1. TFOS Ambassadors

Canada

Saleel Jivraj

Dr. Sal Jivraj, BSc (Hons) OD MBA FAAO FEAOO FCOptom FBCLA FIACLE FIALVS FCCSO
 
TFOS Ambassador – Canada | Contributor, TFOS Lifestyle: Impact of the Digital Environment on the Ocular Surface
As an internationally recognized optometrist practicing in both Canada and the UK, Dr. Sal Jivraj has dedicated his career to advancing ocular surface disease care through clinical excellence, translational research, and global advocacy. With specialist expertise in Dry Eye Disease (DED), ocular surface inflammation, digital eye strain, neuro-optometric rehabilitation, and low vision care, Dr. Sal Jivraj is known for developing comprehensive, high-scope clinical models that bring cutting-edge innovations directly to patients.
Dr. Sal Jivraj currently leads multiple interdisciplinary eye clinics across Alberta, including the Market Mall Eye Clinic, Southcentre Eye Clinic and Sunridge Optometry. He is also a consultant in low vision and neuro-optometry at the Rockyview General Hospital’s Sight Enhancement Ophthalmology Clinic. His clinical framework emphasizes evidence-based therapeutics, high-resolution imaging, and functional rehabilitation—an approach that aligns with the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS)’s mission to improve quality of life for those affected by ocular surface disorders.

A strong believer in collaborative science, Dr. Sal Jivraj was honoured to serve as a contributing author to the TFOS Lifestyle Report: Impact of the Digital Environment on the Ocular Surface, published in The Ocular Surface journal in 2023 PMID: 37062428. His contributions focused on the intersection of screen-based behavior, environmental triggers, and behavioral modification strategies in mitigating digital eye strain—an increasingly pervasive cause of ocular surface disruption. Drawing on insights from both his clinical caseload and broader digital health work, Dr. Sal Jivraj emphasized the importance of environmental design, preventative interventions, and digital ergonomics in global public health strategies to reduce ocular discomfort and evaporative tear film dysfunction.

As a TFOS Ambassador for Canada, Dr. Sal Jivraj advocates for public and professional awareness of TFOS initiatives—bridging the gap between emerging ocular surface research and frontline eye care delivery. He frequently lectures to optometrists, ophthalmologists, occupational therapists, and allied health professionals on the mechanisms and management of dry eye disease, the impact of systemic health and lifestyle factors, and the future role of personalized, AI-driven diagnostics. His ambassadorial role reflects his longstanding commitment to knowledge translation, public health policy, and cross-disciplinary integration.

Dr. Jivraj has also earned multiple distinctions for his work in ocular surface care, including being named:
·       Dry Eye Practitioner of the Year by the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) in 2019
·       Optometrist of the Year by the Association of Optometrists (UK) in 2020
·       Johnson & Johnson Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Optometry
These recognitions reflect both clinical outcomes and his leadership in driving best-practice implementation across diverse practice settings.
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Sal Jivraj serves on several professional boards and committees focused on ocular surface science, digital health, and artificial intelligence in optometry:
·       World Council of Optometry – Dry Eye Committee (2021–2026)
·       Canadian Association of Optometrists – Scientific Advisory Committee (2024–2025)
·       American Academy of Optometry – Artificial Intelligence Task Force (2024–2026)
He is also Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at Pacific University College of Optometry and Adjunct Clinical Supervisor at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry, where he mentors future optometrists in dry eye therapeutics, diagnostic imaging, and advanced patient communication.
A passionate innovator, Dr. Sal Jivraj has developed AI-powered educational platforms and custom digital tools to help patients understand and manage ocular surface disease. His recent initiatives include:
·       A free mobile app to support patients with dry eye symptoms using screening tools, lifestyle advice, and video tutorials
·       A telehealth-based DED triage system for rural and remote communities across Western Canada
These innovations are directly informed by the TFOS ethos of evidence-based, patient-centered care that addresses the complex interplay between environmental, behavioral, and physiological factors in ocular surface dysfunction.
 
Dr. Jivraj is a frequent invited speaker at national and international conferences, where he delivers lectures and workshops on modern approaches to dry eye diagnosis, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) therapies, and the integration of imaging and inflammatory biomarker testing into primary optometric care. He is also active in clinical research. 
As the global burden of dry eye continues to rise—driven by digital device use, aging demographics, and post-pandemic behavioral shifts—Dr. Sal Jivraj remains a tireless advocate for research-informed practice and interdisciplinary solutions. Through his work with TFOS and as a clinician-scientist, he seeks to elevate the standard of care for ocular surface disease worldwide and empower practitioners to deliver impactful, individualized therapies that restore comfort, function, and visual well-being.