AGENDA
Friday, Nov. 15th
7:00 AM - 7:50 AM
Registration and breakfast
Conference check-in can be done at the registration table in the Conference Centre foyer (2nd floor). A hot buffet breakfast will be available for all registered attendees.
7:50 AM - 8:00 AM
Welcome and land acknowledgement
Conference Centre (2nd floor)
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
Corneal endothelial disease: Evolution of treatment options
Conference Centre (2nd floor)
Dr. Clara C. Chan | COPE ID: 93563-PO (1hr)
This lecture will review treatment options for endothelial disease including penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), descemets stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK), descemets membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), cultured human corneal endothelial cells (CHCEC), and descemets stripping only (DSO) with and without Rho kinase inhibitor therapy.
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Emerging diagnostic imaging and treatment in dry AMD
Conference Centre (2nd floor)
Dr. Shelley Boyd | COPE ID: 94734-TD (1.5hrs)
This lecture offers a comprehensive exploration of the latest advancements in diagnosing and treating non-exudative (dry) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). It focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of dry AMD, identifying patients at risk, and utilizing Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for staging and monitoring disease progression. Participants will also explore emerging therapies for Geographic Atrophy (GA), including treatments targeting the complement arm of the immune system, while evaluating their benefits, risks, and patient selection criteria. With a patient-centered approach, this course bridges research and clinical practice, empowering eye care professionals to enhance patient outcomes through early detection and innovative treatment of dry AMD.
10:35 AM - 11:00 AM
Bioptic Driving with Central Visual Impairment in Ontario
Conference Centre (2nd floor)
Dr. Shamrozé (Zay) Khan | COPE ID: 94902-LV (0.5hr)
This course explores driving rehabilitation for visually impaired individuals, focusing on bioptic driving. Participants will learn about the impact of visual impairment on independence, the use of bioptic telescopes, and the requirements for safe driving, including contrast sensitivity and attention. The course also covers Ontario’s Bioptic Driving Program, detailing training, assessment, and optometry's role in evaluating visual candidacy. Ideal for optometrists and low vision specialists, this course offers essential insights into supporting visually impaired drivers.
11:10 AM - 12:00 PM
A simplified OCT method for identifying and understanding glaucoma: Part 1
Conference Centre (2nd floor)
Dr. Donald Hood | COPE ID: 94005-GL (1hr)
This lecture explains how optical coherence tomography (OCT) can help clinicians diagnose and better understand early glaucomatous damage. The lecture will look at damage patterns in the optic nerve, RNFL and macula that can be revealed by OCT analysis and real-world examples will be used to better understand a new clinical printout called The Hood Report.
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Lunch and updates
Enjoy a hot buffet lunch with updates from the College of Optometrists of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Optometrists.
1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Highlights from the TFOS Lifestyle Report
Conference Centre (2nd floor)
Drs. Etty Bitton, Alex Hui & William Ngo | COPE ID: 94857-TD (1.5hrs)
The Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) Lifestyle Report offers a comprehensive review of the literature on how lifestyle factors impact ocular surface health and potential impact on dry eye disease (DED). It emphasizes the importance of understanding individual habits, including digital device usage, nutrition, elective medication and procedures, contact lens wear, cosmetics, environmental factors and more, that may impact ocular surface health and comfort. Highlights from the report will be presented to raise awareness amongst eyecare professionals about the role of lifestyle in ocular surface disease and provide evidence-based actionable insights to enhance patient care and promote proactive management strategies.
2:40 PM - 3:30 PM
A simplified OCT method for identifying and understanding glaucoma: Part 2
Conference Centre (2nd floor)
Dr. Donald Hood | COPE ID: 94007-GL (1hr)
This lecture continues to explore how optical coherence tomography (OCT) and The Hood Report can help clinicians diagnose and understand glaucomatous damage. In this second part, we look at ways to decrease uncertainty and unpack misconceptions about OCT and glaucoma.
3:45 PM - 4:35 PM
New Innovations in Myopia Management
Conference Centre (2nd floor)
Dr. Vishakha Thakrar | COPE ID: 93945-GO (1hr)
Novel treatment and management devices for myopia progression are emerging every few months in the areas of glasses, contact lenses, pharmaceuticals, and photobiomodulation. This course describes new research on myopia progression. It also discusses latest contact lens and ophthalmic lens technology. We will present a summary on new pharmaceutical research and how to incorporate this information into clinical practice. We will discuss the controversies in red light therapy. Finally, we will describe the latest tools and devices used to monitor and diagnose myopia progression.
4:55 PM - 5:45 PM
Woodruff Distinguished Lecture: Differential diagnosis of anterior blepharitis
Conference Centre (2nd floor)
Dr. Etty Bitton | COPE ID: 93417-TD (1hr)
Dry eye disease (DED) is a growing problem and a common complaint of patients consulting eye care professionals (ECP). Lid-related issues, such as debris on eyelashes from anterior blepharitis are contributing factors to tear film instability and DED. Typically, ECP are reactive to lid margin disease management. This course provides an in-depth overview of the diagnosis and management of anterior blepharitis and how a proactive approach to lid care can be beneficial at curtailing DED.
About the Annual Woodruff Lecture
The “Annual Woodruff Lecture” was established in 1994 to recognize Dr. Emerson Woodruff's many contributions to the School of Optometry and the profession he loved. Dr. Woodruff was a widely known and highly respected Canadian optometrist, educator and scientist before his recent passing in 2005. After practicing optometry in southern Ontario from 1950 to 1962, Emerson left private practice to teach and pursue a PhD degree in physiological optics at Indiana University. He joined the faculty of the School of Optometry in 1967. Emerson was Director of the Optometry Clinic from 1967 to 1974 and Director of the School from 1975 to 1981. He was instrumental both in the formation and growth of the clinical program as well as the establishment of the MSc and PhD graduate programs in vision science. Before his retirement, Emerson published over 70 scientific and professional articles, mostly dealing with the epidemiology of visual anomalies. He served on a number of government agencies and commissions and received a number of awards from the profession of optometry.
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Evening reception- Gazing and Grazing
Join us for an evening at the Varley Art Gallery, featuring works from F.H Varley (a founding member of the Group of Seven) where we will appreciate art and great company. All conference registrants and industry partners are invited to participate in this unique opportunity to enjoy great food, drinks, and self-guided tours of the gallery. Located just steps from Unionville restaurants, this reception makes a great starting point for your Friday evening! This event is made possible thanks to sponsorship from the Ontario Association of Optometrists.
RSVP to reserve your ticket and spot on the complimentary shuttle departing at 6:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and returning at 8:00 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.