AGENDA

View of desk with calendar and clock.

Saturday, Nov. 16th

7:00 AM - 7:55 AM

Registration & Breakfast

Conference check-in can be done at the registration table in the Conference Centre foyer (2nd floor). A buffet breakfast will be available for all registered attendees.

7:55 AM - 8:00 AM

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

8:05 AM - 8:55 AM

Navigating the Optometry Landscape: Insights from the Third Eye

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Dr. Richard Maharaj | COPE ID: 93702-PM (1hr)

This innovative lecture presents a unique approach to optometry education by integrating three perspectives: the patient, the optometrist, and an omniscient third party. Through clinical insights, evidence-based practices, and personal reflections, the presenter explores key topics such as managing patient anxiety, digital trends in healthcare (e.g., TikTok), and the emotional journey of professional self-doubt. Learners will engage in discussions, case studies, and reflective exercises to develop communication skills, deepen their empathy, and apply evidence-based practices to enhance their optometric care.

9:10 AM - 10:00 AM

Bobier Distinguished Lecture

A novel approach to identifying glaucoma based upon a large real-world OCT database from optometry cases

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Dr. Donald Hood | COPE ID: 93990-GL (1hr)

This lecture introduces a novel OCT-based method for identifying glaucomatous damage, leveraging a large real-world reference database, and explores its clinical application and future steps in addressing the challenge of a single OCT metric.

About the Clair Bobier Distinguished Lecture in Vision

The “Clair Bobier Distinguished Lecture in Vision” was created to recognize and thank Dr. Clair Bobier for his vision for the future of and his contributions to optometry.

Clair was born in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, and received his Diploma of Optometry in 1948 from the Ontario College of Optometry in Toronto, the predecessor to the School. During his first year of private practice, Clair began sharing his methodical, analytical approach to clinical practice with the students at the College. In fact, throughout his life, he retained a common sense, thoughtful approach to his home life and to his chosen profession. An approach he would quickly tell you, with a mischievous grin, that he learnt in a prairie town with an obscure name like Peapod, Saskatchewan.

Clair was one of the first Canadian optometrists to undertake post graduate research in vision science. For his MS degree, he studied at Ohio State University under Professor Glenn Fry. His exposure to this eminent optometric researcher shaped his view on the importance of the scientific approach to the optometric profession. Over the many years of dedicated service, Clair became instrumental in the development of a scientifically-based curriculum and research-oriented faculty in Canada.

Immediately after receiving the MS degree in 1956, Clair returned to teach at the Ontario College and continued to do so at the new School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo, until his retirement in 1982. Clair was extremely influential in bringing optometry to the University of Waterloo. His ideals were passed along to university and government officials in many influential briefs which did much to ensure the respect and funding necessary for the future growth of the profession within the University of Waterloo.

The School of Optometry building itself embodies in its interface of clinic and research facilities, Clair's concept of what the profession should be: excellence in modern vision care, built on a firm base of scientific understanding.

10:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Novel technologies for dry eyes

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Dr. Etty Bitton | COPE ID: pending (1.5hrs)

11:35 AM - 12:25 PM

Papilledema

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Dr. Kelly Malloy | COPE ID: 92439-NO (1hr)

This course reviews the clinical presentation of papilledema, and why it should be considered a medical emergency, even in subtle cases. This case-based presentation will demonstrate various etiologies of papilledema and discuss treatment of the underlying cause in both adults and children.

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Lunch & Trade Show

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Enjoy a buffet lunch while networking with industry representatives at our onsite trade show.

3:30 PM - 4:20 PM

Advanced diagnostics: From cell to society

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Drs. William Ngo, Jennifer Hunter, Krista Kelly & Kristine Dalton | COPE ID: pending (1hr)

Join us for an insightful session where four distinguished research-focused colleagues will present concise, high-level overviews of the latest developments in their fields of expertise. This translational research showcase will highlight practical applications of these advancements and how they can inform clinical, individual, community, and global level frameworks.

4:30 PM - 6:10 PM

To Refer or Not to Refer?

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Dr. Kelly Malloy | COPE ID: 92438-NO (2hrs)

It can be difficult to know when to refer a patient to a specialist, outpatient work-up, or to the emergency department. This case-based course lets the participants determine what they would do in each situation.