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Director's Message

Earlier this month, the newest cohort of optometrists, the class of 2028, entered the doors in Waterloo and began their journey into the profession. This class may be the first class of optometrists to begin their clinical practice within the Waterloo Eye Institute, set to open in 2026.

Optometry Clinic temporarily moving

The School of Optometry and Vision Science's clinic is moving to an interim location on Philippe Street during construction of the Waterloo Eye Institute.

Double your impact today – matching gift opportunity

Dr. Victor Spear (OD’82) is helping us bring our vision for the Waterloo Eye Institute to life with a generous $250,000 matching gift. As construction on the Waterloo Eye Institute advances, we’re in the final stretch to reach our $35 million goal. With $7 million left to raise, now is the time to act. Every dollar you donate will be matched, doubling your impact and helping us achieve our vision. Together, we can make this dream a reality!

From practicing optometry in Ghana to health services research for disadvantaged children

Dr. Afua Asare (MSc '13) is a University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science alum who’s now working in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her journey to where she is today has been filled with ups and downs.

Retirement of several longtime faculty members

Over the summer, several of our faculty members who you may remember from your time as a student, announced their retirement and concluded their teaching and clinical careers. Read each of their stories of impact on teaching and research: Dr. Murchison Callendar, Dr. Jeffrey Hovis, Dr. Elizabeth Irving, Dr. Daphne McCulloch and Dr. Trefford Simpson.

A farewell note from Andrea Carthew, longtime staff member

We bid a heartfelt farewell to Andrea Carthew, longtime Associate Director, Advancement whose dedication and hard work have been invaluable to our School and the optometric profession for the last 20 years. Andrea is pursuing a new opportunity at the University of Waterloo Faculty of Health as the new Director of Advancement.