Dr. Helen Dimaras discusses how empowering Retinoblastoma survivors and their families to have a greater role in the decision-making process of research projects has led to more inclusive, high-quality, and translatable results. The Canadian Retinoblastoma Research Advisory Board (CRRAB) is co-directed by patients, clinicians, allied healthcare providers, researchers, patient engagement experts, and policymakers. About the guest: Helen Dimaras, PhD Dr. Helen Dimaras is Associate Professor and Director of Global Health in the Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. She is cross-appointed to the Division of Clinical Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public …

Why Patients Can (and Should) Become Researchers, Discussion With Dr. Helen Dimaras Read more »

Victoria Nolan shares her story of vision loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa and how she was drawn to start rowing at age 30, eventually earning a spot on the Canadian national adaptive rowing team. Victoria further shares stories of her experience as a guide dog handler and her current training for the Tokyo Olympic Games. About the author: Victoria was born with a degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa, but she asserts that facing the challenge of going blind was actually an opportunity – a chance to develop her grit and inner strength. Her determination propelled her to pursue excellence on …

Retinitis Pigmentosa, Rowing For Gold and Olympic Dreams – Victoria Nolan Read more »

Dr. Stephen McIntosh provides a high-level overview of Age-related Macular Degeneration, Including modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, basic treatment approaches, a scientific explanation for the cause of the disease, and thoughts on why the disease etiology is complicated and not completely understood. About the Guest: With international experience in eye care, cross-disciplinary research, and healthcare philanthropy, Dr. McIntosh brings a broad perspective to small-town eyecare, spending the past decade practicing optometry in small communities of rural Newfoundland.   His interests include disease prevention and health promotion through primary eye care, optics and the optical industry, as well as bioethics and health care …

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) – Dr. Stephen McIntosh Read more »

Andre Larente, President of DIAGNOS, explains how artificial intelligence is impacting the field of ophthalmology, enabling for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and other blinding eye diseases. Mr. Larente further explains how his companies technology can detect early signs of non-ocular conditions, including stroke. About the guest: André Larente. President, CEO, DIAGNOS Inc. Mr Larente has been active in the information technology sector for more than 26 years. He has previously held leading management positions with companies such as Siemens, Syscan International, Newbridge Networks, Legent Corporation, Cognos, Tandem Computers and Honeywell Information Systems. Mr. Larente is the President of …

Artificial Intelligence Meets Ophthalmology With DIAGNOS Read more »

Dr. Cynthia X. Qian shares an in-depth overview of Retinitis Pigmentosa, highlighting potential treatment approaches at various stages of disease progression. Dr. Qian further describes the first approved gene therapy for a specific type of Retinitis Pigmentosa and how this therapy sets the stage for targeted gene therapies for various inherited retinal dystrophies in the near future. About the Guest: Cynthia X. Qian is an assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and the head of the electrophysiology laboratory, the inherited retinal diseases service, and the pediatric retina service at the University of Montreal. She is the current Vice President …

Retinitis Pigmentosa: The Arrival of Gene Therapy and What Comes Next – Dr. Cynthia X. Qian Read more »

Dr. Stephen McIntosh explains what dry eye is and how it can be recognized and treated, drawing on years of experience as an optometrist practising in diverse rural and urban settings. About the Guest: With international experience in eye care, cross-disciplinary research, and healthcare philanthropy, Dr. McIntosh brings a broad perspective to small-town eyecare, spending the past decade practicing optometry in small communities of rural Newfoundland.   His interests include disease prevention and health promotion through primary eye care, optics and the optical industry, as well as bioethics and health care philosophy.   His research background ranges from eco-toxicology and fish …

Dry Eye: What Is It and What Can Patients Do About It – Dr. Stephen McIntosh Read more »

Greg Dubecky sheds light on raising a child with low vision, trying to understand retinitis pigmentosa research as a layperson and the need for knowledge transfer in ophthalmology.

Dr. Natalia Villa shares her experience working as a retinal surgeon in the United Kingdom during the first wave of COVID-19 and then in Canada during the second wave. Dr. Villa further shares stories of retinal implants that never made it to market, patents that may never make it to the clinic, the rise of technology in ophthalmology, and a high-security visit centered around John Lennon‘s glasses.

In this episode, Dr. Flavio Rezende explores the current state of affairs for retinal implants in Canada and worldwide, highlighting some of the benefits and limitations of the technology. Dr. Rezende further provides an overview of gene therapy for inherited retinal dystrophies, explaining why such treatments seem to advance slowly and how the recent pandemic and improved access to genetic testing may accelerate the development of additional sight-saving ocular gene therapies. About the Guest: Associate Professor at Department of Ophthalmology, University of Montreal Dr Rezende was the first surgeon to perform a retinal implant surgery in Quebec, Canada. His …

Retinal Implants, Ocular Gene Therapy, and the Importance of Genetic Testing for Inherited Retinal Dystrophies – Dr. Flavio Rezende Read more »

In this episode, Dr. Rubens Belfort talks about OncoPhone: A simple, free, easy-to-access service for regional ophthalmologists who require clinical advice about suspected ocular cancers. Dr. Belfort explains why he pioneered this initiative in the field of ocular oncology in Brazil, how the initiative has been received, how it has helped ophthalmologists and patients, and how others can do the same for other rare ocular diseases. How WhatsApp has improved patient care in ocular oncology Pushing the envelope to provide better patient care Adapting to telemedicine The need for rapid consultation in ocular oncology and beyond About the Guest: …

Ocular Oncology: A Simple Tech Solution To a Faster Diagnosis – Dr. Rubens Belfort Read more »