Theme: Clinical Updates on Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Geographic Atrophy (GA), and Findings from Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC)’s Survey Report

Morning Session:

An update on the progress of Bill C-284 from legislation to a national vision care strategy. The Act to establish a national strategy for eye care is based on the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us,” and highlights the important role of uniting patient and stakeholder organizations, clinicians, innovators, vision rehabilitation groups, and policymakers.

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month, and we will begin with a comprehensive and optimistic exploration of the most common cause of vision loss in those aged 50 and older. We will examine the AMD landscape from discovery to daily living. This session is designed for everyone: 1) patients and caregivers seeking the latest information to advocate for their own care, 2) clinicians eager to incorporate advanced diagnostics and treatments, and 3) industry leaders seeking to align innovation with urgent unmet needs. We will start with a clinical update that goes beyond the basics, examining the real-world impact of emerging treatments — for example for geographic atrophy and Stargardt disease — as well as exciting advancements in biosimilar agents, long-acting therapies, and gene therapies for wet AMD. 

However, treatment is only one piece of the puzzle. We will aim to bridge the gap between the clinic and the home, with a practical guide to living well with AMD. This segment will showcase the latest assistive technologies, from AI-powered smartphone apps to advanced wearable devices, and will include powerful examples of adaptation and resilience. This holistic approach ensures we are not just talking about saving sight, but about maintaining lives of independence and dignity.

Afternoon Session:

After lunch, we will focus on translating the findings from Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada’s recent survey, a profile of people who are blind, DeafBlind, or partially-sighted in Canada in 2025, into an evidence-based action plan. The aim is to look at all aspects of living with blindness or partial sight to enhance the delivery of vision rehabilitation and to remove barriers to independence for people living with vision loss.

The day will conclude with a comprehensive overview providing key updates on our innovative Ontario Population-Based Eye Disease Prevalence Study. This exclusive, detailed briefing, hosted by the study’s Principal Investigator, will discuss the study’s progress, methods, and potential implications. The study isn’t just about updating statistics; it’s about understanding the changing landscape of vision health in Canada — who is affected, where care gaps are widest, and how social and economic costs are impacted.