Skills transfer courses, workshops and symposia

Skills transfer courses are intended to provide intensive instruction leading to new knowledge and/or skills. These courses may be either hands-on wet labs, or interactive workshops that offer instruction, demonstration and/or discussion of surgical, diagnostic and management techniques, with supervision from an experienced facilitator and a low participant-to-instructor ratio. You must register in advance for the skills transfer courses. On-site registration is not allowed. Registration is restricted for some courses. Non-refundable fees apply.

NEW: Skills transfer courses qualify for Section 3: Performance Assessment credits. You can claim 3 credits per hour of course time!

Symposia are intended to stimulate discussion and promote an exchange of ideas between participants and facilitators. Symposia incorporate a variety of learning methods including expert lectures, case discussions, and demonstrations. Discussion is focussed on a specific topic, but participation is open to the general audience. No registration fee. Advance registration is not required.

Workshops are small group sessions intended to stimulate discussion and promote an exchange of ideas. Workshops incorporate a variety of learning methods including expert lectures, case discussions, and demonstrations. Discussion is focussed on a specific topic for a specialized audience. Advance registration is required. No registration fee.

Women in Ophthalmology Breakfast Symposium

Wednesday June 27, 0700-0800
This breakfast symposium will introduce the concept of a Canadian WIO organization, working towards the development of a shared vision and objectives. We aim to promote mentorship and camaraderie amongst women in ophthalmology, and provide opportunities for discussion about work-life issues unique to women in the medical field. Women ophthalmologists, residents and fellows are invited to attend. A hot breakfast will be served.
Advance registration required. No registration fee.

Vision Rehabilitation Symposium: Sharing from our experience and working together in low vision rehabilitation

Wednesday June 27, 1045-1215
Pier 4/5
This multi-disciplinary forum will involve short presentations of ideas, cases or issues followed by open forum discussions. Provincial, national and international aspects of low vision rehabilitation will be addressed.
Course director: Samuel N. Markowitz, MD
Intended audience: specialists in low vision rehabilitation, general practitioners of eyecare, para-medical meeting participants

Retina Workshop: Update on retinal imaging

Wednesday June 27, 1045-1215
Harbour A
This interactive course will present the latest updates on retinal imaging. Topics will include ICG imaging, OCT for AMD, autofluoresence and others.
Course director: David Maberley, MD
Registration is limited to retina specialists, practicing ophthalmologists , senior residents and fellows. Advance registration required. No registration fee.

Cataract Symposium: Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices (OVDs) in Cataract Surgery and Complications

Wednesday June 27, 1330-1500
Pier 4/5
This course will consist of a slide and video presentation of rheologic properties, classification, and varied utilization techniques for different OVD types. New OVDs, recent discoveries, and principles and techniques to prevent and manage complications and post operative IOP spikes will be covered. Ample opportunity for discussion will be available.
Objective: At the end of this session, participants will gain insight into the rheological and surgical behaviour, choice and optimal use of OVDs, which can enhance their skills in surgery and complications.
Course director: Steve Arshinoff, MD

Oculoplastics Symposium: Orbital Neuro-imaging Rounds

Thursday June 28, 1045-1215
Pier 4/5
This interactive course will focus on clinical cases. Each case presentation will be followed by a demonstration of the corresponding imaging and a discussion of the management.
Course director: E (Ted) Kassel, MD Neuro-radiologist, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
Co-director: Jeff Hurwitz, MD
Faculty: Dan DeAngelis, MD/ Nancy Tucker, MD/James Oestreicher, MD
Intended audience: oculoplastics surgeons, practicing ophthalmologists, all residents and fellows

Refractive Cornea Surgery Symposium: Preventing and Managing Complications

Friday June 29, 1045-1215
Harbour B
This interactive symposium will be geared to refractive surgeons, general ophthalmologists and cornea specialists. Topics covered will be presented in a case based format, allowing for interaction. Discussion will verse around preventing and managing ectasia, epithelial ingrowth, LASIK complications, PRK related issues as well as other techniques such as phakic IOLs.
Objective: At the end of the symposium, participants should feel more comfortable in identifying potential refractive surgery problems and their management.
Course director: Guillermo Rocha, MD
Details...

Glaucoma Imaging Skills Transfer Course

Saturday June 30, 0800-1100
Harbour A
This course has both didactic and hands-on components. After learning the different glaucoma imaging modalities, their strengths and weaknesses, participants will work in small groups to interpret test results and gain hands-on experience using the machines.
Course director: Robert Schertzer, MD, MEd
Registration is limited to practicing ophthalmologists, senior residents and fellows.
Advance registration is required. Fee: $50

• Explain the physics behind the different imaging modalities for the optic nerve and nerve fibre layer
• Decide which imaging modalities would be most appropriate for their practice
• Recognize some of the potential limitations of each device
• Interpret the data looking for glaucoma and progression

Cornea Skills Transfer Course: New techniques in corneal transplantation

Saturday June 30, 0730-1030
Marine
In this hands-on course, participants will perform ultrathin DSAEK, review current endothelial donor insertion and techniques, and use the femtosecond laser to create cornea incisions. Advantages and disadvantages of each of these technologies will be reviewed.
Course director: Rusty Ritenour, MD
Registration is limited to corneal surgeons and cornea fellows.
Advance registration required. Fee: $100

Objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Perform mircokeratome cuts for ultrathin DSAEK.
• Describe the use, advantages and limitations of DSAEK insertion devices.
• Discuss the use of the femtosecond laser for corneal transplant surgery and astigmatic keratotomy.

Cataract Skills Transfer Course 2012: Iris Repair and Pupilloplasty Surgical Techniques*

Saturday June 30, 1000-1200
Harbour B
This course will enable the attendee to develop skills in surgical repair of functional iris defects. Attendees will use suggested instrumentation and sutures to perform iris suturing techniques and tying methods.
Course directors: Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed, MD and Lindsay Ong-Tone, MD
Registration is limited to practicing ophthalmologists; residents may register if room.
Advance registration required. Fee: $100

Objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Improve their skills in surgical repair of functional iris defects.

*PLEASE NOTE: Attendance at the Surgical Teaching Series session "Iris Repair and Pupilloplasty Surgical Techniques" on Friday, June 29, 2012, 1545-1715, is a prerequisite for this course.