SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY & VISION SCIENCE ANNUAL REPORT
Message from the Director
I am proud to share with you the extraordinary accomplishments of the 2021/2022 academic year at the School of Optometry & Vision Science across our core missions: teaching, research and patient-centred care.
In our classrooms, in our labs, and in our research labs, our award-winning faculty continue to be leading experts in their fields. Ranked globally amongst the top 5 Optometry schools in research impact, our research programs have continued to thrive as we forged significant collaborative partnerships over the past year – across campus and abroad. Bringing together the best and brightest scientists, UWOVS is home to two world-class eye and vision research centres and boasts one of the largest vision science graduate programs in North America.
Whether it is training the next generation of optometrists at the highest scope of practice in North America; moving forward on plans to build Canada’s leading eye and vision centre; or deepening our collaborative partnerships to ensure access to quality treatment and services for vulnerable and underserved populations – I am proud that our School remains a global leader in optometry education, vision research and patient-centred collaborative care. For a full look at our accomplishments over the course of our current strategic plan (2018-2023), I encourage you to look at our report on progress – published last year.
While this report highlights a selection of our accomplishments, rest assured there are many more that our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends have made possible. As a member of our community, thank you for taking the time to read this report. It is because of your commitment that these achievements were possible!
Dr. Stanley Woo, OD, MS, MBA, FAAO
Director, School of Optometry & Vision Science
Research impact
$5.4 millionin research funding
Published98research articles in 2021/202258% increase over last academic year
Ranked globally amongst theTop 5Optometry Schools in research impact
Operates2world-renowned eye research facilitiesCentre for Ocular Research & EducationCentre for Sight EnhancementAcademic excellence
85Doctor of Optometry graduates11vision science graduates (MSc and PhD)
Over 92%pass rate on registration examsOptometry Examining Board of Canada
100+clerkship sites4optometric residencies
Hosted10Continuing Professional Development courses Enhancing Canadian optometrists' skills in contemporary practice Patient-centred care
28,000+total patients received treatment at our clinicsUniversity of Waterloo Main Optometry ClinicHealth Sciences Optometry Clinic
Access to10+different eye and vision care clinics to meet unique patient needsIncluding low vision rehabilitation and ocular health among others
Over2,600hours of care providedIncluding the introduction of an after-hours emergency line
97%of patients indicate they would return for future appointmentsCelebrating donor generosity
3,500+alumni
Over300campaign donors
$19.1 millionraised55% of $35 million campaign
