Published: 2019-10-02
Published: 2018-11-07
Published: 2018-09-04
Our 2017 annual report, with audited financial statements, is now online.
Published: 2018-08-27
Members – want to have a lasting impact on the health of Ontarians? Want to help guide the profession, share your knowledge, and work with your fellow practitioners? Consider a volunteer opportunity with the College.
Published: 2018-08-27
Nominations are now being accepted for the upcoming Council election. This election is required under Part 6 of the College by-laws. It will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2018.
Published: 2018-07-26
The College of Optometrists of Ontario has responded to “Bureau encourages online competition in eyewear industry,” an article published July 26, 2018 by Competition Bureau Canada.
Published: 2018-06-28
College Council met on Thursday, June 21, 2018. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2018-05-03
When Ontario’s Protecting Patients Act, 2017 was passed into law on May 30, 2017, it made amendments to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA). Several other amendments, however, were yet to be proclaimed and further changes were likely to come given the Minister’s new regulation-making authority.
Published: 2018-04-13
College Council met on Monday, April 9, 2018. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2018-03-23
Essilor/Clearly has appealed the January 11, 2018 decision of Justice Lederer, which ordered that it may not dispense prescription eyewear in Ontario unless the dispensing is performed by an optometrist, optician, or physician who is licensed to practice in Ontario.
Published: 2018-03-20
The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) was recently amended to include both mandatory and discretionary reporting for certain health care practitioners, including optometrists.
Published: 2018-03-01
The College has completed its Fair Registration Practices Report for 2017.
Published: 2018-01-26
The College Council met on Monday, January 15, 2018. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2018-01-12
A recent application to seek an injunction preventing Essilor/Clearly from unlawfully dispensing prescription eyewear over the internet has been successful. The College of Optometrists and the College of Opticians jointly filed the application in December 2016 and the matter was heard October 11, 2017. Justice Lederer delivered his decision January 11, 2018 in favour of the two regulatory colleges.
Published: 2017-11-09
Our 2016 annual report, with audited financial statements, is now online (PDF).
Published: 2017-11-03
Past College president and past Quality Assurance chair Dr. David White will take you through the art and science of recordkeeping.
Published: 2017-10-26
On Thursday, October 26, an election was held in District 5 – Provincial Electoral District for two positions.
Published: 2017-09-28
College Council met on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2017-08-17
We know that patients and families have valuable experiences and perspectives to share when it comes to the quality and safety of their care, but engaging in those conversations can be difficult.
Published: 2017-08-15
On August 21, 2017, a solar eclipse will cross much of North America. Many of us will be taking some time to witness this astronomical marvel. But as the Canadian Space Agency reminds us, looking directly at the sun without appropriate protection can lead to serious problems such as partial or complete loss of eyesight.
Published: 2017-08-14
This fall, to renew your certificate of registration, you will be required to complete the College’s new elearning module, “Professionalism, Ethical Decision Making and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Patients.”
Published: 2017-07-04
College Council met on Thursday, June 22, 2017. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2017-06-16
The College’s 2016 financial statements, with audited report, are now online.
Published: 2017-06-02
On May 17, 2017, a Panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Optometrists of Ontario found Alvin John Metzger (a.k.a. John Metzger) guilty of professional misconduct and ordered the revocation of his certificate of registration, effective immediately.
Published: 2017-04-28
The College Council met on Monday, April 6, 2017. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2017-04-18
This proposed by-law amendment would help facilitate the appointment of properly constituted panels for Discipline hearings.
Published: 2017-03-24
The College is inviting proposals from organizations interested in the development and implementation of an alternate Canadian examination to assess entry-level knowledge, skills and judgment of optometric professionals seeking registration to practise optometry in Canada.
Published: 2017-02-17
The College has completed its Fair Registration Practices Report for 2016.
Published: 2017-02-06
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) has announced it has expanded the list of drugs that optometrists may prescribe for the treatment of eye and vision conditions.
Published: 2017-02-02
In late fall of last year, the College circulated several proposed amendments to the Registration Regulation and College by-laws:
Published: 2017-01-27
The College, in collaboration with the College of Opticians of Ontario, has drafted a guide for optometrists and opticians working together in practice.
Published: 2017-01-24
The College Council met on Monday, January 16, 2017. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2016-12-14
Published: 2016-12-01
Effective December 1, 2016, most patients receiving social assistance (ODSP or OW) will no longer be issued a paper drug card as proof of social assistance eligibility.
Published: 2016-10-11
“What to Expect During an Optometric Exam,” a resource guide for patients, is available now on the College website.
Published: 2016-10-06
At its September meeting, Council approved for circulation proposed amendments to the Registration Regulation and College by-laws.
Published: 2016-10-03
College Council met on Wednesday, September 21, 2016. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2016-09-29
Nominations for this year’s Council elections closed on September 27, 2016. The College received one nomination for each of four available positions.
Published: 2016-07-07
College Council met on Monday, June 20, 2016. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2016-06-23
The Clinical Practice Panel of the Quality Assurance Committee has proposed amendments to the Optometry Act, Designated Drugs and Standards of Practice Regulation, and Controlled Acts.
Click here to read the circulation document and supporting material.
Published: 2016-05-03
College Council met on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2016-02-02
College Council met on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2016-01-26
Council approved a new Registration policy that clarifies the process by which members can change their registration status from practising to non-practising, or vice-versa, for fixed or indefinite periods of time.
Published: 2015-11-02
Council will welcome two new members and two returning members in 2016.
Published: 2015-10-13
The College Council met on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2015-10-06
The purpose of this policy is to establish a fair process for members who are not practising in Ontario, but wish to maintain their registration with the College, while ensuring the delivery of the highest quality of eye care in the public interest.
Published: 2015-10-06
The College seeks your input on a proposed by-law change that would amend the Schedule of Fees to include a fee for a Continuing Education (CE) deficiency audit by the Quality Assurance Committee for members who misreport their total number of CE hours to the College.
Published: 2015-09-03
Nominations will now be accepted for the upcoming Council election. This election is required under Part 6 of the College by-laws. It will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2015. The three-year term of the newly elected councillors will begin on January 20, 2016, at the first regular Council meeting following the election.
Published: 2015-08-04
Our 2014 annual report, with audited financial statements, is now online (PDF).
Published: 2015-07-02
The College Council met on Thursday, June 18, 2015. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2015-06-29
At its June meeting, Council approved for circulation proposed amendments to Part 18 of the College by-laws. If passed by Council, these amendments will allow certain additional information about College members to be posted to the public register.
Click here to read the circulation document and supporting material.
Published: 2015-04-17
The College Council met on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2015-03-02
The College has completed its Fair Registration Practices Report for 2014. Click here to read the report.
Published: 2015-01-26
The College Council met on Friday, January 16, 2015. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2015-01-22
James McLean brought a Court application asking a judge to determine whether his proposed business model to provide local sight tests and using an Alberta-based ophthalmologist to sign the “prescriptions” was lawful. The Attorney General of Ontario, joined by the College of Opticians of Ontario along with this College argued that Mr. McLean could not do so. On January 5, 2015, the judge agreed.
Click here to read the decision.
Published: 2015-01-14
The latest issue of our newsletter is now available.
Published: 2014-12-22
Council has approved a new Continuing Education Policy for the upcoming CE cycle of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017.
Published: 2014-12-01
The College of Optometrists of Ontario today released its report to the Honourable Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, regarding recent transparency initiatives.
Published: 2014-11-03
On October 31, 2014, elections were held for two positions on Council in District 5, the Provincial Electoral District.
The ballots have been counted and results are in. Congratulations to Dr. Pooya Hemami and Dr. Marta Witer, who have been elected to Council for a three-year term.
Published: 2014-10-22
At its September 17 meeting, Council approved for circulation amendments to College by-laws that will increase the transparency of the regulatory process by making additional information about its members available on the public register.
Click here to read the circulation document and supporting material.
Published: 2014-10-22
On September 17, Council approved for circulation a new QA Regulation that would allow more flexibility in the definition and process of practice assessments and make it consistent with the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and the new Registration Regulation under the Optometry Act.
Click here to read the circulation document and explanatory material.
Published: 2014-09-24
The Council of the College of Optometrists of Ontario met on September 17, 2014. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2014-08-29
Our 2013 annual report, with audited financial statements, is now online (PDF).
Published: 2014-07-02
On June 6, 2014, the College of Optometrists of Ontario’s Council approved for circulation to members and stakeholders a proposed regulation to create an exception that would allow optometrists to treat their spouses.
Click here to read the proposed regulation and accompanying guidelines.
Published: 2014-07-02
The College is required to circulate to members, for 60 days prior to Council approval, any by-law related to fees a member is required to pay to the College.
Click here to read the circulation document.
Published: 2014-06-22
The Council of the College of Optometrists of Ontario met on June 6, 2014. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2014-06-12
Click here to read the document
Published: 2014-06-11
Click here to read the document.
Published: 2014-06-11
Click here to read the document.
Published: 2014-04-14
The College Council met at the new College office on Monday, April 7, 2014. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2014-03-28
The latest issue of our newsletter is now available.
Published: 2014-03-03
On April 15, 2014, the new Professional Misconduct Regulation, including modernized conflict-of-interest provisions, came into force. The College has prepared guidelines to assist members in their review and understanding of the updated regulation.
Published: 2014-02-19
Special Announcement
Published: 2014-02-05
The College of Optometrists of Ontario is on the move. Effective Monday, February 24, 2014, the College’s new address is:
65 St. Clair Ave. E., Suite 900, Toronto, Ontario M4T 2Y3
Published: 2014-02-03
With the advent of social media, optometrists have many new means of communicating with their patients and the public.There are many examples of social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin, blogging sites, etc.
Published: 2014-02-03
The College of Optometrists of Ontario believes that you and your optometrist should work together in order to maintain your optimum eye care.
Published: 2014-01-31
The College Council met on Friday, January 17, 2014. Here are some highlights:
Published: 2013-12-05
The College of Optometrists of Ontario is pleased to present the following e-learning module:
Published: 2013-10-25
Published: 2013-10-20
Click here to read the document
Published: 2013-09-20
Click here to read the document
Published: 2013-08-06
The College of Optometrists of Ontario successfully obtained an injunction on May 30 2013 prohibiting Tony Frisoli,
Published: 2013-05-03
The College has updated several documents in the Optometric Practice Reference (OPR).
Published: 2013-02-26
The following officers were elected at the January 14, 2013 Council meeting:
Published: 2013-02-01
Click here to read the document
Published: 2012-10-14
New College fees come into effect on Nov. 1, 2012, and can be found here.
Published: 2012-09-17
Here is a press release associated with the College’s new registration regulation which came into effect on Sept. 14, 2012.
Published: 2012-07-31
Letter to Drs Turnour and Spafford, IOBP Review
Published: 2012-02-24
Responds to Marketplace Investigation on Eyewear Sector
Published: 2012-02-22
Below is the College’s Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents Policy: Educational Requirements for Members to Prescribe Drugs (TPA Education Policy)
Published: 2012-01-19
Circulation Memo
Feedback Form
Published: 2011-05-18
In October 2010, the College circulated a proposed Registration Regulation to members and other stakeholders for feedback.
Published: 2011-05-16
The College has submitted a proposed Registration Regulation to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC).
Published: 2011-04-06
The regulation that designates the drugs that optometrists are authorized to prescribe has been approved by an Order in Council of the Government of Ontario.
Published: 2011-02-24
The proposed regulation will replace any previously circulated document and contains some significant changes.
Published: 2010-10-01
The Honourable Mr. Justice J. Turnbull of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario announced his decision today with respect to penalty in the Great Glasses case.
Published: 2010-07-13
On July 13, 2010, the Toronto Sun published an op ed piece by the College Registrar speaking out against the current trend for teenage girls to use ‘circle’ lenses
Published: 2010-06-30
July 5, 2010 – Lawyers for the College of Optometrists of Ontario were back in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice arguing a motion to close the Great Glasses stores across Ontario.
Published: 2010-05-07
Click here to read the document
Published: 2010-01-28
The Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council is reviewing inter-professional collaboration among health professions in the eye care sector in order to
Published: 2009-11-15
The College of Optometrist of Ontario is committed to assisting members to care for their patients and themselves in the event of a pandemic.