The 2026 Leadership in Advocacy Award: Dr. Phil Hooper Throughout his career, he has encouraged ophthalmologists to see advocacy not as an obligation, but as an opportunity—to improve care, influence policy, and ensure that Canadians receive the highest standard of vision health services.

Particulate matter, certain gases and other pollutants hurt our eyes as well as our lungs, Montreal ophthalmologist Dr. Marie-Claude Robert, COS member, said. Read the full article: thenarwhal.ca/climate-chan...

The 2026 Humanitarian Award: Dr. Leonard Smith For more than 40 years, Dr. Leonard Smith has been the only full-time ophthalmologist serving Canada’s Territories—providing comprehensive medical and surgical eye care to some of the most remote communities in the country.

On #EarthDay, COS highlights the need to consider environmental exposures as part of broader patient care. À l’occasion de la Journée de la Terre, SCO souligne l’importance d’intégrer les expositions environnementales dans le cadre des soins aux patients.

Surgical Skills Transfer Courses (STCs) take learning beyond the lecture. Hands-on. Case-based. Built for real-world practice. Listen: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/e... Season 6 is co-sponsored by Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson Vision. We thank them for their support.

This #NationalVolunteerWeek we’re celebrating some of the faces who’ve shaped COS over the years. These blast-from-the-past photos feature a few of our incredible volunteers. #ThankYou to all our volunteers for your time, skills, and dedication. We couldn’t do this without you. #COSVolunteers

Seasonal allergies can significantly affect ocular surface health. Les allergies saisonnières peuvent affecter de manière importante la santé de la surface oculaire.

The COS and its physician partners are calling for mandatory, transparent, and medical expert-led review of any proposed scope of practice changes to ensure alignment between training, responsibility, and patient safety. @cfpc-cmfc.bsky.social

Early bird registration is ending tomorrow. The COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition is where Canadian ophthalmologists come together to learn, connect, and stay current... don’t sit this one out. Learn more and register: cos-sco.ca/COS2026

UV exposure contributes to cumulative ocular damage year-round, not only in summer. L’exposition aux rayons UV contribue à des dommages oculaires cumulatifs tout au long de l’année, et pas seulement en été. www.cos-sco.ca/canadian-oph...

From UV radiation to air pollution and seasonal allergens, these can influence ocular surface health. Des rayons UV à la pollution de l’air, en passant par les allergènes saisonniers, ces expositions peuvent influencer la santé de la surface oculaire. www.cos-sco.ca/canadian-oph...

Congratulations to Iqbal K. Ahmed on being named in the Ophthalmologist Power List 2026! Dr. Ahmed, a COS member, is also Chair of the upcoming 57th Sally Letson Symposium and the COS is pleased to have him contributing to the program. theophthalmologist.com/power-list/2...

Healthy eating supports your eyes, but it doesn’t replace professional care. Regular eye exams are still the best way to protect your vision. Nutrition + checkups = strong eye health. Learn more: www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/u...

Une alimentation saine soutient la santé de vos yeux - mais des examens de la vue réguliers demeurent essentiels pour protéger votre vision. Pour en savoir plus : www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/u...

COS2026, what to expect: - Latest advances in ophthalmic research and clinical practice - Invited lectures from Canadian and international experts - Scientific papers and posters - Wet labs and practical workshops - Exhibition featuring leading ophthalmic technology and services cos-sco.ca/COS2026

Staying hydrated helps your whole body function, including your eyes. Drinking enough fluids supports normal tear production and comfort. Water matters more than you think. Learn more: www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/u...

Do you need eye supplements? For most people, nutrients are best absorbed through food. Some supplements are recommended only in specific medical situations. Before starting any supplement, speak with your ophthalmologist or healthcare provider. Learn more: www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/u...

A Mediterranean-style diet - rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, olive oil and fish - supports heart health. Healthy blood flow also supports your eyes. What’s good for your heart is often good for your eyes. Learn more: www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/u...

Myth vs. Fact Myth: Carrots will fix your eyesight. Fact: Carrots contain vitamin A, which helps support normal vision - but they won’t cure vision problems. Healthy eating supports your eyes, but regular eye exams are still essential. Learn more: www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/u... #NutritionMonth

Bringing together parliamentarians and health leaders representing over 650,000 providers is how we move meaningful health policy forward. Thank you for the thoughtful discussion and for championing better health care for all Canadians. 🇨🇦 #HEAL #HealthCare #cdnpoli

#FinancialFriday: Stay on top of your key 2026 tax deadlines with a physician-friendly calendar designed to keep your planning smooth and stress-free. Learn more with MD Financial: invested.mdm.ca/2026-tax-dat...

3 foods that support eye health: - Leafy greens (spinach, kale) - Orange vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes) - Fatty fish (salmon) These foods contain nutrients your eyes need to stay healthy. Learn more: www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/u... #NutritionMonth

March is Nutrition Month. What you eat can support your eye health. A diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and healthy fats helps your eyes function at their best. Learn more: www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/u... #NutritionMonth

Join us for practical tips on locums, surgical anxiety, patient complaints, leadership, EDI, and building confidence early in your career. Hear from our speakers: Dr. Stephanie Côté Dr. Lyn Sonnenberg Dr. Majd Mustafa Dr. Rishi Gupta COS2026: sites.grenadine.co/sites/cos-sc...

AMD can affect quality of life, independence, and mental well-being. Access to eye care influences diagnosis and treatment. La DMLA peut affecter la qualité de vie, l’autonomie et le bien-être mental. L’accès aux soins oculaires influence le diagnostic et le traitement.

AMD isn’t one-size-fits-all. Early diagnosis and regular eye exams matter. La DMLA se manifeste différemment selon les patients. Le diagnostic précoce et les examens de la vue réguliers sont importants.

Our Annual Forum was another successful webinar, bringing together engaging, educational content designed to offer something for everyone.

AMD isn’t one-size-fits-all. Neither is care. Personalized treatment and access to eye care are changing outcomes in Canada. La DMLA n’est pas la même pour tous. Et les soins non plus. Un traitement personnalisé et l’accès aux soins oculaires améliorent les résultats au Canada.

Hands-on learning returns to the 2026 COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition. The Skills Transfer Courses (STC) Program offers practical, small-group training led by expert faculty. Build confidence in techniques you can apply directly in practice. cos-sco.ca/COS2026

Self-Assessment Programs (SAPs) at the COS 2026 Annual Meeting and Exhibition are built for active learning, with: • Case-based, interactive sessions • Real-time feedback from expert faculty • Peer discussion and shared insights • Section 3 MOC credits cos-sco.ca/COS2026

The ACUPO Leadership Award recognizes an early-career ophthalmologist (within 10 years of practice) who has made a significant impact on the academic mission of ophthalmology at their institution. 🔹 Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 5:00 pm (EST) 🔹 Nominee approval required www.cos-sco.ca/acupo/awards/

Our latest EyeCan episode features Victoria Nolan: a four-time Paralympian, world champion rower, author and advocate for those with vision loss. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

A comprehensive eye exam goes beyond a vision test. It can assess eye pressure and evaluate the optic nerve, key steps in detecting glaucoma early. Early diagnosis can help slow disease progression and preserve sight. #GlaucomaAwarenessMonth

COS2026 registration is now open! Join us June 18–21, 2026 in Montréal for the COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition. Registration is also open for: - Surgical Skill Transfer Courses - Self-Assessment Programs Explore the program and register now: cos-sco.ca/COS2026

Your COS membership is more than access. It brings together learning, leadership, and a unified professional voice. Learn more: cos-sco.ca/membership

Knowing your risk is the first step toward protecting your vision: www.cos-sco.ca/canadian-oph... Connaître votre risque est la première étape pour protéger votre vision: www.cos-sco.ca/fr/la-societ...

EyeNovation returns with a focused trauma session. Tuesday, February 17 7-8pm ET Dr. Peter Veldman (University of Chicago) shares practical, high-yield insights from real-world ocular trauma cases, with a focus on evaluation, repair, and surgical decision-making. Open to COS members only.

Glaucoma often progresses silently, without early warning signs. Regular comprehensive eye exams are essential to detect the disease early. Le glaucome évolue souvent sans signes avant-coureurs. Les examens complets réguliers de la vue sont essentiels pour détecter la maladie tôt.

January is #GlaucomaAwarenessMonth! Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss, and it often develops without symptoms. Early detection through regular, comprehensive eye exams is the most effective way to protect your sight. Read our full press release: www.cos-sco.ca/canadian-oph...

Join us for an accredited, free webinar on the future of the COS and evolving landscape of vision care: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... Soyez des nôtres pour un webinaire agréé gratuit portant sur l’avenir de la SCO et l’évolution du paysage des soins oculaires: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

We're grateful to everyone who has supported us in our commitment to assuring the provision of optimal medical & surgical eye care for Canadians. Merci à tous ceux qui nous ont appuyés dans notre engagement visant à assurer aux Canadiens des soins oculaires médicaux et chirurgicaux optimaux.

A powerful conversation with Victoria Nolan is on the way. World champion rower, author, Paralympian, and advocate, she joins Dr. Cynthia Qian and Dr. Hady Saheb to share her journey on the EyeCan Podcast. Season 6 is co-sponsored by Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson Vision.

Elisabeth Fowler, our CEO, and Ayla Azad, CEO of the Canadian Chiropractic Association and co-chairs of HEAL, attended the Equal Voice Gala in Ottawa. They celebrated the vital role of women and gender-diverse leaders in shaping Canada’s future and the importance of inclusive leadership.

New episode: Drs. Hady Saheb and Rishi Gupta explore ergonomics in ophthalmology with Dr. Hussein Hollands, plus practical tips to prevent injury and sustain a healthy career. Season 6 is co-sponsored by Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson Vision. www.buzzsprout.com/1508230/epis...

Dr. Nina Ahuja highlights UV exposure, air pollution, and prolonged screen use as growing threats, and stresses that workplace education and simple preventive measures can help preserve long-term eye health. Read the full article: www.benefitsandpensionsmonitor.com/benefits/gro...

The COS urges federal and provincial governments to prioritize patient safety over scope expansion. “Canadians deserve one simple assurance: those performing eye surgery are the best trained,” said COS President Dr. Dagher. #SurgeryBySurgeons #VisionCare #PatientSafetyFirst

Support your patients’ understanding of diabetic retinopathy with accessible resources at See The Possibilities. This #WorldDiabetesDay, share essential info on causes, risks, diagnosis, and treatment. Find patient-friendly materials here: seethepossibilities.ca. #EyeHealth #VisionCare

Most Canadians still don’t know diabetes can lead to vision loss. Help spread the word and encourage early detection: share this article to raise awareness: www.benefitsandpensionsmonitor.com/benefits/pha...

Lest we forget🍁 Remembering and honouring the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of all the brave heroes on this Remembrance Day. #RemembranceDay #LestWeForget #HonouringHeroes

What to Know About Thyroid Eye Disease! It is an autoimmune condition that can cause changes in eye appearance, discomfort, and even vision problems. Early diagnosis and treatment by an ophthalmologist are key to preventing complications. Learn more: www.seethepossibilities.ca/thyroid-eye-...