Dr. M.R Conlon MD, FRCSC
Clinical Professor Ophthalmology

Dr. M. Ronan Conlon, the Medical Director of the Conlon Eye Institute and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Saskatchewan, possesses a journey in the field of ophthalmology that is both inspiring and impactful. From his early days as a student in Dublin, Ireland, to his dedicated work in refractive surgery, Dr. Conlon has made a difference in the lives of many patients. A Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Conlon is also an esteemed member of the Canadian Ophthalmology Society, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the Canadian Oculoplastics Society.

Dr. Conlon embarked on his medical journey by graduating with an honours degree from the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, in 1987. His exceptional performance earned him the Gold Medal in Ophthalmology. Afterward, he moved to Canada to complete his residency training at the University of Western Ontario.

Determined to excel in his field, Dr. Conlon pursued additional fellowship training at the esteemed Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard University in Boston, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Notably, he is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Conlon is a Clinical Professor in Ophthalmology at the University of Saskatchewan. Throughout his career, he has written numerous scientific articles and book chapters and has spoken nationally and internationally about refractive surgery.

Dr. Conlon’s passion for innovation led him to pioneer refractive eye surgery in Canada. In 1996, he and his colleagues travelled to Germany to acquire the necessary laser technology. As a result, they brought laser eye surgery to Canada even before it was available in the United States.

In 1995, Dr. Conlon co-founded the Horizon Laser Vision Centre (HLVC) with Dr. Jim Underhill, Dr. Tom Blackwell, and several local optometrists. He later became the first Medical Director of HLVC in 2010. After a fruitful tenure at HLVC, Dr. Conlon moved on in 2017 to focus on his refractive laser practice. In 2018, Dr. Conlon performed the first femtosecond laser-assisted cataract extraction (LenSx) in Saskatchewan and has performed over 3000 procedures.

As Dr. Conlon’s career and the Conlon Eye Institute have grown, so has the laser technology used in ophthalmology. Dr. Conlon has honed his surgical skills as LASIK/PRK evolved from its early stages to today’s advanced procedure. He also transitioned to treating cataract patients, moving from cataract removal to cutting-edge lenses for visual enhancement at the highest level.

Dr. Conlon’s extensive administrative background is evident in his service as the first conjoint head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Chief of Staff in the Saskatoon Health Region. He has also served on various boards, including the Saskatoon Community Foundation and Inclusion Saskatchewan.

Having performed more than 40,000 refractive procedures, Dr. M. Ronan Conlon is deeply appreciative of his role in a constantly evolving field, which has enabled him to grow and adapt continuously. He takes pride in witnessing the progress made in ophthalmology and eagerly looks forward to the Conlon Eye Institute continuing to serve patients as the field advances. Dr. Conlon’s life story stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment, innovative spirit, and passion for enhancing the vision of others.

1992-1994         Fellow in Oculoplastics, Orbital Reconstructive Surgery and Oncology. University                               of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.

1991-1992         Fellow in Ocular Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear                                 Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

1988-191           Resident in Ophthalmology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.

1987-1988         Rotating Internship, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

1981-1987         Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland

1975-1980         Ridley College, St. Catharines, Ontario

M R Conlon and F C Sutula, 2000. Chapter 250 – Congenital Eyelid Anomalies. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology, Editors Albert, Jakobiec, Azar and Gragouos. Second Edition. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company.

M R Conlon and P A D Rubin, 1996. Pigmented Tumors of the Conjunctiva. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Editor – S Bosniak, Vol 1, Ch 12, pp 178-89.

B Leatherbarrow, J A Nerad and M R Conlon, 1996. Benign Eyelid Tumors, Principles and Practice of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Editor – S Bosniak, Vol 1, Ch 31, pp 323-341.

M R Conlon (contributing author), 1994. Provision 2. Ophthalmological Monographs. American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, California.

M R Conlon, E C Alfonso, T Stark, D M Albert, 1994. Chapter 15 – Conjunctival and Corneal Tumors. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology, Editors – D M Albert and F A Jakobiec, WB Saunders Company, 1, pp 276-293.

M R Conlon and F Sutula 1994. Chapter 15 – Congenital Eyelid Anomalies. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology, Editors – D M Alberts and F A Jakobiec, WB Saunders Company, Volume 3, pp 1693-1701.

J A Sahel, M Weber, M R Conlon and D M Albert, 1994. Chapter 182 – Pathology of the Uvea. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology, Editors – D M Albert and F A Jakobiec, W B Saunders Company Volume 4, pp 259-283.

M R Conlon, B Leatherbarrow and J A Nerad, 1994. Late Repair of Soft–Tissue Deformities. Surgery of the Eyelid, Orbit and Lacrimal System. Ophthalmology Monographs #8, Volume 2, American Academy of Ophthalmology, pp 259—283.

M R Conlon and D M Albert, Spring 1993. Uveal Melanoma. Inter Ophthalmology Clinic, Vol 33, pp 67-76.

M J Belliveau, S Brownstein, R J Schneider and M R Conlon, 2009. “Unsuspected adenocarcinoma of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium in a blind painful eye.” Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, 44(1), pp105-106

P Szkup, M Kelly, K Meguro and M R Conlon (acknowledgement), 2005. “Case Report – Indirect carotid – cavernous fistula – embolization using the superior ophthalmic vein approach.” SA Journal of Radiology, Vol 9, No. 1, February, pp24-26.

D Coupal and M R Conlon. Treatment of recurrent diffuse conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia with topical 0.04% Mitomycin C therapy. Presented to the Canadian Society of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Hull, Quebec, June 2002. Abstract published Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2002: 37(2):96.

L A Mawn, A Sanon, M R Conlon and J A Nerad, 1997. Pseudomonas Dacryoadenitis Secondary to a Lacrimal Gland Duct Stone. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 13(2): 135-8.

M R Conlon, P Rubin, C Samy and D M Albert, 1994. Metastatic orbital leiomyosarcoma metastatic: a clinicopathological study. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol 29, pp 85-89.

M R Conlon, K D Smith, L H Allen, W Cadra and D Shum, 1994. Canalicular lacerations: An animal model studying reconstruction techniques and timing of tube removal. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol 29, pp 3-8.

M R Conlon, J R Gonder, I Craig, J Harris, P Molinaro and M Ventresca, 1992. The effect of vitrectomy and cytopreparatory techniques on vitreous biopsy fluid. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol 27, pp 168-171.

M R Conlon and C L B Canny, 1992. Penetrating intraocular BB pellet injury: an unusual case. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol 27, pp 251-253.

M R Conlon, R T Collyer, M G Joseph and L F Siebert, 1991. Metastatic choriocarcinoma to the choroid. A clinicopathological study. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol 26, pp 321-321.

M R Conlon, W B Chapman, W L Burt, B J Larocque and S A Hearn, 1991. Primary localized amyloidosis of the lacrimal glands. Ophthalmology, Vol 98, pp 1556-1559.

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