We are excited to announce that the winner of our 2026 Scholarship is Tudor Bita! His winning essay is included below.

“Growing up in a household where every family member wears glasses, I always thought eye

health was just a family trait where some people get lucky while others don’t. And from

that, I thought I was part of the unlucky group, and wearing glasses was something that I

unfortunately had to deal with. However, as I got older, I realized that wearing glasses and

maintaining good eye health is a privilege. I learned that I should celebrate routine trips to

the clinic for an updated prescription because many people don’t have access to that level

of care. Now, through my studies in Human Geography and Computer Science at UBC, I

see that taking care of our eyes is what allows us to fully engage with both our physical

cities and our digital spaces.

Through the lens of Human Geography, I study how individuals navigate and interact with

their environments. Vision is fundamental to this spatial agency. When someone’s eye

health is compromised, their ability to move safely through a city, access essential

services, or even engage with their community is restricted. Preventative eye care is not

just a personal health issue. It is a vital part of making sure our communities are

accessible to everyone.

This idea of accessibility extends from the physical world into the digital one. In my

Computer Science coursework, I spend countless hours glued to my screen. UBC as a

whole is becoming a digital-first academic environment where students are encouraged to

use tablets and laptops over paper. This constant screen exposure has made me aware of

digital eye strain as a widespread, very real, modern health challenge. We spend so much

time on screens that we require a ton of visual stamina. So, taking care of our eyes is no

longer just about reading a street sign from afar. It’s about sustaining our ability to work,

learn, and innovate in an increasingly screen-dependent era.

To me, eye health means having the ability to fully participate in the spaces we live in,

whether physical or digital. My experience and my studies have shown me that vision is the

bridge between us and our environment. Regular eye exams and accessible clinical care

are the foundation of that connection. They do much more than just correct a prescription.

They protect our fundamental ability to experience and engage with the world around us.”

Honorable mentions:

Ashley da Roza (Second place)

Brandon Cruz (Third Place)

A Student's View on Eye Health - 2026 View Optometry Scholarship Winner