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Director's message

Dr. Ben Thompson looks back over some recent achievements of 2025, including having raised $30 million out of the $35 million goal to build the Waterloo Eye Institute, having received approval for curriculum changes for the OD program that include an extra term of study, and the success of the Waterloo Eye Institute Fall Conference and Trade Show.

Read the Director’s message.

Features

Research profile: WatDAT

“WatDAT” sounds like something a toddler might say, but the new vision test it stands for – the Waterloo Differential Acuity Test – is aimed at precisely detecting vision problems in very young children. Dr. Susan Leat led a research team that used a novel “odd one out” method to develop a cognitively easier test for children as young as 18 months.

Alumni spotlight: Dr. Kerry Salsberg

Dr. Kerry Salsberg (OD ’94) always knew he wanted to follow in the clinical care footsteps of his father, Dr. Stan Salsberg (OD ’70). His brother, Paul Salsberg, entered the ophthalmic product industry. By working closely together and constantly innovating, the family has built Toronto’s Eyes on Sheppard into one of the largest optometric practices in Canada.

Game-changing myopia control research recognized

Until recently, optometrists couldn’t do much more for myopic children than prescribe glasses. Today, they can slow myopia progression, often using MiSight, the first FDA-approved soft contact lens for myopia control. Dr. Debbie Jones and the team at CORE played a significant role in showing it worked. She and her co-authors recently won a major award for their research.

News and events

EssilorLuxottica helping to build the WEI

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. 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.

Learn more about EssilorLuxottica’s pledge.

WEI Fall Conference & Trade Show

The 2025 annual Waterloo Eye Institute Fall Conference and Trade Show in Markham, presented in collaboration with the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO), was a great success. We had our largest-ever overall turnout with over 250 conference registrants. At peak we had 358 attendees, including staff and trade show vendors. We’re grateful to all the participants, speakers, sponsors, vendors, faculty and staff who came together for a great weekend of evidence-based continuing education, networking and fun.

Save the dates now for next year’s edition from November 6 to 8, 2026!

WEI construction update

Construction is really progressing on the Waterloo Eye Institute. Some rooms are starting to look like exam rooms, with walls, sinks and cabinets installed. The steel structure of the addition should be done soon, most of the interior steel partitions have been installed, with drywall work well underway, and electrical/mechanical work is progressing. We’re still on track for a late 2026 completion and the grand opening is scheduled for June 2027 – watch for more details on that.

In the meantime, check out pictures of the construction on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Office-Based Laser and Minor Surgical Procedures

With Ontario and Alberta actively considering changes to optometrists’ scope and other provinces being lobbied, it might be a good time to prepare yourself for scope modernization by taking our Office-Based Laser and Minor Surgical Procedures Course, a hybrid course running from March 2 to May 11 2026, with in-person hands-on workshops and a review session taking place in Waterloo May 8 – 9. Register by January 31, 2026, to guarantee your spot!

Register now!

Scope optimization

Speaking of scope, we support provincial and national associations in their advocacy for scope modernization. We have long provided education, both to students and to working optometrists through continuing professional development, that’s in line with the highest scope in North America. The curriculum includes biomedical sciences, ocular disease, pharmacology, diagnostic imaging, laser therapeutics and safety, and basic surgical skills, among many other topics and skills. We have published a statement on our website detailing our position on scope.

Plan a class reunion

Every year, we see classes form tight bonds at the School. Why not rekindle those friendships by planning a reunion? If you’d like to get together at CE Weekend and Alumni Reunion on June 5–6, 2026, we could help you arrange hard-hat tours of the Waterloo Eye Institute construction area as well as with tasks such as contacting classmates. If you’d prefer to plan a reunion somewhere else, we can help with that too.

Start by filling out the Class Reunion Form and we’ll get in touch!

Fundraising milestone reached

We have reached a major milestone in our Seeing Beyond 20/20 campaign to build the Waterloo Eye Institute – we have now raised $30 million of our $35 million goal. Sincere thanks to every person and organization who has contributed to our vision of building Canada’s premier centre for optometric education, research and patient care.

However, we still have $5 million to go. Will you help us reach our goal? Every dollar helps us build the future of optometry in Canada. Not to mention that end-of-year giving can reduce your 2025 tax bill. Donate to the WEI now.