- Staff Ophthalmologist. Saint Mary’s General Hospital and Grand River Hospital.
- Assistant clinical professor adjunct. Waterloo Regional Campus. McMaster University.
Dr. Chryssa McAlister 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 the Canadian Ophthalmological Society.
Clinical Interests
- Adult: cataract, glaucoma, retina, comprehensive eye disease.
- Pediatrics: strabismus, comprehensive eye disease.
- Procedures: cataract, pterygium, strabismus, glaucoma and retina lasers and anti-VEGF injections.
Degree Qualification
- BSc combined honours in biochemistry and music (distinction) 2001
- Bachelor of Journalism, University of King’s College 2006
- MD, Dalhousie University (with distinction) 2007
- FRCS(C) Ophthalmology, University of Toronto 2013
- Master of Health Sciences in Bioethics, University of Toronto 2015
Research Interests
Bioethics, medical history, medical education.
Language
English, French
Notes
Referrals to Dr. McAlister are generally made through the patient’s family optometrist. To arrange a referral please ask your optometrist to fax relevant clinical information to 1-888-465-6912. Dr. McAlister may triage and redirect referrals as appropriate to other eye surgeons or other eye care providers.
Patient Referrals
You can refer a patient electronically through Ocean. If this is your first time using Ocean you can sign up here. Patients can also be referred directly via fax to the number listed under the surgeon's profile. Patients with cataracts must be referred electronically through central intake via Ocean or WWRCC.
For those not yet set up with Ocean, you can submit completed referral forms to the Waterloo Regional Coordination Program Cataract Central Intake or fax 519-621-0059.
Peer Reviewed Publications
Peer-Reviewed Publications:
Kryshtalskyj M, St. Croix B, McAlister C, El-Defrawy S. From trenches to trailblazers: the First World War and its influence on ophthalmology in Canada. Can J Ophthalmol. 2021;56(1):e15-e18
CN McAlister. Centralized referral systems can both shorten wait times and preserve patient autonomy. CMAJ 2020;192:E659
Kryshtalskyj M, Vance J, McAlister C. Message in a bottle: the discovery of a young medical officer’s map from the 1917 Battle of Hill 70. Canadian Journal of Surgery. 2018;61:302-4.
Kryshtalskyj M, St. Croix B, McAlister C. Drs. Walter Wright and Alexander E. MacDonald: soldiers and pathfinders. Special Printed Feature: 58th Annual Walter Wright Symposium, 2018. Toronto, ON.
L Tong, M Lee-Poy, S MacIver and C McAlister. Eye Day for medical students: delivering ophthalmic undergraduate education through collaboration. Can J Ophthalmol. 2016;51:242-3.
C McAlister. Re: McCannel: Simulation surgical teaching in ophthalmology.
Ophthalmology. 2016;123:e39.
CN McAlister. Patient bias towards lasers: a hidden vulnerability in the widespread adoption of femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery. JCRS 2016;42:337-8.
CN McAlister. Ethical considerations in the adoption of femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery by Canadian ophthalmologists. Can J Ophthalmol. 2015;50:395-6.
C McAlister, Braga-Mele R, El-Defrawy S, Hillson T. An ophthalmology code of ethics in Canada: enhancing our practice patterns. Can J Ophthalmol. 2015;50:253-4.
C McAlister. Breaking the silence of the switch: increased transparency surrounding trainee participation in surgery. N Engl J Med. 2015;572:2477-9.
CN McAlister, II Ahmed. Noninsured services provided with insured cataract surgery in Canada: ensuring transparent and fair treatment for patients. CMAJ 2015;187:813-6.
Chiu H, Steele D, McAlister C, Lam WC. Delivery recommendations for pregnant females with risk factors for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Can J Ophthalmol. 2015;50:11-8.
CN McAlister, S El-Defrawy. 53rd annual Walter Wright day: glaucoma management review. Can J Ophthalmol. 2014;49:481-2.
C McAlister, II Ahmed. Anterior capsular snap: a new sign of zonular dehiscence and instability. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2014;40:1740-2.
C McAlister, YP Jin, R Braga-Mele, BF DesMarchais, YM Buys. Comparison of lifestyle and practice patterns between male and female Canadian ophthalmologists. Can J Ophthalmol. 2014;49:287-90.
C McAlister. Dr Joseph Roach, The Old Country Doctor. CMAJ. 2013;185:985-6.
CN McAlister and JH Oestreicher. Repeat Posterior Lamellar Grafting for Recalcitrant Lower Eyelid Retraction is Effective. Orbit. 2012 Oct;31(5):307-12.
Vincent A*, McAlister C*, Vandenhoven C, Heon E. BEST1-related autosomal dominant vitreoretinochoroidopathy: a degenerative disease with a range of developmental ocular anomalies. Eye (Lond) 2011;25:113-8.
McAlister CN, Murray TJ, Maxner CE. The Halifax Explosion of 1917: The Oculist Experience. Can J Ophthalmol. 2008 ;43:27-32.
McAlister CN, Murray TJ, Lakosha HK, Maxner CE. The Halifax Disaster (1917): Eye Injuries and Their Care. British Journal of Ophthalmology. Jun 2007;91(6):832-5.
McAlister C, Baskett TF. Female Education and Maternal Mortality: a Worldwide Survey. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada.2006;28:983-990.
McAlister C, Twohig P. The Check-Off: a Precursor of Medicare in Canada? CMAJ. 2005;173:1504-6.
Abstracts presented at meetings:
Kryshtalskyj MT, St. Croix B, McAlister CN. Drs. Walter Wright and Alexander E. MacDonald: the First World War and its influence on ophthalmology in Canada. Canadian Ophthalmological Society Annual Meeting, Poster Presentation. June 2019.
C McAlister. ethical considerations in the development and adoption of surgical innovations: the case of FLACS. Canadian Ophthalmological Society Meeting. Paper presentation. Ottawa, ON. June 2016
C McAlister, BL Gallie. Ethical considerations of innovative treatments in unilateral retinoblastoma. Canadian Ophthalmological Society meeting. Paper presentation.
Victoria, BC. June 2015.
C McAlister, R Braga-Mele, B DesMarchais and Y Buys. Demographics and Surgical Practice Patterns of Ophthalmologists in Canada: a Nationwide Survey. Canadian Ophthalmological Society meeting Women in Ophthalmology. Toronto, ON. June 2012.
C McAlister, RH Muni and WC Lam. Imaging Analysis of Foveal Microstructure in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography. Canadian Ophthalmological Society meeting. Paper presentation. Toronto, ON. June 2012.
C McAlister and J Oestrieicher. Repeat Posterior Lamellar Grafting for Recalcitrant Lower Eyelid Retraction is Effective. American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Poster Presentation. Orlando, FL October 2011.
C McAlister, RH Muni and WC Lam. Microstructural Retinal Abnormalities on Spectral Domain OCT as a Predictor of Visual Outcomes after Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Poster Presentation. Orlando, FL October 2011.
McAlister C. The Halifax Disaster (1917): Eye Injuries and Their Care. American Osler Society. Boston, MA. May 2008.
McAlister C. Healing Hands: a Review of Paul Brand’s (1914-2003) Contribution to Leprosy Research and Treatment. American Osler Society. Halifax, NS. May 2006.
McAlister C. Healing Hands: a Review of Paul Brand’s (1914-2003) Contribution to Leprosy Research and Treatment. History of Medicine Days. Calgary, AB. March 2006.
McAlister C. The Check-Off Miners Healthcare Insurance. Canadian Society for the History of Medicine. London, ON. June 2005.
McAlister C. The Check-Off Miners Healthcare Insurance. Dalhousie Society for the History of Medicine. Halifax, NS. March 2005.
Non-peer reviewed publications:
C McAlister, JJ Hurwitz and GE Trope. Ophthalmology in Toronto, the First 100 Years. Ophthalmic News. 2012. 22(1): 4-18.
C McAlister, SO Yong, and WC Lam. Differentiating Vitreoretinal Interface Pathology with Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography. Ophthalmology Rounds.
Toronto, ON. March 2012 Volume 9, Issue 3.
McAlister C. Old Boys Mentality: Letter to the Editor. The Globe and Mail. November 19, 2012.
McAlister C. Wheel Wisdom: Letter to the Editor. The Globe and Mail. November 16, 2011.
McAlister C. Book Reviews/Comptes Rendus: Emblematic Monsters: Unnatural Conceptions and Deformed Births in Early Modern Europe. Canadian Bulletin of Medical History. Wilfried Laurier University. 2009;24:228-9.
McAlister C. “N.S. patient wins approval for artificial cornea procedure in U.S.” Medical Post. July 2006.
McAlister C. “CaRMS eyes letting IMGs equally into match” Medical Post. June 2006.
McAlister C.“Students on health care: Reality bites” Medical Post. March 2006.
McAlister C. “Ban over, cosmetic surgery resumes at hospital” Medical Post. March 2006.
McAlister C. “Growing prescription addictions symptom of larger problem – addiction workers say” NovaNewsNet. February 2006.
McAlister C. “HPV vaccine predicted to prevent most cervical cancers” NovaNewsNet. February 2006.
McAlister C. “Health workers worry about cost and privacy issues for Plan” NovaNewsNet. January 2006.
McAlister C. “Waning immunity could be a cause for Dal mumps outbreak” NovaNewsNet. January 2006.
McAlister C. “Med school costs at Dal continue upward trend” NovaNewsNet. September 2005.
Radio documentaries:
McAlister C. “Insight”. CKDU Radio. Documentary on a patient’s struggle with blindness and hopes for sight with research advances in cornea transplantation. Halifax, NS. April 2006.
McAlister C. “The First Messiah”. CBC Radio One, Information Morning. Two-part documentary on the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in Dublin, Ireland. Halifax, NS. June 2003.
McAlister C. “The Check-Off”. CBC Radio One, Information Morning. Documentary on the first comprehensive medical insurance program in Canada. Halifax, NS. Dec 2003.
