Our Practice on Sheppard Avenue

Dr. Sabrina Sgroi discovered her passion for eye care while working as an Optometric Assistant upon her graduation from the University of Waterloo in 2009. She proceeded to continue her education at the New England College of Optometry (NECO) in Boston, MA where she earned her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2014. She received training in the treatment and management ocular health and disease at several clinics throughout the New England region including Boston Medical Center, Tufts Medical Center, the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Brockton, MA, and the New England Eye Low Vision Clinic at Perkins School for the Blind. Dr. Sgroi is board certified to practice in both Canada and the United States.

Dr. Sgroi is a member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists and the Canadian Association of Optometrists. In addition to this, she is a proud member of the Alpha Omicron Pi International Women’s Fraternity, of which she is a founding member of the Lambda Epsilon Chapter at the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Sgroi believes that patient education is an essential component of disease prevention and maintaining clear and healthy vision. She prides herself in having strong communication skills and is dedicated to understanding her patients in order to provide the highest quality of care.

Dr. Bhatia earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo and is a proud member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO).

Dr. Bhatia gained extensive experience in treating and managing a variety of ocular diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and corneal diseases at a VA clinic in Tallahassee, Florida. In his final year, he provided hands-on training session to family medicine residents about common ocular examination techniques. Dr. Bhatia’s passion includes managing dry eye disease and he strives to stay at the forefront of using cutting-edge treatments to treat this affliction.

A Word

One of my most rewarding patient experience involved a young man who had suffered an unfortunate corneal injury during his home renovation. The injury had left permanent damage to his cornea and he was suffering from severe dry eye and corneal erosions. He admitted the persistence re-occurence of his injury had left him with severe anxiety. He had developed depression and trouble sleeping. Given his injury, I worked with him to establish a personalized treatment plan including using novel treatment strategies such as intense pulse laser therapy to combat his dry eye. His dry eye has since shown remarkable improvement which has helped to resolve the anxiety attacks that were negatively affecting his life and mental health.

Eyes are one of our most essential organs and can be a window to our overall health and mental status. I strive to provide friendly, personalized care that positively benefits patients beyond their ocular health.

Dr. Kerry Salsberg earned his Doctorate of Optometry from the University Of Waterloo. He was awarded the T.T. Beattie Award for Orthoptics and Visual Training and is a proud member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists and Regional Administrator of VisionSource Canada.

Born and raised in Toronto, Dr. Kerry Salsberg was exposed to Optometry by his father, Dr. Stan Salsberg, a Doctor of Optometry, who has been in private practice for over 43 years. Dr. Salsberg knew that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and has always been interested in science, technology, healthcare, and business.

He has been in practice for 21 years, and his interests include Pediatrics, Dry Eye Disease, and Ocular Nutrition. He is at the forefront of new instrumentation and invests in the latest technology to help in the early diagnosis of eye disease and to optimize visual clarity.

Dr. Salsberg is also the CEO of 3conX, a healthcare software company specializing in digital signage and patient communication tools. As part of the Eyes on Sheppard Clinic, patients are contacted through this digital patient care service and have access to a wealth of eye health information that is personalized to their specific needs.

Outside of work, Dr. Salsberg enjoys spending time with his wife Devorah and his three children Alesh, Zev, and Zahra. He loves to travel and experience different countries, cultures, and foods.

A word from Dr. Kerry Salsberg;

I am blessed for many reasons. I work in a profession I truly love, surrounded by a team of dedicated and caring staff, in addition to serving so many wonderful and loyal patients. I am also fortunate to have worked with my father (and mentor) for over 21 years. He has not onĺy taught me the intricacies of running a business, but most importantly, how to provide the best in patient care and foster lifelong relationships.

My father started the practice in 1972 with 1 employee and an office no more than 200 square feet in size. From the beginning, his practice was built on being an effective listener and communicator while providing personalized care using the very best technology available.

Over the last four decades, Eyes On Sheppard has used these guiding principles to become one of the biggest optometric practices in Toronto, with over 20 staff, 8 doctors, and serving over 60,000 patients.

Dr. Fiona Soong earned a Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Waterloo. She is the recipient of the Canadian Association of Optometrists Award of Merit for contributions to the profession.
She is also the recipient of the Central Optical Award for Excellence in Special Studies, which derived from her research at the Hospital for Sick Children. She was recognized for her work as the Community Lead on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Optometrists and is a Principal Scientist at Inflamax Research, a private Clinical Research Organization that specializes in developing new drugs.

Dr. Soong has been in practice for 21 years and believes in thorough eye examinations for the prevention of disease and vision loss at all ages. She is committed to quality and innovative eye care based on a foundation of caring and education.

She is an advocate of children’s vision, certified to fit specialty lenses and administer atropine as a treatment for myopia.

She is highly experienced in contact lens fitting of both soft and rigid gas permeable lenses for specialty conditions, including high astigmatism, keratoconus, and myopia control. She is also certified in fitting chromagen lenses for dyslexia and colour deficiency as well as managing post-surgery patients for LASIK, PRK and Cataracts. She leads the clinical trials of new products in eye care at Eyes on Sheppard.

Dr. Soong was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Toronto. She participated in an internship in Philadelphia, Hearst (northern Toronto) where she practiced conversational French, and at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. Dr. Soong speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese and conversational French.

A word from Dr. Soong;

I became a Doctor of Optometry because my optometrist inspired me. At the age of 10 years, I received my first pair of glasses. I couldn’t believe I could see details of the leaves on the trees or the signs down the street that I never thought was possible.

As a teenager, my optometrist fitted me with contact lenses, which gave me confidence, aided in my sports activities, and shaped who I am.

When I examine patients, I strive to be this “Superhero” to them, to provide them with sight and good health that changes their whole outlook on life. I have seen children’s and adult’s personalities transformed, and it is these little transformations that I strive for every day!

Dr. David Black graduated from York University in 2000 with an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Psychology. He then graduated from the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry in 2004.

Born and raised in Toronto, Dr. Black grew up next door to Dr. Stan Salsberg, the founder of Eyes on Sheppard. Dr. Stan’s family was like a second family to him. Dr. Black was exposed to the profession from a young age, through his “adoptive” Salsberg family, and as a patient needing glasses from the age of 6. His interest in health sciences and technology as a University student solidified his direction into the profession.

For the past 11 years, Dr. Black has also been at the cutting edge of ocular surgical technology through working part-time at the world-renowned Bochner Eye Institute, alongside Dr. Ray Stein and Dr. Albert Cheskes. At Bochner, Dr. Black provides post-surgical care for patients who have undergone LASIK and other refractive surgeries, cataract surgery, and corneal collagen crosslinking (for the treatment of keratoconus). During his time there, he has gained expertise in the various surgical options available and determining which patients are best suited to each procedure, in addition to managing post-surgical issues.

Dr. Black has an excellent rapport with children and is an advocate of the importance of children’s eye exams by the age of 3.

Outside of work, he enjoys physical activities and sports, including running and playing baseball. He is a die-hard fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and follows the team very closely, hoping for another World Series Championship. In 2014, he participated in a Charity Fundraiser on the field at the Rogers Centre with his good friend and colleague, Dr. Kerry Salsberg.

Dr. Black has been happily married for over 10 years to Sara and has 2 children, AJ and Joely, who keep him busy and fill his home with laughter and joy.

A word from Dr. Black;

A patient story that really stands out for me is when an old school friend brought her two daughters to see me for their first eye exams. She did not have any particular concerns about their eyes or vision.

The younger daughter, age 3, had good vision, but upon close examination of her eyes revealed early internal inflammation. I referred her to Sick Kids Hospital, where she quickly received treatment for the inflammation and continues to be closely monitored by a rheumatologist.

Through early detection of this rare finding, I was able to help prevent possible ocular and vision complications, had the inflammation gone on for longer. This is one example of many that show how a simple eye exam can help prevent serious health issues in a child.

Dr. Michelle Baron, a Thornhill native, completed her Bachelor of Science degree with honours at Queen’s University, receiving the gold medal for psychology. While working on her thesis, she was inspired by her research into the visual system and social implications for the visually impaired, which led her to pursue a career in Optometry.

Dr. Baron completed her Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Waterloo in 2013. As a student, she was involved with the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) and travelled to underserved areas of Belize that did not have access to primary eye care.

Dr. Baron also had the rare opportunity to work closely with some of the top cornea, retina, and neuro-ophthalmology specialists in North America. She gained hands-on experience in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of severe and rare diseases of the eye. Her experience provided her with the chance to observe some of the latest techniques being used in refractive, cataract, and retinal surgery.

Since graduating, Dr. Baron has settled in North York and has practiced with a series of optometrists and ophthalmologists. Her primary focus has been managing ocular disease for the geriatric population. She has also served as the primary eye care provider for adults with developmental disabilities living at a group home in Markham.

Dr. Baron is a proud member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) and a Clinical Associate with the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEP). She is certified to provide vision therapy exercises to adults and children who may have difficulty coordinating their eye muscles or accommodation systems.

Outside of optometry, Dr. Baron enjoys long-distance running. She completed her first half marathon in New Orleans and hopes to continue running many more. She also enjoys travelling and spending time with her friends and family.

A word from Dr. Baron;

One of my memorable patients was James. He was a 13-year-old boy with high functioning Asperger’s. His mom brought him to see me urgently due to severe pain, redness, and swelling of his right eye.

When I first saw James, his eye was completely swollen shut, and he was in excruciating pain. Due to his high level of anxiety, he would barely let me touch his eye or examine it. Part of James’ treatment plan was an intensive course of drops and frequent follow-ups.

James’ eye improved greatly with treatment, but what changed most was our relationship. He began to trust me and allow me to examine his eyes with ease. James went from screaming in the exam chair to rushing in to tell me his latest updates on his marks at school and his winning goals on his sports teams.

These bonds and connections that I make with my patients and their families daily are of paramount importance to me and are why I love what I do. I strive to provide high-quality, efficient eye care to all my patients and their families, and I look forward to making special long-term connections with all my patients within my home community.

Dr. Jordan Friedman received his Honours Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) from the University of Western Ontario in 2011. He then went on to attain his Doctor of Optometry along with a second B.Sc in Vision Science/Physiological Optics at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2016.

While living in Florida, he was an active member of the community and was privileged to provide eye exams for athletes competing in the Special Olympics and underserved communities. During his extern training at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute, he became well versed in the treatment and management of retinal and anterior segment diseases, training alongside retinal, corneal and oculoplastic surgeons.

Dr. Friedman, as well, trained with Cataract and Glaucoma surgeons in Boca Raton, giving him the skills needed to co-manage pre-op and post-op procedures. He is a member of the College of Optometrist of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Optometrists, firmly believing in the advancement of the profession.

With a special interest in Dry Eye Disease, Dr. Friedman is dedicated to lifelong learning and being at the forefront of new advancements in technology and treatment paradigms. It is this same dedication that he also brings into the exam room, making Dr. Friedman a truly compassionate doctor.

During his free time, Dr. Friedman enjoys cooking, playing guitar and staying physically active.

Dr. Adriana Cotovio was born and raised in Toronto and is happy to continue providing services to those in her local community. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University and later completed her Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo, again graduating with honours.
She is registered with both the Canadian and American Boards of Optometry. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) and the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO).

She trained alongside Ophthalmologists at the Eye Associates of Pinellas in Florida, the management and treatment of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. She was also able to supervise cataract, LASIK, and retinal surgeries.

Through work in the US and private practices throughout Canada, she has become proficient in pre-and-post-op management of refractive surgeries, emergency services, pediatric care, contact lens fitting, and dry eye disease management.

She is a clinical associate of the Optometric Extension Program, and since graduation actively studies and implements vision therapy in learning-related vision problems and concussion management and rehabilitation. She has a passion for working with children and growing with families.

Outside of the office, she has participated in a mission trip through the Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity, providing eye care services in Bucharest, Romania. As an on-going volunteer with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, she understands the value of vision and the importance of overall wellness.

In her free time, she loves to dance and to travel.

Dr. Stan Salsberg first employed Debra in 1976 when the Eyes on Sheppard team consisted of only two Optometrists and two staff working out of a space smaller than the current size of our optical boutique.

As Operations Manager, Debra ensures that our eye care team provides patients with the best service possible. She manages our staff and patient’s needs to establish a system to “make it happen”!

She ensures the office maintains our primary goal of establishing a happy and patient-oriented practice. Debra can balance her administrative duties but also interact with patients with frame selection or special requests.

Debra has helped countless fashionistas select memorable eyeglass pieces.

Debra was born and raised in Toronto. She began with Eyes on Sheppard, left to raise her two children and has returned to us full time with 2 grandchildren to dote on and love. She enjoys reading, girls-nights-out, and her holiday time with her husband in Florida.

Irene Lau is a Certified Ophthalmic Medical Assistant and assists in greeting patients and answering phones as well as assisting patients with diagnostic tests before seeing their Doctor of Optometry.

She enjoys meeting our wonderful patients and marvels at the stories patients tell her about the changes and growth they have seen over the past 40 years!

Irene’s smile and caring manner have quickly endeared her to both patients and her co-workers. She maintains communication with ophthalmologists and specialists when referrals are required.

Born and raised in Toronto, Irene enjoys exploring all of the different cultures and activities that beautiful Toronto has to offer. She loves being outdoors, watching movies, baking and is the mother of 2 adorable cats.

Brittany brings her smile and cheerful enthusiasm every day to greet our patients and listen to their eye care needs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from the University of Waterloo, which has helped refine her ability to create meaningful connections with people through friendly dialogue and exceptional observation.

Brittany has previously worked in customer service roles for the City of Waterloo and the Town of Whitby. Brittany regularly explores restaurants around the city and enjoys travelling and taking in new cultures.

Brittany loves interacting and developing relationships with everyone who visits Eyes on Sheppard.

Karen Gotleib has been a member of the evening front desk team at Eyes on Sheppard since 2006 and was a long time patient well before becoming staff. Karen’s positive attitude, caring nature and attention to detail help foster great customer service.

A masseuse by trade, Karen is very much a ‘hands-on’ person who enjoys interacting with people. Karen has a special place in the hearts of not just her co-workers but also the Optometrists as she is the maternal aunt of Dr. Kerry Salsberg and the unofficial aunt of Dr. David Black!

Katherine came to Canada in 2003 and received her medical office assistant certification at the Medix School. She currently assists the Doctors of Optometry by performing diagnostic testing before the eye examination.

She is well versed in all our technical equipment, including visual field analysis, imaging, and photographing the different components of the eye from the anterior tear film to the retinal layers at the back of the eye.

Her hobbies include cooking, baking, knitting, and being outdoors. Her friendly manner puts our patients at ease.

Loraelizabeth Reantoquio is the Eyes on Sheppard Preservice Team Leader. Her role is to perform the diagnostic tests needed to give the doctor a comprehensive understanding of your eyes before the examination.

Beth’s pleasant and professional manner allows her to educate and put patients at ease at the beginning of the appointment. She trains the other members of her preservice team on the instrumentation. She maintains an inventory of our ophthalmic medications, drops, lid cleansers and vitamins, so they are available for patient’s convenience. She is proud of the team she assembled and aims to give patients an enjoyable experience at the office.

Beth was born and raised in the Philippines. Her love for adventure brought her to Dubai, where she worked in administration for the Shaikh (King) of Dubai for several years.

In her spare time, Beth likes baking sweets and desserts. In the summer months, she is likely to be found biking the trails and parks in North York or hitting some balls at the driving range with her husband.

Maryann Andres is our Contact Lens Administrator. Maryann’s role is to process the contact lens orders prescribed by our Doctors of Optometry as well as teach new wearers insertion and removal techniques as well as the importance of care and cleanliness to reduce complications.

She is dedicated to patients and doctors at Eyes on Sheppard by providing up to date information on new lenses and rebates for our patients. She ensures that all tasks are complete, and patients are satisfied. She is an essential member of our dispensing team and is always open to patient requests.

Never having missed a day of work, Maryann is the go-to person for our patients who want to place an order, check on an order or just get some handy tips or suggestions regarding their contacts.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Maryann immigrated to Canada in 2006. She graduated as a Medical Office Assistant from the Medix School in Toronto.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her seven-year-old son. Maryann takes great pleasure in cooking and has a special interest in baking treats for her family and friends.

Jason Barrett came with a breadth of optical experience from Ireland, to take the position of Lab Manager at Eyes on Sheppard in 2013. Jason manages our optical eyeglass selection of over 1500 frames as well as the team of skilled opticians to service our optical boutique.

He is knowledgeable in selecting well-made frames and innovative lenses to accommodate all prescriptions so that patients can be confident that they will see well and look great.
Outside of his administrative duties, he enjoys being on the floor with our patients. He is skilled in ensuring that frames fit properly and always provides patients with educated choices for their glasses in a down-to-earth Irish friendly manner.

Outside of working at Eyes on Sheppard, Jason enjoys spending time with his fiancee Rhona, exploring all of the vast numbers of cultural, sports and activities that Toronto has to offer. Jason has a true love for travelling, visiting over 40 countries in the past 12 years, and he has decided to make Toronto his home!

Renata Galewska joined Eyes on Sheppard in 2007 and is our Head Optical Technician. She takes great pride in her task of edging and fitting each patient’s custom lenses into frames and adjusting them to fit each individual for comfort and styling.

Renata’s experience and knowledge come from her years of working in the optical lab business, enabling her to know which materials are well suited to the frame chosen. Her dexterity, versatility and knowledge contribute to her success in working with patients who need frame adjustment and repairs.

Renata immigrated to Canada from Poland with her husband and two adult children. She currently resides in beautiful Aurora, where Renata enjoys entertaining friends and family, shopping and gardening.

Mahshid Razavi joined the Eyes on Sheppard Lab team in January 2015. Mahshid brings over 10 years of experience since graduating with her Optometric certificate. She has worked all facets of the eye industry, ranging from selecting frames and lenses for customers to being a manager of an optometrist practice.

Mahshid has been a wonderful addition to our team. She enjoys the energized environment of the office and gets the most satisfaction when patients tell her how happy they are with the frames she helped them choose.

Mahshid moved to Toronto 11 years ago after previously living in Vienna and Tehran, and she enjoys spending her free time with her son, family and friends. Mahshid enjoys travelling, cooking and personal fitness. She is always willing to try new things. Presently, she has taken up playing golf.

Jila studied Opticianry at Seneca College, and she has been in the eye health care profession for more than five years.

Jila has a great sense of fashion when it comes to choosing frames, and she expertly picks frames based on prescription and face shape.

Jila joined Eyes on Sheppard as part of our Lab team in October of 2016. She enjoys helping patients with frame selection and selecting a suitable lens design for patients based on their prescription and their lifestyles.

Claire is from New South Wales and completed her Bachelor of Medical Science in Vision Science at Flinders University in Australia. She wanted to further investigate all the opportunities in vision care that her career path may lead as well as be able to see more of the World.

She moved to Canada in 2017 because the Eyes on Sheppard was able to offer her the opportunity to experience all aspects of a full scope clinic so she can see where she may continue her academic studies.

Her bubbly personality is an asset to our front desk service as Claire particularly enjoys getting to know our patients and telling them her Australian story too!

Mariette received her Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto in Neuroscience and Cells and Systems Biology. Her experience includes volunteering at the Hospital for Sick Children and the Toronto Western Hospital.

Mariette commutes daily from Brampton and first began in our Preservice department with all the diagnostic equipment and preparing patients to be examined by our Doctors of Optometry. Due to her friendly nature and academic ability, she has moved into our Vision and Learning Center. She is one of our Optometric Vision Therapists and is currently being certified through the Canadian Optometrists in Vision Therapy & Rehabilitation.