Eye care professionals specialize in understanding how the human eye really works, as well as diseases and conditions that affect your vision – many of which do not have obvious symptoms. Eye doctors know how age and risk factors affect vision over time for young and old, and they understand the benefits and features of corrective lenses including eyeglasses and contacts.
Our optometrists take the time to explain the results of your eye exam, describe your options and listen to your eye care needs. Because maintaining good eye health is an ongoing partnership, we encourage you to ask questions and share your health information, which could be vital to monitoring, diagnosing and treating potential vision problems.
Meet our doctors:
Dr Aisha Cheng was born and raised in Winnipeg and attended the University of Manitoba before receiving her Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Waterloo in 2002. She was then accepted into a residency program at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago where she specialised in Primary Eye Care and Ocular Disease. She moved to beautiful Victoria in 2003 where she began practising at Peninsula Lifetime Eyecare Centre and partnered into the practice in 2008. She prides herself in the quality of care she provides for her patients, her passion for the profession and the rapport she has built with her patients over the last 16 years. Dr Cheng is a member of the British Columbia Doctors of Optometry, the BC College of Optometrists and the Canadian Association of Optometrists. She is the proud mother of two young kids who keep her busy, but in her spare time, she enjoys exploring the beauty of Vancouver Island and travelling.
Dr Mark Bourdeau is originally from Windsor, Ontario where he received a Bachelor of Science in 1998. In 2002 he graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry. After graduation, Dr Bourdeau moved to Phoenix, Arizona to complete a one-year residency in primary eye care and ocular disease at Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital. He was awarded Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry in December 2004.
Dr Bourdeau returned to Canada in 2004, working both in private practice and in the Sight Enhancement Clinic at the Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. He has been heavily involved in optometry regulation and advocacy since then and is a board member of Eye Recommend.
His practice interests include ocular disease, primary care optometry and dry eye. When he is not working he spends time with his wife Samantha, a fellow optometrist, and their two daughters Maya and Bridget.
Dr Tonya Tira joins Peninsula Lifetime Eyecare Centre with nearly 15 years of optometric eye care experience. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Alberta in 2001 and her Doctor of Optometry degree from Illinois College of Optometry in 2005. After practicing general optometry in the Chicago area for five years, she went on to complete a residency in Vision Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Pediatric Optometry at Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon.
Following residency, Dr Tira spent time in private practice in Virginia and Illinois. While practicing in Virginia, she served as Co-Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Opening Eyes program and as Secretary-Treasurer of the Richmond Optometric Association. In 2014, Dr Tira earned Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). Dr. Tira enjoys providing both routine comprehensive eye care and functional eye examinations for children and adults who experience difficulties with visual skills and processing, including Convergence Insufficiency.
She looks forward to providing Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometric services for individuals who struggle with reading, academics, or sports due to developmental eye issues or deficiencies of visual abilities following concussion and other acquired brain injuries.
In her free time, Dr. Tira enjoys yoga and travel. She and her husband, Greg, are excited for the opportunity to return to Canada and settle on the Island with their daughter, Deanna.
Originating from Toronto, Dr. Ryan Trottier completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Human Nutrition at the University of Waterloo in 2013, and after working as a Kinesiologist for a year, returned to the University of Waterloo to complete his Doctorate of Optometry.
During the course of his studies, Ryan was selected for an internship at LASIK MD in Toronto and attended primary care externships in Kelowna and Northern Ontario. He completed his ocular disease rotation at the Eye Foundation of Utah in Salt Lake City and has volunteered with the iCare International program to provide eye care to locals in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
After graduating in 2018, Ryan began practicing in Nanaimo and Port Alberni, where he had a particular interest in fitting specialty contact lenses, treating ocular disease, and more recently, vision therapy. He then relocated in 2019 to join the Peninsula Lifetime Eyecare team and begin practicing in Sidney.
Outside of the office, you can find him cycling, hiking, surfing, snowboarding, playing hockey or volleyball, and reading up on astronomy. Ryan is excited to become part of the community, and is eager to see all that British Columbia has to offer.
Dr Christopher Hewitt began his post-secondary studies in Calgary graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. He then completed his Doctor of Optometry degree in Oregon at the Pacific University College of Optometry. His optometric interests include ocular disease management, primary care optometry, contact lenses and pediatric eye exams. When not working, Dr Hewitt can be found skiing, lifting weights, and spending time with his wife and dogs.
