Dr. Paul Neumann: 25 Years of Optometry on the Peninsula
by Cassidy Nunn
Central Saanich Optometry
is tucked away in the Saanichton village area, but boasts a huge clinic, retail and office space, as well as ample parking out back, all of which greatly appealed to Dr. Paul Neumann when he first moved into the space. After establishing his business over 10 years in Brentwood Bay, in 2005 he opted to move his growing clinic practice to its current home where the clinic has continued to expand and thrive ever since. Dr. Neumann remembers back to his teenage years when he was having difficulty with his vision and finally went for an eye exam. Sure enough, he needed glasses and voila, that first pair of classic 1970s aviator-style glasses allowed him to see in focus again. Later on, after completing his undergraduate degree in Sciences at the University of Toronto, he debated whether to pursue medicine, dentistry, or take over the family business. Instead, he thought more about optometry and remembered his high school experience at the optometrist. He applied to the University of Waterloo's optometry program, which is still the only English language optometry program in all of Canada, and embarked on another four years of school. An internship after graduation brought him to Victoria and his proctor during that time has since become his business partner; together the two own and run three optometry clinics in Greater Victoria: Opti-Med, Oak Bay Optometry and Central Saanich Optometry. Together they manage 10 doctors in their network and a staff of close to 50. Being busy with co-managing the other two clinics, Dr. Neumann sees patients three days a week at Central Saanich Optometry and is excited to be welcoming a third doctor to the practice this coming August. "I'm very blessed I have staff that get how important looking after patients is," he says. "Caring staff is important."
Dr. Neumann is well known in the Canadian optometry world. He has won many awards, including Optometrist of the Year in 2016 from the B.C. Doctors of Optometry, and stood as the President of the B.C. Association of Optometrists for two years which oversees 800-900 optometrists in B.C. He also sat on the board for 10 years which involved, among many other roles, public relations and negotiating MSP contracts. "It was a busy time!" he remembers. Although a retired board member, the practice still belongs to the nationwide group of independent optometrists. In this time of constant technological advances, Dr. Neumann says "technology is the one area I've always invested heavily in," and his clinic is home to the latest in optometry equipment, such as infrared photography and lasers, which can now allow us to see 3D imaging of the back of the eye. Dr. Neumann emphasizes the importance of eye exams and that although he says the clinic is "as close to a one-stop shop as you can possibly get," with offering a wide selection of retail options for glasses, contacts, etc., the medical is at the core of the clinical practice. "We work closely with our medical colleagues ‌ it's a back and forth constantly," he says, especially when it comes to diagnosing and treating eye diseases and conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and myopia. The clinic sees 30 to 40 patients a day and Dr. Neumann and his team pride themselves on ensuring each patient is given ample time for their needs. The team at Central Saanich Optometry are looking forward to extended clinic hours and six-day-a-week availability in August once the new doctor begins. Congratulations to Dr. Neumann and his team for 25 years of business on the Peninsula! Photo by Nunn Other Photography. APRIL 2020 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 63