Honour Recognizes Exceptional Scholarly Achievement for Full-Time Faculty
WATERLOO, Ontario, April 30, 2020—The University of Waterloo has appointed Dr. Lyndon Jones, professor at its School of Optometry & Vision Science, as a University Professor. The designation is awarded to professors who exemplify exceptional scholarly achievements and international pre-eminence. It follows his appointment as a University Research Chair in 2012.
Dr. Jones is one of three faculty members across the entire University to receive the designation in 2020 from the University’s Board of Governors. He joins 18 other active, full-time faculty who currently hold the title—approximately one out of every 60 professors on campus.
In addition to his faculty position, Dr. Jones serves as director of the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE). His research interests primarily focus on the interaction of contact lens materials with the ocular environment, dry eye, myopia control and the development of materials for ocular drug delivery.
“Lyndon brings a unique perspective and keen insights in conducting significant inter-disciplinary research with engineers, chemists, and material scientists in both academia and industry. He has authored over 400 refereed and professional papers, one textbook and is a co-inventor on eight patents with impressive metrics to support the impact of his efforts,” wrote School of Optometry & Vision Science Director Stan Woo in his nomination letter.
“He is tireless in his quest to lead innovation in the field of contact lens and biomaterials, and his energy inspires those around him to realize their full potential. Lyndon is a gifted speaker and educator, being equally comfortable lecturing to optometry students as he is leading discussions with graduate students and eye care practitioners.”
“It is a great privilege to be named a University Professor,” said Dr. Jones. “I am humbled and honoured to be recognized among other talented professors who have helped shape the university’s international reputation.”
Once appointed, a University Professor retains the designation for life. The School of Optometry & Vision Science’s only other recipient of the honor was Dr. Jake Sivak, who was appointed in 2007 and has since retired.
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About the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) was established in 1988 at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science. Over the next three decades, the organization evolved from a three-person operation into a thriving hub of basic and applied research, collaborating with sponsors, agencies and academia on advanced biosciences, clinical research and education. Its uncompromising independence and results of the highest quality have been at the heart of many of the most prominent advances in eye health. Today, its approximately 50-person team serves a range of ophthalmic sectors, including medical devices, ocular pharmaceuticals, digital technology and others, with a focus on the anterior segment. For more information, please visit core.uwaterloo.ca.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Aimee J. Lewis or Mike McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA, McDougall Communications for CORE
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A recent literature review from Professor Emeritus Desmond Fonn and the 
The paper notes that in line with its ability to reduce the spread of disease, careful and thorough hand washing with soap and water followed by hand drying with unused paper towels should greatly reduce the transfer of microbial contamination from hands to the contact lens or eye. Clean hands plus use of daily disposables results in the lowest risk of contact lens-related complications. For wearers of reusable lenses there are additional guidelines on lens and case cleaning which can be 
hands. Unwashed hands were pressed into agar (Figure 2a), and also used to handle a new contact lens (Figure 2b). Scientists then repeated the procedure after following recommended handwashing practices, touching both the agar directly, along with applying and removing a contact lens (Figures 2c and 2d). The results clearly demonstrate the impact handling has on contact lenses. Samples that had been touched with unwashed hands showed significantly higher numbers of visible bacteria. By comparison, the contact lens touched with clean hands had only a minimal bacterial load.
“Clinical management of dry eye disease is front of mind for many practitioners as they explore building and expanding their contemporary evidence-based practice,” said Karen Walsh, CORE clinical scientist and Contact Lens Update editor. “We’re excited to bring the best of the Canadian Dry Eye Summit to professionals around the world through our newest issue.”
Key observations from the speakers are summarized in the