EyeCan
EyeCan: A Canadian Lens on Ophthalmology. In this series, we examine all aspects of what it means to be an Ophthalmologist in Canada; we speak with leaders in our field about their contributions and life journey; we explore new and emerging techniques and technologies in eye care. Through it all we hope to connect with our community and have those that listen understand the value of who we are and what we do for our patients. We’ll share our experiences as ophthalmologists today and tackle some of challenges we face as healthcare providers.
Hosted by Dr. Guillermo Rocha and Dr. Setareh Ziai (seasons one and two), Dr. Mona Dagher and Dr. Hady Saheb (seasons 3 and 4), and Dr. Heather O'Donnell and Dr. Hady Saheb (season five).
Brought to you by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Seasons 1 and 2 of the EyeCan podcast were sponsored by MD Financial Affinity Grant. Seasons 3, 4 and 5 are sponsored by Bayer.
Written and directed by Kim Tytler, Manager of Communications at the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and produced by John Allaire of Allaire Strategic Works.
EyeCan
EyeCan Season 5, Episode 3 - Ethics in Ophthalmology with guest Dr. Chryssa McAlister
On this episode of EyeCan, we talk to Dr. Chryssa McAlister about ethics in ophthalmology.
Dr. McAlister is Co-Division Head of Ophthalmology at the Waterloo Regional Eye Program, Staff Ophthalmologist at Saint Mary’s General Hospital and Grand River Hospital, and Assistant clinical professor adjunct. Waterloo Regional Campus. McMaster University.
She runs a diverse comprehensive medical and surgical ophthalmology practice and manages a wide range of ocular conditions. She performs cataract and strabismus surgery, intravitreal injections and various laser procedures. She also sees pediatric patients with eye disease in the Waterloo Region.
Dr. McAlister helps to coordinate the WRC medical student teaching in ophthalmology and delivers the ophthalmology review session for graduating medical students at McMaster University. McAlister is involved in the bioethics teaching for postgraduate ophthalmology training programs at McMaster and the University of Toronto. She helped to organize the Halifax Ethics Symposium and in 2023 founded the Macrae Bioethics and Professionalism Course in Ophthalmology, a biannual national review course in ophthalmology bioethics. She is frequently invited to speak at conferences on topics of bioethics in ophthalmology and medical education. Dr. McAlister is the Director of Community Practice on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society.
Show notes:
Waterloo Regional Eye Program www.waterlooeye.ca
The Drug Pushers – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2006/04/the-drug-pushers/304714/
Media coverage: partnerships with a private centre in Waterloo:
Macrae Bioethics and Professionalism in Ophthalmology Course at University of Toronto. Designed for senior ophthalmology residents. November 8-9, 2025
https://ophthalmology.utoronto.ca/macrae-bioethics-and-professionalism-course-ophthalmology
Conflicts of Interest with Industry - Make sure you are aware of the regulations and clinical standards at your institutions surrounding relations with industry as some types of relationships with industry, such as Speakers' Bureaus, are often prohibited. https://www.cpd.utoronto.ca/brochures/Relations-with-Industry.pdf
Brenda Gallie, MD - https://www.sickkids.ca/en/staff/g/brenda-gallie/
- Notable:
o 2013 - COS Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
o 2015 – Governor General’s Order of Canada
CMAJ – Public funding for private for-profit centres and access to cataract surgery by patient socioeconomic status: an Ontario population-based study. Read here.
