University of New Brunswick and University of Waterloo exploring the creation of a school of optometry in Saint John
The University of New Brunswick and the University of Waterloo are partnering with the intention of establishing a school of optometry in Saint John to serve Atlantic Canada. The two universities have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore this vision.
The University of Waterloo is currently home to the only English-language school of optometry in Canada. There is a French-language school at the Université de Montréal, but Atlantic and Western Canadians must travel to Ontario, Quebec or abroad to study – which presents barriers for many qualified candidates.
Doctors of optometry take a leading role in eye and vision care as well as general patient health and well-being. As primary health-care providers, optometrists have extensive expertise in examining, diagnosing, treating and managing ocular disorders, diseases and injuries and systemic diseases that manifest in the eye.
There is a pressing need for better access to eye and vision care in underserved areas. Ocular and systemic diseases – such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, hypertension and diabetes – are prevalent in rural and Indigenous communities, with more patients suffering preventable vision loss than in urban Canada.
The memorandum of understanding between the two universities emphasizes the goal of increasing the supply of optometrists to the Atlantic region, particularly rural and Indigenous communities. The partners aim to improve access to optometric education for qualified applicants from these communities.
“We’re delighted to partner with the University of New Brunswick on expanding access to optometric education in Atlantic Canada,” said Dr. Stanley Woo, director of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science. “We believe a strategic partnership between our school and an institution with similar aims and values will be a strong foundation for success.”
The School of Optometry and Vision Science has roots more than 100 years old and has been located at the University of Waterloo since 1967. It ranks third in North America –fifth in the world – in research impact for schools of optometry. The School strives to be a national resource, working with stakeholders including optometric associations and colleges, the public, industry and government. It is in the process of building the Waterloo Eye Institute, a major expansion and renovation of its clinical space, that will also allow it to increase enrolment at its Waterloo campus.
“This collaboration exemplifies the transformative potential of our Integrated Health Initiative,” said Dr. Petra Hauf, Provost and Vice President Academic at UNB. “Partnerships like this enable us to expand health education and services, creating meaningful impact for our communities.”
The University of New Brunswick, the oldest English-language university in Canada, has two main campuses in Saint John and Fredericton. The Integrated Health Initiative, located on UNB’s Saint John campus, seamlessly converges interdisciplinary health education, cutting-edge research and ground-breaking innovation, providing a strong community base to support optometric education.
The emerging partnership between the University of Waterloo and the University of New Brunswick is endorsed by the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists (NBAO).
“New Brunswick’s optometrists are delighted to support the development of a school of optometry in Saint John,” said Dr. Brian Dalrymple, president of the NBAO. “We’re confident this partnership will ultimately result in better eye and vision care for Atlantic Canadians.”