Ophthalmology Research
Ocular Genetics
The Department has a tradition of research excellence in ocular genetics, with the laboratories researching complementary aspects of inherited eye disease. Details of these major research themes and biographical information are available:
¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Vision Net
¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Vision Net consists of researchers from the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and University of Calgary who are working together to improve the understanding and treatment of ocular disease.
Virtual Retina
Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in developed countries and so it is very important that future ophthalmologists understand it well. The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences has developed a virtual environment, Virtual Retina: Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy, to augment the education residents receive about diabetic retinopathy.
Using cutting edge technology and specially developed software, Virtual Retina allows residents to digitally stereoview patients in a case-based format and encourages the development of a diagnostic framework. Also, the cases have an interactive pathology-identification component, and incorporate self-testing and virtual surgical treatment. Virtual Retina is supported by detailed theoretical papers and interactive illustrated tutorials. Learners acquire a thorough understanding that would otherwise take an extended period of time to achieve through traditional clinical observation.
Tele-Ophthalmology
This program facilitates timely detection of treatable diabetic retinopathy in the Aboriginal population, through a high-resolution, . It avoids the need for 90% of Aboriginal diabetics to travel from remote communities for annual examination, and has been expanded to cover all Aboriginal and Métis communities in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥. A similar service is provided to the Northwest Territories.