Course curriculum

Instructor(s)

Ophthalmologist

Devesh Varma MD BEng FRCSC

Dr. Devesh Varma is recognized across Canada as a leader in Ophthalmology. He specializes in glaucoma surgery performing a full spectrum of complex as well as newer minimally invasive procedures. As well, in addition to routine and refractive cataract surgery, he has particular expertise in high risk cataracts, the repair of complications from cataract surgery and reconstruction of the front portion of the eye. He graduated first in his class in Engineering at Dalhousie University, then completed medical school in Halifax, a residency in Ophthalmology in Saskatoon and a fellowship in Glaucoma and Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery at the University of Toronto under Dr. Ike Ahmed. In 2010, Dr. Varma joined the Prism Eye Institute - a large multidisciplinary practice with locations in Mississauga and Brampton where he is now a senior partner. He has served over 100,000 patients, performed over 9,000 surgeries and over 20,000 laser procedures. Dr. Varma operates at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, Kensington Eye Institute in Toronto and at the Prism/TLC surgery center in Oakville. Dr. Varma is an Assistant professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Toronto, where he leads undergraduate ophthalmology teaching at the Mississauga campus, teaches residents, fellows and delivers a wide variety of continuing education programs for practicing physicians. He is also the founder and chairman of the Emerging Leaders Program for Ophthalmologists at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. Dr. Varma actively conducts research and has special interests in angle closure glaucoma and new technologies, having authored over 20 publications and delivered over 100 presentations at national and international conferences

Glaucoma Lead eyeLABS Optometry and Dry Eye Clinc,

Faran Vafaie OD, MSc

Dr. Faran Vafaie received his Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology and Masters of Science in Biochemistry at the University of Western Ontario followed by his Doctor of Optometry at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Vafaie has been actively involved in public promotion of eyecare, giving numerous presentations and talks at public events, as well as being involved in teaching and supervising clinical techniques to optometry, medical school students and family medicine residents from the University of Waterloo and Michael DeGroote School of Medicine. He is the lead optometrist of the glaucoma program at eyeLABS where he is comanaging patients with general ophthalmology and glaucoma specialists. Furthermore, he works at the Prism Eye Institute, a large 28-doctor multi-specialty practice where he is working in a collaborative model of care with glaucoma specialists and have together built and run a unique glaucoma and complex cataract co-management clinic.

Medical Director eyeLABS Optometry and Dry Eye Clinic

Richard Maharaj OD, FAAO

Dr. Richard Maharaj is the current medical director for eyeLABS Center for Ocular Surface Disease a leading specialty eye Care and research facility and an active Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. He is a clinical adjunct faculty for the University of Waterloo School of Optometry, the Canadian Association of Optometrists Section Chair for Ocular Surface Disease, Editorial Board Member for The Journal of Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease, and Chief Education Officer at MyDryEye.ca and co-founder for the Canadian Dry Eye Summit - a national conference dedicated to educating eye doctors in the area of dry eye disease management. As a published international speaker and clinical scientist on diseases of the ocular surface and the psychology of health care, he remains an active member of both national and international professional associations.