Team

Optometrists

Dr. Anne-Josée Gauthier

Optometrist

Dr Anne-Josée Gauthier joined the Optika team in 2013. As a West Island native and appreciative of the warm family atmosphere at Optika, Dr Gauthier chose to become an associate at this clinic and has been a co-owner since 2016. She hopes to enjoy a long career working to address the diverse needs of patients of all ages.

Education

2018 Hélène Rodrigue Bursary for the promotion of the private practice of optometry
2014 Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO)
2014 Certificate of Residence in contact lenses and corneal physiology
2013 Jean-Louis Blanchard Bursary, for implication in the field of contact lenses
2013 Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Montreal

Interests

Dr Gauthier is interested in the complete eye care for patients of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics and has a particular interest in specialty contact lenses and the treatment of dry eye syndrome.

Fun Fact

From gardening to hiking, in her free time, Anne-Josée enjoys the outdoors.

Dr. Martin Spiro

Optometrist

Dr. Martin Spiro completed his Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Montreal in 2014, and received the Optometric Association’s prestigious Student of the Year award. As a native West Islander, Dr. Spiro is happy to became co-owner at the Center Visuel Optika in 2020, and to serve the community. He brings with him a passion for eye care excellence working with patients of all ages.

Education

Doctorate of Optometry
McGill University, Bachelor of Science
Expert spokesperson on children’s vision and screen time recommendations; appearing on CBC, CJAD800, RDI, Radio Canada, CBC Radio
National board representative of Quebec for the Canadian Association of Optometrists
Montreal board representative and low vision committee chair for the Quebec Association of Optometrists
Allergan Society prize of excellence for clinical research
Named one of Canada’s "Top 40 Optometrists Under 40" by Johnson & Johnson

Interests

Along with a fulfilling practice at Optika, Dr. Spiro shares his time working with patients suffering from visual impairment at the Montreal Association of the Blind (MAB-Mackay). A passionate teacher, Dr. Spiro is also a clinical educator at the University of Montreal School of Optometry, and is the co-founder of Opto-Connecte: a mentoring organization for young optometrists and optometry students. Dr. Spiro has collaborated in humanitarian efforts in travels to South America.

Fun Fact

Dr. Spiro is an outdoor enthusiast, an avid cyclist, and marathon runner. Although his run playlists are mostly filled with a good mix of New Orleans style jazz and classic rock, he is a fan of all types of music and enjoys taking advantage of Montreal’s dynamic music scene.

Dr. Mariko Hamel

Optometrist

Dr. Mariko Hamel began her career at Optika in 2017 and became co-owner in 2020. With her welcoming personality and her extensive knowledge in various fields of optometry, she strives to offer the best ocular care to patients of the West Island.

Education

2017 Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Montreal
2015 Student Fellowship at the American Academy of Optometry in New Orleans, Louisiana
2015 VOSH humanitarian trip to Lima, Peru to offer free eye exams
2015 Internship at the Fier Eye Care & Surgery Center in Florida

Interests

Dr. Hamel provides complete eye examinations to patients of all ages, but takes a particular interest in ocular dryness, binocular vision and pediatric optometry.

Fun Fact

An avid runner, Dr. Mariko Hamel ran her first half-marathon at the Montreal Rock’n’Roll Event in 2017!

Dr. Marie-Claude Provost

Optometrist

Dr. Marie-Claude Provost was co-founder of the Center Visuel Optika with Dr. Marie-Josée Caron in 2003. She is passionate, devoted and constantly driven by her intellectual curiosity.

Education

Internship manager for the Order of Optometrists of Quebec
Winner of the 2015 Award of Excellence for her passion, and dynamic involvement in her Optical Buying Group.
2010-2015 Conferences on functional vision and visual needs related to learning disabilities.
1990-1995 Clinician, Orthoptics Clinic at the school of optometry at the University of Montreal.
1988 Award of Excellence in visual re-education (Orthoptics).
1988 Doctorate of Optometry from University of Montreal.

Interests

A diversified practice ranging from pediatric vision to geriatrics.
Has a particular interest in functional vision and visual rehabilitation (orthoptics).

Fun Fact

In her spare time she enjoys hiking and bird watching.

Dr. Marie-Josée Caron

Optometrist

Cofounder of Optika Eye Care Center with Dr Provost, Dr Caron previously practiced in Beaconsfield with optometrist Dr Lorne Hart, from 1991-1997. She enjoys being involved in the West island community.

Education

Since 2005 Internship supervisor for the Quebec Order of Optometrists
1992 to 2000 Clinician in Binocular Vision at the University of Montreal - School of Optometry
1991 Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Montreal
1990 Award of Academic Excellence

Interests

Family Practice, from grand-parents to grand-children
Co-management of cataract surgery and refractive surgery
Continued training in optometry

Fun Fact

She enjoys downhill skiing and Zumba!

Dr. Micheline Chiasson

Optometrist

Dr. Chiasson obtained her doctorate of optometry (OD) from the University of Montreal and practices with the wonderful team at Optika since 2015.

Education

Prize for Excellence in contact lenses at the University of Montreal
Permit to prescribe medication for therapeutic purposes
Multiple trainings/workshops done in the field of optometry

Interests

A diversified practice ranging from pediatric vision to geriatrics (complete eye exams, dilated fundus exams, diabetes, dry eye, etc.)
Screening for ocular diseases, contact lens fittings, ocular emergencies (infections, irritation, foreign objects)

Fun Fact

Always looking to further her knowledge, Dr. Chiasson stays up to date with the latest approaches and technologies in ocular care. She is an attentive optometrist who listens to the needs of her patients.

Dr. Ariana Arambulo Cevallos

Optometrist

Dr. Arambulo joined the Optika team right after graduating in 2021. She then developed an expertise in community eye health, which led her to become a clinician for the mobile clinic Regard Collectif at the School of Optometry of University of Montreal, and to participate in numerous local and international humanitarian missions.

Education

2022: Residency Certificate in Community Optometry
2022: Recipient of the World Council of Optometry’s scholarship for completing a long-term teaching internship in Pereira, Colombia.
2021-present: Clinical director for Special Olympics Quebec’ Opening Eyes Clinic, a vision screening clinic for athletes living with intellectual disabilities.
2021: Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Montreal
2018: American Academy of Optometry Student Fellowship

Interests

Dr. Arambulo loves to work with patients of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics. She has a particular interest in mobile optometry clinics that serve vulnerable populations and patients with special needs in Quebec. She also participates in the development and the achievement of missions that promote and enhance primary eye care services abroad.

Fun Fact

Speaks fluent Spanish, French and English. Her next goal: Quebec Sign Language and Italian!
Loves Latin dance and music!

Dr. Véronique Small

Optometrist

Dr Véronique Small completed her Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Montreal and continues her training as a Community eye care resident.

Education

Doctor of Optometry degree (OD)
Minor in Biological Sciences
Recipient of an award from the School of Optometry for social and community involvement

Interests

Dre Small is interested in the eye care to patients of any age. She has a particular interest for myopia management. She is also interested in the various public health issues related to optometry.

Fun Fact

Véronique is a big fan of travel of all kinds. She will also probably know the score of the last Montreal Canadiens game if you ask her!

Dr. Tara Mahvelati

Optometrist

Dr. Tara Mahvelati completed her doctorate of Optometry at SUNY College of Optometry in New York. She was the recipient of the COVD award for excellence in vision training. In New York, she completed rotations in various disciplines with a focus on ocular disease, pediatrics and vision therapy as well as private ophthalmology/optometry practices and hospital-based settings. Dr. Mahvelati is excited to join the wonderful team at Optika in providing comprehensive eye care beyond 20/20 vision.

Education

2021 Comprehensive Foundational Program in Vision Therapy, Salus University/AOE
2019 Doctorate of Optometry, SUNY College of Optometry
2019 National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO)
2019 Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society - Vice President
2019 COVD Award for Excellence in Vision Training
2018 SUNY Student Innovator Award with concept presentation at Vision Monday Global Leadership Summit 2019 in New York
2017 Winner of Hackathon III – Future of Interprofessional Patient Education at AOA’s Optometry Meeting
2017 Student Fellow of American Academy of Optometry
2015 Master’s of Science in Immunology, Université de Sherbrooke
2013 Bachelor of Science specialization in Biology, Concordia University

Interests

Dr. Mahvelati enjoys providing comprehensive eye care for patients of all ages and has a deep passion for binocular vision which has led her to pursue post graduate training to further her knowledge and proficiency in the field to better serve her patients and community.

Fun Fact

Dr. Mahvelati is an American board-certified optometrist and is licensed to practice optometry in Quebec and in New York. She Speaks fluent English, French, Farsi and un poquito español.

Dr. Rebecca Neacsu

Optometrist

Dr. Rebecca Neacsu completed her Doctorate in Optometry in 2023 and joined Optika’s team shortly after graduating. Through her active listening, she always strives to offer the best care for her patients.

Education

2023 : Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Montreal

Interests

Dr Neacsu loves working with all kinds of patients, no matter the eye care needs. Although she loves all aspects of the optometry field, she takes particular interest in contact lenses, ocular disease and pediatric optometry.

Fun Fact

She offers eye exams in English, French, Romanian and Spanish. She loves to travel and to continuously learn about different cultures.