Got questions about your eye health?

Canadian ophthalmologists share their top recommendations to keep your eyes safe and healthy.

Zoom in on your risk for the Big 5.

A serious eye condition might not be this easy to spot. Find out if you’re at risk for any of the Big 5 so you can take charge of your eye health.

START THE RISK ASSESSMENT

In the dark about UV eye safety?

Test your awareness and debunk some common misconceptions about protecting your eyes from the sun.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Do you know the 3 Os of the eye care team?

What makes an Ophthalmologist unique among eye care professionals? See how well you really know each of the 3 Os of the eye care team.

TAKE THE QUIZ

What are the Big Five?

What are the Big Five? They’re the 5 most common serious eye conditions that can cause vision loss. Find out how much you really know about these conditions and how to keep your eyes healthy.

BIG 5 QUIZ

An up-close look at diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic what??? If you haven’t heard of diabetic retinopathy before, you’re not alone. But it’s a leading cause of vision loss, and anyone with diabetes could be at risk. We’re here to help you learn all about diabetic retinopathy and the steps you can take to protect your eyes.

WATCH OUR VIDEO

The 3 Os of the Eye Care Team

Each of the 3 Os of the eye care team plays a critical role in delivering quality eye care. But do you know who is responsible for what?

Learn about the 3 Os

Meet the glaucoma dream team

Why is glaucoma called the Silent Thief of Sight? Because it can steal your vision without you even realizing it. Unless, that is, you’ve got a glaucoma dream team on your side. We’ve got you covered – our Optometrist and Ophthalmologist will explain what glaucoma is and what you need to do about it – so you can save your sight.

WATCH OUR VIDEO

Confused about AMD? Let’s break it down.

AMD stands for Age-related Macular Degeneration. And to make things more complicated, there are two types – wet and dry. But don’t worry, we’re here to walk you through what it is and what you can do to lower your risk of vision loss. Click the link below to take a closer look at AMD.

WATCH OUR VIDEO

Do you know what cataracts are?

Think cataracts just affect older adults? Well, guess again. If you’re one of the 2.5 million people living in Canada with cataracts, then you should know it can be a serious eye disease if left untreated. Click the link below and learn more.

WATCH OUR VIDEO

Reduce your risk of eye trauma

An estimated 720,000 Canadians sustain eye injuries that require medical attention every year. And 1 in 4 of those are forced to take time off work or school as a result.

reduce your risk

Get to know the Big 5

Five eye conditions are responsible for most vision loss in Canada.
Check out our quick-hit videos on each of the Big 5 serious eye health concerns and explore their causes, risk factors, and how they’re diagnosed and treated.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in Canadians over 60 years old.

Cataracts

When the lens in your eye becomes cloudy and reduces your ability to see, it is called a cataract.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve caused, in most cases, by an increase in the pressure within the eye.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy develops over time in many people who have diabetes. This disease causes damage to blood vessels in the eye.

Eye injury

Learn about the most common eye injuries and how to avoid them.

Check your ‘eye’Q

How much do you know about these eye health topics?

Meet the 3 Os of the eye care team

Learn the difference between an optician, an optometrist and an ophthalmologist.

THE 3 Os

Follow real patients' eye health journeys

See the inspiring stories of patients facing serious eye conditions, and the ophthalmologists committed to helping to protect and restore their vision.

WATCH PATIENT STORIES

Ask the ophthalmologist

Leading Canadian ophthalmologists answer common questions about eye health and safety.

Learn More

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is dedicated to providing all Canadians with optimal medical and surgical eye care.

We developed See The Possibilities as a resource for the Canadian public on the topics of vision health, serious eye diseases and what the COS is doing to promote eye health for everyone.

ABOUT OPHTHALMOLOGY

Got questions about your eye health?

Zoom in on your risk for the Big 5.

In the dark about UV eye safety?

Do you know the 3 Os of the eye care team?

What are the Big Five?

An up-close look at diabetic retinopathy

The 3 Os of the Eye Care Team

Meet the glaucoma dream team

Confused about AMD? Let’s break it down.

Do you know what cataracts are?

Reduce your risk of eye trauma

Get to know the Big 5

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Cataracts

Glaucoma

Diabetic retinopathy

Eye injury

Check your ‘eye’Q

UV Eye Safety

The Big 5

The 3 Os

Meet the 3 Os of the eye care team

Follow real patients' eye health journeys

Ask the ophthalmologist

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is dedicated to providing all Canadians with optimal medical and surgical eye care.