In the News

(Ottawa, ON) April 15, 2026 – As scope of practice expansion is actively being considered across Canada, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is emphasizing that patient safety must remain the central and non-negotiable principle guiding any changes to healthcare delivery. While COS supports innovation and system modernization, it is deeply concerned that several proposed changes The post Patient safety must remain the foundation of scope of practice decisions in Canada appeared first on COS-SCO.

April 7, 2026 – Ottawa, ON – Ophthalmologists across Canada are observing the impact of seasonal environmental exposures — including ultraviolet (UV) radiation, wildfire smoke, and airborne allergens — on patients’ ocular health and visual comfort. As these factors intensify during the spring and summer months, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is underscoring the importance The post Canadian Ophthalmologists Highlight Seasonal Environmental Risks to Eye Health appeared first on COS-SCO.

Toronto, ON – February 3, 2025 – The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is recognizing Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month by highlighting how the disease affects patients differently, the evolving role of technology in care, and the broader impact of vision loss across Canada. AMD is a progressive eye disease where damage to the macula The post Canadian Ophthalmological Society marks AMD Awareness Month by highlighting advances in care and patient impact appeared first on COS-SCO.

Ottawa, ON – January 1, 2026 – The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is encouraging Canadians to schedule comprehensive eye exams during January’s Glaucoma Awareness Month, highlighting that early detection remains the most effective way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in Canada. Despite advances in treatment, vision loss from glaucoma The post Canadian Ophthalmological Society urges Canadians to prioritize eye exams during Glaucoma Awareness Month appeared first on COS-SCO.

OTTAWA November 17 2025 – The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is urging the federal and provincial governments to put patient safety ahead of scope expansion as proposals emerge across Canada that would allow optometrists to perform surgical procedures without a medical degree and surgical training in accredited programs with regulatory standards and oversight. In Alberta, The post Canadian Ophthalmological Society: Patient Safety Must Come Before Scope Expansion appeared first on COS-SCO.