Global eyewear and eye care company supporting cutting-edge patient care, vision research and advanced optometric training
Simon Robert of EssilorLuxottica, Dr. Ben Thompson and Kelsey Gagnon of the School, and Bruce Miles of EssilorLuxottica on a visit to the Waterloo Eye Institute construction site
The Waterloo Eye Institute, which the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science is currently building as Canada’s premier centre for optometric care, research and education, is one step closer to completion with the announcement of a major pledge from EssilorLuxottica.
EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses, has pledged $525,000 to the Waterloo Eye Institute. The investment is in line with the company’s commitment to advancing vision science research, clinical innovation, and the education of future optometry leaders in Canada.
With the multi-year pledge, the company will create the EssilorLuxottica Canada Optical Services Lab, where students will gain hands-on experience in advanced optical services and technologies. The new lab will open when the completed Waterloo Eye Institute does, expected to be in late 2026.
“This generous pledge will be transformative for our students and faculty, advancing both clinical training and innovation in vision science,” said Dr. Ben Thompson, director of the School. “By deepening collaboration between academia and industry, we can accelerate innovation in vision care.”
“At EssilorLuxottica, we believe that investing in education and research is one of the most impactful ways to shape the future of vision care,” said Bruce Miles, general manager, professional solutions at EssilorLuxottica and head of HumanWare. “With innovations such as wearables, cutting-edge diagnostic tools, big data and AI analytics, the eyecare landscape is quickly changing. It’s vital that we equip tomorrow’s eye care professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to deliver the right care to patients across Canada.”
The Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI) is a once-in-a-generation, $53 million initiative that will create 68,000 square feet of new and renovated space. It will modernize clinical spaces, improve patient experience and provide more space for clinical education, allowing the School to enrol six to eight more students per year.
The WEI will also be home to two new research centres, one focusing on advanced ocular imaging and the other on biomedical sciences, which will collaborate with the School’s internationally renowned existing research centres and labs. Expanded space for clinical research will help bring science from the lab to the clinic. A new teleoptometry facility will help bring world-class patient care to underserved and remote areas.
Learn more about the Waterloo Eye Institute.
See EssilorLuxottica’s announcement covered in Vision Monday.