Four ophthalmologists saw cutting-edge technology and treatment as the best way to build their eye care business.
“Elevating care, building a centre of excellence, and increasing accessibility to care in a purpose-designed facility” were the team’s objectives, Dr. Adnan Pirbhai told the Thorold News, while leading a tour of the new Niagara Eye Care Centre.
After hosting a gala grand opening this past spring, the four eye care specialists have seen a steadily increasing stream of patients at their busy Schmon Parkway centre.
And they had the foresight to establish it in Thorold.
“We’re lucky with this location,” said Pirbhai, a St. Catharines resident, who formerly lived in Timmins.
“We’re smack dab in the middle of the (Niagara) region; right off the (Hwy.) 406, and accessible by many bus routes. It’s definitely the biggest eye centre in the region, and one of the biggest community-based.”
Dr. Pirbhai, who provides ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery; is joined by Dr. Sarit Khimdas, specializing in medical and surgical eye diseases; Dr. David Dudok, in glaucoma and cataracts; and Dr. El-Karim Rhemtulla, an eye physician and surgeon.
“All four of us do cataract surgery,” said Pirbhai, as well as address a wide range of medical and surgical eye diseases. “Four of the nine surgical ophthalmologists in the region work out of here.”
“I specialize in eyelid reconstruction due to cancer trauma, tear duct surgery, and some cosmetic surgery,” he added.
“We do injections and minor procedures here. Invasive surgeries like cataracts and reconstruction are done out of the Welland Hospital,” he explained, while Niagara Eye Care Centre patients require referrals to the Thorold office, which contains “The most advanced diagnostic fleet of eye tests and scans for vision,” he said, assisted by its team of 19 full-time staff.
Dr. Pirbhai hired an architect who specializes in eye care spaces to create the aesthetically pleasing centre. Unlike other clinical institutions, the nearly 9,000 square-foot facility has been transformed into a constantly changing art gallery; its walls adorned with colourful artwork on loan from the Niagara Arts Centre.
“Some of the rooms are for patients to tell their stories,” he said, “and it’s all designed to be efficient for patients, and helping as many as we can. The demographics with seniors mean the demand is increasing.”
As clinical associate professor at McMaster, “I teach medical students, who have a Niagara campus, and I train other physicians and ophthalmologists, and I travel internationally as well,” he said, to stay abreast of the very latest techniques and treatments in eye care.
Pirbhai recently returned from such a session in Paris, France.
“We’re always on the cutting edge,” he said; “updates and training in glaucoma care, and there’s a huge need for that.”
The centre's staff includes front desk administration, surgical coordinators, ophthalmic assistants and diagnostic technicians.
The Niagara Eye Care Centre is located in the Life Labs facility, at 3460 Schmon Parkway.
For more information, call 905-684-8521.