News

A team from the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science and the CNIB found that myopia increases from 6 per cent in children aged six to eight to 28.9 per cent in children aged 11 to 13. According to the report, genetics plays a significant role in myopia; however, the study also found that reducing screen time and spending one additional hour per week outdoors significantly lowers the odds of children becoming myopic.

As part of our 50th Anniversary, the School took on a project to ensure that our history is remembered and our many alumni from across the country are recognized. Through the Museum of Vision Science and with support from the EJ Fisher Memorial Endowment Fund, we were able to frame ALL of the class composites that we have to create which is now called Alumni Hall.

2018 was a year of transitions for the University of Waterloo Association for Guide Dogs (UWAGD) -  formerly known as the Lions Club, we have a new name but the same mission: to raise money to purchase a guide dog for someone in need! By changing our name, we were able to expand our membership and open up our club to more students who want to participate, which we hope will translate into reaching our goal faster and being able to provide more for those in need in the community. 

As those of you who have been to the School know, our grounds are meticulously kept and maintained.  There’s one woman we have to thank for that – Sherry Bell.  Sherry has worked at the university for 40 years as a groundskeeper, and 18 years have been spent taking care of our Optometry grounds.

Professor Dalton is one of the experts working with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to help redevelop classification rules for visually impaired athletes that reflect the unique visual demands of each Paralympic sport. Currently, she is focusing her efforts on both Alpine (downhill) and Nordic (cross-country) skiing. Dalton measures the functional impact of vision impairments on an athlete’s performance under real-world conditions in Alpine and Nordic skiing, conditions which are very different from those of rowers, runners, swimmers, and judokas.

According to a recent study by University of Waterloo and Western University, nearly 90 per cent of hospitalized patients have poor vision putting them at serious risk for falls. Other studies have found that falls are a significant problem as they are responsible for 40 to 90 per cent of accidents in hospitals, with severe fall injuries costing the Canadian health care system an additional $30,000 per patient.

Our newest continuing education course was developed by a team of experts from the University of Waterloo's Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE), School of Optometry & Vision Science and School of Pharmacy. It was designed to bring you the latest in clinical and therapeutic information, while highlighting the importance of interprofessional collaboration between pharmacists and optometrists in the management of their patients.

For over 50 years the University of Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science has been working to enhance quality of life for our community through their vision.  With the knowledge that 80% of all blindness is preventable, the School makes it a priority to bring awareness to the importance of safeguarding their vision and addressing eye care needs. The Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation recognizes how important this is and has generously supported the School’s Seeing is Belonging program, which provides essential vision care and resources to identified at-risk groups within our community.

In honour of the School’s 50th Anniversary since moving to Waterloo in 1967, we are excited to present our Name Your Seat campaign to support clinic equipment and technology for the advancement of optometric education and research.