Click here for Manitoba Para-Optometric Association Spring CE & AGM
Manitoba Association of Optometrists
Continuing Education & Annual General Meeting
April 11-12, 2025
Schedule & Course Outlines
Friday, April 11, 2025
Wellington Room, Fairmont Winnipeg
8:00 am - 9:00 am Buffet Breakfast
9:00 am - 10:00 am Exploring the Autoimmune Diseases: A Systemic Approach Part 1 - Lonsberry This lecture provides an in-depth exploration of autoimmune diseases and their ocular complications. It focuses on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of various autoimmune disorders that pose significant challenges to both patients and clinicians. Be sure to sign up for part 2 as well !
10:00 am - 11:00 am Exploring the Autoimmune Diseases: A Systemic Approach Part 2 - Lonsberry. A continuation of from the first hour, be sure to sign up for both sessions!
11:00 am - 11:15 am Deluca's Coffee Cart Sponsored by Alcon
11:15 am - 12:15 pm Cornea Don’t Feel, Cornea Don’t Heal - Dr. Leung, Sponsored by SunPharma
There is a critical relationship between corneal sensation and wound healing. Corneal nerve dysfunction can impair recovery from injury or surgery. This session highlights the vital connection between corneal sensation and healing, equipping clinicians with knowledge to diagnose and manage corneal nerve dysfunction effectively
12:15 am - 1:30 pm Lunch & Years of Service Awards Ceremony
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Top 10 Medications and Their Ocular Side Effects - Dr. Lonsberry
This lecture explores the ocular side effects of commonly used medications, both topical and systemic. It aims to help clinicians recognize potential vision-related complications associated with these drugs.
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Corneal Transplants and Cross Linking with a Side of Keratoconus - Dr. Levi
This lecture explores the management of keratoconus, focusing on corneal transplants and cross-linking as key treatment options. It provides an in-depth look at disease progression, modern interventions, and patient outcomes
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm Deluca's Coffee Cart Sponsored by Alcon
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Practice Pearls for Advance Scope Procedure - Dr. Leung, Sponsored by SunPharma
This session equips practitioners with valuable skills and confidence to incorporate advanced scope procedures into their clinical practice effectively.
Wrap up your day in our hospitality suite, the Royal Alexandria!
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Wellington Ballroom, Fairmont Winnipeg
8:00 am - 8:30 am Buffet Breakfast Sponsored by Bausch + Lomb
8:30 am - 9:30 am Magnifying the Mysteries of the Macular Hole - Dr. Mak - Sponsored by Bayer
9:30 am - 9:45 am Coffee Break
9:45 am - 12:00 pm ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Joint Luncheon with MPOA (Midway Ballroom)
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm CPR Level C
Recertification, Red Cross, training provided by First Aid Training Centre.
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Dilation & Irrigation Workshop, Supplies sponsored by Innova
Dr. Diana Nguyen will discuss, and then walk through, key steps to Dilation and Irrigation, followed by hands on participation. This workshop is limited to 40 registrants. Supplies sponsored by Innova.
Featured Speakers
Dr. Blair Lonsberry grew up in Rossburn, Manitoba (Canada). He obtained his Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 1996 after completing a Master of Science in Physiology from the University of Manitoba. He completed his residency in Primary Care Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1997, then joined the faculty at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. During his time at SCO, he completed a Masters in Education degree with an emphasis in adult learning. Currently, Dr. Lonsberry is a Full Professor with Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon where his primary teaching responsibilities are supervising interns and overseeing a specialty "lumps and bumps" clinic. In his spare time, he goes to Anchorage, Alaska where he sees patients in a private practice. Dr. Lonsberry is a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the Optometric Retinal Society, and the Optometric Glaucoma Society.
Dr. Sophia Leung is the Principal Optometrist and a Clinical Director at Seema Eye Care Center, a tertiary surgical center in Calgary, Alberta. Dr. Leung has a clinical emphasis in medical cornea and advanced glaucoma. Dr. Leung is a University of Waterloo alumni. She also completed an Ocular Disease and Refractive Surgery Residency and an Advanced Glaucoma and Cornea Fellowship with Oklahoma Medical Eye Group.Dr. Leung is the current President of the Alberta Association of Optometrists, a Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry in the Anterior Segment Section, a Fellow and board member of the American Association of Optometric Surgeons, and a Fellow of the Canadian College of Specialties in Optometry. Dr. Leung is also Adjunct Faculty for Northeastern State University College of Optometry and University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Sciences.
Dr. Jeremy Levi completed a Bachelor of Science with Distinction at the University of Manitoba, where he had a focus on Microbiology and Biological Sciences. He also completed both his Medical Degree and Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Manitoba, where Dr. Levi served as Chief Resident for the 2020-2021 Academic Year. Following this, Dr. Levi underwent fellowship training in Cornea and External Diseases at the University of British Columbia, where he was trained under the guidance of Dr. Simon Holland. Dr. Levi was nominated by his peers to serve as Chief Fellow during this period. Dr. Levi’s surgical specialties include LASIK surgery, CXL + T-PRK, Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL), Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), and Phakic Intraocular Lens Insertion. He also specializes in Corneal Transplantation and is the Provincial Expert in Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK).
Dr. Michael (Mike) Mak is a staff ophthalmologist in Winnipeg who completed a retina-vitrious fellowship at McGill and Opthalmology residency at the University of Calgary. Originally from Hong Kong, he completed his undergraduate education in the Bachelor of Health Sciences Program at McMaster University and upon graduating, worked with Dr. Varun Chaudhary as a clinical research assistant. He then completed his medical degree from the University of Toronto and matched to Calgary for Ophthalmology Residency. Mike is co-author on multiple scientific publications and grants, and has also won the Physician Mentorship and Teaching Award in 2020 for his residency education initiatives in ophthalmology. He created Ophtho Explorer to help improve ophthalmic education and resources for other residents in Canada and across the world. Michael is a devoted educator and passionate about medical education where he has supported students formally and informally for over a decade.
Dr. Diana Nguyen, OD, received her Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at McMaster University and then completed her Doctor of Optometry at the University of Waterloo. She practices full scope optometry with a keen interest in dry eye and myopia control. Dr. Nguyen enjoys integrating the latest in dry eye technology for her patients in Winnipeg and she serves as a consultant for various companies such as Thea Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharma and Labtician. She was also on the planning committee for the Dry Eye Summit - a Canadian conference that centered on ocular surface disease. While outside of the clinic, Dr. Nguyen is currently training in dance styles consisting of hip-hop, afro-beats, dancehall and heels - find her at Drop In Winnipeg!
Venue Details
Accommodation
Spring CE is April 11-12, 2025 at Fairmont Winnipeg. Room reservation is now open and available through March 10, 2025. Room Rate is $189 + taxes. Phone 204-957-1350 or 1-866-540-4466.
Meals
Breakfasts & lunches are complimentary for CE attendees..
The Joint Luncheon with MPOA will be in the Midway Ballroom, 2nd floor at the Fairmont.
Hospitality Suite
Hospitality on Friday and Saturday is in the Royal Alexandria Suite, 20th Floor, The Fairmont Winnipeg.
Continuing Education
Wellington Ballroom, Fairmont Winnipeg, main floor
Annual General Meeting
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 9:45 am - 12:30 pm
Wellington Ballroom, Fairmont Winnipeg, main floor
Arrive on time to earn 1 hour of CE credit for attendance!
CPR
Rooms TBD
MAO and MPOA thank our generous sponsors for making this weekend possible.