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Inherited Retinal Dystrophies, Clinical Breakthroughs and Gene Replacement Therapies

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Welcome to our series of educational webinars available for viewing now
WEBINAR 1
Best Practices for Virtual Genetic Counselling and Testing for Inherited Retinal Dystrophy (IRD)
Presenters
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Johane Robitaille, MD, FRCSC

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

IWK Health Centre

Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

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M. Jill Beis, MSc, CCGC

Genetic Counsellor

Maritime Medical Genetics Services

IWK Health Centre

Halifax, NS

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Sara B. MacKay, MS, CCGC

Genetic Counsellor

Maritime Medical Genetics Services

IWK Health Centre

Halifax, NS

Objectives
  • Gain knowledge about virtual ocular genetic counselling and testing clinic

  • Understand the patient journey from referral to genetic confirmation for individuals with a suspected IRD

  • Recognize the value of genetic counselling and/or testing for patients who present with an inherited or suspected genetically based ocular disease

WEBINAR 2
Reimagining the Treatment of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies
Presenter
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Robert K. Koenekoop, MD, PhD

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology and

Molecular Biologist of Blindness

McGill University

Objectives
  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of IRD

  • Describe the IRD patient journey to diagnosis, and referral pathway

  • Understand the value of genetic screening in patients who present with an inherited or a suspected genetically-based ocular disease

WEBINAR 3
Advances in Inherited Retinal Dystrophies and
Gene Replacement Therapy – The Future is Now
Presenter
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Robert K. Koenekoop, MD, PhD

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology and

Molecular Biologist of Blindness

McGill University

Objectives
  • Understand the mechanism of action of gene replacement therapy and its potential application in various genetic diseases

  • Gain knowledge in various clinical studies for IRDs: therapeutic,gene editing and stem cell treatments

  • Define the clinical end-points and measurements used in different trials

WEBINAR 4
The New Management of IRD Patients in the Era of Gene Therapy –
A Team Approach
Presenters
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Ana Juricic, OD

Low Vision Optometrist

Toronto, ON

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Robert K. Koenekoop, MD, PhD

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology and

Molecular Biologist of Blindness

McGill University

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Leslie Colvin James, BSc, MSc

Genetic Counsellor
Alberta Children's Hospital

Calgary, AB

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Ajoy Vincent, MBBS, MS

Associate Professor
Medical Director, Visual Electrophysiology Unit
Department of Ophthalmology
and Vision Sciences
University of Toronto
Staff Ophthalmologist
The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids)
Toronto, ON

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Ian MacDonald, MSc, MD, CM

Ophthalmologist
Professor Emeritus
Department of Ophthalmology
and Vision Sciences

University of Alberta

Edmonton, AB

Clinical Geneticist
University of Calgary

Calgary, AB

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Peter Kertes, MD, CM, FRCSC

Professor
Department of Ophthalmology
and Vision Sciences

University of Toronto

Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Staff Ophthalmologist
The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids)
Toronto, ON

Objectives
  • Recognize when to suspect an IRD

  • Appreciate the complexities of identifying a genetic diagnosis

  • Understand the significance of finding the causal gene in IRD

  • Update knowledge of IRD treatments in the era of gene therapies

  • Define the role of the retina specialist in the IRD landscape

  • How to help patients optimize remaining vision and adapt to new vision

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