Spring is behind us and the summer is now in full bloom. While we pause to enjoy the season, we continue to look ahead with enthusiasm as there is much to anticipate in the coming months.
I encourage you to join us at the Waterloo Eye Institute Fall Conference and Trade Show, taking place November 6-8, 2026 in Markham, Ontario. This year’s theme, TPA in Action: Modern Approaches to Primary Eye Care, explores the evolving role of optometrists in delivering therapeutic, evidence-based primary eye care. Featured speakers include Drs. Stephen Burns, Etty Bitton, Lyndon Jones, Ana Ondhia, Jessica Steen, Brittany Yelle and more. Early bird pricing is now available, with discounted rates for recent grads, clinical supervisors (preceptors) and optometric staff. I hope to see you in Markham this November! Learn more and register today.
The Waterloo Eye Institute’s enhanced research and clinical infrastructure have positioned Waterloo to recruit world-leading scholars. I am pleased to announce that five new faculty members will join the School of Optometry & Vision Science this year.
At the same time, construction of the Waterloo Eye Institute continues to advance at a rapid pace. The former clinic is almost unrecognizable from its original layout. We anticipate the construction will be complete at the end of 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this vision become a reality.
During our Continuing Education and Alumni Weekend in June we were pleased to have two classes join us on campus to celebrate their class reunions. The Class of 1976 recognized their 50th anniversary and the Class of 1986 recognized their 40th anniversary since graduation. I encourage you to plan your class reunion next summer and join us for the grand opening of the Waterloo Eye Institute.
There is an awareness gap about the damage that smoking has on your ocular health. We learn directly from Professor Emerita, Dr. Marlee Spafford and low vision rehabilitation counsellor Dr. Melinda Szilva, to get a full understanding of what happens directly to the eye when you smoke Tobacco.
The harm smoking has on your heart, and lungs are extremely well known due to the public health campaigns that the Canadian Government has launched. However, there is an awareness gap about the damage that smoking has on your ocular health. We learn directly from Professor Ermita, Dr. Marlee Spafford to get a full understanding of what exactly happens to the eye when you smoke Tabacco. We also hear from Melinda Szilva, a low vision rehabilitation counselor shares how the Waterloo Eye Institute can help you move forward in your quitting process.
I would be remiss if I did not mention we are in the final stages of the Seeing Beyond 20/20 campaign to establish the Waterloo Eye Institute. The School of Optometry & Vision Science has successfully raised $30.3 million with just $4.7 million remaining to reach our fundraising goal. We are deeply grateful for the generous support received from our alumni, industry partners, charitable foundations, and government. If you haven’t donated to the Waterloo Eye Institute, please consider supporting this once‑in‑a‑generation facility that will redefine eye and vision care in Canada.
Thank you for staying connected to the School of Optometry & Vision Science. Your continued engagement—as alumni, mentors, and donors—supports the work underway today and the progress we are building toward together.
Warmly,
Ben Thompson
Director, School of Optometry & Vision Science
P.S. I am excited to share the Lost Faculties are coming out of retirement again to play a concert to raise funds for the Waterloo Eye Institute. This one-time only concert is happening on November 7th during our WEI Fall Conference in Markham.