Although the Canadian Glaucoma Society (CGS) was officially founded in 1989, the origins of the CGS can be traced back to the early 1970s. Fellows of Dr. Stephen Drance, in conjunction with other glaucomatologists,[1] met annually at the Canadian Ophthalmology Society (COS) to present cases and study reports. In time, other ophthalmologists with an interest in glaucoma were also invited to join. As Dr. Drance’s involvement gradually diminished, the need for a more formal organization became apparent. Dr. Raymond Leblanc was instrumental in leading this initiative, and in 1989 the CGS was officially established. Under his leadership as the first president of CGS, there was tremendous growth of the group and several others have taken on this leadership role since that time.[2]
Bylaws for CGS were eventually developed and state: “The purpose of this society shall be to maintain and improve the quality of patient care and teaching, particularly as it relates to the investigation and treatment of glaucoma. The Society will direct its efforts to promoting the interchange of information and scientific material and facilitating meetings of those who have a special interest in the diagnosis and management of the glaucomas. The Society is to be non-profit organization.”
Today the society meets on an annual basis via a CGS dinner, held at the COS meeting each year. The CGS is responsible for the glaucoma portion of the meeting, including the Skills Transfer sessions for glaucoma, as well as for administering several awards that include the Stephen Drance Award for the best glaucoma scientific presentation by a trainee. In 2014 the CGS formally adopted a five-year strategic plan and introduced additional awards to foster research. Further details can be found on the CGS website (https://cgs-scg.org/research-awards/).
The success of the CGS’s journey is due to the collective contribution of all its members along the way. The CGS has wonderful members with diverse interests and skills, who, despite having busy clinical practices in various geographic locations across Canada, come together regularly to exchange ideas on glaucoma and to support glaucoma related clinical care, as well as educational and scientific ventures.
Compiled and written by:
Dr. Darana Yuen, MD, FRCSC
CGS Member
Faculty, University of Toronto, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
[1]{C} Glaucomatologists involved in the 1970s included: Raymond LeBlanc, Dr. Nabil Saheb, Dr. Gordon Douglas, Dr. Donald Morin, Dr. Henry Wyatt, Dr. Marvin Kwitko, Dr. Marcel Amyot, Dr. Gilles Côté, Dr. Robert Reid, Dr. John Speakman, Dr. Alf Elliot, Dr. Donald Mills, Dr. Michael Motolko and Dr. Cecil Ewing.
[2]{C} CGS past presidents in chronological order: Dr. Raymond LeBlanc, Dr. Gille Coté, Dr. Fred Mikelberg, Dr. Marcel Amyot, Dr. Andrew Crichton, Dr. Gordon Douglas, Dr. Paul Rafuse, Dr. Yvonne Buys, Dr. Marcelo Nicolela, Dr. Neeru Gupta, Dr. Karim Damji and Dr. Jamie Taylor.
