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VIEW POINT

Discover, learn and connect with Fighting Blindness Canada’s View Point education series. These in-person, virtual and hybrid events are designed to help you learn about the latest vision research, ask questions, and connect with other people who are living with a blinding eye disease.

Explore our 2025 lineup below, including new programs, like AMD Coffee Connections, IRD Spotlight webinars and much more. For questions about our programming, or help registering, contact us at education@fightingblindness.ca or 1-800-461-3331.

Want to catch up on past events? Access recordings of previous View Point sessions anytime.

Jump to: IRD Spotlight: Understanding X-linked Conditions (XLRP, XLRS, Choroideremia) | AMD Coffee Connections: Vancouver | AMD Coffee Connections: Edmonton | View Point Calgary | 2025 View Point Recordings

IRD Spotlight: Understanding X-linked Conditions (XLRP, XLRS, Choroideremia)

Date: Thursday, April 10
Time: 6:30–7:45 p.m. ET
Location: VIRTUAL on Zoom

 

Are you or a loved one navigating life with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP), x-linked retinoschisis (XLRS), or choroideremia? Join us for an informative webinar that will provide the latest insights into research, treatments, and lived experiences related to these conditions. In this session, you’ll hear from:  

  • Dr. Rachel Huckfeldt, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School & clinician-scientist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Dr. Huckfeldt specializes in IRDs and leads many natural history and interventional clinic trials. She will be joining us to discuss XLRS.
  • Dr. Cynthia X. Qian, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Montreal. Dr. Qian specializes in IRDs, with dual fellowships from Harvard Medical School and the University of Michigan. She will be joining us to discuss choroideremia.
  • Dr. Ramiro Maldonado, Clinician-scientist and board-certified Ophthalmologist at Duke University Eye Center, specializing in medical retina and Ophthalmic Genetics. His research focuses on developing diagnostic tools for pediatric retinal diseases. He will be joining us to discuss XLRP.

Following the webinar, we invite you to stay for Community Connect, an optional social session, moderated by individual(s) living with an X-linked IRD. During this time, you will be able to connect with others, listen and share. The link for this session will be provided at the end of the webinar. Please note Community Connections will not be recorded. Register today to be part of this meaningful discussion. For questions or assistance with registration, please reach out to education@fightingblindness.ca.

 

AMD Coffee Connections: Vancouver

Date: Thursday, April 24
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m. PT
Location: Library Square Conference Centre, 350 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B1

 

Join us for our new workshop series: AMD Coffee Connections. This unique gathering blends peer support and Ask the Expert sessions, providing individuals living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) an opportunity to connect with others, share experiences, and gain insights from experts in the field.

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

Speaker:

  • Dr. Zaid Mammo is a subspecialist in retinal diseases with expertise in medical and surgical retina, focusing on conditions like AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachments. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia and actively engaged in retinal research and training future ophthalmologists.

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: Edmonton

Date: Thursday, May 22
Time: 10 a.m.–12 p.m. MT
Location: Mill Woods Senior and Multicultural Centre, 2610 Hewes Way NW, Edmonton, AB T6L 6W6

 

Join us for our new workshop series: AMD Coffee Connections. This unique gathering blends peer support and Ask the Expert sessions, providing individuals living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) an opportunity to connect with others, share experiences, and gain insights from experts in the field.

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.

 

VIEW POINT Calgary

Date: Saturday, May 24
Registration and Community Resource Fair: 1–2 p.m. MT
View Point Sessions: 2–5 p.m. MT
Social Hour: 5–6 p.m. MT
Location: Carriage House Hotel, 9030 Macleod Trail, Calgary, AB T2H 0M4

 

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.

Session topics include regenerative therapies, Ask the Expert sessions about age-related macular degeneration (AMD), inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and living well with eye disease. There will also be a dedicated session for youth. More details to come.

Speakers: 

  • Dr. Deepak Lamba, a distinguished Scientist at Genentech, will be the keynote speaker, presenting on Stem Cells and Ocular Regenerative Medicine. With over 20 years of research experience, his work focuses on bridging laboratory findings with clinical applications to improve ocular health outcomes.
  • Dr. Geoff Williams, Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Calgary, will be the speaker for the Ask the Expert: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) session. He is the Medical Director of SAEC Surgical and Co-Director of the Calgary Surgical Retinal Fellowship Program, with active involvement in residency training and leadership within the Canadian Retina Society.
  • Dr. Matt Benson, Clinician Scientist at the University of Alberta, will be the speaker for the Ask the Expert: Inherited Retinal Disease session. He holds a Bayer Professorship in Translational Research in Ophthalmology and specializes in inherited retinal diseases and ocular genetics. Dr. Benson also leads a research lab focused on the disease mechanisms of inherited retinal disorders.

If you require help with registration, please reach out to us by phone or email: 1-800-461-3331 ext. 270 or education@fightingblindness.ca

 

Save the Date

View Point Toronto 
When: Saturday, Nov. 8 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET
Location: TBA

More sessions to be announced soon including: IRD Spotlight: X-linked Conditions, AMD Coffee Connections Ontario, IRD Spotlight: Syndromic Conditions and a webinar about dry AMD.  

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.

Join the Fight!

Learn how your support is helping to bring a future without blindness into focus! Be the first to learn about the latest breakthroughs in vision research and events in your community by subscribing to our e-newsletter that lands in inboxes the beginning of each month.

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