Our History
The Manitoba Optometric Society was created in 1909 when the Optometry Act established and regulated the practise of optometry in Manitoba. This was the second act of its kind in Canada, proclaimed on March 10, one day after a similar act was proclaimed in Quebec. It called for a Board of Examiners consisting of “five reputable and practicing optometrists.”
The first registered optometrist in Manitoba was Wellington Graham Maybee, who would also become the first registered optometrist in Ontario in 1919, and was later referred to as "The Father of Canadian Optometry." The first Manitoba Optometric Society Board was made up of the first five MOS members, W. Maybee, H. Nott, R. Butchart, J. Bartlett, and F. Leach.
Our Timeline History
1916 - 1917
The first constitutions and Bylaws of the Manitoba Optometric Society are approved by membership.
1920
The Optometry Act is amended to require all “holders of certificates” to become members of the Manitoba Optometric Society, incorporating the Society, requiring a Council of 5 members, and requiring a one-year apprenticeship under a Manitoba optometrist before beginning practice.
1925
“College of Optometry of Ontario” is established, a 2-year optometric course loosely associated with the University of Toronto.
1941
Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) is established, and would be incorporated and formalized through a federal Act in 1948.
1941 - 1942
Formal offer of services to armed forces as part of the war effort.
1952
College of Optometry of Ontario begins its first 4-year Doctor of Optometry program, graduating its first OD degree class in 1956.
1967
College of Optometry of Ontario is dissolved to establish the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo.
1969
L'École d'optométrie achieves full integration with the University of Montreal.
1972
Manitoba optometrists given the right to use the title “Doctor.
1978
An independent review of optometric education recognizes the Doctor of Optometry degree awarded by the University of Waterloo School of Optometry as a profession comparable to medicine and dentistry.
CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) formally recognizes Manitoba optometry with the addition of an optometrist to the provincial CNIB Board.
1980
Dr. A. H. Basman,optometric, becomes MOS’s first Executive Director. In 1992, the A. H. Basman, OD Scholarships would be established and named in his honour.
1983
The Optometry Act is amended to allow optometrists to administer Diagnostic Pharmaceutical Agents in Manitoba.
1984
CNIB Low Vision Clinic is established. Dr. Robert Lecker, Optometrist, was instrumental in advocating for an optometric/interdisciplinary clinic at CNIB, and Manitoba optometrists have continually provided services at the Low Vision Clinic since 1984. In 2016, the clinic continues to offer services from nurses, counsellors, social workers, mobility specialists and optometrists.
1992
The name of the Manitoba Optometric Society (MOS) is changed to the Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO).
1994
Canadian Examiners in Optometry (CEO) is formed to establish Canadian national board exams for optometry practice. The first Canadian national exam sitting was held in June 1995.
1995
Optometrists in Alberta are given the authority to prescribe Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents. Even though all Canadian optometrists have the same education and pass the same national board exams, Manitoba optometrists would not be given this authority until 2013.
1996
Manitoba Health insures routine eye examinations for Manitobans. Coverage is maintained for seniors, children under 19, and Manitobans with specific medical conditions.
2009
MAO celebrates its 100th Anniversary and begins a tradition of recognizing optometrists for milestone Years of Service. The Manitoba Historical Society presents MAO with the Centennial Organization Award.
2011
MAO establishes an Occupational Vision Care (OVC) program in Manitoba.
2013
The Optometry Amendment Act comes into force authorizing Manitoba optometrists to prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat eye disease.
