Last month, two of our talented team members from the Eye Institute at Kensington Health took the national stage at the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) Annual Meeting in Vancouver. Julia Di lanni and Godfrey Wong, Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologists, presented at the Canadian Society of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (CSOMP) Annual Education Day.
This is a proud moment not only for Julia and Godfrey, but for all of us at Kensington. Their participation speaks to the clinical excellence, innovation, and depth of knowledge that make The Eye Institute at Kensington Health a leader in its field.
Julia’s Experience: Making Eye Care More Understandable for Patients
Julia’s presentation focused on Intraocular lens (IOL) counselling and how to clearly explain IOL options to patients undergoing cataract surgery.
“My goal was to take something very clinical and make it accessible,” she said.
“I talked about the most common types of IOLs, their intended use, and how to help patients make informed decisions about their eye care. When patients truly understand their options, they feel more confident and engaged in their treatment.”
Julia shared how her experience at Kensington has shaped her approach to patient care.
“I see patients at every stage of their journey, from consultation to post-op assessments, so I’ve been able to develop a strong understanding of the IOL technology and the human side of care.”
“Being invited back to COS for a second year felt like a big vote of confidence,” she added. “It was meaningful to be there as a representative of Kensington and to share what we’re doing here with a national audience.”
Godfrey’s Experience: Bringing Electrophysiology to Life
Godfrey delivered a fundamentals presentation on clinical electrophysiology of vision, a specialized field that uses visual electrodiagnostic tests to assess eye function and detect vision disorders. He walked technicians through how to set up and interpret four main types of tests and included real-world examples of abnormal findings.
“It was definitely a bit nerve-racking to speak at COS, but also incredibly rewarding,” he said. “I wanted to take this very complex topic and make it approachable, especially for technicians who may never have encountered electrophysiology before.”
Godfrey credited his daily work at Kensington for helping him ground the presentation in lived experience.
“Since Kensington is the only facility offering adult visual electrophysiology in the Greater Toronto Area, I knew it was important to represent the clinic well. I’m constantly learning from the fascinating cases we see, and I was proud to show the calibre of work we do here.”
He also noted how energizing it was to be surrounded by so many passionate people in the field.
“One of the highlights was seeing how much cutting-edge ophthalmic research is happening in Canada. From AI and machine learning to new diagnostic tools, there’s a lot of innovation on the horizon. It’s exciting to think about how those ideas could shape the future of care.”
Both Julia and Godfrey reflected on the sense of connection that comes from attending a national conference like COS.
From reuniting with old colleagues to forming new networks and hearing fresh perspectives, the experience reinforced the importance of continuous learning and professional growth.
“These kinds of events remind you that what we do everyday matters,” said Julia. “And when you get to share that work with peers across the country, it’s even more rewarding.”
“I’m currently working toward completing my Master of Science,” added Godfrey. “So, I’m hopeful I’ll be back next year to share even more.”
A huge congratulations to Julia and Godfrey for showcasing Kensington’s excellence on a national stage. Your dedication, insight, and leadership continue to raise the bar in ophthalmic care.