Accelerate Vision Health Series
Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is proud to present the Accelerate Vision Health Series 2026, a timely and dynamic three-part virtual event series launching in Fall 2026.
Vision health affects all of us — whether you are living with vision loss, supporting a loved one, working in eye care or research, advocating for your community, or helping drive innovation and change.
With the valued support of our partners, this national series brings together diverse voices from across the vision health community to explore the issues, ideas, and opportunities shaping the future of vision health in Canada.
You can also help accelerate vision health by donating today.
Accelerate explores the defining issues and emerging opportunities shaping the future of vision health in Canada — bringing perspectives together to build knowledge, spark ideas, and accelerate meaningful change.
Designed for people affected by vision loss, caregivers and families, eye care professionals, researchers, advocates, community organizations, industry, and the public, the series creates space for lived experience, shared learning, and meaningful cross-sector dialogue.
Join us to learn, connect, and be part of the conversation moving vision health forward in Canada.
- Episode 1: Beyond the Breakthrough — From Research to Real-World Impact | Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m., EST
- Episode 2: Living well with Vision Loss: Understanding the Full Experience of Vision Loss | November TBC, 6 p.m. EST
- Episode 3: Vision Loss, Aging & Independence: Supporting Health and Independence Across the Lifespan | February TBC, 6 p.m. EST
Episode 1: Beyond the Breakthrough — From Research to Real-World Impact
Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 6 p.m. ET
A promising discovery is only the beginning. What does it take for a new idea in vision care to reach the people who could benefit from it?
In this episode, we’ll hear from researchers about the work they’re developing now — and what needs to happen before it can become part of everyday care. We’ll explore the opportunities and hurdles along the way, from health systems and regulation to affordability, geography, and access to specialized care.We’ll also hear from people with lived experience about what it’s like to navigate vision care, and why access matters as much as innovation.
Join us for a conversation about how promising ideas become practical care, and what the journey from innovation to impact can look like for patients.
Meet the Speakers
Toronto Retina Institute
Dr. Shaheer Aboobaker hails from South Africa and obtained his medical degree at the University of KwaZulu Natal, and completed his residency at the University of Cape Town. While at the University of Cape Town, Dr. Aboobaker was awarded the Ophthalmological Society Medal for academic achievement by the Fellowship of Ophthalmologists of South Africa. Dr Aboobaker then completed a 2 year Vitreoretinal Fellowship at the University of Toronto. Dr. Aboobaker joined the team at the Toronto Retina Institute in 2018, where he now serves as Managing Partner since 2022 and Co-Director of Clinical Research since 2025. Dr Aboobaker is an Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University.
University of British Columbia
Dr. Joanne Matsubara investigates the retina in health and disease. Her research on age-related macular degeneration focuses on extracellular matrix breakdown, neuroinflammation, retinal cell death, and novel therapeutic approaches aimed at preserving vision and developing non-invasive treatments. She also leads UBC’s Vision Sciences Research Excellence Cluster, a network that brings together expertise across ophthalmology and neuroscience, molecular and cellular biology, engineering and imaging, artificial intelligence and computational science, and regenerative medicine and community health to accelerate our understanding of how we see and how we diagnose and treat vision-threatening diseases.
Fighting Blindness Canada
Dr. Larissa Moniz joined Fighting Blindness Canada in December 2019. She has a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Toronto and continued her research in the UK at UCL. Dr. Moniz has worked in research and knowledge translation in at a number of health charities both in the UK and Canada, most recently at Prostate Cancer Canada. At Fighting Blindness Canada Dr. Moniz’s team works to deliver on the mission of the organization which is to fund research towards treatments to preserve and restore vision, ensure that all Canadians have access to appropriate vision care and to provide support and information to individuals living with vision loss.
Watch Previous Series
Accelerate Vision Health Series launched in 2024, and in that time, we’ve brought together our community of researchers, experts and people with lived experience to discuss a wide range of topics, including the vision health landscape, the mental health impact of vision loss and tips for navigating your health care journey. Watch episodes from our 2024 and 2025 series.
Thank you to our sponsors
Discovery Partners
Connectivity Partners
Access Partner
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