Dr. Derek MacDonald

Following undergraduate study at the University of Regina, Dr. MacDonald
graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in 1992, receiving the College of Optometrists of Ontario General Proficiency Medallion and the Attridge Award for Excellence in Pathology. Since that time, he has been engaged in full-scope private practice in Waterloo, with special interest in ocular health and eye disease. Upon graduation, Dr. MacDonald stayed involved with the School of Optometry, acting as a clinical supervisor in the Ocular Health Clinic, and being selected Clinician of the Year. More recently, Dr. MacDonald has volunteered with the Ontario Association of Optometrists, sitting on the Board of Directors since 1999, culminating in a two-year term as President that ended November 2007. He then assumed a staff position as a Policy Consultant working on professional remuneration and inter-professional collaboration, and continued to sit on the Board as Past-President. Concurrently, he was asked to work with the Waterloo-Wellington Local Health Integration Network on matters of Health Human Resource allocation. In early 2010, Dr. MacDonald was elected to the Council of the College of Optometrists of Ontario, where he also sits on the Discipline and Clinical Practice Committees. Later in 2010, he traveled to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami to further improve his knowledge and skills in ocular and systemic disease diagnosis and management. Dr. MacDonald is one of the founding members of the Eye Health Council of Ontario (EHCO), a group of optometrists and ophthalmologists working collaboratively to ensure that Ontarians have ready access to quality, convenient, and cost-effective eye health care.

Dr. Karen MacDonald

A native of Kitchener, Dr. MacDonald graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degree. She was the recipient of the TT Beattie Binocular Vision Award. Upon graduating, Dr. MacDonald served as research optometrist at the Centre for Contact Lens Research. Her work with the initial clinical trials of the new silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses became one of the first published papers on the subject.  Shortly thereafter, Dr. MacDonald became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.  More recently, her interest in pediatric eyecare has taken her for observerships to the Pediatric Eyecare Clinic of the Carolinas in 2003 and the Hospital for Sick Children in 2004. She is also qualified to perform visual perceptual testing in children.  2010 saw Dr. MacDonald voted Gold Medalist for Optometrists in the Reader’s Choice Awards, sponsored by the KW Record.  Effective 2011, Dr. MacDonald assumed the role of Chair of the Ontario Association of Optometrists’ Children’s Vision Working Group, championing the Eye See … Eye Learn program with the goal of ensuring that all children undergo a comprehensive eye examination before entering kindergarten.

Dr. Deanna Di Renzo

Dr. Di Renzo is a graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry (2006), where she also obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. She completed an ocular disease & therapeutics externship at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center in Mesa, Arizona, followed by a primary care externship at Brisson Leis & Associates in Guelph, Ontario. She has also attended a specialty contact lens training seminar at the Vision Care Institute of Johnson & Johnson in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Di Renzo is a member of both the Canadian Association of Optometrists and the Ontario Association of Optometrists.

Dr. Lisa Willms

A native of Kitchener-Waterloo, Dr. Willms graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in 1989 on the Dean’s Honours List, having completed a B.Sc. in Honours Science in 1987.  Upon graduation, Dr. Willms practiced in both Toronto and KW before pursuing her interest in laser vision correction, joining Drs. Machat and Probst  as Clinic Director of TLC Laser Eye Centers (Windsor) in 1997.  In late 1998, Dr. Willms accepted the position of Clinic Director at TLC Waterloo, a title she holds to this day.  In addition to providing pre- and post-operative care for patients undergoing laser vision correction, she instructs third and fourth year optometry students on the principles of ophthalmic lasers and refractive surgery.  Dr. Willms’ special interest and expertise in conditions affecting the anterior segment of the eye (including dry eye) are of great value in her provision of comprehensive optometric care.

Dr. Juliusz Gorecki

Though he was born in Poland, Dr. Juliusz Gorecki was raised in Waterloo. He graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry (UWSO) in 2009, receiving both his Doctor of Optometry and Honours Bachelor of Science Degrees. He was also awarded the Michael Gutwein Memorial Award, presented to the graduating optometry student who best exemplified a balance between academics and social involvement. During his studies at UWSO, Dr. Gorecki gained valuable experience in a variety of optometric environments, including a private practice in British Columbia and an ophthalmic surgical center in Arizona. Dr. Gorecki is currently practicing at both a private optometry practice in North York, as well as the renowned Yonge-Eglinton Laser Eye Centre. At the latter clinic he is responsible for pre- and post-operative assessments of patients undergoing LASIK, PRK, cataract extraction and corneal transplants. Dr. Gorecki has a particular interest in contact lenses and refractive surgery co- management, and is excited to have the opportunity to practice back in his hometown.

Staff

Our staff are friendly, helpful and ready to assist you. They all participate regularly in continuing education programs to better enable them to look after your eyecare needs.

Organizational History

Dr. Derek MacDonald and Dr. Karen MacDonald began their practice together as part of Drs. Grant, Lutzi and MacDonald in the 1990s. Effective the fall of 2006, Drs. Derek and Karen MacDonald assumed ownership of the optometry office at 354 King Street North, and relocated to a modern accessible main floor facility in early 2008. Building upon the strong foundation already established, Drs. MacDonald are continuing the tradition of comprehensive eyecare, while incorporating a number of advances in knowledge and technology to better serve our patients. We strongly believe in providing a full range of diagnostic and treatment services, and emphasize ongoing training and education for all members of our team.