NBAO 2025 Presenters
Dr. Nir Shoham-Hazon
Dr. Shoham-Hazon is a Glaucoma and Advanced Anterior Segment Surgeon (GAASS) based in Miramichi, New Brunswick. He serves as the Director of the Miramichi EyeNB Centre of Excellence and the Medical Director of the Miramichi Surgical Centre of Excellence, a privately owned but publicly funded ophthalmology operating room. Dr. Shoham-Hazon completed his fellowship at the University of Toronto. In his leadership roles, he is dedicated to advocating for equality among ophthalmologists working in rural Canada and raising awareness about the unique challenges of rural ophthalmology. He also strives to promote medical school and residency exposure to EyeCare in rural communities across New Brunswick. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Shoham-Hazon is the co-founder and co-CEO of Hexiris, a biotechnology company that has developed a first-of-its-kind MIGS device designed for office-based delivery at the slit lamp, eliminating the need for an operating room. Dr. Shoham-Hazon holds academic appointments as an Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Memorial University.
Vanessa Bachir, OD, MSc, FAAO
Vanessa Bachir graduated from the University of Montreal School of Optometry in 2011 and then completed a residency in ocular disease (SUNY College of Optometry, 2012). Her areas of interest are ocular disease, specifically neuro-ophthalmic disorders, ocular neuropathic pain and dry eye disease. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Montreal School of Optometry, where she runs the neuro-optometric rehabilitation clinic and teaches various topics in ocular disease. For over a decade, she has also spent part of her career working in a full scope multidisciplinary ophthalmology practice. Her research is currently focused on validating biomarkers using corneal confocal microscopy, evaluating ocular biomarkers in neurodegenerative disease, as well as validating clinical tools to improve standardization of concussion management in optometry and ophthalmology. Dr. Bachir loves sharing her passion for optometry through continuing education and lectures both locally and internationally to optometrists and various health care allies.
Dr. François Piuze, OD
Dr. Piuze has been in private practice since his graduation from Université de Montréal School of Optometry, Dr Piuze spends most of his time dedicated to his patients, his approach focused on highly individualized care and built on mutual trust. He has mainly practiced in multidisciplinary settings and refractive surgery clinics in collaboration with ophthalmologists. Since 2016, he co-owns Eye Am Soins Oculaires four practices located in Quebec City and in the Montreal area where he practices with a special interest in specialty contact lens fitting and ocular surface disease management. In regard of these subspecialties, Dr Piuze frequently gives lectures, workshops, webinars and acts as a consultant for many companies in the eyecare industry, more specifically his expertise lies in the integration of innovative approaches in general eyecare and the development of business models in optometry. He was behind the creation of Quebec’s Dry Eye Symposium which was held from 2016 to 2019, where he acted as Chair and medical director of the event.
Francine Dallaire, avenueNB
Francine is Director of Operations and strategy alignment at avenueNB, a provincial cooperative focused on improving employment and accessibility outcomes for persons with disabilities. A certified LSQ (Langue des signes québécoise) interpreter and advocate for the Deaf community, Francine was raised in a Deaf family and brings both lived experience and professional expertise. She works to advance inclusive practices across sectors, and believes that true accessibility starts with communication