Home | Optometry Newsletter | University of Waterloo

Director's Message

In his first message as director of the School of Optometry and Vision Science, Dr. Ben Thompson provides an update on the building of the Waterloo Eye Institute, welcomes new students and faculty, and details his own warm welcome both at the School and at the Canadian Association of Optometrists Congress in Halifax this summer.

Research profile: Highlighting cellular changes in the living eye

Trained in physics and vision science, Dr. Jennifer Hunter (BSc '99; MSc '01; PhD '07) develops advanced fluorescence imaging techniques to examine individual retinal cell layers, which have historically been difficult to image.

Alumni spotlight: Beauty and the eye

Dr. Alexa Hecht (OD ’21) is an optometrist and social media influencer who emphasizes eye health and safety when it comes to educating the public, especially about beauty trends. She’s also a podcaster, speaker and brand ambassador.

Making vision care accessible to all

The Waterloo Eye Institute at Surrey Place is bringing eye care to a highly underserved population – people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project not only provides accessible patient care, it also trains the next generation of optometrists and researches needs and outcomes.

News and events

Register now for the WEI Fall Conference!

Registration for the 2025 Waterloo Eye Institute Fall Conference and Trade Show is open! The conference will be held November 7-9, 2025 in Markham, Ontario. Spots are filling up, so register now to save your seat. Early bird pricing is in effect until October 5.

This year’s theme, Modernizing Optometry, showcases how the profession is evolving through new ideas, skills and innovations. Speakers include Drs. Barbara Caffery, Elizabeth Irving, Harbir Sian, Jacqueline Theis, Rebecca Stein and more. With our flexible registration options, you can join us for one, two or all three days. Earn up to 20 hours of COPE-accredited (pending), evidence-based CE!

Discounted rates are available for clinical supervisors (preceptors) and recent graduates of an accredited OD program (2021–2025). New grads: see more info below. Clinical supervisors: contact us for more information.

Optometric staff – whether optometric assistants, opticians, clinic administrators or front-desk staff – can earn up to six hours of CCOA-approved (pending) CE during our one-day optometric staff program. A discounted rate applies for two or more staff attending from the same clinic.

The WEI Fall Conference and Trade Show is presented in collaboration with the Ontario Association of Optometrists.

Alumni benefits

Did you know that as an alum, you not only get to say you were educated at a top-notch school, you qualify for certain benefits and discounts?

Alumni and members of the Canadian Association of Optometrists can keep on top of the latest in vision science as well as access eye and vision manuals and pharmaceutical resources through the Witer Learning Resource Centre.

All University of Waterloo alumni also receive exclusive discounts and services. Get deals from Via Rail Canada, HelloFresh, Ripley’s Aquarium and more. Or explore a wide variety of services to help with career development, fitness and insurance rates.

If you're a 2021-2025 grad, you can get an exclusive 20 per cent discount on registration for the WEI Fall Conference and Trade Show! Register now using the discount code GRAD2125 at checkout.

Survey on dry eye screening

Help wanted! Faculty member Paul Murphy and postdoctoral fellow Ehsan Zare Bidaki are developing an AI-powered, temperature-based dry eye screening device, and would like input from practicing optometrists regarding their views on dry eye screening and currently available tools to manage dry eye in patients.

Their short survey (five minutes) will help guide the development of the device, ensure the solution aligns with clinical needs and will ultimately inform the next steps in the commercialization pathway.

Take the survey now.