Presenters

Dr. Bitton completed her Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo (1988) in Canada, followed by a Master’s in Physiological Optics (1994) from the Université de Montréal in the area of tear film clinical physiology and its relevance in patients exhibiting dry eye. Dr. Bitton presently holds the rank of full professor.

She is a member of several national and international professional organizations including Canadian ambassador for the Tear Film Ocular Surface Society (TFOS), a global organization for the advancement of dry eye. Her areas of interest are in the evaluation of the tear film, dry eye and contact lens wear. In 2012 she inaugurated and became the Head of the Dry Eye Clinic at the school, a first in an optometry school in North America. Dr. Bitton has received several awards for teaching, mentorship, clinical research including a certificate on the Management of Dry Eye from the British Contact Lens Association.

Dr. Varma has been working in the area of inclusion for four decades. Her expertise represents a collection of experiences as a university professor, federal parole officer, human rights director, co-owner of Engaging Matters Diversity Consultants and New Brunswick’s first Commissioner for Systemic Racism. She is also a Harvard-trained conflict mediator. She combines inclusion with conflict mediation to help organizations to understand change in a safe and personal way.

Dr. Prosia is an optometrist and leading innovator in amniotic membrane therapy in Canada. Known for his expertise in Dry Eye and Ocular surface disease management, he introduced Canada’s first doctor-owned amniotic membrane company, Ophthalogix Canada, to expand national access to advanced ocular treatments. Over his career, Dr. Prosia has performed more than 2,000 amniotic membrane procedures and managed over 50,000 Dry Eye cases. A respected speaker, educator, and social media voice in the eye care community, he continues to shape the future of ocular surface disease management through clinical excellence, education, and innovation.

Dr. Keeling is a 2016 graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, is a solo practice owner in Dieppe, New Brunswick. As a former teacher, she combines her passion for optometry and teaching by supervising optometry interns. She is the Past President of the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists, chair of continuing education, and a member of the events committee for the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce. She is the Chief Examiner for the Optometry Examining Board of Canada and President of the Business Professionals Women’s Club of Moncton, NB (2025-2027). Dr. Keeling is a Canadian delegate to the United Nations, in New York City for the Commission on the Status of Women and has contributed to research on Low Vision and Falls Risk, and a contributing author to the Canadian Low Vision Guidelines. Her recent awards include University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science 2025 Early Career Alumni Award, Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care and Greater Moncton’s Top 20 Under 40.