This year, World Sight Day (October 10, 2024) focuses on children’s eye health around the world. We want to highlight and review the existing guidelines for the screening of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). These guidelines, developed by key organizations in ophthalmology, aim to ensure early detection and management of ROP in preterm infants to prevent life-long visual impairment and blindness. Please note that this review reflects current clinical recommendations from leading bodies and is not a COS policy or official guideline.

Screening Eligibility

Screening is recommended for infants at the highest risk of developing ROP. The criteria include:

• Gestational age: ≤30 6/7 weeks
• Birth weight: ≤1500 grams
• Neonatal risk factors: Infants born at >1500 grams or >31 weeks may still require screening (eg, infants with hypotension or those who received oxygen supplementation)

Initial screening: The first eye exam is recommended at either 31 weeks’ postmenstrual age in infants with gestational ages less than 26 6/7 weeks at birth, and at four weeks of chronological age in infants born with a gestational ages of 27 weeks or more, whichever is later.

Follow up intervals depend on the severity of the ROP observed in the initial exam.

As we recognize World Sight Day, it is important to remember that infants who develop ROP are at a higher risk of visual disorders such as: strabismus, amblyopia, high refractive errors, cataracts and glaucoma. By raising awareness and ensuring early detection and treatment, we can help protect the vision of these vulnerable children and work towards a world where everyone has access to eye care.

Reviewed by: Dr. Marie-Josée Aubin, MD (Chair), Dr. Cynthia Qian, MD (CPD Council Chair)

References:

Jefferies, A. L. (2016). Screening examination of premature infants for retinopathy of prematurity. https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/retinopathy-of-prematurity-screening

Subramanian, S., Kern, M. D., & Deegan, W. F. III. (2023). Retinopathy of prematurity guidelines. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/976220-guidelines

The field of ophthalmology is constantly evolving, with new techniques, technologies, and best practices emerging regularly. To help ophthalmologists stay at the forefront of their profession, we are proud to introduce “EyeNovation: International Webinar Series for Ophthalmic Expertise.”

This innovative webinar series aims to connect ophthalmologists from around the world, fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration. Each webinar will feature renowned experts presenting on cutting-edge topics and sharing their invaluable experiences.

We are thrilled to announce our inaugural webinar, “Pearls from the Trenches: What I’ve learned from doing complex cases,” presented by esteemed ophthalmologist Dr. Steven Safran. With years of experience tackling challenging ophthalmic cases, Dr. Steven Safran will share the lessons he has learned and provide practical insights to enhance attendees’ clinical practice.

The webinar took place on September 30th from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST and included a live Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with Dr. Safran.

By attending this webinar, ophthalmologists will:

1. Gain valuable insights from a leading expert in the field
2. Learn practical strategies for managing complex ophthalmic cases
3. Connect with colleagues from around the globe
4. Enhance their clinical knowledge and skills

You can enjoy a recording of the webinar below:

Did you miss this live 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.

A refreshing new MOC program, delivered by the internationally renowned Shaw Festival, is launching with a 15-hour course this Fall! Come to Niagara-on-the-Lake for this inaugural event, co-created with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, which focuses on meaningful learning through skills and tools found in the performing arts. The Theatre of Medicine program has been approved for University of Toronto accreditation.

Aligning with emergent quality improvement (QI) guidelines, this unique approach to communication and interpersonal skills training goes beyond patient simulation and role-playing to provide tools that can make an immediate, practical difference.   

Learning outcomes will cover:

• Physician Well-being
• Professional Practice
• Interpersonal skills and communication 

Looking for more information? Click HERE for details on registration, course information and travel!

Thank you for attending the Sally Letson Symposium. We greatly appreciate your participation. The 56th Sally Letson Symposium will take place from September 11-13, 2025. Please save the date for next year’s event, and we look forward to welcoming you again!

Join us for the 55th Sally Letson Symposium chaired by Dr. Ian Clark, University of Manitoba, and Dr. Solin Saleh (Co-Chair), University of Ottawa.

This year’s topic is “Pediatric Ophthalmology – Making a difference that lasts a lifetime.” Over the course of 2.5 days, the program will delve into the realm of paediatric ophthalmology. Esteemed guest speakers will deliver captivating lectures and presentations, fostering interactive learning and encouraging critical thinking. Seize the opportunity to enrich your knowledge and skills in this vital field.

Location: Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4

Date: September 19 – 21, 2024

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]

Photo credit: Roman Makedonsky
The image used in our annual meeting branding is of a mortuary pole carved by famed Indigenous artist Bill Reid and his assistant Werner True. It can be found in Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. We encourage our members to visit the pole and learn more about the importance of mortuary poles to the West Coast Haida peoples.

The COS Annual Meeting will take place from June 19 – 22, 2025 in beautiful Vancouver, BC.

Join us at the Vancouver Convention Centre where ophthalmologists and eye care professionals from across the spectrum of vision health, from research to patient care, will come together. 

This meeting boasts an outstanding international and Canadian faculty presenting the latest in ophthalmic research and practice. The COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition includes invited lectures, scientific papers, wet labs and workshops, as well as networking opportunities and an extensive exhibition of ophthalmic equipment and services.

The Call for Abstracts is now open, to submit an abstract or find out more, click HERE.

Learning objectives:

By participating in this year’s meeting, attendees will:

• Integrate into their practice, knowledge and skills gained from the sharing of Canadian and international research and scientific studies
• Discuss recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases
• Compare and contrast core concepts, new advances and clinical experiences by networking with colleagues and internationally renowned keynote speakers
• Enhance or develop new skills through innovative hands-on learning experiences in Self-Assessment Program (SAPs) and Surgical Skills Transfer Course (STCs)
• Appraise new and innovative technology and discuss developments in treatment and medical devices with industry representatives in the Exhibition Hall

For more information such as program scheduling, registration, and travel, click HERE.

Wills Eye Hospital and the University of Toronto are excited to bring you the next installment of the Cornea Surgical Video Learning Series:

Date: Thursday, September 19th 2024
Time: 19:30 – 21:00 EST
Location: Virtual

Keynote Presentation:
Professor Michael Snyder, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati

Guest panelists: Joshua Teichman, MD FRCSC and Randal Ulate, MD (University of Toronto),
Zeba Syed, MD and Brenton Finklea, MD (Wills Eye Hospital)

Surgery Case Presentations: Rohini Sigireddi, MD (Wills Eye Hospital), Mor Baraket, MD(University of Toronto)

Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ABOjHTL9Rmu7NS9Oh9V1Ag

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:

https://ophthalmology.utoronto.ca/subspecialty-rounds

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)

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

Resident Perspectives + visual abstract: Our talented team of residents have summarized 3 articles from this issue with a focus on what’s most relevant to ophthalmology learners here in Canada and around the globe. In addition, our August visual abstract provides a visual summary of an article on the Epidemiology of ocular emergencies in a large Canadian eye centre.

Reviews and Original Research Articles:

• Advances in conjunctival melanoma: clinical features, diagnostic modalities, staging, genetic markers, and management
• Advances in multimodal imaging for diagnosis of pigmented ocular fundus lesions
• Research productivity of first-year Canadian ophthalmology residents: a 12-year trend
• Visualization of preretinal membranes using trypan blue in patients with traction retinal detachments
• Artificial intelligence chatbot performance in triage of ophthalmic conditions
• Retinal and choroidal microvascular changes during pregnancy detected with OCTA

Research Letters, Photo Essays and Case Reports:

• Performance of three artificial intelligence chatbots on Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program materials
• Scleral patch graft for emergency open-sky repair
• Cavitary ciliary body melanoma with extensive pigment dispersion
• Acute macular neuroretinopathy following uncomplicated epiretinal membrane removal
• Bilateral circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas in 2 patients: a rare finding
• 532-nm laser for sub-internal limiting membrane hemorrhage associated with retinal macroaneurysms
• Syndromic PRD: case report of McArdle retinopathy and review of literature

Follow the CJO on social media:

Facebook: CanJOphth

Instagram: @cjo_jco

LinkedIn: CJO – JCO

Twitter: @CanJOphth

Researchers at LMU Munich are looking for ophthalmology professionals for an online qualitative study on artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmology. To understand ophthalmology professionals’ perceptions of AI and to identify relevant factors for a successful integration of AI tools in clinical practice, the research team conducts online interviews (20-25 min) with ophthalmology professionals (e.g., ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses/technicians/assistants, optometrists). Participation does not require any previous experience or knowledge of AI. Participants will receive a $20 Amazon gift card and the chance to win another $50 gift card. Ophthalmology professionals interested in participating can access more information and sign up HERE.

Date: September 23 – 27, 2024

Location: Montreal, QC (in-person)

The Cours de révision en ophtalmologie (CROUM) is a refresher course for French-speaking ophthalmologists and ophthalmology residents from around the world who would like to improve their knowledge. This intensive, 5-day training is being offered by the University of Montreal in Montreal, QC.

The program offers a thorough and modern review of the clinical sciences of ophthalmology, including all of the latest knowledge in the field. While the relevant, basic sciences are covered, the approach remains practical and applicable to your patients. To view more about the program, click HERE.

To view more information about registration for this program, click HERE.

Please note that this course will only be offered in French.