Advocacy is essential for protecting and advancing ophthalmology as a profession. Whether addressing patient access to care, healthcare system sustainability, or funding for vision research, your voice can make a difference. Engaging with policymakers ensures that ophthalmology remains a priority in healthcare discussions.
Webinar Recording: Strengthen Your Advocacy Skills Ahead of the Federal Election

Join Our Exclusive Webinar for COS Members and Residents
COS is pleased to provide this Advocacy and Government Relations webinar for the upcoming Federal Election. This event was offered exclusively to COS members and Residents on April 16th, 2025.
We are living in unprecedented times—facing evolving healthcare challenges, an aging population, and a rapidly changing political landscape. With the upcoming federal election serving as a pivotal moment for Canadians, this is a unique opportunity to unite in shaping the future of vision health and ophthalmology.
This accredited webinar designed to equip you with the skills and key messages needed to advocate effectively with local and provincial policymakers. Your voice is critical in ensuring that ophthalmology and vision health remain a priority on the national agenda.
Did you miss this webinar? Not to worry! A recording is available for our members and residents to view below.

Nina Ahuja, MD
COS Chair, Council on Advocacy
COS Board of Directors
Dr. Ahuja leads the COS Advocacy Council and advises the Board of Directors on COS’ advocacy and government relations initiatives. She recently developed a framework for implementing Canada’s National Eye Care Strategy, along with other key submissions to the federal government.
Learn more about COS’ advocacy work here.

Brett Hartley, Manager, Public Affairs
Impact Public Affairs
Brett Hartley is a seasoned government relations professional with a deep passion for Canadian politics, public policy, and relationship-building. With over a decade of political experience, including significant time on Parliament Hill, he has worked closely with municipal, provincial, and federal officials to drive impactful initiatives and deliver meaningful results for both policymakers and clients.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
- Understand how to effectively communicate key issues to government officials and policymakers
- Learn best practices for securing and conducting successful meetings with elected officials
- Gain insights into the current political landscape and how it affects our ophthalmology profession

2025 ASOT Eye Trauma Annual Meeting
Submitted by: Félix Plamondon

2025 ASOT Eye Trauma Annual Meeting
The American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma (ASOT) invites physicians around the world to participate to their fourth meeting on eye trauma. Many learning opportunities on sports eye injuries, prevention and management of ophthalmic trauma will be offered throughout the meeting.
Date: May 9 – 10, 2025
Location: Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation and Education (MITIE) in Houston, Texas (6670 Bertner Avenue).
Important Information: The Annual Meeting registration closes on May 5th. There is a maximum of 40 attendees that can register for the damage control and reconstruction skills transfer lab (wet lab course). The early-bird pricing for registration ends on April 21st. This activity is recognized by the American Medical Association and can be counted for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.
Learning Objectives:
- Enhance your management and control of ocular trauma by learning or practising sophisticated surgical techniques with the wet lab course offered at the meeting.
- Stay updated on the newest breakthrough in ocular trauma by learning advancements from expert’s conferences and training throughout the two days.
- Connect with people in the field of eye traumatology around the globe to make great contacts for further collaboration.
Get all the details for the registration process and full schedule of the meeting here: https://theasot.com/2025-annual-meeting-information-page/
56th Sally Letson Symposium

Join us from Thursday, September 11 – Saturday, September 13, 2025
This year’s topic is Uveitis – Cells, Haze, and Macular Edema: Seeing the Bigger Picture
Over the course of 2.5 days, the program will delve into the realm of ophthalmology with top experts, captivating lectures, interactive learning and cutting-edge insights that will elevate your learning and practice. Seize this opportunity to enrich your knowledge and skills in this vital field, all while earning Section 1 MOC credits!
Learning Objectives
At the end of the symposium, participants will be able to:
- Assess and differentiate between common and uncommon presentations of uveitis, and apply appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies to enhance patient care.
- Analyze recent advancements in uveitis research, including novel therapies, immunosuppressive treatments, and emerging diagnostic techniques, and integrate new findings into clinical decision-making.
- Describe the complexities of uveitis and its impact on vision and overall health, demonstrate effective patient communication strategies, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive, patient-centered care plans.
CanMEDS: Medical Expert, Scholar, Communicator
Target Audience: This symposium is designed for attendance by ophthalmologists, ophthalmology fellows and residents, optometrists, orthoptists, medical students, technologists, nurses, and other allied health professionals.
Get a sneak peek at the preliminary program! Click here for more information.
Location: Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4
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]
35th Annual Jack Crawford Day Conference

Join your fellow members of the U of T and SickKids Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences communities for a full day of professional development and networking opportunities. This conference honours the late Dr. Jack S. Crawford, former Ophthalmologist-in-Chief for the Hospital for Sick Children, whose career was dedicated to advancing the specialty of pediatric ophthalmology and the care of children’s eye problems.
The 35th Annual Jack Crawford Day will focus on the theme “Every Angle, Every Child: Recent Advances in Kinder Eye Care.” The day will include topics relevant to both pediatric and general eye specialists including pediatric refractive surgery, intrascleral fixation IOL in children with zonular deficiency, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in children, tips and pearls from 42 years in strabismus practice, 2025 PEDIG updates, virtual reality perimetry, anti-VEGF and systemic implications for ROP, pneumatic retinopexy and a few more
Date: April 4th, 2025 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (E.T)
Location: The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning Auditorium in Toronto, ON (686 Bay Street)
Speakers: Drs. Sean Donahue, Manoj Parulekar and Stephen Kraft
In-person and online registration is available for this event.
For more information, such as registration, click HERE.
DOVS CORNEA ROUNDS – no rounds for this week
Date:
Time:
Title:
Speaker:
Zoom Link to Register:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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.
Low Vision Rehabilitation Journal Club – VIA ZOOM
The Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto would like to extend an invitation to you, your colleagues, fellows, residents and students to join them in the Low Vision Rehabilitation Journal Club.
Date: Wednesday, March 26th, 2025
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 PM ET
Topic: Neuroplasticity in vision rehabilitation
Speaker: Drs. Ghaliah Nsour and Sangeetha Santhakumaran
Learning Objectives:
- To discuss the new scientific evidence of brain plasticity through increase of cortical activity provoked by biofeedback training on the microperimeter;
- Home-training of direction discrimination in cortically blinded fields as a benefit against the transsynaptic retrograde regeneration post-stroke.
To register in advance for this webinar, click HERE.
The VPP Grand Rounds Local and Visiting Professor Program is a self-approved group learning activity (Section1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This activity is accredited for Section 1 MOC credits. You may claim a maximum of 1 hour.
DOVS GRAND ROUNDS – no rounds for this week
Date:
Time:
Title:
Speaker:
Zoom link:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Objectives:
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.
DOVS RESIDENT TEACHING – IN PERSON – No teaching this week
Date:
Time:
Location:
Title:
Speakers:
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.
DOVS CORNEA ROUNDS – No Sutures, No worries: Mastering Flanged Scleral Fixation – VIA ZOOM
Date: Thursday, March 27th, 2025
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Title: No Sutures, No worries: Mastering Flanged Scleral Fixation
Speaker: Professor Adi Einan Lifshitz
Zoom Link: Register in advance for this webinar
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Objectives:
1. Understand the Principles and Indications for the Flange scleral fixation technique Master the Surgical Steps;
2. Recognize Complications, Postoperative Care and tips for success.
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.