Dr. Stanley Woo.

NEWARK, N.J.—The University of New Brunswick (UNB) and the University of Waterloo (UW) have signed a memorandum of understanding, to explore the establishment of a school of optometry in Saint John, New Brunswick, to serve Atlantic Canada, the universities announced in a statement. The memorandum of understanding between the two universities emphasizes the goal of increasing the supply of optometrists to the Atlantic region, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities. The partners aim to improve access to optometric education for qualified applicants from these communities, the announcement said.

“We’re delighted to partner with the University of New Brunswick on expanding access to optometric education in Atlantic Canada,” said Dr. Stanley Woo, director of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science. “We believe a strategic partnership between our school and an institution with similar aims and values will be a strong foundation for success.”

The University of Waterloo is currently home to the only English-language school of optometry in Canada. There is a French-language school at the Université de Montréal, however, Atlantic and Western Canadians must travel to Ontario, Quebec or abroad to study, which presents barriers for many qualified candidates, the schools said in a statement.

 
 
The statement noted that doctors of optometry take a leading role in eye and vision care, as well as general patient health and well-being. Optometrists have extensive expertise in examining, diagnosing, treating and managing ocular disorders, diseases, injuries and systemic diseases that manifest in the eye.

The statement said, there is a pressing need for better access to eye and vision care in underserved areas, highlighting the areas of ocular and systemic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, hypertension and diabetes, which are prevalent in rural and Indigenous communities. In these areas more patients are suffering preventable vision loss than in urban Canada.

The School of Optometry and Vision Science, located at the University of Waterloo since 1967, has roots more than 100- years old. It ranks third in North America and fifth in the world in research among schools of optometry. The school strives to be a national resource, working with stakeholders including optometric associations and colleges, the public, industry and government. It is building the Waterloo Eye Institute, a major expansion and renovation of its clinical space, that will also allow it to increase enrolment at its Waterloo campus.

“This collaboration exemplifies the transformative potential of our Integrated Health Initiative,” said Dr. Petra Hauf, provost and vice president of academics at UNB. “Partnerships like this enable us to expand health education and services, creating meaningful impact for our communities.”


Dr. Brian Dalrymple.

The University of New Brunswick, the oldest English-language university in Canada, has two main campuses located in Saint John and Fredericton. The Integrated Health Initiative, located on UNB’s Saint John campus, seamlessly converges interdisciplinary health education, cutting-edge research and groundbreaking innovation, providing a strong community base to support optometric education, the university said.

The emerging partnership between the University of Waterloo and the University of New Brunswick is endorsed by the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists (NBAO), the announcement said.

“New Brunswick’s optometrists are delighted to support the development of a school of optometry in Saint John,” said Dr. Brian Dalrymple, president of the NBAO. “We’re confident this partnership will ultimately result in better eye and vision care for Atlantic Canadians.”