topic is “Adopting Innovation: Staying Ahead Without Falling Behind”.

Learn from international speakers on topics on adapting innovation into practice in the field of ophthalmology. The program will include high-yield sessions on cataract and refractive surgery planning and techniques, subspecialty pearls and updates, and general eye care topics. 

Take advantage of our Early Bird rates and register today! Advanced registration before the meeting date is encouraged to avoid long wait times onsite. We look forward to seeing you September 8-10 in Ottawa.

Register Today

Preliminary Schedule, Accommodation and Travel Discount Information

Early Bird Deadline ends August 15