On this episode of EyeCan, host Dr. Hady Saheb welcomes a special guest co-host: Dr. Rishi Gupta, a Halifax-based retina specialist and chair of the COS Ergonomics and Injury Prevention Working Group. Together, they explore one of the most under-discussed but critically important aspects of ophthalmic practice: ergonomics—how surgeons and physicians can protect their bodies, prevent career-limiting injuries, and sustain long, healthy professional lives.

Our featured guest, Dr. Hussein Hollands, brings a uniquely rich perspective to this conversation. Dr. Hollands is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Retina and Vitreous at the University of British Columbia, with a background spanning UBC medical school, Queen’s ophthalmology residency, and a medical retina fellowship at the University of Toronto. In addition to completing a Master’s in Epidemiology and authoring roughly 40 peer-reviewed publications, he now practices in Vernon, BC, where his work includes medical retina, cataract surgery, on-call service, and general ophthalmology.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Hollands is passionate about staying active—whether it’s squash, mountain biking, or paddleboarding through the Okanagan. He joins us on this episode to discuss the real-world ergonomic challenges physicians and surgeons face, practical strategies to reduce strain, and how maintaining physical wellness supports excellence in patient care.

This engaging conversation blends evidence, lived experience, and expert insight, providing our listeners with actionable takeaways to protect their health throughout their careers.

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With your hosts, Dr. Hady Saheb and Dr. Rishi Gupta.

Written and Directed by Kim Tytler.

Produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.

The EyeCan Podcast is made possible by support from Astellas Pharma Canada and Johnson&Johnson Vision.

Comments about EyeCan? Contact communications@cos-sco.ca and we’ll get back to you soon!
Listening to EyeCan counts for unaccredited MOC credits. You may claim 0.5 credits per hour under Section 2 (Individual Learning) as “Educational content review”, up to 30 credits per year.

This episode on EyeCan, we’re thrilled to welcome Professor Marion Munk, a globally recognized leader in uveitis, retina, and ophthalmic research innovation. With an impressive track record in clinical research, artificial intelligence, and translational medicine, Dr. Munk guides us through the evolving landscape of ophthalmology—from the critical role of standardizing imaging protocols to the transformative power of AI in discovering new disease pathways.

In this episode, we unpack her work in establishing global nomenclature through Delphi methodologies, redefining clinical endpoints for retinal therapies, and exploring therapeutic targets beyond anti-VEGF. We also dive into her groundbreaking research on fibrosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and nonperfusion, along with how AI and bioinformatics are revealing links between ophthalmic disease and systemic infections like SARS-CoV-2 and tuberculosis.

To round out the conversation, we put Dr. Munk in the “lightning round hotseat” to hear about her life beyond the lab—travel, books, and how she unwinds when she's not pushing the boundaries of eye care innovation.

👩‍⚕️ Guest Bio:

Professor Marion Munk
Professor Marion Munk is a physician-scientist and global authority in Uveitis and Medical Retina. She is Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Research at Augenarzt-Praxisgemeinschaft Gutblick AG, Professor at Inselspital (University Hospital Bern), adjunct professor at Northwestern University (Chicago), Director of Eyegnos Consulting, and Chief Medical Officer at Isarna Therapeutics.

Dr. Munk has authored over 260 scientific publications and serves on the editorial boards of leading journals, including IOVS, Acta Ophthalmologica, and Ophthalmologica. Her research spans image processing, artificial intelligence, macular disease, and uveitis. She is Research Chair at the International Retinal Imaging Society (InTRIS) and a peer reviewer for numerous journals in the field.

Through her work in standardizing OCTA nomenclature, advancing retinal imaging analytics, and leading the charge on AI applications in ophthalmology, Professor Munk is helping shape the future of vision science.

With your host Dr. Hady Saheb.

Written and directed by Kim Tytler.

Produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.

The EyeCan Podcast is made possible by support from Bayer.

Show Notes:
Exploring the Molecular Intersection of Posterior Ocular Tuberculosis: Mycobacterium tuberculosis Proteins, Ocular Autoimmunity, and Immune Receptor Interactions.

Standardization of OCT Angiography Nomenclature in Retinal Vascular Diseases: Consensus-Based Recommendations.

Is it Time to Adopt a New Nomenclature and Classification for White Dot Syndromes Using Multimodal Imaging Techniques? Report 1 from Multimodal Imaging in Uveitis (MUV) Task Force.

Expression of key SARS-CoV-2 entry molecules in surgically obtained human retinal biopsies.

How the immune response to the structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 affects the retinal vascular endothelial cells: an immune thrombotic and/or endotheliopathy process with in silico modeling.

Comments about EyeCan? Contact communications@cos-sco.ca and we’ll get back to you soon!
Listening to EyeCan counts for unaccredited MOC credits. You may claim 0.5 credits per hour under Section 2 (Individual Learning) as “Educational content review”, up to 30 credits per year.

On this episode of EyeCan, we dive deep into the world of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) with neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. Anastasia Neufeld. From symptom recognition to cutting-edge research, we explore how this complex condition affects both the brain and the eyes—and why early diagnosis and collaborative care are critical.

Dr. Neufeld shares insights into the risk factors and epidemiology of IIH, its effects on the visual system, and the evolving strategies for treatment, including medical, surgical, and lifestyle approaches. We also touch on the importance of interdisciplinary care, communication with patients, and emerging Canadian research exploring socioeconomic factors, anemia, and even links to viral infections like COVID-19.

And of course, we get to know the human behind the scrubs as Dr. Neufeld shares what keeps her grounded outside the clinic.

👩‍⚕️ Guest Bio:

Dr. Anastasia Neufeld
Anastasia Neufeld is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia and a practicing neuro-ophthalmologist with a combined surgical and academic practice. She holds an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, followed by her MD from UBC. She completed her ophthalmology residency at Dalhousie University and a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at the University of Utah’s Moran Eye Center.

In addition to her clinical and surgical expertise, Dr. Neufeld is a dedicated educator. She lectures to general practitioners and optometrists, and trains medical students, residents, and fellows in both Canada and the U.S., where she also holds an Adjunct Assistant Professorship at the University of Utah. She recently assumed a regional medical leadership role in developing the curriculum for the new Simon Fraser University School of Medicine.

With your host, Dr. Heather O'Donnell.

Written and directed by Kim Tytler.

Produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.

The EyeCan Podcast is made possible by support from Bayer.

Show Notes:

Two articles of interest:

Current Understanding of the Pathophysiology of Idiopathic
Intracranial Hypertension https://www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Current-Understanding-of-Pathophysiology-of-IIH-1.pdf

Revised diagnostic criteria for the pseudotumor cerebri syndrome in adults
and children https://www.cos-sco.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Revised-diagnostic-criteria-for-the-pseudotumor-cerebri-syndrome-in-adults-and-children.pdf

Comments about EyeCan? Contact communications@cos-sco.ca and we’ll get back to you soon!
Listening to EyeCan counts for unaccredited MOC credits. You may claim 0.5 credits per hour under Section 2 (Individual Learning) as “Educational content review”, up to 30 credits per year.