Office-based Laser and Minor Surgical Procedures for Optometrists course

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March - May 2026 

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Hybrid Course

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36.5 hrs COPE* CE

Expand your expertise in laser procedures for anterior segment disease and minor surgical techniques for eyelid lesions through this thoughtfully designed hybrid course. Earn 36.5 hours of COPE* CE credit and a certificate in anterior segment laser and minor surgical procedures while strengthening your ability to co-manage patients, enhance clinical knowledge and communicate treatment options with confidence.

This program offers a carefully paced learning experience, combining self-paced pre-modules, live online interactive lectures, and a focused in-person hands-on weekend (Friday/Saturday) in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. This structure allows you to engage with content in manageable segments and then apply your knowledge during immersive workshops, minimizing time away from clinic while maximizing learning. 

This course is taught by a team of experienced optometrists trained in these procedures, joined by well-known experts Drs. Richard Castillo and Sophia Leung. A licensed family physician also contributes to the program, ensuring participants benefit from a broad range of clinical expertise.

Spring 2026 Dates

  • Self-paced pre-modules (online) – March-April 2026 | 9.5 hours CE  
    • Access to online self-directed modules opens approximately six weeks prior to the due date
  • Online interactive lectures (Zoom) – April-May 2026 | 15 hours CE  
    • Three weekday evenings plus one Saturday session
    • Designed for convenience, with flexible options if you cannot attend live. Please contact us for more information.
  • Hands-on lab-based workshops & review (Waterloo, ON) – May 8-9, 2026 | 12 hours CE
  • Exam – May 11, 2026 (online, must be completed between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.)

Course Fee

$2,200 + HST

  • Includes all course components, suturing kit for practice (provided at the workshops), and a Friday evening mixer dinner in Waterloo. Preferred hotel rates will also be available.

Eligibility

Participants must be Canadian licensed optometrists in good standing and/or hold an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution. Please consult your practicing jurisdiction to determine how this training may apply within your current scope of practice.

*COPE accreditation pending; an application for COPE accreditation for all CE hours is submitted annually. Recognition may vary by province.

Waitlist

Interested in joining us but unable to attend these dates? Add yourself to the waitlist to be one of the first to know when the next session’s dates are set!

For questions, please contact us at ce.optometry@uwaterloo.ca.

Who will this benefit?

Who will this benefit?

Any Canadian licensed optometrist in good standing  

Must have an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution.  

Please consult your practicing jurisdiction to determine whether the skills taught in this course fall within your optometric scope of practice. 

Program details

Course Hours Breakdown

Minor Surgical Procedures: 22.5 hours CE

  • Online Pre-modules: 6.5 hours
  • Virtual Lectures: 10 hours
  • In-person Labs: 6 hours

Laser Procedures of the Anterior Segment: 14 hours CE

  • Online Pre-modules: 3 hours
  • Virtual Lectures: 5 hours
  • In-person Labs: 6 hours

Plus: 

  • Review Session: 1 hour
  • Exam time: ~2 hours

Total COPE-accredited* CE: 36.5 hours

Overall course time commitment: approximately 40 hours

*COPE accreditation pending; an application for COPE accreditation for all CE hours is submitted annually. Recognition may vary by province.

Self-study modules (asynchronous)

Minor Surgical Procedures

  • Minor Surgical Module 1: Anatomy of the Skin – 1 hour  
  • Minor Surgical Module 2: Anatomy of the Face, Orbit, Periorbital tissues and Eyelids – 1 hour
  • Minor Surgical Module 3: Neoplasia of Lids – 0.5 hour
  • Minor Surgical Module 4: Pharmacology Review – 1 hour
  • Minor Surgical Module 5: Introduction to Optometric Surgery: Considerations, Instrumentation and Safety – 2 hour
  • Minor Surgical Pre-lab: Oculofacial Biopsy Analysis (Virtual clinic lab) – 1 hour

TOTAL: 6.5 hours

Laser Procedures of the Anterior Segment

  • Laser Module A: Laser Technology and Safety – 1 hour
  • Laser Module B: Gonioscopy Review and Interpretation – 1 hour
  • Laser Module C: Laser Tissue Interactions – 1 hour

TOTAL: 3 hours  

Live virtual lectures (synchronous virtual)

Minor Surgical Procedures

  • Fundamentals of Periorbital Surgery – 1 hour
  • Office-based Local Anesthesia – 1 hour  
  • Review of Surgical Anatomy of the Orbital and Face – 1 hour
  • Tissue Harvesting – 0.5 hour
  • Tumours of the Lid – 2 hours  
  • Introduction to Oculofacial Biopsy – 0.5 hour
  • Radiosurgical Technology in Optometric Practice – 0.5 hour
  • Chalazion Management – 0.5 hour
  • Video Grand Rounds and Surgical Applications – 2 hours

TOTAL: 10 hours

Laser Procedures of the Anterior Segment

  • YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy – 1 hour  
  • Interpreting challenging angles: gonioscopy and new technologies – 1 hour  
  • Challenging Gonio Cases – 0.5 hour
  • Laser Therapy in Narrow Angles/Angle Closure: LPI & gonioplasty – 1 hour  
  • Laser Therapy for Open Angle Glaucoma/s: ALT & SLT – 1.5 hour

TOTAL: 5 hours 

Lab-based workshops (synchronous in-person)

Minor Surgical Procedures

  • Suturing Techniques – 2 hours
  • Suturing – 1 hour
  • Injections – 1 hour
  • Radiosurgical – 1 hour
  • Self-study – 1 hour

TOTAL: 6 hours 

Laser Procedures of the Anterior Segment

  • Advanced Anterior Chamber Assessment: Advanced Gonioscopy – 1 hour
  • Advanced Anterior Chamber Assessment: Anterior Seg Imaging – 1 hour
  • Laser Techniques and Applications: General Laser – 1 hour
  • Laser Techniques and Applications: YAG Capsulotomy – 1 hour  
  • Laser Techniques and Applications: Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) – 1 hour
  • Laser Techniques and Applications: Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT, SLT) – 1 hour

TOTAL: 6 hours

Final exam (includes review session)
  • Minor Surgical Procedures
  • Minor Surgical Procedures Review (0.5hr) and Transcript-quality Exam (1hr) – 1.5 hours
  • Laser Procedures of the Anterior Segment
  • Laser Procedures Review (0.5hr) and Transcript-quality Exam (1hr) – 1.5 hours

Advanced Procedures Certificate course totals
  • Minor Surgical Procedures – 24 hours
  • Laser Procedures of the Anterior Segment – 15.5 hours  
  • Total course hours – 39.5 hours
  • Total COPE CE Credits – 36.5 credits