Friday, Nov. 6th

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 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

Optimizing Dry Eye Disease Management to Improve Visual and Surgical Outcomes

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Dr. Brittany Yelle

This talk is designed to educate optometrists on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of Dry Eye Disease (DED) using anti-inflammatory therapeutics and to highlight the critical role of optometrists in optimizing outcomes for cataract surgery patients, especially in regions with access challenges.

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Inherited Retinal Disease

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Dr. Kirill Zaslavsky

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

AMD: Beyond Observation—What Can We Offer Patients Now?

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Drs. Kevin Tyber, Derek MacDonald and Kirill Zaslavsky

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Lunch and updates

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Enjoy lunch while hearing updates from the College of Optometrists of Ontario (COO), the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO), and the Canadian College of Specialties in Optometry (CCSO). 

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM

Clinical Research Showcase: WEI Panel

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Drs. Vivian Choh, Paul Murphy, Nicole Noel and Michael Wang

Moderated by Dr. Austin Roorda

Explore the latest advances in vision science and eye care as leading researchers and clinicians share emerging findings and innovations shaping the future of practice. Through concise presentations, attendees will gain insight into how translational research is advancing patient care and influencing the future of the profession.

1:55 PM - 2:45 PM

Implementing the TFOS DEWS III Guidelines Into Clinical Practice

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Drs. Etty Bitton and Lyndon Jones

Dry eye disease (DED) remains one of the most frequent and challenging conditions encountered in optometric practice. With the release of the third edition of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye Workshop (TFOS DEWS III report, July 2025), clinicians now have updated, evidence-based guidance to refine how they diagnose and manage DED. In this interactive, clinically focused session, attendees will be presented with the revised definition, diagnostic and evidence-based management algorithms from TFOS DEWS III as well as clinical cases to highlight how to implement them in practice.

3:10 PM - 4:00 PM

Lids, Lenses & Little Patients: A New Era in Pediatric BKC

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Dr. Brittany Yelle

4:05 PM - 5:20 PM

Navigating the Cornea: A Panel of Perspectives

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Drs. Etty Bitton, Chelsea Bray and Brittany Yelle

This panel discussion explores the management of corneal conditions, such as irregular astigmatism, post-surgical complications, corneal scarring, and ocular surface disease. Through case-based discussion, panelists will share various clinical perspectives and practical strategies for navigating challenging patient presentations. A range of management options, from pharmaceutical therapies and office-driven devices to specialty contact lenses and surgical co-management, will be highlighted.

5:35 PM - 6:25 PM

Bobier Distinguished Lecture

Conference Centre (2nd floor)

Dr. Stephen Burns

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.