Pacific eyeDoctors specializes in caring for all your vision needs. We handle everything from eye exams and hard-to-fit contact lenses, to computer vision problems, specialty lenses and eye surgery. By staying current with the latest developments in eye care, prescription lenses and advances in contact lens technology, our vision center can provide you with the best vision, advice and fit today—and in the years to come. We take pride in building lasting relationships with our patients, which is why we take the time to get to know you, your vision requirements and your lifestyle needs. Contact our office today to find out how we can help.
Meet Dr. Austin W. Toresdahl – your friendly eye expert with a passion for making eye care personal and approachable.
Born in sunny Santa Rosa, California, Dr. Toresdahl's journey took him to the picturesque landscapes of Canada during his childhood. Growing up between Medicine Hat, Alberta, and Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, in a ranching family, he developed a deep connection with the outdoors. His academic journey led him to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he earned his Honors Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
Venturing further into the world of eye care, Dr. Toresdahl earned his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. Along the way, he made a pitstop in Senegal for a mission trip, providing eye care to those in need. His educational journey included clinical rotations in Calgary and Grande Prairie, Alberta, where he fine-tuned his skills in managing ocular injuries, pediatrics, and dry eye syndrome.
After completing his training, Dr. Toresdahl brought his expertise to Grande Prairie, where he embraced the community and practiced his passion for eye care. His journey continued to Chicago, IL, USA, where he worked in an ophthalmology clinic. There, he specialized in perioperative care and diagnosing/treating complex medical eye conditions alongside skilled eye surgeons.
With a commitment to continuous improvement, Dr. Toresdahl stays at the forefront of advancements in eye care. Whether it's diving into scientific literature or attending conferences to explore new technologies, he ensures that his patients receive the best possible care. Currently pursuing a Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry, he upholds high standards of practice and engages in scholarly work to further his expertise.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Toresdahl is a man of adventure. You might catch him running, climbing, hiking, or embarking on a road trip – always with an audiobook or podcast playing in his ear. Fluent in English and basic Spanish, he is dedicated to providing excellent care to as many patients as possible.
A member of the BC and Canadian Optometric Associations, Dr. Toresdahl is passionate about elevating his profession. His goal is to expand the scope of practice, ensuring patients receive more and better services. With a warm smile and an eagerness to connect, Dr. Toresdahl is ready to make your eye care experience exceptional.
Dr. Cindy Shan, a passionate advocate for eyecare, brings a wealth of expertise to Pacific Vision Eyecare. Growing up in Burnaby, she pursued her education at the University of British Columbia and the University of Waterloo, specializing in corneal conditions and contact lenses with a residency at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma.
A distinguished Valedictorian of her Optometry class, Dr. Shan's eyecare journey includes extensive specialty contact lens fitting training during her residency. She is a proud Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She has contributed to various organizations, including the Canadian Association of Optometrists, the American Optometric Association, and the British Columbia Association of Optometrists. Dr. Shan's commitment to education extends to lecturing at the Contact Lens Society of America and the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians Vision Summit.
Dr. Shan finds fulfillment in directly interacting with patients, addressing their concerns, and counseling them on their eye and visual conditions. Her favourite specialties include fitting custom contact lenses for conditions like keratoconus, corneal scars, dry eye, aphakia/aniridia, and myopia control. This includes scleral, orthokeratology, hybrid, RGP, and cosmetic soft lenses.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Dr. Shan is delighted to return to the lower mainland, rejoining the community and caring for patients. Fluent in Mandarin, she shares her life with two adorable cats. Dr. Shan enjoys indulging her passion for travel, hiking, and barre in her free time.
Dr. Jeneta Rubaranjan brings knowledge and experience to our practice. Born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, before moving to the United States for further studies. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree at the New England College of Optometry (NECO) in Boston, MA.
Significant accomplishments mark her academic journey. She undertook an intensive ocular disease rotation at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida, the top-ranked eye hospital in the USA. This experience equipped her with in-depth knowledge and expertise in managing advanced cases of ocular diseases, including keratoconus, cataracts, chronic dry eyes, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, Dr. Rubaranjan gained valuable experience in primary eye care and contact lenses during an externship at a private practice in Levittown, Pennsylvania.
She honed her leadership skills at NECO, where she served as the President of the Private Practice Club. This role involved organizing educational seminars and networking with industry leaders, further broadening her professional development.
Dr. Rubaranjan's passion for eye care stems from her understanding of the eye as a unique indicator of overall body health. Her expertise allows her to detect early signs of systemic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension through comprehensive eye exams. With four years of experience since graduating in 2020, she is keenly interested in fitting scleral contact lenses and managing ocular diseases.
Settling into her new home in British Columbia, Dr. Rubaranjan is enthusiastic about exploring the region and embracing the local community. She is fluent in Tamil and English, enhancing her ability to serve a diverse patient base.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Rubaranjan enjoys spending quality time with her family and her dog, Lux. She is an avid hiker, finding joy and relaxation in the natural beauty of British Columbia's landscapes.
Meet Dr. Malalai Sultani, a dedicated optometrist passionate about comprehensive eye care and preventative health. Her journey began in Burnaby, and she earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Western University of Health Sciences in Los Angeles County, California.
Dr. Sultani's commitment to excellence is evident in her academic achievements. Dr. Sultani graduated at the top of her class, earned a coveted spot on the Dean's List, and became a distinguished member of the prestigious Beta Sigma Kappa International Honor Society. While in California, she actively contributed to her field, serving on executive boards, including the Optometry Private Practice Business Club and Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity. She was also a founding member of the environmentally-conscious EARTH club on campus. Dr. Sultani's dedication extended to her involvement in a Nutrition in Medicine scholarship and a student fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry.
With five years of experience since 2019, Dr. Sultani strongly advocates holistic practice and preventative care. She thrives on educating her patients about their visual system and overall well-being. Her favourite specialty lies in comprehensive primary care and disease prevention. Dr. Sultani has found a home in beautiful Vancouver, cherishing the West Coast's natural beauty. Beyond her professional endeavours, she enjoys activities like barre, pilates, boxing, podcasts, and music.
Dr. Sundher is from Surrey, BC. She attended Simon Fraser University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science with distinction in Biology. She became more interested in optometry at SFU through her involvement in a research project on a hereditary eye disorder. She graduated with honors from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry.
While doing her degree in optometry she was involved as an executive member in the student run chapter of VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity). She helped organize fundraising events as well as travelled to Chiapas, Mexico for an eye care mission. She hopes to continue incorporating trips such as this into her career.
In her spare time she enjoys hiking, yoga and long distance running. She is also fluent in Punjabi.
Dr. Satinder Bains, born and raised in south Vancouver, graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. He went on to complete his Doctor of Optometry with honors at Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. Dr. Bains is a member of Beta Sigma Kappa, the International Optometric Honor Society.
His optometric interests include surgical co-management, ocular disease, and pediatrics.
Dr. Bains enjoys playing team sports, learning new languages and travelling. He speaks Punjabi fluently.
Dr. Gill was born in Prince Rupert and raised in Surrey. He speaks Punjabi and Hindi. He attended the University of British Columbia where he did his Bachelors of Science in Cell Biology and Genetics and a minor in psychology. He graduated with honor standings from Pacific University where he did his Doctorate in Optometry. Clinical externships completed at Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute in Washington State with emphasis on ocular diseases, Alderwood Vision Therapy with emphasis on pediatric vision therapy and traumatic brain injuries with adults, and Portland Medical Centre for pediatrics and family optometry.
In his spare time he enjoys participating in all types of sports; he played soccer for 11 years, hiking, tennis, hockey and basketball. He also enjoys working on computers and car audio systems. Past volunteer work includes Geriatrics and Mobilization division at Surrey Memorial Hospital and UBC Hospital emergency room and admitting departments.
Current volunteer work includes Canadian Eyesight International which provides free eye screenings within the community alongside local ophthalmologists.
His main optometric interest is ocular disease management particularly involving the retina and associated neurology.
Meet Dr. Jill Trotter, a seasoned optometrist with a passion for eyecare that spans over three decades. Originally from Windsor, Ontario, she ventured west for a swimming scholarship at Simon Fraser University. After completing her optometry degree at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Trotter returned to Maple Ridge in 1989, becoming a cornerstone of [tokens name='practice'].
Beyond her thriving practice, Dr. Trotter has blended her love for travel with a commitment to volunteer work. She's participated in eye care missions to Guyana, South America, Jamaica, and Punjab, India, embodying her dedication to providing care where it's needed most. In her 34 years as an eye care specialist, she remains invigorated by the privilege of guiding patients through their unique eye care journeys.
Dr. Trotter's enthusiasm extends to her favourite specialty—ocular pathology. Collaborating with fellow optometrists and ophthalmologists, she continually seeks opportunities to learn and grow as a practitioner. Outside the office, Dr. Trotter finds joy in spending time with her wife and wonderful friends and family as well as being a cat mom to the mischievous Poppy. An avid cyclist, swimmer, and lover of the great outdoors, her weekends are often spent camping throughout BC, Washington, and Oregon.
Dr. Kate Piotrowski follows in the footsteps of her mother and our founder, Dr. Schnarr, in joining us at Pacific Eye Doctors. She was born in Maple Ridge and grew up in the Fraser Valley. She completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC) with a major in biology in 2013 and her Doctorate of Optometry at the Southern California College of Optometry in 2018. Some of her favourite memories in Orange County include making connections with her patients from underserved populations.
During her rotations, she had the privilege of living with and providing care for the Navajo Nation in New Mexico (Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle and Shiprock), served at the Veteran Affairs in Salt Lake City, and worked alongside top experts in private practice in Lake Tahoe, California as well as surgical observations in Reno, Nevada. Dr. Piotrowski also earned a spot in the honours society of Beta Sigma Kappa during her education in southern California.
Dr. Piotrowski, or “Dr. Kate” as many of her patients call her, continues to be involved in her provincial associations and colleges by volunteering as a facilitator with the College of Optometrists of BC, maintains a seat on the committee of membership and recruitment for BC Doctors of Optometry, and is also a member of the Canadian Association of Optometrists.
Dr. Piotrowski has a special affinity for specialty contact lenses, diabetes, dry eye, and geriatrics.
When she's not in the office, Dr. Piotrowski is often at the yoga studio, out in the mountains, or debating what the future holds for healthcare with advances in technology. Her favourite pastimes include gardening and admiring other people's dogs. Her new favourite memories that she’s been making here in the heart of Maple Ridge include the privilege of taking on the care of patients that had previously been cared for by Dr. Schnarr for the past 35 years.
Nestled in the scenic embrace of Waterloo County, Dr. Judy Schnarr's optometric journey began at the University of Waterloo, where she earned her Doctor of Optometry in 1985. With a heart brimming with passion, she founded the thriving Pacific Eye Doctors® clinic in 1986, laying the groundwork for a legacy of exceptional vision care.
Dr. Schnarr has had a strong presence in the optometry landscape for over three decades. Serving as a councilor and chairman of Continuing Education for the BC Association of Optometrists and an integral part of the Fraser Valley Association of Optometrists executive team, she has left an indelible mark on the field. As a clinical investigator for ophthalmic manufacturers and a sought-after speaker at contact lens seminars, she has showcased her commitment to staying on the cutting edge of eye care advancements.
What fuels Dr. Schnarr's practice isn't just expertise; it's a genuine connection with her patients. Since 1985, she's been cultivating relationships, relishing patient care's human aspect, championing preventive measures, prioritizing health, and enhancing visual performance.
With a special focus on diabetes, and geriatrics, Dr. Schnarr finds joy in addressing the unique needs of these groups. She sees it as a privilege to contribute to their well-being by providing preventive measures that help them maintain their sight.
Beyond the confines of the clinic, Dr. Schnarr is a force of nature — literally! You might spot her on a hiking trail, gliding down the slope while cross-country skiing, or expressing herself through dance. Her environmentally conscious attitude and interest in nutrition, pilates, and yoga display her commitment to holistic wellness.
Her daughter, Dr. Kate Piotrowski, joined the practice in 2018, and she now co-owns the clinic and ensuring that the legacy of quality eye care continues!
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