Special Feature
“I learned early on that the only
way optometry can grow and
improve as a profession is by
working together.”
“Optometrists have many opportunities to save
our patients from vision loss caused by disease,
be it glaucoma, macular degeneration or even an
emergent issue like retinal detachment,” he says.
“The most fulfilling cases I’ve had are those
involving children with strabismus or amblyopia,
where we can catch the condition early enough
to intervene and change that child’s life forever.
There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a
child who struggles with reading, sports or depth
perception, turn around and thrive after their
vision issues are addressed.”
Smith also works as a staff consultant at a regional
hospital’s stroke rehabilitation program.
“Vision rehabilitation is an area of special
interest for me and the opportunity to help post-
stroke patients with their vision issues has been
immensely rewarding.”
Smith studied chemistry as an undergraduate and
went on to study for a Ph.D., but soon realized that
a future in a research lab was not the best fit.
“Optometry offered the opportunity to specialize
and still work in primary care. I completed an
M.Sc. with a thesis in organometallic catalyst
design. I applied to optometry schools across North
America and never looked back.”
Smith joined the Ontario Association of
Optometrists while a student at the University of
Waterloo.
He had the opportunity to work with the
association leadership on several issues before he
officially became part of the profession.
“I learned early on that the only way optometry
can grow and improve as a profession is by working
together. We all practice in dark rooms, but
without the OAO we would never be the primary
eye care doctors we are today.”
Being a member of the OAO has allowed Smith
to meet other optometrists across Canada and
around the world.
“It has helped me to grow and thrive as a doctor
in a way that practicing in a silo never would have
allowed. I also value the fact that I can pour my
time, energy and passion into areas that will make
a real impact on the future of the profession.” OP
Access to optometric care in Canada and abroad is
an important career focus, he says.
Optical Prism | July 2019 33