Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program

SRI programs

Catherine Birt, MA, MD, FRCSC

Affiliate scientist

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Ave., Room M1 302A
Toronto, ON
M4N 3M5

Phone: 416-480-5882
Fax: 844-222-4518

Clinical Profile

Medical Receptionist: Tina Luu
Phone: 416-480-5882
Fax: 844-222-4518
Email: tina.luu@sunnybrook.ca

Ophthalmic Assistant: Huey Le-Vuong

Surgical Coordinator: Tyvonne Augustine

Administrative Assistant: Aireen Bautista

Dr. Birt is a fellowship-trained glaucoma sub-specialist, taking care of glaucoma across the spectrum of disease. She is also a cataract surgeon.

Glaucoma laser procedures are done at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, while glaucoma surgeries are done both at Sunnybrook and at the Kensington Eye Institute. Cataract surgery is done solely at the Kensington Eye Institute.

Research Profile

Education:

  • BA, 1984, psychology, Queen's University, Canada
  • MA, 1985, psychology, University of Toronto, Canada
  • MD, 1989, University of Toronto, Canada
  • FRCSC, 1994, ophthalmology, Canada
  • Fellowship training, 1994, Wayne State University, USA

Appointments and Affiliations:

Research Focus:

  • Glaucoma

Research Summary:

Dr. Birt’s research focus is glaucoma, including studies of new medications, imaging technologies and the results of laser and surgical procedures. She also conducts phase 3 and 4 drug efficacy trials in partnership with industry.


Selected Publications:

See current publications list at PubMed.

  1. Bower TN, Muhsen S, Overbury O, Birt CM, Kasner, O. Canadian ophthalmologists' opinions concerning complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in glaucoma. J Glaucoma. 2013 Sep;23(7):430–4.
  2. Kent S, Hutnik CML. Birt CM, Damji KF, Harasymowycz P, Si F, Hodge WG, Pan IY, Crichton A. A randomized clinical trial of selective laser trabeuloplasty versus argon laser trabeculoplasty in patients with pseudoexfoliation. J Glaucoma. 2013 Jun-Jul;24(5):344–7.
  3. Pradhan ZS, Dalvi R, Lai T, Kranemann C, Boyd S, Birt CM. Prostaglandin agonist effect on matrix metalloproteinase aqueous levels in glaucoma patients. Can J Ophthalmol. 2015 Feb;50(1):6–10.
  4. Aguayo Bonniard A, Yeung JY, Chan CC, Birt CM. Ocular surface toxicity from glaucoma topical medications and associated preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride (BAK). Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. Epub 2016 Jul 18.
  5. Calafati J, Pradhan ZS, Birt CM. Frequency of unplanned intervention in patients attending for a presumed routine glaucoma followup appointment. Can J Opthalmol. Forthcoming 2016.