Dr. Mona Harissi-Dagher is Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Full Professor of Ophthalmology at the Université de Montréal, and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at McGill University.
She currently serves as President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS), where she has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2012. Her contributions have included serving as Chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, Board Liaison to Residents and Young Ophthalmologists, co-host of the EyeCan podcast for two seasons, developer of the EyeNovation webinar series, and current lead for the COS cornea learning modules on the Practice Resource Centre.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Harissi-Dagher teaches medical students, ophthalmology residents, and both clinical and research fellows in cornea. She also supervises and mentors MSc and PhD students in vision science research.
She completed her undergraduate studies at McGill University, earning the Hilda Diana Oakley Scholarship as the top-ranking female student. She obtained her medical degree and specialization in ophthalmology at the Université de Montréal, graduating on the Dean’s Honour List. She then pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in cornea, external eye diseases, and refractive surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School.
A pioneer in keratoprosthesis surgery in Canada, Dr. Harissi-Dagher was named Personality of the Week by La Presse and Radio-Canada for her visionary work restoring sight through the Boston Keratoprosthesis.
Her research focuses on the Boston Keratoprosthesis, corneal transplantation, and refractive surgery. She has published over 140 scientific papers, authored numerous book chapters on corneal and external eye diseases, and serves as a reviewer for several leading ophthalmology journals. A sought-after international speaker, she has presented at many of the world’s most prestigious ophthalmology conferences and has received numerous awards recognizing her contributions to the field.
Financial disclosure: Dr. Harissi-Dagher has/had an affiliation (financial or otherwise) with a commercial organization:
1. Sun Pharma
Sessions in which Dr. Mona Harissi-Dagher participates
Friday 20 June, 2025
Saturday 21 June, 2025
Sunday 22 June, 2025
Learning objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:Assess patient candidacy for refractive surgery treatments.Understand the application of topography-guided software in both primary and secondary refractive surgery treatments.Evaluate and manage c...
Sessions in which Dr. Mona Harissi-Dagher attends
Thursday 19 June, 2025
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Please join us for a glass of cheer and help us celebrate the 2025 COS Annual Meeting and Exhibition. This event is a great opportunity to network with our international speakers, special guests, sponsors, and exhibitors. Renew old acquaintances and make new friends with colleagues from across Canada.
Friday 20 June, 2025
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:To challenge traditional attitudes and educate delegates regarding the ophthalmic simulation options available to ensure a safer surgical experience for the trainer, trainee and the patient (most importantly).
Join us to witness presentations featuring our highest-scoring ePosters! Presenters will highlight the latest research in the field of Ophthalmology. Network and engage in conversations with fellow students, residents, post-doctoral Fellows, and researchers.
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:Explore the preoperative process.
Learning Objectives At the end of this session, participants will be able to:Discuss recent advances in cataract surgery.Discuss novel techniques for cataract surgery.Explore recent research in cataract sur...
Author’s Name(s): Moncef Berkache, Wissam Nassrallah, Mohammad Karam, Kenan Bachour, Allison Bernstein, Mona Harissi-Dagher, Samir JabbourAuthor’s Disclosure Block: Moncef Berkache, none; Wissam Nassrallah, none; Mohammad Karam, none; Kenan Bachour, none; Allison Bernstein, none; Mona Harissi-Dagher, none; Samir Jabbour, noneAbstract BodyPurpose: Patients with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED) are at a higher risk of endoth...
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:Evaluate the applications of artificial intelligence in screening, diagnostics, and surgery within ophthalmology. To explain the principles of found...
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:Discuss "tips and tricks" in cataract surgery.Explore recent research in cataract surgery.CanMEDS: Medical Expert; Scholar
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:To understand how different patient populations experience vision impairment and eye disease due to structural and identity-based factors.
Saturday 21 June, 2025
Learning Objectives At the end of this session, participants will be able to:To improve surgical techniques during eye surgery in the digital age.To know the most common types of retinal pathologies that can result from myopia.Identify and articulate the current disparities in eye health outcomes across different populations, recognizing ...
Author’s Name(s): Emma Youhnovska, Mai Katbe, Wissam B. Nassrallah, Andre Pollmann, Fady Sedarous, Rayan Tolba, Dominique Geoffrion, Mona Harissi-Dagher Author’s Disclosure Block: Emma Youhnovska, none; Mai Katbe, none; Wissam B. Nassrallah, none; Andre Pollmann, none; Fady Sedarous, none; Rayan Tolba, none; Dominique Geoffrion, none; Mona Harissi-Dagher, none Abstract Body Purpose: The Boston Type I Kerato...
Author’s Name(s): Dominique Geoffrion, Joseph Hakim, Younes Agoumi, Mona Harissi-Dagher Author’s Disclosure Block: Dominique Geoffrion, OpenAI Employment/honoraria/consulting fees , OpenAI, Employment/honoraria/consulting fees; Joseph Hakim, none; Younes Agoumi, none; Mona Harissi-Dagher, none Abstract Body Purpose: Glaucoma is the most important vision-threatening complication after Boston keratopros...
Course Description: This STC offers hands-on training in advanced anterior segment surgical techniques, ideal for ophthalmic surgeons looking to refine their advanced anterior segment skills. Participants will practice creating scleral tunnels, performing superficial keratectomy and anterior stromal puncture, suturing corneal lacerations, and executing limbal relaxing incisions for astigmatism correction. Additionally, the course will feature cor...
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:To understand the importance of DMEK graft sizing and how it related to transplant outcomes.
This abstract was selected as the third place winner (paper) for the 2025 COS Awards of ExcellenceAuthor’s Name(s): Anas Abu Dieh, Neethi Thathapudi, Mostafa Zamani Roudbaraki, Marie-Claude Robert, Samir Jabbour, Mona Harissi-Dagher, Christos Boutopoulos, May GriffithAuthor’s Disclosure Block: Anas Abu Dieh, none; Neethi Thathapudi, none; ...
Author’s Name(s): Allison Bernstein, Youssef Gheth, Wissam Nassrallah, Moncef Berkache, Dominique Geoffrion, Michel Haagdorens, Mona Harissi-DagherAuthor’s Disclosure Block: Allison Bernstein, none; Youssef Gheth, none; Wissam Nassrallah, none; Moncef Berkache, none; Dominique Geoffrion, none; Michel Haagdorens, none; Mona Harissi-Dagher, noneAbstract BodyPurpose:Our project aims to study the evolution over a 15-year period ...
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:To review how to optimize the use corneal diagnostics to detect corneal ectasia.To review rare complications after crosslinking and outcomes of custom corneal allogenic stromal ring segments.
Sunday 22 June, 2025
Learning Objectives At the end of this session, participants will be able to:Be able to discuss at least 4 specific SDGs where high-quality evidence points to a causative association between vision interventions and improved outcomes.Describe recruitment challenges and strategies for enrolling underserved populations in clinical trials.<...
Join us in celebrating outstanding contributions to ophthalmology at the COS Awards of Excellence Ceremony. This special event will honor the recipients of the Paper and Poster Awards, recognizing their exceptional research and innovation. Paper award winners will be presented with their awards, while poster winners will have the opportunity to showcase their winning work.Author’s Name(s):
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:To review outcomes of severe dry eye disease and mask-associated dry eye.To review efficacy of novel and established corneal wound healing therapies.To understand ocular surface adverse...
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:To review how to optimize cataract surgery outcomes in patients with corneal disease, iregular corneas and complex cataracts.To understand the effect that cataract surgery has on the ocular surf...