Optocase is a collaborative initiative between Ophthalmology and Optometry whose mission is to ensure that eye doctors have access to practical evidence-based ocular continuing education.
Our case-based materials ensure that you learn the latest evidence-based approach to important eye conditions, anywhere, anytime. We create our clinical content from cases we see and ensure that each and every continuing education module is based on the latest scientific information. Each optocase is presented in an easy to use multimedia format, and is approved for CE credit.
MD, MSc (Epid), MBA
Dr. Sanjay Sharma, a Professor of Ophthalmology and Epidemiology at Queen’s University, is the author of over 150 scientific articles that appear in the peer-reviewed literature and 3 books including the American Medical Association Press’s Evidence Based to Value Based Medicine.
Dr. Sharma has received numerous medical research grants and awards, including those from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Sharma, who completed his medical training at Wills Eye Hospital and Harvard University, is the Editor-in-Chief of Optocase.
Disclosure: Dr. Sharma has served on advisory boards for Bayer and Novartis, for which he has received honoraria. Dr. Sharma has also received grants from both Bayer and Novartis.
MD
Dr. Davin Johnson, an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Queen’s University, is the Associate Editor of Optocase. Dr. Johnson completed his undergraduate, medical degree, and Ophthalmology residency at Queen’s University, and has authored numerous publications which appear in the peer-reviewed literature.
His publications have appeared in prestigious journals such as JAMA and Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, as well as others including the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology and Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He has also authored many Ophthaproblem articles that appear in Canadian Family Physician – the official journal of the College of Family Physicians.
Disclosure: Dr. Johnson has no financial relationships to disclose.
MD, PhD, FRCSC
Dr. El-Defrawy is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at University of Toronto, and is a Past-president of the Canadian Ophthalmology Society.
Dr. El-Defrawy serves on many important provincial and national committees, and is currently co-chair of the Eye Health Council of Ontario (EHCO) and the President of the Association of Canadian University Professors of Ophthalmology (ACUPO). Dr. El-Defrawy is the recipient of many teaching awards, including the Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Ontario’s (PAIRO) Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award and has received several grants for research in eye disease.
Rachel Curtis MD, BScH
Dr. Rachel Curtis is an ophthalmology resident at Queen’s University, and a writer and editor for Optocase. Dr. Curtis completed BScH and medical degrees at Queen’s University, and has won a number of prestigious academic and research scholarships and prizes.
Disclosure: Dr. Curtis has no financial relationships to disclose.
Paul Mitchell MBBS, MD, PhD
Dr. Paul Mitchell is a Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology & Eye Health, Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney and the Director of Ophthalmology for the Sydney West Area Health Service. A leading researcher in the area of epidemiology of eye disease, AMD and diabetic retinopathy, Professor Mitchell has made significant contributions in the fields of public health and epidemiology via the landmark Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES). Dr. Mitchell, the author of over 300 scientific articles that appear in the peer-reviewed literature including those published in NEJM and the BMJ, has served as the principle investigator of numerous government-funded clinical trials.
Gabriela Lahaie Luna MD, BSc
Dr. Gabriela Lahaie Luna is an ophthalmology resident at Queen’s University, and a writer and editor for Optocase. Dr. Lahaie Luna completed a B.Sc in biomedical sciences and medical degree at the University of Ottawa. She will be starting an Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia this summer (2021).
Samuel Minaker MD, MSc, BSc
Dr. Samuel Minaker is an ophthalmology resident at the University of Toronto, and a writer and editor for Optocase. Dr. Minaker completed a B.Sc in chemistry at St. Francis Xavier University, a M.Sc in chemistry at the University of Victoria and medical degree at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Minaker will be starting a Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship at the Illinois Retina Associates and Rush University in Chicago this summer (2021).
Robert Johnson MD, FRCSC
Dr. Robert Johnson is a practicing ophthalmologist from Guelph, Ontario and current Assistant Editor for Optocase. He completed both his medical school and ophthalmology training at Queen’s University, graduating in 1986.
Dr. Johnson’s practice involves mainly comprehensive ophthalmology with a special interest in neuro-ophthalmology. He has presented at several optometry meetings across Ontario in recent years.
Vladimir Kratky BSc, MD, FRCSC, DABO
Dr. Vladimir Kratky is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, and Director of the Ophthalmic Plastic and Orbital Surgery service at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Kratky is a past-president and current member of the advisory board for the Canadian Society of Oculoplastic Surgery (CSOPS), as well as past president of the Medical Staff Association of Kingston.
Dr. Kratky’s practice focuses on Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. He has published numerous scientific papers and is a frequent speaker at conferences, both nationally and internationally.
Disclosure: Dr. Kratky has no financial relationships to disclose.
Thomas-A Noel B.Sc., OD
Dr. Thomas-A Noel, a practicing Optometrist in Ottawa, was a past President of the Ottawa Society of Optometrists from 2001-2004. Dr. Noel has been extensively involved in optometric education and has served as an examiner for the Canadian Standard Assessment in Optometry (CSAO) Exams in Optometry. He presently chairs the Registration Committee of the College of Optometrists of Ontario and Co-Chiars the Eye Health Council of Ontario (ECHO). Dr. Noel obtained his B.Sc. from the University of Ottawa, his Doctorate in Optometry from University of Montreal School of Optometry, and completed an externship at the Syracuse Veteran Hospital Department of Ophthalmology in Syracuse.
David Almeida MD, MBA, PhD
Dr. Almeida is Ophthalmologist with VitreoRetinal Surgery, PA in Minnesota. After completing a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry, Dr. Almeida completed medical school and an ophthalmology residency at Queen’s University. Also earning an MBA through the George Washington University School of Business. He then completed a 2-year vitreoretinal diseases and surgery fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
William Ulakovic OD
Dr. William Ulakovic, a graduate from the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry, has been actively involved in the Ontario Association of Optometrists for the past 12 years, and has been the Association’s President in the past. Dr. Ulakovic, a Clinical Instructor and Lecturer with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, is a member of the Eye Health Council of Ontario.
Stephen Brodovsky MD, FRCSC
Dr. Brodovsky is in private practice in association with a team of optometrists. He specializes in corneal diseases and anterior segment surgery. He is co-medical director of the Misericordia Lion’s Eye Bank of Manitoba. He has worked overseas with Orbis and Seva Canada. These projects involved cataract surgery in under-serviced areas, as well as training in corneal transplantation and cataract surgery. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba in the Dept of Ophthalmology and is chair of the cornea section for University of Manitoba’s ophthalmology residency program.
Derek MacDonald OD
Following undergraduate studies at the University of Regina, Dr. MacDonald graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in 1992. Since that time, he has been engaged in full-scope private practice in Waterloo. Upon graduation, Dr. MacDonald stayed involved with the School of Optometry, acting as a clinical supervisor in the Ocular Health Clinic, and sat on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Optometrists, culminating in a two-year term serving as it’s President. Dr. MacDonald is on the Council of the College of Optometrists of Ontario and is a founding member of the Eye Health Council of Ontario (EHCO).
