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The Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund (COETF) is a federally registered charitable organization supporting optometric research, education and professional development through unrestricted cash awards to individuals and institutions in Canada. The COETF has supported the University of Waterloo School of Optometry infrastructure and research programs through the provision of more than $1,000,000.00 in funding since 1980.

Eye care professionals (ECPs) have to juggle demands on their time and may not always have opportunities to seek continuing education via peer-reviewed journals or attendance at scientific conferences. ContactLensUpdate.com is an educational resource developed and maintained by Centre for Contact Lens Research, recently renamed the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) to more accurately reflect the breadth of its reach. In addition to conducting clinical and bioscience research, CORE is dedicated to providing education for eye care practitioners worldwide. Contact Lens Update.com is its flagship project. 

In mid-October, hundreds of the world’s foremost eye care professionals, researchers, students and industry leaders created a mural at the American Academy of Optometry’s annual meeting in Chicago, celebrating the launch of the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE). During a packed celebration last evening, the work was unveiled and permanently installed at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science.

University of Waterloo optometrist Elizabeth Irving and research assistant Cristina Yakobchuck-Stanger have demonstrated that a lens using an alternative design reverses induced myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness.

The 2017 Optometry Rack Pack team completed the 'CIBC Run for the Cure' on Sunday October 1, 2017 to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. In their fifth year as a team, there were 31 “Rack Pack” members including optometry faculty, staff and students  –  as well as family and friends of UWOVS - who walked or ran the 1km/5km race at Conestoga College, Doon Campus in Kitchener. The Optometry Rack Pack fundraised over $9,452 this year, bringing their five year total to over $50,000 – which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the School of Optometry & Vision Science!

This Fall saw the culmination of many months of planning for our 50th Anniversary celebration weekend, and thanks to the support of our alumni, friends and corporate partners, it was a great success!

The School of Optometry & Vision Science celebrated many award winners in 2017, not only for students, staff, and faculty, but also through our expanded alumni awards this year. The School is pleased to provide recognition to our valued awardees!

On Friday, June 29th during the 2017 CAO Congress, the School of Optometry & Vision Science was pleased to announce the recipients of the 50th Anniversary Distinguished Alumni of Honour Awards in front of over 500 practitioners from across the country.

In the early sixties, the College of Optometry of Ontario, Canada’s only English speaking Optometry program, was held in only two modest buildings at 138 and 140 St George Street, in the heart of Toronto.The reality was that the St. George Street buildings were bursting at the seams as 4 years of an optometry program within a space measuring only 15,600 square ft. Back then, the full-time faculty only included three; Dean Ted Fisher, Walwyn Long, and Clair Bobier. Later joined by William Lyle, the first of the faculty to have a PhD. Soon the program received the right to provide the Doctor of Optometry degree and so the next step was to seek a location within a university.

The School of Optometry & Vision Science was excited to receive a new Toyota Sienna van thanks to the generosity of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) with plants in Cambridge and Woodstock, Ontario. The new van will be used to support the School’s vision outreach program which helps patients who are under-served and focuses on the vision care needs of children, families, seniors and persons with special needs.