VIEW POINT
Explore Fighting Blindness Canada’s View Point education series—events where you can discover the latest in vision research, ask questions, and connect with others affected by blinding eye diseases.
Explore our 2025 lineup below! For questions about our programming, or help registering, contact us at education@fightingblindness.ca or 1-800-461-3331.
Jump to: AMD Coffee Connections Ottawa| AMD Coffee Connections North York | View Point Toronto: Speaker Symposium | IRD Spotlight: Syndromic IRDs (Usher and BBS) | Dry AMD | 2025 View Point Recordings
AMD Coffee Connections: Ottawa
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. EST
Location: TBA
What to Expect:
- Learn: Hear from experts in the field about the latest treatment options and ask your questions.
- Connect: Meet others who understand the journey of living with AMD
- Share: Participate in conversations with experts and peers to exchange valuable insights and strategies.
Refreshments will be provided.
Participation is free, but registration is required. To register, please fill out the form below. If you are registering multiple people, each person must fill out a separate form.
If you require help with registration or are interested in participating in this session as a facilitator, please reach out to us by phone at 1-800-461-3331 ext. 270 or by email at education@fightingblindness.ca.
AMD Coffee Connections: North York
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST
Location: North York Central Library Auditorium, 5120 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5N9
What to Expect:
- Learn: Hear from experts in the field about the latest treatment options and ask your questions.
- Connect: Meet others who understand the journey of living with AMD
- Share: Participate in conversations with experts and peers to exchange valuable insights and strategies.
Refreshments will be provided.
Meet Our Speaker:
Dr. Nirojini Sivachandran is a retina specialist at the Toronto Retina Institute. She holds a PhD and MD from the University of Toronto, completed her residency at McMaster University, and a vitreoretinal fellowship at the University of Ottawa. She manages a full range of retinal conditions, including complex cataracts.
Participation is free, but registration is required. To register, please fill out the form below. If you are registering multiple people, each person must fill out a separate form.
If you require help with registration or are interested in participating in this session as a facilitator, please reach out to us by phone at 1-800-461-3331 ext. 270 or by email at education@fightingblindness.ca.
This event is not hosted by or sponsored by the Toronto Public Library.
View Point Toronto: Speaker Symposium
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: North York Central Library Concourse Event Space, 5120 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5N9
Fighting Blindness Canada presents VIEW POINT, an educational conference bringing you the latest information in vision health and research! Hear from experts, connect with others affected by vision loss and visit our exhibitors to learn about new resources.
Meet the Speakers
Dr. David M. Gamm is Director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute and Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He founded Opsis Therapeutics, where he serves as Chief Scientific Officer. His research uses stem cell technology to model retinal diseases and develop cell replacement therapies.
Dr. Shaheer Aboobaker is a fellowship-trained retina specialist and Managing Partner at the Toronto Retina Institute. He is actively involved in clinical research, serving as an investigator in over 20 trials focused on innovative treatments. He also co-founded the Young Professionals Bursary to support disadvantaged students in South Africa.
Dr. Zuhal Butuner is the Chief Medical Officer at Sepul Bio, a division of Laboratories Thea focused on RNA therapies for inherited eye diseases. She holds an OD and MSc from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from the University of Toronto. With over 25 years of experience, she has led clinical development and medical affairs efforts across biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.
Snack and refreshments will be provided throughout the event.
IRD Spotlight: Syndromic IRDs (Usher Syndrome & Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Webinar: 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. ET
Community Connect: 7:45 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Are you or a loved one navigating life with a Usher Syndrome or Bardet-Biedel Syndrome (BBS)? Join us for an informative webinar offering the latest insights into research, treatments, and lived experiences related to these conditions.
A lived experience panel featuring individuals affected by syndromic conditions, who will share their personal stories, insights, and advice on navigating life with these multifaceted diagnoses.
This is a unique opportunity to connect with experts, gain essential information, and find support within a community that truly understands. An optional social session will follow the webinar from 7:45 pm – 8:15 pm ET, offering a chance to connect informally with others. Details on how to join will be shared during the event.
Register today to be part of this impactful discussion. For questions or assistance with registration, please get in touch with education@fightingblindness.ca.
Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): In Research & Practice
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom
Are you or a loved one navigating life with dry AMD? Join us for an informative webinar offering the latest insights into research and emerging treatments. You will also have a chance to connect with others who understand the challenges of AMD and gain support from a community of people who truly care. There will be time for Q&A.
Meet Our Speaker
Dr. Jesia Hasan is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in Medical Retina, trained at McGill University. She completed a fellowship in Medical Retina & Uveitis at the U.S. National Eye Institute. Dr. Hasan is an Assistant Professor at McGill and was recognized for outstanding clinical teaching in 2020 and 2024.
If you have questions in advance or need assistance with registration, please email education@fightingblindness.ca.
Past View Point Recordings
You can access a list of past View Point recordings at this link.
If you would like to receive updates about new View Point events, share discussion topic ideas, or require assistance registering, please email education@fightingblindness.ca or call us at 1.800.461.3331 ext. 270.
2025 View Point Recordings
Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): In Research & Practice
Experts Dr. Peter Campochiaro and Dr. Alan Cruess shared the latest research on gene therapy and treatment advancements, while our lived experience panel offered valuable personal insights. Watch the recording to stay informed and gain support.
IRD Spotlight: Understanding Stargardt Disease
Experts Dr. Kenneth C. Fan and Dr. Kirk Stephenson brought invaluable knowledge to the forefront of Stargardt disease care and treatment, while our lived experience panel shared meaningful personal insights. Watch the recording to stay informed and find support.
IRD Spotlight: Understanding X-linked Conditions (XLRP, XLRS, Choroideremia)
Experts Dr. Rachel Huckfeldt, Dr. Cynthia Qian, and Dr. Ramiro Maldonado shared the latest updates on XLRP, XLRS, and choroideremia, while our lived experience panel offered valuable personal insights. Watch the recording to stay informed.
View Point Calgary 2025 – Understanding Stem Cell Treatments
Learn about the current progress and challenges in stem cell treatments for retinal disorders with Dr. Deepak Lamba. This session will explain what’s possible today, what’s still being researched, and what it all means for people living with vision loss.
View Point Calgary 2025 – Ask the Expert: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
In this session, we sit down with Dr. Geoff Williams to learn more about different age-related eye conditions, including wet and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and current treatments and therapies.
View Point Calgary 2025 – Ask the Expert: Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs)
There are over 20 inherited retinal diseases including retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome, and Leber congenital amaurosis. Being diagnosed with one of these conditions can be challenging, and you may have many questions about your care, or what treatments are available or currently being studied. Dr. Matt Benson will give an overview of IRDs and answer audience questions.
View Point Calgary 2025 – Adapting to Vision Loss
In this insightful session, people living with vision loss share personal stories of diagnosis, adaptation, and resilience. This candid conversation offers real-life insights, hard-earned wisdom, and supportive reflections for those on a similar journey.
View Point is Proudly Supported by:
PLATINUM PRESENTING PARTNER
GOLD PARTNER
SILVER PARTNERS
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