Ophthalmology

Many treatments for eye problems have been pioneered in Canada. Ophthalmology has been practiced, researched and taught in London, Ontario for over a century, producing graduates for communities across the continent.

Ivey Eye Institute

Committed to excellence in patient care, education and research

The Ivey Eye Institute, which is the main referral centre for eye disease in Western Ontario, is committed to excellence in patient care, education and research. Its conference facilities, library collection, orthoptic service and diagnostic service provide a sound foundation for the Institute’s excellent reputation in all of its activities.

The Institute encompasses the previous services of the Ivey Institute of Ophthalmology, the University Campus Eye Clinic of the London Health Sciences Centre and the St. Joseph’s Hospital Eye Clinic. Located at St. Joseph’s Hospital, it now represents a partnership between Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care London and Western University.

The Department of Ophthalmology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, is located in the Institute. The department has basic science, clinical, educational, epidemiology and experimental research activities.

Mission:

• Provide quality medical and surgical eye care for our community and region.
• Train future eye care practitioners.
• Promote research in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
• Share knowledge and understanding with patients, students and colleagues.

Goals:

• A respected source of excellent diagnostic, medical and surgical eye care, ophthalmic teaching and research.
• Services guided by the people we serve through close working alliances in the community and across the continuum of eye care.
• Provision of services from prevention through screening and visual rehabilitation will assist individuals to preserve or regain their eye sight.

Specialties:

• Comprehensive Ophthalmology
• Cornea
• Glaucoma
• Neuro-Ophthalmology
• Oculoplastics
• Optometry
• Paediatrics/Strabismus
• Retina

Research Overview

Clinical research includes both industry-sponsored Phase III and IV clinical trials, as well as investigator initiated research.

Lawson’s dedicated basic science laboratory focuses on the stress and rescue of eye cells as this pertains to the most prevalent sight-threatening diseases known as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. A “bench to bedside” practicality pervades in this research with the goal of relating basic science findings to potential patient care outcomes.

The laboratory, under the direction of Dr. Cindy Hutnik, is one hub of the Experimental Eye Research Facility. The other two hubs are located at Western University under the direction of Dr. Kathleen Hill in the Faculty of Science and Dr. Tim Newson in the Faculty of Engineering. This facility is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of established researchers who work closely together to tackle the investigation of ocular disease from novel and seemingly disparate directions through the application of medical, biological, genetic and engineering principals. These researchers are joined by a team of undergraduate and graduate students who participate in the various projects towards the attainment of their own degrees and, hopefully, ongoing future careers in vision research.