One hopes that healthcare reform would have the foundation of a long-term plan based on needs, data and expert opinion. There are many forces at play that prevent this sort of process and as with so many societal directions, crisis management, short term politics and finances, power and influence drive the changes that happen.
We have encountered another crisis in healthcare related to the recent pandemic which has resulted in an even larger backlog of surgical cases. Some among us have different views about running a practice and how healthcare should be delivered and this has led to the proliferation of the private surgicenters/clinics. These centers currently tend to be physician led for-profit centers that provide medical and surgical care. The physician leaders of these centers have been understandably frustrated by a health care system that is underfunded and imperfectly managed.
It is nonetheless vital that we acknowledge and recognize that profit is an important driver for these centres (otherwise leaders would have made them non-for -profit). And it is not just about the income that is being generated for now but the appearance of profitability going forward to attract investors and groups of investors. The goal ultimately is to be bought out. And the more revenue that can be generated, the greater the selling price. The fear is that profitability will come in large part off the back of patient care. Within the confines of the Canada Health Care Act, this has to come in the form of more tests per patient and charging them for elements of services and surgeries that they may not need or truly benefit from, and the maximization of lucrative procedures such as intravitreal injections. This will also come in the form of limiting surgeons to only those few that can perform a large number of cases per day. This might change the face of ophthalmic healthcare with a core group of high-volume surgeons and clinicians that support them. There is also the risk of orphaning those more complex patients that take more time and care and are, by definition, less profitable.
DOVS is facing a difficult issue. Some physician-owners of the private surgicenters in the GTA are faculty in the department; some are full time faculty at our core sites and some have leadership positions. This has been the crux of a debate at the DOVS executive committee. Is there a conflict of interest if our academic faculty own private surgicenters? Is there a conflict of interest if they’re involved with the selection of the trainees, or if they recruit residents or fellows that they trained and influenced. The link between private surgicenters and community hospitals will allow private center owners to require new surgeons to do their clinical work at the surgicenter in order to get privileges at that hospital. We’re seeing this already in the GTA.
What policies do we need to put in place to ensure that we can appropriately train the next generation of eye surgeons without being told that the trainee surgeons are slowing down the OR? How must we provide the best care to those patients that require extra time and extra investigations and extra care without extra charges?
Our executive committee will continue to debate in order to arrive at appropriate policies. Before any policies are adopted though, it will be important to hear from everybody that has an opinion on this topic; please e-mail me at: sherif.el.defrawy@utoronto.ca. and I’ll ensure that your email will be read and considered by the executive committee.
Sincerely,
Sherif El-Defrawy, MD, PhD, FRCS(C)
Nanji Family Chair in Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences
Chair & Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences
University of Toronto
Congratulations to Dr. Neeru Gupta who has been appointed as the Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UBC. On behalf of U of T DOVS, Dr. El-Defrawy would like to thank Dr. Gupta for her longstanding dedicated service to the department.
"The Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto has provided an exciting environment filled with wonderful opportunities to grow and learn. I am grateful to my mentors, colleagues, learners, staff and patients. My connection to the department will always be strong and is a source of tremendous pride.
A very special thank you goes out to Dr. Sherif El-Defrawy for his generosity and kindness over many years. Thanks also goes to Dr. David Wong and the St. Mike’s family, which has been like home. It has been a privilege to work with exceptional glaucoma colleagues, our outstanding faculty, and all those in the community. I look forward to strengthening friendships and to building new ones in the years to come."
- Dr. Neeru Gupta
Dr. Hall Chew
"I've been fortunate to have been a part of the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto for over 20 years. I started my residency in 2002 with an amazing cohort of residents, not only in my year, but throughout my five years of residency. Upon completion of my Cornea and External Disease Fellowship, I became staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. During my 14 years at Sunnybrook and the Kensington Eye Institute, I have been honoured to have played a small part in the training of some of the best residents and fellows in the nation. I would especially like to thank everyone in the DOVS for their amazing support, dedication, leadership, and friendship throughout my career at the University of Toronto. Special thanks to all the residents and fellows, the OR and administrative staff at both KEI and Sunnybrook, the DOVS Cornea Group, all members of the Promotions and the Residency Program & Selection Committees, my teachers and colleagues, and Dr. Bill Dixon and the rest of my Sunnybrook family. You have all been an important part of this amazing chapter of my life. Peace, Love, and Happiness to all."
- Dr. Hall Chew
Dr. Hall Chew will be relocating to British Columbia in Summer 2023. On behalf of U of T DOVS, Dr. Sherif El-Defrawy would like to thank Dr. Chew for his many invaluable contributions to the department.
EDI Moments
by: Austin Pereira (PGY-3), Nupura Bakshi, and the DOVS EDI Committee
Welcome to the EDI Moments section of the DOVS Newsletter, where we shine a spotlight on local and national events that are shaping the landscape of equity, diversity and inclusion. Additionally, EDI Moments will help you stay informed on upcoming EDI-related events in Toronto so we can engage in the conversation together.
February: Black History Month
As February begins, we wish to highlight the importance of Black History Month. In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada, to honor and celebrate the many achievements and contributions made by Black Canadians, helping to create a culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous country.
This month, we honour the memory of the pioneering Dr. Patricia Bath. Dr. Bath was a trailblazer as the first Black female physician to receive a medical patent. In 1986, she developed the Laserphaco Probe, which is still used in cataract surgery today. She was also the first to bring attention to the disproportionate rate of blindness among Black communities and co-founded the American Institute for Prevention of Blindness to address inequities in the delivery of eye care.
As we commemorate Black History Month, it is important to celebrate the incredible contributions of Black physicians who have played a vital role in shaping our field. However, it is equally crucial to acknowledge and take action against the ongoing structural racism and inequity that Black physicians and patients continue to face. Black physicians are underrepresented in medicine, particularly in surgical specialties, and research has shown that they experience higher rates of discrimination and harassment. Additionally, Black patients often lack equitable access to healthcare.
“Intent, Harm, and Action: Understanding Bias, Discrimination, and Racism in Healthcare”
Join us on Feb 24, 2023 at 7:30 am for EDI Grand Rounds as we hear from Dr. Saroo Sharda, Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion at the Faculty of Health Science, McMaster University and EDI Lead, CPSO
Dr. Radha Kohly receives 2022 Fall Medical Humanities Grant
Congratulations to Dr. Radha Kohly (lead), Marko Popovic (PGY-4) and Danielle Solish on receiving the 2022 Fall Medical Humanities Grant from Postgraduate Medical Education, U of T Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Their submission: Becoming a Micro-revolutionary: Victim and Bystandard Training on Microaggressions was selected in the Fall 2022 competition for the Medical Humanities Education Grant ($5,000).
Marko Popovic (PGY-4) receives Chisholm Memorial Fellowship
Congratulations to Marko Popovic (PGY-4) on receiving the Chisholm Memorial Fellowship from Postgraduate Medical Education, U of T Temerty Faculty of Medicine. The award, valued at $7200, is presented to the top ranked resident physicians at the University of Toronto for excellence, dedication and potential in academic research, based on an evaluation of academic endeavours, comments from referees and a proposal for a proposed research study.
Ellen Zhou (PGY-4) receives William S. Fenwick Research Fellowship and Javenthey Soobiah Scholarship
Congratulations to Ellen Zhou (PGY-4) on receiving William S. Fenwick Research Fellowship and the Javenthey Soobiah Scholarship from the U of T Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
Ellen Zhou (PGY-4) receives Heathbridge Capital People's Choice Award from Fighting Blindness Foundation
Ellen also received the Heathbridge Capital People's Choice Award in the Eye on the Cure competition from Fighting Blindness Canada.
Details about the award: https://www.fightingblindness.ca/fbceyeonthecure
Austin Pereira (PGY-3), Dr. Radha Kohly and Dr. Brian Ballios receive Patient and Family Education Grant at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Congratulations to Austin Pereira (PGY-3), Dr. Radha Kohly, Dr. Brian Ballios on receiving the Patient and Family Education Grant from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The grant is to support the creation of information pamphlets for patients and families. This team has created an educational pamphlet for patients and family members affected by Retinitis Pigmentosa. These informational pamphlets will help patients and their family members learn more about their disease, prognosis and options for management. Pamphlets will also include multi-disciplinary information, such as visual rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, and low vision support options (e.g., CNIB, Vision Rehabilitation Canada, and Canadian Council of the Blind).
Dr. Stephan Ong Tone awarded High Impact Research Grant
Congratulations to Dr. Stephan Ong Tone on receiving the High Impact Research Grant from Eye Bank Association of America. To advance innovation and knowledge in sight restoration, eye banking and cornea transplantation, this grant funds one proposal at $50,000.
Saudi Ophthalmology 2022 - Invited Speaker - November 9-11, 2022
Incisional Surgery for Congenital Glaucoma
Other Pediatric Glaucoma (Post-operative, as Dysgenesis)
Congenital Glaucoma and Keratoplasy
Minimally Invasive Corneal Neurotization
Update of IOL in Pediatrics: IOL Calculation, IOL EX, New Updates of Use Multifocal IOL
Aphakia Management
Approach to Refractive Surgery in Children
MIGS in Kids: Is there a Role?
Corneal Neurotization-Surgical Management
Update on Management of SJS
COCHIOF Congress 2022 in Chile - Keynote Speaker - December 7-9, 2022
REFRACTION COURSE - The blurry face: myopia control in children
OPHTHALMOPEDIATRICS CONFERENCE - Corneal neurotization: surgical management of neurotrophic keratopathy
OPHTHALMOPEDIATRICS SYMPOSIUM - a) Corneal transplantation in children, b) Optical iridectomy, c) Difficult glaucoma surgical cases, d) Pediatric keratoconus update
CATARACT SYMPOSIUM - IOL options in children
Buys, Yvonne:
An eye on gender inequity in ophthalmology. Queen’s University, Department of Ophthalmology, November 30, 2022, Kingston, Ontario. (Visiting Professor)
Clinical management of glaucoma. Resident Rounds. Department of Ophthalmology, Queen’s University. November 30, 2022, Kingston, Ontario.
Reflections on a career in academics. 10 guiding principles. Resident Rounds. Department of Ophthalmology, Queen’s University. November 30, 2022, Kingston, Ontario.
Choudhry, Netan:
Retinal Imaging: A Journey Through Time, University of British Columbia Department of Ophthalmology Grand Rounds. Oct 14, 2022.
Markowitz, Samuel:
Biophotomodulation for dry age-related macular degeneration, Low Vision program, 25th Ophthalmology Congress of the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 11, 2022, keynote speaker
Corneal Photovitrification for dry age-related macular degeneration, Low Vision program, 25nd Ophthalmology Congress of the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 11, 2022, keynote speaker
Muni, Rajeev:
Wise-Counsel and Speaker at Update Session on Cell & Gene Therapy. Vitreo-Retinal Society India (VRSI). 2 December 2022.
Understanding Retinal Detachment and Reattachment: The Key to Improved Outcomes. Retina World Congress. 20 November 2022.
Low Integrity vs High Integrity Retinal Re-Attachment.Sociedad Panamericana de Retina y Vitreo (SPRV). Presenter and Panelist at Retinal Detachment Symposium: 18 November 2022.
Births
Congratulations to Dr. Jonathan Micieli and Dr. Stephanie Kletke on the birth of baby Leo on December 6th, 2022!
Online Rounds Schedule and Events
The 33rd Annual Jack Crawford Day Conference
Paediatrics on Steroids: Controversies in Paediatric Ophthalmology
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
To register/access the conference website, Click here
Please note that all in-person participants are required to complete an online attestation form prior to the event.
Limited complimentary registration is available for online participants from low- and lower-middle income countries.
Date: Friday, March 24, 2023
Designed for comprehensive ophthalmologists, paediatric ophthalmologists, and anyone who sees children (or likes children!), the theme in 2023 is "Paediatrics on Steroids: Controversies in Paediatric Ophthalmology" covering many relevant topics including:
• New Devices to Treat and Detect Amblyopia
• The Longview: Myopia and its Treatments
• Seeking Gain Without the Pain: Tips for Incorporating Local Anaesthetics into Strabismus Surgery
• Use of Botulinum Toxin and Bupivacaine Injections in Paediatric Strabismus
• Infectious Uveitis in Children
• Updates on JIA Screening and Treatment Guidelines
• Un-catching Fire in Non-infectious Uveitis
• Surgical Management of Posterior Uveitis
• Imaging in Paediatric Uveitis
• Atopic and Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
• Blepharokeratoconjunctivitis in Children
• For and Against - Corticosteroid Use in Children Hospitalized with Orbital Cellulitis
• Optic Neuritis in Children
Our excellent international guest speakers this year:
David Hunter, MD PhD
Professor and Vice Chair of Ophthalmology,
Harvard Medical School
Ophthalmologist-in-Chief and Richard M. Robb Chair,
Boston Children’s Hospital
Debra A. Goldstein, MD, FRCSC
Magerstadt Professor of Ophthalmology
Director, Uveitis Service
Director, Uveitis Fellowship
Department of Ophthalmology
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Ashwin Mallipatna, MBBS, MD Conference Chair, 33rd Annual Jack Crawford Day
Crystal Cheung, MD, FRCSC Conference Chair, 33rd Annual Jack Crawford Day
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE OUR 2023 SPONSORS
DOVS 65th Annual Research Day - Abstract Submission
This year, the Annual Research Day will be held in person on Friday,May 26th, 2023 at SickKids Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, 686 Bay St, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4.
The abstract submission deadline is Friday,February 24th, 2023.
Submission instructions:
1. Please go to www.ophthalmology.utoronto.ca then select “Research > Abstract Submission” to submit your abstract. Make sure you read and follow the formatting guidelines.
To ensure that we received your abstract, please also email your abstract researchkri@kensingtonhealth.org & ophthocme@gmail.comin the same format. The abstract must include the title, authors with affiliations, introduction, method, results, and discussion/conclusion. Please also indicate the type of research and the category.
Email’s SUBJECT should be: Abstract submission for UofT DOVS 65th Annual Research Day 2023 - YOUR NAME
** We will confirm your submission by replying to your email. If you do not receive confirmation within one week, please reach out to us **
We will NOT accept abstracts after 23:59 on February 24th, 2023 to be fair to those who submitted on time, and to give the judges enough time to evaluate the submissions.
2. The word limit for the body of the abstract is 400 words. Any abstract that exceeds the word limit will not be accepted, so please double-check! One figure or table will be allowed in your abstract.
3. Please declare any financial or conflict of interest for ALL authors and remember to list their credentials.
4. There will be an abstract committee that will rank the abstracts. The top abstracts will be selected for oral presentation, the rest will be selected for virtual e-poster presentation.
5. The principal supervisor of the research project must be an active University of Toronto Faculty member.
6. The prizes for different categories remain the same. They include:
Alumni Award for Best Resident Paper
John Gaby Prize for Best Clinical Fellow Paper
Best Medical Student Paper
Dr. Martin J. Steinbach Award for Best VSRP/Masters/PhD student/Research Fellow Paper
Best Poster Award
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Good luck!
Matt Schlenker
Mano Chandrakumar
Valerie Wallace
Rajeev Muni
Sherif El-Defrawy
Date: February 3, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: A fishy Christmas story and other horrors from the deep
Speaker: Dr. Asim Ali
Date: February 10, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Cornea Case Rounds
Speaker: Dr. Clara Chan
Date: February 17, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Retina
Speaker: Dr. David Chow
Date: February 24, 2023 EDI Grand Rounds
Topic: Intent, Harm, and Action: Understanding Bias, Discrimination, and Racism in Healthcare
Speaker: Dr. Saroo Sharda
Date: March 3, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Oculoplastics
Speaker: Dr. Navdeep Nijhawan
Date: March 10, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Anterior Segment/Cornea
Speaker: Dr. Brandon Ayres
Date March 24, 2023 33rd Annual Jack Crawford Day
To register/access the conference website, Click here
Date: March 27, 2023 DOVS Oncology Rounds
Topic: Lesions and Images in Ophthalmic Oncologya
Speakerw: Drs. Krema, Weisbrod, Altomare
Date: March 31, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Quality Improvement
Speaker: Dr. Brian Wong
Date: April 14, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Global Health
Speaker: Dr. Helen Dimaras
Date: April 21, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Oncology
Speaker: Drs. Hatem Krema and Fil Altomare
Date: April 28, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: AI
Speaker: Dr. David Verity
Date: May 5, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Glaucoma
Speaker: Dr. Matt Schlenker
Date: May 12, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Uveitis
Speaker: Dr. Larissa Derzko-Dzulynsky
Date: May 12-13, 2023 Cataract Appropriateness and Prioritization Symposium
Date: May 19, 2023 Grand Rounds/VPP
Topic: Paediatrics
Speaker: Dr. Nasrin Tehrani
Date: May 26, 2023 DOVS 65th Annual Research Day
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
Hospital for Sick Children
Arshinoff SA, ed. Immediately Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (ISBCS). Academic Press; 2022. (Book)
Arshinoff SA, Gupta R. IOL Power Calculation in Standard Eyes and for Immediately Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery. In: Pardianto G, editor. The Intraocular Lens Power Calculation. Medan: Anak Sudati Foundation; 2022; 33-41. (Book Chapter)
Bal S, Laíns I, Chiou C, Patel N, Rudnik ND, Kim CB, Ma KK, Ong Tone S, Begaj T, Lu Y, Armstrong GW. Video-based surgical curriculum for open globe injury repair, IV: corneal wounds. Digit J Ophthalmol. 2022;28(4). doi:10.5693/djo.01.2022.08.003
Park T, Issa M, Mikhail M, Duong S, Bedi H, Jiang S, Wylson V, Lebovic G, Lichter M. Ophthalmic findings in marginally housed women in a Canadian city.Can J Ophthalmol. 2022 Nov 25:S0008-4182(22)00339-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2022.11.005. Online ahead of print.PMID: 36442515
Yang Y, Woo JH, Ali A. Keratopathy in Noonan Syndrome.Cornea. 2022 Nov 1;41(11):1462-1464. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000003078. Epub 2022 Jul 6.PMID: 35867656
Ciftci Kavaklioglu B, Erdman L, Goldenberg A, Kavaklioglu C, Alexander C, Oppermann HM, Patel A, Hossain S, Berenbaum T, Yau O, Yea C, Ly M, Costello F, Mah JK, Reginald A, Banwell B, Longoni G, Ann Yeh E. Machine learning classification of multiple sclerosis in children using optical coherence tomography.Mult Scler. 2022 Dec;28(14):2253-2262. doi: 10.1177/13524585221112605. Epub 2022 Aug 9.PMID: 35946086
Darian-Smith E, Gouvea L, Gendler S, Alshaker S, Din N, Weill Y, Skouras N, Rabinovitch T, Singal N, Chan CC, Rootman DS. KAMRA presbyopic inlay refractive outcomes: a Canadian perspective.Can J Ophthalmol. 2022 Dec 1:S0008-4182(22)00342-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2022.11.006. Online ahead of print.PMID: 36463966
Jenkins DJA, Chiavaroli L, Mirrahimi A, Mitchell S, Faulkner D, Sahye-Pudaruth S, Paquette M, Coveney J, Olowoyeye O, Patel D, Pichika SC, Bashyam B, Maraj T, Gillett C, de Souza RJ, Augustin LSA, Blanco Mejia S, Nishi SK, Leiter LA, Josse RG, McKeown-Eyssen GE, Berger AR, Connelly PW, Srichaikul K, Kendall CWC, Sievenpiper JL, Moody AR. Glycemic Index Versus Wheat Fiber on Arterial Wall Damage in Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Diabetes Care. 2022 Dec 1;45(12):2862-2870. doi: 10.2337/dc22-1028.PMID: 36326712Clinical Trial.
Lad EM, Duncan JL, Liang W, Maguire MG, Ayala AR, Audo I, Birch DG, Carroll J, Cheetham JK, Durham TA, Fahim AT, Loo J, Deng Z, Mukherjee D, Heon E, Hufnagel RB, Guan B, Iannaccone A, Jaffe GJ, Kay CN, Michaelides M, Pennesi ME, Vincent A, Weng CY, Farsiu S; Foundation Fighting Blindness Consortium Investigator Group. Baseline Microperimetry and OCT in the RUSH2A Study: Structure-Function Association and Correlation With Disease Severity.Am J Ophthalmol. 2022 Dec;244:98-116. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.08.013. Epub 2022 Aug 22.PMID: 36007554
Roditi E, Bansal A, Potter MJ, Totah H, Strassman I, Magal I, Hanhart J, Muni RH, Brosh K. Fundus Autofluorescence Underestimates Retinal Displacement.Ophthalmol Retina. 2022 Dec 26:S2468-6530(22)00636-4. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2022.12.010. Online ahead of print.PMID: 36581080
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