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 2026 lineup below! For questions about our programming, or help registering, contact us at education@fightingblindness.ca or 1-800-461-3331 ext. 270.
Jump to: Upcoming Webinars|Upcoming Coffee Connections| Past Recordings |Coffee Connections Transcripts
Upcoming Webinars
View Point webinars connect you with leading experts to learn about eye diseases, research advances, treatments, and clinical trials. These interactive online sessions also give you the chance to ask questions directly to experts, with some sessions including peer connection opportunities.
Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs): In Conversation
Webinar | Expert Q&A + Community Connect Session
Wednesday, May 20 | 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET | Zoom
Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs): In Conversation is an interactive evening designed to support learning, questions, and connection for people affected by IRDs.
The session will feature Dr. Brian Ballios, a clinician-scientist specializing in inherited retinal disease and ocular genetics. Dr. Ballios will share insights from his clinical and research work before opening the conversation to participant questions in an Ask-the-Expert format.
The final portion of the webinar will transition into a facilitated Community Connect session, offering space for participants to share experiences, reflect, and connect with others in the IRD community.
Upcoming Coffee Connections
Coffee Connections are welcoming in-person events for people living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or inherited retinal diseases (IRD). Connect with experts and others in the community through accessible conversations about research, treatments, and real-life experiences — all in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Find your city below to register!
Halifax
AMD Coffee Connections
Saturday, September 12 | 10 a.m. -12 p.m. ADT
Location TBC
Speaker TBC
IRD Coffee Connections
Saturday, September 12 | 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. ADT
Location TBC
Guest Speaker: Dr. Johane Robitaille
St John’s
AMD Coffee Connections
Monday September 14 | 10 a.m. -12 p.m. NDT
Location TBC
Speaker TBC
IRD Coffee Connections
Sunday, September 13 | 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. NDT
Location TBC
Guest Speaker: Dr. James Whelan
Winnipeg
AMD Coffee Connections
Saturday, October 24 | 10 a.m. -12 p.m. CDT
Location TBC
Guest Speaker: Dr. Joshua Manusow
IRD Coffee Connections
Saturday, October 24 | 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. CDT
Location TBC
Guest Speaker: Dr. Joshua Manusow
Ontario
AMD Coffee Connections Oakville
Tuesday, November 3 | 10 a.m. -12 p.m. EST
Location TBC
Guest Speaker: Dr. Niro Sivachandran
IRD Coffee Connections Toronto
Saturday, October 17 | 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. EST
Location TBC
Guest Speaker: Dr. Gareth Mercer
Past 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.
2026 View POint Recordings
- Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD): In Research & Practice – February 24, 2026, Dr. Shaheer Aboobaker, Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Managing Partner at the Toronto Retina Institute, shares insights from his clinical care, research, and global trials, highlighting advances in AMD technology and treatments. VIDEO | SUMMARY | TRANSCRIPT
- Glaucoma & Optic Nerve: In Conversation – March 13, 2026, Dr. Qianqian Wang, ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Montreal, and Dr. Jason Meyer, Professor of Medical and Molecular Genetics at Indiana University and Director of the Stark Neurosciences Stem Cell Research Group, share insights from clinical care and research, highlighting current developments in glaucoma and optic nerve disease. VIDEO | SUMMARY | TRANSCRIPT
2026 Coffee Connections Transcripts
- Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Coffee Connections (Victoria, BC) – April 7, 2026, Dr. Daniel Warder, ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon at Island Health in Victoria, alongside lived experience panelists Donna McLachlan and Jessica Thomson, discuss current treatments for dry and wet AMD, emerging research, and what it means to live with macular degeneration day to day. SUMMARY | TRANSCRIPT
- Inherited Retinal Disease (IRD) Coffee Connections (Victoria, BC) – April 7, 2026, Dr. Matthew Benson, clinician scientist and Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Alberta, and Dr. Robert Chow, faculty member in the Biology Department at the University of Victoria, discuss inherited retinal diseases, genetic testing, current research, and more. SUMMARY | TRANSCRIPT
- Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Coffee Connections (Vancouver, BC) – April 9, 2026, Dr. Michael Ballas, ophthalmology resident at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Joanne Matsubara, neuroscientist and Professor at the University of British Columbia, discuss age‑related macular degeneration (AMD). The conversation covers the differences between dry and wet AMD, current treatment options, and emerging research aimed at slowing disease progression and preserving vision. SUMMARY | TRANSCRIPT
- Inherited Retinal Disease (IRD) Coffee Connections (Vancouver, BC) – April 9, 2026, Dr. Kirill Zaslavsky, vitreoretinal surgery fellow at the University of British Columbia, discuss inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). Topics include the genetic basis of IRDs, the importance of genetic testing, current and emerging research approaches, and what patients and families should know about clinical trials. SUMMARY | TRANSCRIPT
- Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Coffee Connections (Edmonton, AB) – April 11, 2026, Dr. Dave Ehmann, retinal specialist, and Dr. Larissa Moniz discuss age‑related macular degeneration (AMD), including how dry and wet AMD are managed, current treatment approaches, and promising developments on the horizon. The session also features lived‑experience speakers sharing practical insights on adapting to vision loss and accessing support. SUMMARY | TRANSCRIPT
- Inherited Retinal Disease (IRD) Coffee Connections (Calgary, AB) – April 12, 2026, Dr. Gareth Mercer, retina surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, discusses inherited retinal diseases, current research, and clinical trial participation, alongside community members Dagmar and Wayne, who share their experience living with vision loss. SUMMARY | TRANSCRIPT
- Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Coffee Connections (Calgary, AB) – April 13, 2026, Dr. Michael Balas, ophthalmology resident at the University of Toronto, discusses age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The conversation covers the differences between dry and wet AMD, current treatments including anti-VEGF injections, emerging therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and gene therapy, and practical tools and strategies for living with AMD shared by community members Sandra and Charles. SUMMARY | TRANSCRIPT
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