About the COS

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is the national, recognized authority on eye and vision care in Canada. As eye physicians and surgeons, we are committed to assuring the provision of optimal medical and surgical eye care for all Canadians by promoting excellence in ophthalmology and by providing services to support our members in practice. Our membership includes over 900 ophthalmologists and 200 ophthalmology residents. We work collaboratively with government, other national and international specialty societies, our academic communities (ACUPO), our provincial partners and affiliates, and other eye care professionals and patient groups to advocate for health policy in Canada in the area of eye and vision health. COS is an accredited, award-winning provider of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and is an affiliate of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

Mission Statement

The mission of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is to strive toward the provision of optimal medical and surgical eye care for all Canadians by promoting excellence in ophthalmology and providing services to support its members in practice.

COS is the advocate for vision health for all Canadians.

COS advances vision health by improving Canadian eye care standards through the work of its Board of Directors, Councils and Committees, as well as ties with national and international ophthalmological and eye care organizations.

Code of Ethics

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is guided by a steadfast commitment to ethical principles. We adhere to the Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics and Professionalism and the Guidelines for Physicians in Interactions with Industry.

Message from the President, Dr. Mona Dagher

Since its formation in 1937, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) has been the unified voice for ophthalmologists across Canada. Through the provision of multifaceted and innovative educational opportunities, the COS supports our members in their efforts to provide optimal evidence-based, patient-centred eye care. As leaders in the delivery of this care, we advocate on behalf of the profession to government, regulatory bodies, and the public, on eye health and eye care delivery with the goal of improving access to the highest standard of eye care.

As a physician, your membership in COS provides you with an opportunity to contribute your expertise and experience, ensuring we reflect the diversity of our specialty. Joining Councils, Committees and Working Groups encourages collaboration so you may enjoy the professional and personal benefits of networking with your colleagues. Your membership contributions directly support the critical work being done to educate the public about eye health, to provide outstanding continuing professional development to Canadian ophthalmologists, to publish the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, and much more.

I am excited to represent you, our members, and Ophthalmology in Canada, as your President for the next two years. I look forward to serving you.

In health,
Mona Dagher, MD
President
Canadian Ophthalmological Society

What is Ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. All evaluations that purport to diagnose eye disease should be carried out by a physician. An ophthalmologist is a doctor of medicine who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye, in addition to diagnosing systemic disease that manifest in eye signs or symptoms. Since ophthalmologists perform operations on eyes, they are considered to be both surgical and medical specialists.

In fact, the only health professional trained both medically and surgically to treat eye disorders — especially the most serious eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma — is an ophthalmologist.

Ophthalmologists offer a comprehensive approach to ocular symptoms and disease.  As well as diagnosing and treating ocular disease either by medical or surgical means, ophthalmologists offer comprehensive ocular-visual assessment, which may include the prescription of corrective lenses.

Learn more about the role of an ophthalmologist in your vision care team.

In Canada, graduates of medical school must complete an ophthalmology residency to become an ophthalmologist.  The residency lasts a minimum of five years after the MD degree.

Extensive surgical experience is incorporated into the last 24 months of training to become an ophthalmologist.  Many ophthalmologists continue their training for a further 12-24 months in a variety of subspecialties.

Historically, the practice of ophthalmology has encompassed all aspects of visual function in health and disease, including refraction, orthoptics, binocular vision and strabismus. Medical and surgical treatment of disease involving the visual system and awareness of ocular manifestations of systemic disease are also an integral part of the practice of ophthalmology.

As a discipline, ophthalmology also applies to animal eyes, since the differences from human practice are surprisingly minor and are related mainly to variations in anatomy or prevalence as opposed to disease processes.

However, veterinary medicine is traditionally regulated separately in most countries, including Canada, resulting in few ophthalmologists treating both humans and animals.

History

The history and success of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) spans 87 years, dating back to its formation in 1937.

Previously, ophthalmologists had been part of the Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat section of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).  In an effort to protect the public from unqualified practitioners, the first order of business of COS was to certify its members.

In 1943, Ophthalmology officially became a specialization in medicine, which required physicians to embark on an approved course of study before receiving certification.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada was designated as the governing body for all medical specializations and worked closely with the COS in the certification process.

Although now distinct from the CMA, both groups continue to work closely together and COS members still subscribe to the CMA Code of Ethics.  COS is an affiliate of the CMA.

In 1946, the University of Toronto became the first university in Canada to offer a postgraduate degree in ophthalmology, meaning Canadians no longer had to leave the country to study.  Currently, 16 major Canadian universities have departments of ophthalmology.

Today, through the efforts of its Board of Directors, councils, committees, working groups, members, and ties with national and international eye care organizations, COS continues to work to improve the quality of eye care for all Canadians.

COS also launched a proactive media relations initiative to celebrate the 75th anniversary by reaching out to audiences with varying knowledge of COS and highlighting COS’s notable history of success in advancing vision standards for all Canadians.

Our Core Values

• Vision and Leadership
• Integrity and Respect
• Lifelong Learning

Did you Know?

COS offers unique membership benefits, a leading-edge Annual Scientific Meeting & Exhibition, a diverse range of Continuing Professional Development services and an Awards program for outstanding achievement or research excellence.

Become a Member