Join Â鶹ӰÊÓ College of Optometry in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, for our annual summer continuing education conference, July 10–13, 2025. Now in its third decade, this long-standing tradition brings together leading optometric experts and practitioners for up to 20 hours of COPE-accredited continuing education. Attend in person or join virtually
This year's program features an exceptional lineup of speakers, including Dr. Jessica Steen, Dr. Sophia Leung, Dr. Danica Marrelli, and Dr. David Kading. Whether you’re interested in glaucoma management, AI applications, contact lenses, or anterior segment care, you’ll find engaging sessions designed to enhance your clinical knowledge and practice.
Accommodations
Hotel Grand Pacific
Take advantage of a special group rate of $265 CAD/night. Harbour view room upgrades are available for an additional $160/night, based on availability.
Room block release date: June 9, 2025
To book:
1-800-663-7550 or (250) 386-0450
reserve@hotelgrandpacific.com
Group Code: JUL25PACI
2025 Victoria Conference Schedule & Course Descriptions
All courses are COPE-accredited. The schedule is subject to change.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Welcome Reception
Kick off the conference at our Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening, July 9. Meet fellow attendees and faculty before sessions begin the next morning.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
8:00-8:50 AM | AI & Contact Lenses | Dr. David Kading
"AI & Contact Lenses" is a forward-looking exploration of the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of contact lenses. This engaging course delves into the latest AI-driven innovations that are reshaping the landscape of eye care and vision correction. Join us as we unravel the ways in which AI is enhancing the design, fitting, and customization of contact lenses, providing a more personalized and efficient experience for patients. From smart lenses to precision diagnostics, we'll discuss the groundbreaking technologies that are propelling eye care into the future. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights into the transformative power of AI in contact lenses, setting the stage for a new era in eye health and vision correction.
9:00-10:40 AM | Maximizing the OCT in the Diagnosis and Management of Glaucoma | Dr. Danica Marrelli
This 2-hour course covers the retinal nerve fiber layer, optic disc, and macular thickness OCT scanning utilized in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. A systematic strategy for interpretation is provided, and common pitfalls, such as artifacts, are reviewed. Progression detection using progression software is presented. Numerous case examples are utilized to show the clinical relevance of this technology.
10:50-11:40 AM | Making Myopia Mainstream | Dr. David Kading
Learn why our current plan will fall short for local and global demand for myopia management. Understand what must be understood and implemented to meet the demand and make myopia mainstream.
11:50-12:40 PM | Identifying and Managing Pharmaceutical Complications | Dr. Jessica Steen
This course will present frequently encountered systemic medications that have associated ocular effects that range from benign to vision and life-threatening. Clinical identification of ocular findings that may be related to systemic medication use and communication recommendations with co-managing providers will be highlighted.
Friday, July 11, 2025
8:00-8:50 AM | Practice Pearls for Advanced Procedures | Dr. Sophia Leung
The armamentarium of treatment procedures an optometrist has continues to increase. This course presents an overview of a variety of office-based advanced scope procedures that optometrists could start implementing today. Practice pearls will be shared to improve real-life clinical application.
9:00-10:40 AM | The Science of Dry Eye: From Bench to Bedside | Dr. David Kading
This course explores clinical applications, research, and innovations in dry eye management. Gain insights into the pathophysiology of dry eye, integrating advanced diagnostic testing and modern treatments into practice. Topics include punctal plug innovations, PRP, autologous serum eye drops, neurostimulation, in-office MGD treatments, IPL, radiofrequency, AI, and emerging therapies like novel medications and light-based treatments. Attendees will leave with strategies to enhance patient care and outcomes.
10:50-12:30 PM | The Glaucoma Grab Bag: Practical Guidelines for Effective Therapy | Dr. Danica Marrelli
This course will review glaucoma medications, including the most recently approved drugs. Mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety/contraindication profile will be covered, as well as a systematic approach to stepped glaucoma therapy, using case examples.
Saturday, July 12, 2025
8:00-8:50 AM | Mac Diseases (Geographic Atrophy) | Dr. Danica Marrelli
This comprehensive review covers the scope of geographic atrophy (GA), including its impact on morbidity, functional independence, and the number of patients affected, while examining its pathogenesis, imaging techniques, and therapeutic targets.
9:00-10:40 AM | Retinal Vascular Disease: From Pathology to Practice | Dr. Jessica Steen
This course will highlight current imaging modalities, emerging therapies, and leading trends in the treatment and management of retinal vascular disease, including age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular occlusive disease, and diabetic eye disease.
10:50-11:40 AM | Nerves Don't Feel, Cornea Don't Heal | Dr. Sophia Leung
No pain, no gain, they say. With the cornea, that is sadly true when it comes to nerve damage. What happens when corneal nerves don’t feel? In a case-based format, this talk covers the course of poor healing corneas due to neurotrophic keratitis. The early stages to advanced stages and how optometrists have a crucial role to play will be discussed.
11:50-12:40 PM | AI-enabled Glaucoma Management | Dr. Jessica Steen
This course will highlight current techniques and concepts in AI including large language models (LLMs) and foundational models and their application to the management of individuals with or who may be suspicious of having glaucoma. Developments aimed to advance efficiency, productivity, diagnosis, and prediction of disease development will be highlighted from a practical clinical perspective.
Sunday, July 13, 2025
7:00-7:50 AM | Retina in Focus: Core Conditions & Cutting-Edge Therapies | Dr. Jessica Steen
This course covers common retinal pathologies, focusing on early diagnosis and management through case studies and evidence-based insights. It addresses AMD, diabetic retinopathy, vascular occlusions, peripheral retinal issues, and vitreomacular disorders. The course also highlights advancements in pharmacotherapy, treatment, and imaging technologies.
8:00-8:50 AM | Judicious Prescribing in the Era of Opioid Misuse | Dr. Danica Marrelli
Course Description: This course will briefly present the pain pathway and general concepts for pain control. A history of the opioid epidemic will be reviewed. Oversupply and diversion, along with best practices for prescribing, will be presented.
9:00-9:50 AM | Rapid Fire: Corneal Survival Tips | Dr. Sophia Leung
How many times have we looked at a corneal lesion and thought to ourselves, what is happening here? This lecture, in a rapid-fire case-based format, will cover several tips, tricks, and pearls that will help practitioners navigate through a variety of corneal diseases that may be commonly encountered. Understanding the cornea and its behaviors can give clues to how to manage the underlying conditions.
10:00-10:50 AM | Optimizing Glaucoma Care: Managing Comorbidities | Dr. Jessica Steen
This course will discuss therapeutic options in the management of glaucoma with a focus on medication selection. Patient-driven considerations in optimizing medical therapy will include discussion of incorporating glaucoma- and systemic disease-related features, anticipating and mitigating side effects of topical medications, and identifying potential barriers to medication access.
11:00-11:50 AM | Anterior Segment Highlight Reel | Dr. Sophia Leung
This is a show-and-tell of some of Dr. Sophia Leung's favourite anterior segment cases. In a grand rounds format, this course presents a walk through a variety of anterior segment diseases and reviews current work up and treatment protocols for cases that can pop up in any optometrists' clinic.