As the demand for eye care increases across Canada, the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science is expanding its capacity to train future professionals. One major step in this direction is the ongoing development of the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI), a project supported in part by philanthropic contributions.
Slated to open in late 2026, the WEI is designed to be a national centre for advanced optometric education, research, and patient care. While construction is underway, students continue their clinical training at existing sites — including an interim clinic in Waterloo and a location at the Kitchener Health Sciences Campus — both of which receive referrals from across Canada and abroad.
Final-year optometry students Nina Yan and Cassidy Roberts are among those gaining real-world experience in these clinics. They take part in supervised clinical rotations, diagnosing and managing patient cases that range from routine to highly complex.
Yan recalls a particularly impactful case involving a patient who had suffered a concussion and had not been able to tolerate light exposure for five years. With the help of a supervising optometrist, they applied prism lenses and a blue tint to the patient’s eyewear. “He started crying with relief,” Yan said. “That experience put into perspective just how important optometry can be.”
Donor-Funded Technology Enhances Clinical Training
Waterloo’s clinics benefit from advanced diagnostic and imaging equipment — much of it funded by donor contributions. One key piece is the corneal topographer, a device that maps the eye’s surface and supports custom lens fittings for patients with conditions like corneal scarring.
“Without that machine, we wouldn’t be able to fit certain specialty lenses,” said Yan. “These tools allow us to provide care that might not be accessible in many settings.”
Simulated Learning Builds Clinical Confidence
Students at Waterloo also have access to the FYidoctors Simulation Lab — a virtual reality training environment where they can practice clinical skills before working with patients. Roberts says the lab plays a critical role in helping students recognize ocular conditions in a safe, structured setting.
“The software shows exactly what we’re seeing and explains it,” Roberts said. “That makes the transition to real-life patient care much smoother.”
The lab remains useful even in the final year of training. “I used it before my board exam,” Yan noted. “It was a great way to double-check my techniques.”
Students are also trained on technologies that anticipate future changes to scope of practice. For example, they are introduced to instruments like the YAG laser, which optometrists in Ontario cannot currently use but may in the future.
Looking Ahead to the Waterloo Eye Institute
While Yan and Roberts will graduate before the WEI officially opens, they see the project as a major leap forward for optometric education in Canada. “Right now, we have modern equipment and ideas, but an outdated space,” Roberts said. “The new institute will bring everything up to the level of today’s innovation.”
Both students emphasized the importance of donor support in making these resources available. “We wouldn’t be able to learn the way we are without their help,” Roberts said. “They’re funding not only the school — but the future of optometry in Canada.”
This article is adapted from an original story published by the University of Waterloo. Read the full version at: uwaterloo.ca/news
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Specsavers continues its rapid expansion in Canada, now operating more than 150 locations across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba. The retailer’s momentum and market positioning were detailed in a recent report by Retail Insider, highlighting the company’s progress since entering the Canadian market in 2021.
“We have 153 Specsavers locations operating across four provinces,” said Bill Moir, Managing Director of Specsavers Canada, in an interview with Retail Insider. “It’s been an exciting journey, and we’re incredibly proud of how quickly we’ve grown.”
According to the report, Specsavers’ brand awareness has already exceeded 85%, and the company remains on track to serve 1 million Canadians by 2025. Upcoming locations are expected in Bradford, Ontario, and Vancouver, with future provincial expansion under consideration.
Clinical Care Meets Affordability
A key part of Specsavers’ offering is its integration of clinical technology — including OCT scans as part of every standard eye exam — and its commitment to affordability, with complete pairs starting at $69. The company’s humorous “Should’ve gone to Specsavers” campaign, along with a partnership featuring astronaut Chris Hadfield, has further boosted its visibility.
Moir told Retail Insider that the company is seeing strong demand not just in major cities but also in smaller and suburban markets where eyecare access has traditionally been limited.
Omnichannel Tools and Workplace Recognition
The company’s omnichannel approach includes digital booking, virtual try-on tools, and post-visit support. Specsavers was also recently named one of Canada’s best places to work by Great Place to Work Canada, and was ranked one of the top workplaces to grow a career by LinkedIn.
Specsavers employs a co-ownership model in which each store is operated by an Optometry Partner and a Retail Partner, a structure designed to ensure both clinical excellence and customer service.
Source: Retail Insider Read the original article here.
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A new clinical study from SightGlass Vision demonstrates that its Diffusion Optics Technology™ (DOT 0.2) spectacle lenses are highly effective for myopia management, achieving 75% efficacy in Chinese children after 12 months, and a separate study demonstrates no evidence of rebound (i.e., myopia progression did not accelerate after ceasing wear) in North American children. This unique optical intervention uses thousands of light-scattering elements to reduce contrast signaling on the retina—an evidence-backed mechanism of action to slow myopia progression in children. Both studies are being presented at the ARVO 2025 Annual Meeting, one of the most prestigious forums for the ophthalmology, optometry, and ocular science communities.
“Eye care professionals in a growing number of markets trust DOT™ lenses, and this latest data further builds the well-established science behind our technology. Clinical investigators have seen an extremely positive response to our approach among Chinese children—a remarkable 75% reduction in myopia progression after 1-year of wear. Additionally, researchers observed treatment benefit was retained after North American children stopped DOT™ lens wear. This is a durable, evidence-based myopia management intervention that can improve children’s lives worldwide,” said Andrew Sedgwick, chief executive officer of SightGlass Vision.
Building on its four-year North American CYPRESS study, SightGlass Vision initiated the CATHAY trial to examine DOT™ lens efficacy in China. Titled “Control of Myopia Using Contrast Modulation Spectacle Lenses in a Chinese Population: 12-Month Results” (Laughton D, et al.), the study evaluated 186 myopic children, aged 6 to 13 at initiation, across five hospitals in China. The results showed a significant slowing of myopia progression when using DOT™ lenses compared to single vision spectacle lenses. Specifically, there was a 75% reduction in cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (cSER), with a decrease of −0.48D (p<0.0001), and a 74% reduction in axial length (AL), with a decrease of 0.26 mm (p<0.0001). These preliminary findings from the CATHAY study, which is expected to continue for 24 months, support the outcomes from the first year of the CYPRESS study.
Seeking to address one of the more common clinical questions as the myopia management category matures, SightGlass Vision also evaluated if any significant rebound effect occurred following treatment with DOT™ lenses. “Myopia Progression One-Year After Cessation of Contrast Modulation Spectacle Lenses” (Hill J, et al) followed a subset of children who participated in the CYPRESS multicenter trial for an additional 12 months. The control continued to wear single-vision spectacle lenses while the DOT™ group was crossed over to the same. After one year of discontinued DOT™ spectacle lens wear, cSER and AL progression among this test group reverted to age-normative rates observed in the control, indicating no statistically or clinically significant rebound effect. This offers an important reassurance to clinicians and parents when making myopia management decisions.
In addition, the company continues to invest in foundational research related to myopia management. This includes new work on short-term subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) variation, which may act as an early biomarker for successfully controlling eye growth and myopia progression. “Subfoveal Choroidal Thickening After Short-Term Wear of Contrast and Defocus-Modulating Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses” (Desiato A, et al) evaluated 31 children who wore DOT™ and Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses for 12 hours per day. Both groups exhibited a significant increase in SFCT after one week compared to single vision lens use, suggesting that contrast and defocus modulation of the retinal image may help slow myopia progression.
“Week after week, we are seeing mounting enthusiasm for DOT™ spectacle lenses from eye care professionals. These relevant and rigorous scientific outcomes, combined with their own experiences, helps them more quickly adopt and confidently recommend the technology,” said Sedgwick.
Taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah, from May 4-8, ARVO 2025 is expected to draw thousands of researchers, clinicians, educators, and students in ophthalmology, vision science, and optometry from around the globe.
SightGlass Vision’s patent-protected technology has made its commercial debut in several markets, including China, the Netherlands, Israel, and Canada, as well as through preliminary market trials in other countries. The company operates as a joint venture of CooperCompanies and EssilorLuxottica. For more information, visit SightGlassVision.com.
The University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science has named Dr. Ben Thompson as the new director to replace Dr. Stanley Woo once he finishes his second term on June 30, 2025.
Thompson, a much-awarded researcher, has been a professor at the School since 2014 and is also CEO and scientific director at the Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR). He was part of the team that co-wrote the School’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and is committed to further advancing its goals and continuing the School’s strong partnership with the optometric profession.
Dr. Ben Thompson
As he moves into the directorship, Thompson is particularly eager to increase the School’s research impact.
“My primary interest is in how we can make things better for the world,” Thompson said. “How can we help people see better and how can we take that knowledge and translate it to other areas of health? The University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science is perfectly positioned to connect people in different domains and make real impact.”
“Ben is an incredible leader and team builder,” Woo said. “His understanding, respect and appreciation for the contemporary practice of optometry, matched with his talent as an amazing researcher, will enable the school to reach new heights as a national resource for the public and profession.”
From heavy metal drummer to research superstar
Thompson grew up in rural England and worked at the local village supermarket as a teenager. There, his interest in visual perception was ignited by his own poor colour vision, which made it difficult to distinguish between different types of fruit – or even pieces of his uniform.
At the time, though, his first passion was music, specifically heavy metal drumming. When he was in high school, his band was offered a record deal, but the members decided to go to university instead. When he was studying psychology at the University of Sussex, the new band he was in won an MTV competition. This time, his bandmates hit the road as professional musicians. Thompson, however, chose to focus on science – though he still drums for fun, including occasionally with the Lost Faculties, the School’s faculty band.
Thompson went to Los Angeles to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA, where he had a chance to learn brain imaging and modulation techniques. He went on to a second postdoctoral fellowship, this time at McGill University’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. There, he applied the neuroscientific techniques he’d learned to people with amblyopia, where the brain relies on information just from one eye.
It had long been assumed that amblyopia could only be treated in childhood, because the brain becomes less plastic as it ages. However, in a breakthrough, Thompson showed that by using non-invasive brain stimulation, it was possible to improve vision in adults with amblyopia.
In 2008, Thompson joined the faculty at the University of Auckland School of Optometry and Vision Science. There, he got involved with an interdisciplinary team doing world-renowned research on nutrition for babies born preterm – in Thompson’s case, examining the effects on vision.
Thompson continues to be affiliated with the University of Auckland (as well as McGill University) and is still involved in this vein of research. In 2022, he was named a winner of New Zealand’s Te Pūiaki Putaiao Matua a Te Pirimia Science Prize, the country’s top award for scientific discoveries that have had significant impact around the world.
Formerly associate director of research for the School, Thompson is now president of the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation and special advisor to the University of Waterloo vice-president, research and international.
Leadership in bringing research to life
In 2020, Thompson and his family moved to Hong Kong to establish the Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), a research collaboration between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the University of Waterloo, funded by the InnoHK initiative of the Hong Kong government.
When he arrived, the Covid-19 pandemic was unfolding, CEVR was an empty building and PolyU and UWaterloo’s clinicians and vision scientists were unable to travel. Despite the challenges, Thompson helped establish a shared vision and effective ways of working together.
“You don’t know what you don’t know until suddenly you’ve got it wrong,” said Thompson. “We made mistakes I learned from, but overall, we have been successful, I think because we did it all together as a team.”
CEVR launched in 2021 and quickly saw success in its mission to carry out international, interdisciplinary ocular research and commercialization. Multiple spinout companies have been established from CEVR research, some of which have won awards at international invention fairs in Asia and Europe.
Thompson is now based in Waterloo but continues to lead the centre remotely and through regular travel.
Vision for the School
Thompson sees his role largely as supporting the School’s work on the goals outlined in its strategic plan by providing faculty and staff with the support, resources and empowerment they need to lead in their areas. He credits Woo for setting the School on an ambitious course and achieving multiple “moonshot” goals over his two terms as director.
Construction is underway on the Waterloo Eye Institute – a once-in-a-generation renovation and expansion that will bring patient care, education and research to a new level. Partnerships have been developed across the country to increase access to eye care, particularly for Indigenous people, remote and rural communities, and underserved people in urban areas. Through relationships with optometric associations across Canada, the School has strengthened its role as a national resource and partner in advocacy for the profession.
One focus for Thompson will be to secure more research funding and grow the graduate program. He sees the School, with its clinical excellence and patient care services, as a natural hub for the University’s increasing focus on health research. By working with the other faculties, the new regional hospital, Innovation Arena and others, he’d like to accelerate health entrepreneurship and the clinical application of research.
One new goal he’s working on with multiple partners is to bring MRI capacity to the Waterloo Eye Institute, which would provide an impetus for interdisciplinary, collaborative health research.
“Stan has been transformative as director,” Thompson said. “He has aligned the School and the profession, raised the profile of the School significantly and initiated the strategic planning that has given us a shared direction and vision. It’s a bit intimidating stepping into his shoes, but he has given me a lot of mentoring and we have a closely aligned view of what we can achieve for the optometric profession and for science and health in Canada.”
The optical world just got a little brighter—and funnier—with the launch of the Eye on the Industry podcast, hosted by industry veterans Christine Zeggil and Isabelle Tremblay. Broadcasting their debut episode from the scenic Mayan Riviera, the duo introduced a podcast that promises not only insight into industry trends and innovations but also a healthy dose of humour and humanity.
Whether you’re an optician, optometrist, sales rep, marketer, or someone who simply loves stylish specs, this new podcast invites you into a lively and informative conversation about all things optical.
Why Now? A Rapidly Evolving Industry
Christine and Isabelle explain that the decision to launch Eye on the Industry now stems from the pace of change sweeping across optometry and optical retail. Topics like AI-driven diagnostics, smart lenses, and sustainability are transforming the landscape. But amidst all the noise, they wanted to create a platform that’s not just informative, but fun and accessible—“a front row seat” to industry evolution.
Meet Your Hosts: Passionate, Playful, and In-the-Know
Listeners got to know the hosts a little better in the premiere episode. Christine, who began her optical career in 2000 with Transitions, brings over 25 years of experience spanning business development, sales team leadership, training, professional affairs, and strategic partnerships. Isabelle, president of Eyenovating and a branding expert, recently released a book titled Love Lead Succeed: The Supernatural Approach to Business and Life. Her passion for leadership grounded in emotional intelligence shines through.
Together, their chemistry is undeniable—grounded in 24 years of working side-by-side and a shared commitment to elevating the industry, one episode at a time.
What to Expect from Future Episodes
Listeners can look forward to conversations on:
The future of eyewear and emerging technologies
Strategies for practice growth and optical retail success
Sustainability in product design and production
Leadership insights and team-building tactics
Expert interviews and behind-the-scenes stories
Plus, Christine and Isabelle promise plenty of listener Q&As—and laughter, which they remind us, is good for our health.
From Fonts to Photochromics: Fun Extras and Final Thoughts
The episode wrapped up with a light-hearted Q&A where the hosts tackled everything from bizarre eyewear trends to what their glasses would say if they could talk.
Christine’s dream frames would include a built-in shopping conscience, and Isabelle wants glasses that can help her find… her glasses.
As Christine put it, “We’ve got amazing episodes coming up—funny, entertaining, insightful—and some very interesting guests.” Isabelle adds, “Trust us, you’re not going to want to miss this.”
Tune In and Keep Your Eye on the Industry
The Eye on the Industry podcast is now live. You can listen at eyeontheindustry.ca, and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. New episodes will drop regularly, with each one offering a thoughtful, uplifting—and often hilarious—look into the world of eyewear and eye care.
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The American Academy of Optometry Foundation and Meta Reality Labs Research have named three recipients of the Myopia Research Grant, each receiving US$500,000.
Bausch + Lomb has launched PreserVision AREDS3 in the U.S., introducing a new eye vitamin formula that combines AREDS2 nutrients with a proprietary B-vitamin complex.
Optometry Giving Sight says donor support is helping fund projects that restore vision today while expanding access to optometric care for the future, including a recent initiative in Nigeria.
The National Academy of Opticianry and the United Opticians Association have approved the first formal steps in a merger or asset-transfer exploration process.
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation and Meta Reality Labs Research have named three recipients of the Myopia Research Grant, each receiving US$500,000.
Bausch + Lomb has launched PreserVision AREDS3 in the U.S., introducing a new eye vitamin formula that combines AREDS2 nutrients with a proprietary B-vitamin complex.
Optometry Giving Sight says donor support is helping fund projects that restore vision today while expanding access to optometric care for the future, including a recent initiative in Nigeria.
The National Academy of Opticianry and the United Opticians Association have approved the first formal steps in a merger or asset-transfer exploration process.
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation and Meta Reality Labs Research have named three recipients of the Myopia Research Grant, each receiving US$500,000.
Bausch + Lomb has launched PreserVision AREDS3 in the U.S., introducing a new eye vitamin formula that combines AREDS2 nutrients with a proprietary B-vitamin complex.
Optometry Giving Sight says donor support is helping fund projects that restore vision today while expanding access to optometric care for the future, including a recent initiative in Nigeria.
The National Academy of Opticianry and the United Opticians Association have approved the first formal steps in a merger or asset-transfer exploration process.
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation and Meta Reality Labs Research have named three recipients of the Myopia Research Grant, each receiving US$500,000.
Bausch + Lomb has launched PreserVision AREDS3 in the U.S., introducing a new eye vitamin formula that combines AREDS2 nutrients with a proprietary B-vitamin complex.
Optometry Giving Sight says donor support is helping fund projects that restore vision today while expanding access to optometric care for the future, including a recent initiative in Nigeria.
The National Academy of Opticianry and the United Opticians Association have approved the first formal steps in a merger or asset-transfer exploration process.
