University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science facts for kids

The School of Optometry and Vision Science is a special school at the University of Waterloo. It's part of the Faculty of Science. This school teaches people how to become eye doctors, also known as optometrists. It's the only English-speaking optometry program in Canada! There's also a French program at the Université de Montréal in Quebec. The school offers a program to become an eye doctor and another program to study vision science. They also have two eye clinics where anyone can get their eyes checked.

History of the School

The School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo opened on July 1, 1967. This was Canada's 100th birthday! Before this, eye doctors learned their skills at a college in Toronto. That college was not connected to a university.

In the beginning, the school didn't have its own building. Offices were in the Math building. An optics lab was in the Biology 2 building. The first eye clinic was in an old post office building in Waterloo.

First Director: Dr. Edward J. Fisher

Dr. Edward J. Fisher was the first director of the new school. He was a very important leader in eye care. He was the first Canadian to lead the American Academy of Optometry. He served from 1968 to 1970. Dr. Fisher stepped down as director in 1975.

Growing the School and Programs

In 1972, the school started a new program. This program let students earn a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Vision Science. Also in 1972, construction began on the school's own building. This new building was on Columbia Street. It opened in the winter of 1974.

Having its own building was a big step. It meant all offices, classrooms, labs, and clinics were in one place. This allowed more students to join. The class size grew from 50 to 60 students each year.

In 1980, a new program started. Students could now earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in vision science. As more research happened, more lab space was needed. A new addition opened in 1995. This addition cost $3.2 million.

Expanding for More Students

A large new part of the building opened in 2009. This new section was 40,000 square feet! It added a new lecture hall and study areas. It also included the Witer Learning Resource Centre. This extra space helped the school welcome more students. The number of students joining each year slowly grew from 60 to 90.

New Clinic Locations

In 2010, the school opened a second eye clinic. This clinic is in downtown Kitchener. It is part of the University of Waterloo’s Health Sciences Campus. This building also has other health services. The Kitchener clinic offers full eye care. It also has a place to get new glasses.

In 2012, the school changed its name. It became the School of Optometry and Vision Science. This new name showed how important the Vision Science program had become.

The Waterloo Eye Institute

Work on the Waterloo Eye Institute began in 2024. This project is making the school's clinics much bigger and more modern. It is expected to finish in the fall of 2026. The project costs $53 million. It will add 68,000 square feet of new and updated space.

This new space will improve patient care. It will also add more research areas. A special center for eye care from a distance (teleoptometry) is also being built. When it's done, the school can accept even more students. They will be able to welcome 96 to 98 first-year students starting in 2026.

Because of this construction, the main eye clinic in Waterloo moved. It opened at a temporary location on October 21, 2024. This temporary clinic is at 419 Phillip St., Unit C. It will stay there until the new building is ready.

Programs Offered

The School of Optometry and Vision Science offers several programs. These programs help people become eye doctors or study vision science.

Doctor of Optometry Program

The Doctor of Optometry (OD) program teaches students to become eye doctors. It is a four-year program. Students usually need to have studied science at university for at least three years before joining.

In the first two years, students learn about health, eye diseases, and how eyes work. They start seeing patients in their first year. But they work with patients much more in their third year. The fourth year is all about working in different eye clinics. This prepares them to work in Canada or the United States.

To become a licensed eye doctor, students must pass special exams. These exams are given by the Optometry Examining Board of Canada or the U.S. National Board of Examiners in Optometry. Almost all students from the University of Waterloo pass these exams. To work in Canada, they also need to pass exams for their specific province.

Residency Programs

After finishing the OD program, students can do a residency. This is a one-year program. It helps them become experts in a specific area of eye care. Some residency areas include:

• Cornea and Contact Lens care
• Vision Rehabilitation (helping people with low vision)
• Ocular Disease (focusing on eye diseases like glaucoma)
• Pediatric Optometry (eye care for children)

Advanced Standing Optometry Preparatory Program (ASOPP)

The ASOPP program is for eye doctors trained in other countries. It helps them get licensed to practice in Canada. Students who finish this program join the third year of the regular OD program.

Continuing Professional Development

The school also helps current eye doctors keep learning. They offer courses and special certifications. They also hold two conferences each year. These events help eye doctors stay updated on new treatments and research.

Vision Science Graduate Programs

The Vision Science graduate programs are for students who want to do research. Students can earn a Master of Science (MSc) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. An MSc usually takes two years. A PhD usually takes four years. There are also faster programs for students who want to do both an OD and a research degree.

Optometry Clinics

The School of Optometry and Vision Science runs two eye clinics. These clinics are open to everyone. One is in Waterloo, and the other is in downtown Kitchener. Both clinics offer full eye exams for all ages. They also have optical shops where you can get new glasses. They can also fix your current glasses.

Students in their later years work at the clinics. They are supervised by licensed eye doctors. Residents also work there. These are new eye doctors learning advanced skills. Experienced eye doctors, including professors, also work at the clinics.

The Waterloo clinic offers many special services. These include:

• Eye care for children and those with special needs
• Advanced contact lens services
• Controlling nearsightedness
• Treating eye diseases
• Special eye imaging
• Help with how both eyes work together
• Care for low vision
• Eye care after a brain injury
• Sports vision training

The main Waterloo clinic moved to a temporary spot. This happened because of the new Waterloo Eye Institute construction. The temporary clinic opened on October 21, 2024. It will stay open until the new building is ready in late 2026.

Eye Research

Vision science is a field that combines many subjects. It includes biology, chemistry, physics, and even psychology. Researchers study how our eyes and vision work. They do this in labs and clinics.

Research at the school focuses on three main areas:

• Basic science about how our bodies work
• Studies that apply to real-world problems
• How research can help society

The school has two main research centers:

• Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)
• George & Judy Woo Centre for Sight Enhancement

The school also works with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Together, they have a research center in Hong Kong. In 2021, a journal ranked the school's research very highly. It was ranked fifth among 245 optometry schools worldwide!

How to Get Into the OD Program

It is hard to get into the OD program. This is because it is the only English-speaking optometry school in Canada. Each fall, 90 students are accepted into the first-year class. Students need to meet both school and non-school requirements.

School Requirements

• At least three years of science studies at university.
• A minimum overall university average of 75%.
• Successfully complete certain required courses.
• Complete at least six terms with a full course load.

Other Requirements

• Take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT).
• Take the CASPer test.
• Fill out an Admissions Information Form (AIF).
• Have two people write confidential reference letters for you.
• Meet citizenship requirements.
• Meet English-language requirements.
• Have experience like job shadowing, work, or volunteering.
• Complete an interview.

These are just the minimum requirements. Most students who get accepted have even better grades and more experience. Once accepted, students must also:

• Get a criminal record check.
• Show proof of immunizations.
• Send official school records by mid-June.
• Finish any remaining required courses by the end of the winter term.

Museum of Vision Science

The School of Optometry and Vision Science has a special museum. It is the only vision science museum in Canada! It keeps the history of eye care alive. Dr. Edward J. Fisher, the first director, started collecting old glasses and eye tools. The collection is still on display. However, the museum is not currently adding new items.