fbpx
University of Waterloo

Waterloo Eye Institute to Become a Reality

Thanks to support from the optometry profession, alumni and donors across Canada, the University of Waterloo will begin construction next year on the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI), a state-of-the-art facility supporting advances in vision research, optometric education and patient care.

At a celebration at Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science on September 19, gifts totalling $8.5 million from two of the country’s leading vision care providers — FYidoctors and IRIS, The Visual Group — were announced.

These contributions and those of other generous donors have enabled the School to turn the corner on its $35 million Seeing Beyond 2020 campaign, making the construction of the Waterloo Eye Institute a reality.

“The Waterloo Eye Institute is needed more than ever as we face a national and global vision crisis, with one in five Canadians at risk of losing their sight from eye disease,” said Dr. Stanley Woo, director of the School.

Dr. Vivek Goel, Waterloo’s president and vice-chancellor, noted that “the WEI will leverage both the School of Optometry’s expertise and the University’s unconventional and collaborative approaches to research and education as well as provide excellent care for patients in our community.” 

The FYidoctors network has made a historical contribution, donating $5 million in support of the WEI (including a $2.5 million corporate donation and $2.5 million in contributions from the company’s individual optometrists). IRIS has generously donated $2.5 million, in addition to an earlier $1 million gift to the WEI, made in November 2022.

With 67,000 square feet of new and renovated space, the WEI will push the boundaries of eye and vision care, clinical education and research to benefit patients in the Waterloo region and across the country.

“The WEI represents the future of optometry in Canada, and it will provide world-class education opportunities, equipping the next generation of optometrists to provide quality eye care. Students will gain immensely by working alongside healthcare professionals and experts in the WEI’s modernized clinic,” said Dr. Alan Ulsifer (OD ’90), CEO of FYidoctors.  

On top of advancing optometric education and patient care, the WEI has the potential to shape the future of health care. Using the eye as a window to the brain, WEI researchers will deploy their expertise in AI, biomedical sciences and digital imagery to develop new treatments for widespread conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetes.

Dr. Daryan Angle (OD ’01), vice-president of business development at IRIS, said: “Our support for the WEI aligns with IRIS’s commitment to funding eye and vision research and innovation. We hope to advance the profession in a way that keeps optometry in Canada healthy, strong and moving forward.”


Seeing Beyond 2020: The Waterloo Eye Institute video:

Click HERE for the full press release.

Featured Posts

Moscot, Gelt frame on a beige background.

Fall 2024 Eyewear Trends: The Ultimate Guide to Seasonal Chic

Your guide to the top optical frames and sunglasses trends for Fall 2024, featuring both major brands and independent designers.

Learn More
Close-up photograph of a great horned owl's eyes - owls have famously good night vision

ABCs of Optics: N is for Night Vision (part 1 of 3)

Explore the fascinating world of night vision in animals! Discover how nocturnal creatures see in the dark and learn about the amazing adaptations that make it possible.

Read more
Voila September-October 2024 LOOL QUANT

Lool Eyewear Presents a New FW24 Collection for Stereotomic Series

lool eyewear, the technical segment brand of Etnia Eyewear Culture, demonstrates its mastery in designing ultralight frames with the launch of its new FW24 collection, which is part of the innovative Stereotomic Series.

Read more
Optometry Giving Sight logo a turquoise eye with black icons in the shape of people for the iris

Optometry Giving Sight Names Donna J. Mikulecky Executive Director

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced that Donna J. Mikulecky, CPA, has accepted the organization's Executive Director position. She replaces retiring Executive Director Lois Schoenbrun, FAAO, who has served in the role since April 2022.

Read more
CooperVision

CooperVision Celebrates Five Years of MiSight® 1 day FDA Approval at Academy 2024 International Reception

Global Gathering Also Honors Excellence Among Contact Lens Educators and Students

Read more
Moscot, Gelt frame on a beige background.

Fall 2024 Eyewear Trends: The Ultimate Guide to Seasonal Chic

Your guide to the top optical frames and sunglasses trends for Fall 2024, featuring both major brands and independent designers.

Learn More
Close-up photograph of a great horned owl's eyes - owls have famously good night vision

ABCs of Optics: N is for Night Vision (part 1 of 3)

Explore the fascinating world of night vision in animals! Discover how nocturnal creatures see in the dark and learn about the amazing adaptations that make it possible.

Read More
Voila September-October 2024 LOOL QUANT

Lool Eyewear Presents a New FW24 Collection for Stereotomic Series

lool eyewear, the technical segment brand of Etnia Eyewear Culture, demonstrates its mastery in designing ultralight frames with the launch of its new FW24 collection, which is part of the innovative Stereotomic Series.

Read More
Optometry Giving Sight logo a turquoise eye with black icons in the shape of people for the iris

Optometry Giving Sight Names Donna J. Mikulecky Executive Director

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced that Donna J. Mikulecky, CPA, has accepted the organization's Executive Director position. She replaces retiring Executive Director Lois Schoenbrun, FAAO, who has served in the role since April 2022.

Read More
CooperVision

CooperVision Celebrates Five Years of MiSight® 1 day FDA Approval at Academy 2024 International Reception

Global Gathering Also Honors Excellence Among Contact Lens Educators and Students

Read More
Moscot, Gelt frame on a beige background.

Fall 2024 Eyewear Trends: The Ultimate Guide to Seasonal Chic

Your guide to the top optical frames and sunglasses trends for Fall 2024, featuring both major brands and independent designers.

Learn More
Close-up photograph of a great horned owl's eyes - owls have famously good night vision

ABCs of Optics: N is for Night Vision (part 1 of 3)

Explore the fascinating world of night vision in animals! Discover how nocturnal creatures see in the dark and learn about the amazing adaptations that make it possible.

Read more
Voila September-October 2024 LOOL QUANT

Lool Eyewear Presents a New FW24 Collection for Stereotomic Series

lool eyewear, the technical segment brand of Etnia Eyewear Culture, demonstrates its mastery in designing ultralight frames with the launch of its new FW24 collection, which is part of the innovative Stereotomic Series.

Read more
Optometry Giving Sight logo a turquoise eye with black icons in the shape of people for the iris

Optometry Giving Sight Names Donna J. Mikulecky Executive Director

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced that Donna J. Mikulecky, CPA, has accepted the organization's Executive Director position. She replaces retiring Executive Director Lois Schoenbrun, FAAO, who has served in the role since April 2022.

Read more
CooperVision

CooperVision Celebrates Five Years of MiSight® 1 day FDA Approval at Academy 2024 International Reception

Global Gathering Also Honors Excellence Among Contact Lens Educators and Students

Read more
Moscot, Gelt frame on a beige background.

Fall 2024 Eyewear Trends: The Ultimate Guide to Seasonal Chic

Your guide to the top optical frames and sunglasses trends for Fall 2024, featuring both major brands and independent designers.

Learn More
Close-up photograph of a great horned owl's eyes - owls have famously good night vision

ABCs of Optics: N is for Night Vision (part 1 of 3)

Explore the fascinating world of night vision in animals! Discover how nocturnal creatures see in the dark and learn about the amazing adaptations that make it possible.

Read more
Voila September-October 2024 LOOL QUANT

Lool Eyewear Presents a New FW24 Collection for Stereotomic Series

lool eyewear, the technical segment brand of Etnia Eyewear Culture, demonstrates its mastery in designing ultralight frames with the launch of its new FW24 collection, which is part of the innovative Stereotomic Series.

Read more
Optometry Giving Sight logo a turquoise eye with black icons in the shape of people for the iris

Optometry Giving Sight Names Donna J. Mikulecky Executive Director

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced that Donna J. Mikulecky, CPA, has accepted the organization's Executive Director position. She replaces retiring Executive Director Lois Schoenbrun, FAAO, who has served in the role since April 2022.

Read more
CooperVision

CooperVision Celebrates Five Years of MiSight® 1 day FDA Approval at Academy 2024 International Reception

Global Gathering Also Honors Excellence Among Contact Lens Educators and Students

Read more