The University of New Brunswick (UNB) and the University of Waterloo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore partnering with the intention of establishing a school of optometry in Saint John to serve Atlantic Canada.
Currently, the University of Waterloo is the only English-language school of optometry in Canada, while a French-language program is offered at Université de Montreal in Quebec. As a result, students in Atlantic Canada must travel to Ontario, Quebec or abroad, creating significant barriers for many qualified candidates.
Doctors of optometry take a leading role in eye and vision care as well as general patient health and well-being. As primary healthcare providers, optometrists have extensive and ongoing expertise in examining, diagnosing, treating and managing ocular disorders, diseases and injuries and systemic diseases that manifest in the eye.
The Integrated Health Initiative, located on UNB's Saint John campus, seamlessly converges interdisciplinary health education, cutting-edge research and ground-breaking innovation providing a strong community base to support optometric education.
"This collaboration exemplifies the transformative potential of our Integrated Health Initiative," said Dr. Petra Hauf, Provost and Vice President Academic at UNB. "Partnerships like this enable us to expand health education and services, creating meaningful impact for our communities."
There is a pressing need for better access to eye and vision care in underserved areas. Ocular and systemic diseases - such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, hypertension and diabetes - are prevalent in rural and Indigenous communities, with more patients suffering preventable vision loss than in urban Canada.
The MOU between the two universities emphasizes the goal of increasing the supply of optometrists to the Atlantic region.
"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 emerging partnership between UNB and University of Waterloo is endorsed by the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists (NBAO).
"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."
