Skills transfer courses

COS Surgical Skills Transfer Courses (STCs) are physician-developed and physician-led hands-on wet-labs or interactive workshops that offer instruction, demonstration, discussion and simulation of surgical, diagnostic and management techniques. Topics can include any ophthalmic surgical technique. COS has developed the STCs with the overall goal of providing intensive instruction leading to new knowledge and/or skills.

Delivered as part of the COS Annual Meeting, STCs are planned and facilitated independently by the STC Chair, AMPC Session Chair and STC Course Directors, according to Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s (RCPSC) accreditation guidelines. STCs are accredited for Section 3 – Simulation credits of the MOC Program as designated by the RCPSC.

COS first introduced surgical STCs during the 2010 Annual Meeting and was the recipient of a 2014 Royal College Accredited CPD Provider Innovation Awards in recognition of its Surgical Skills Transfer Courses. These awards recognize innovative educational and administrative policies, processes, resources and tools implemented by an Accredited CPD Provider.

Micro and Less Invasive Glaucoma Surgery

Friday, June 1, 10:45 am–12:15 pm • Room 701 B
SOLD OUT – Wait list available

CANMEDS ROLES: Medical Expert, Professional

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

  • Describe the indications, advantages, disadvantages, and post operative management for CyPass suprachoroidal shunts, iStent implants, and Gonioscopy Assisted Transluminal Trabeculectomy (GATT)
  • Apply and learn the technique involved in performing these micro and less invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS and LIGS) procedures
  • Integrate simulation-based learning of MIGS/LIGS into residency/fellowship training programs

COURSE DIRECTORS
Matthew Schlenker MD
Jing Wang MD

INSTRUCTORS
Graham Belovay MD
Xavier Campos-Möller MD
Marjorie Carbonneau MD
Toby Chan MD
Bryce Ford MD
Patrick Gooi MD		  
Garfield Miller MD
Hady Saheb MD, MPH
Steven Schendel MD
Jacky Yeung MD
Darana Yuen MD

 
The session introduces clinical application and surgical techniques for Cypass suprachoroidal shunts, iStent implants, and Gonioscopy Assisted Transluminal Trabeculectomy (GATT). The audience will be general ophthalmologists, glaucoma specialists, and senior trainees with interest in glaucoma. Each participant will have his/her own microscope with instructors supervising (ratio 1:2). Each device will have seven stations and attendees will rotate through the three devices. Either dry lab or wet lab versions will be present, depending on the best model for each device.

Video projection of surgical videos of each device will be played throughout the session.

REGISTRATION
Advance registration is required.
Registration is open to comprehensive ophthalmologists with interest in glaucoma, glaucoma specialists, glaucoma fellows and residents (senior residents with experience in intraocular surgery).
Maximum number of participants: 21
Fee: $250

DMEK: From basics to advanced

Friday, June 1, 1:30–3:00 pm • Room 701 B

CANMEDS ROLES: Medical Expert, Scholar

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

  • Describe appropriate candidates, the preoperative evaluation, the surgical procedure, the expected postoperative course, possible complications, their management and techniques to avoid them, for Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK)
  • Describe and demonstrate the steps taken, either in the eye bank or by the corneal surgeon, to prepare a DMEK graft
  • Describe and demonstrate the steps taken on the host to transplant a DMEK graft, including host Descemet’s membrane stripping, graft injection and unscrolling, and modifications used in more complex eyes

COURSE DIRECTOR
Joshua Teichman, MD

INSTRUCTORS
Kashif Baig MD, MBA
Stephanie Baxter MD
Jamie Bhamra MD
Tanguy Boutin MSc, MD
Matthew Bujak MD, PT
Clara C. Chan MD, FACS, DABO
Hall Chew MD
Mona H. Dagher MD
Adi Einan-Lifshitz MD
Soosan Jacob MS, FRCS, DNB 		 
Mauricio A. Perez MD
Mahmood Showail MD
Neera Singal MD
Elise Slim MD
Allan Slomovic MD
Nir Sorkin MD
Julia Talajic MD
Reginald R. Tan MD
Randall Ulate MD
Setareh Ziai MD

 
The session will be a combination of a short didactic course and a wet lab. The didactic component will include the assessment of appropriate DMEK candidates, the preoperative evaluation needed to screen candidates and to preemptively plan for possible surgical issues, outline and details of the surgical procedure itself, the expected postoperative course and postoperative management including medication and follow-up regimen, possible complications encountered, their management, and techniques to avoid them. For the wet lab component, participants will apply this knowledge and demonstrate the ability to prepare a DMEK graft (either from pre-stripped eye bank tissue, or from a donor corneal rim), host preparation, graft injection, graft unscrolling, and air injection, to complete a successful DMEK procedure.

REGISTRATION
Advance registration is required.
Registration is open to cornea specialists, comprehensive ophthalmologists performing corneal transplants, cornea fellows, residents applying to cornea fellowships.
Maximum number of participants: 22
Fee: $250

Yamane Double Needle Technique for Scleral IOL Fixation

Friday, June 1, 3:45–5:15 pm • Room 701 B
SOLD OUT – Wait list available

CANMEDS ROLES: Medical Expert, Collaborator, Professional, Scholar

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

  • Describe the approach for sutureless scleral fixation of a 3 piece IOL
  • Apply various models of simulated surgery for practicing anterior segment reconstruction techniques
  • Assess models of 3 piece IOL scleral fixation with a view to Competency Based Medicine
COURSE DIRECTORS
Patrick Gooi MD
Nigel Rawlings MD
Kevin J. Warrian MD
David Wong MD
Deepa Yoganathan MD 		INSTRUCTORS
Kashif Baig MD, MBA
Xavier Campos-Möller MD
Toby Chan MD
Tom Gonder MD
Rajeev Muni MD
Matthew Schlenker MD
Reginald R. Tan MD
Joshua Teichman MD

 
In the event of zonular insufficiency, sometimes it is inadvisable for endocapsular IOL implantation. The Yamane Double needle technique allows the surgeon to scleral fixate a 3 piece IOL in the setting of complete zonular compromise. The technique leaves the conjunctiva and sclera relatively undisturbed compared to other 3 piece scleral fixation techniques.

Attendees will gain experience with the Yamane Double Needle Scleral fixated IOL technique in a wet lab setting. They evaluate different models for training in this technique.

REGISTRATION
Advance registration is required.
Registration is open to comprehensive ophthalmologists, ophthalmologists with an interest in advanced anterior segment surgery, and residents/fellows.
Maximum number of participants: 22
Fee: $250

Scleral Fixated Intraocular Lens Implants

Saturday, June 2, 10:45 am–12:15 pm • Room 701 B
SOLD OUT – Wait list available

CANMEDS ROLES: Collaborator, Medical Expert, Scholar

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

  • Recognize indications for scleral fixated intraocular lens in eyes with absence of capsular support
  • Describe surgical steps of sutureless scleral fixation of a 3-piece intraocular lens implant
  • Explain the surgical steps of fixating intraocular lens implants (including enVista) with Gore-Tex sutures
COURSE DIRECTORS
Nigel Rawlings MD
David Wong MD
Deepa Yoganathan MD 		INSTRUCTORS
Xavier Campos-Möller MD
Toby Chan MD
Kevin Colleaux MD
Patrick Gooi MD
Tom Gonder MD
Rajeev Muni MD
Reginald R. Tan MD
Geoff Williams MD

 
This practical hands-on session will deliver one-on-one instruction of sutured and sutureless scleral fixated intraocular lens implant techniques. A combination of teaching with video, pig and human eye specimens will be used to outline the surgical steps of these methods. Each participant will have a microscope and can approach this practice at their own pace.

REGISTRATION
Advance registration is required.
Registration is open to retina specialists and anterior segment surgeons.
Maximum number of participants: 22
Fee: $250

Bimanual Anterior Vitrectomy

Saturday, June 2, 1:30–3:00 pm and 3:45–5:15 pm • Room 701 B

Note: This course is being offered twice: at 1:30 PM, then again at 3:45 PM. Please be sure to register for only one session.

CANMEDS ROLE: Medical Expert

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

  • Describe the approach to bimanual anterior vitrectomy, techniques to stain vitreous, and minimize vitreous loss
  • Analyze various models for anterior vitrectomy
  • Integrate knowledge of fluidics to optimize phaco machine settings for anterior vitrectomy
COURSE DIRECTORS
Netan Choudhry MD
Patrick Gooi MD
Kevin J. Warrian MD 		INSTRUCTORS
David Almeida MD, MBA, PhD
Jamie Bhamra MD
Michael Butler MD
Marjorie Carbonneau MD
Toby Chan MD
Mahshad Darvish MD
Tom Gonder MD
Dima Kalache MD
Andy Kalevar MD
Garfield Miller MD
Dominik Podbielski MD
Flavio Rezende MD
Matthew Schlenker MD

 
Participants will gain experience in bimanual anterior vitrectomy to manage vitreous prolapse encountered during anterior segment surgery. They will gain a better understanding of vacuum and pump settings to optimize fluidics for various tasks. They will also compare various models for anterior vitrectomy in the wetlab setting.

NOTE: A limited number of three different models of phaco machines will available for use during the Cataract STC. Choice of phaco machine will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please arrive early and present yourself at the STC registration desk outside of Room 701B if you would prefer to practice on a specific machine. Otherwise, all participants will be assigned a phaco machine at the organizers’ discretion.

REGISTRATION
Advance registration is required.
Registration is open to comprehensive ophthalmologists and residents/fellows.
Maximum number of participants: 22
Fee: $250

Botulinum Toxin Injection Techniques: A hands-on workshop

Sunday, June 3, 10:45 am–12:15 pm • Room 716 A

CANMEDS ROLES: Medical Expert, Professional

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

  • Differentiate between the various botulinum toxins available (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport) and apply proper reconstitution/dilution methods for each
  • Analyze the periocular and facial muscular anatomy to choose the appropriate location, depth, and botulinum dilution for optimized efficacy
  • Demonstrate botulinum preparation and injection techniques learned during the course on live patients

COURSE DIRECTOR
Harmeet Gill MD

INSTRUCTORS
Patrick Boulos MD
Dena Hammoudi MD
Ahsen Hussain MD
Vladimir Kratky MD
Norman Mainville MD
Babak Maleki MD		  
Quynh Nguyen MD
Navdeep Nijhawan MD
Nancy Tucker MD
Jaime Wong MD
Vivian Yin MD

 
This course is designed to teach botulinum toxin preparation and injection techniques for functional and aesthetic indications. Complete beginners will learn the basics of how to perform standard injections for spastic disorders and periocular rhytids. More experienced injectors will learn nuances of injection dilution and placement for optimized cosmesis and duration. A number of oculoplastic surgeons will be present as co-instructors to help ensure that attendees get personalized coaching while practicing their injection techniques on live patients.

NOTE: Due to licensing restraints, only participants with a valid license to practice medicine in Ontario can inject live patients. Others will practice using synthetic heads.

REGISTRATION
Advance registration is required.
Registration is open to comprehensive ophthalmologists, residents and fellows
Maximum number of participants: 28
Fee: $250