Business Details
48 Years
experience
Comprehensive Eye Care in Whitehorse
Northern Lights Optometry has proudly served generations of patients in the Yukon Territory since 1978. Our dedicated team of optometrists offers comprehensive, personalized eye care services for families, utilizing advanced technology to assess eye health and visual needs. We prioritize preventative care, emphasizing early diagnosis and treatment to prevent vision loss and ensure long-term ocular health. Our practice combines clinical excellence with a commitment to patient education, fostering personal bonds and empowering patients with knowledge about their eye conditions. We collaborate with GPs and ophthalmologists to provide end-to-end care, ensuring seamless referrals when necessary.With state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, we specialize in detecting and managing conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy locally, reducing the need for travel outside the Yukon. Our focus on personalized service extends from initial exams to follow-up care, frame consultations, and contact lens fittings. We pride ourselves on maintaining one of the most technologically advanced practices in the region, offering services such as corneal topography, digital eye strain assessments, and specialty scleral lenses. Our wheelchair-accessible clinic in downtown Whitehorse is staffed by a team renowned for professionalism, expertise, and exceptional customer service.
Services
Eye Exams
Diabetic Eye Exams
Contact Lens Fittings
Glaucoma Management
Macular Degeneration Evaluations
Dry Eye Therapy
Digital Eye Strain Solutions
Scleral Lenses
Cataract Evaluations
Pediatric Eye Care
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of experience in Yukon eye care since 1978
- Our team uses state-of-the-art diagnostic technology for early disease detection
- We provide personalized service from eye exams to lens consultations
- Our optometrists hold hospital privileges at Whitehorse General Hospital
- We offer local management of complex conditions reducing need for out-of-territory travel
What people say
First class service
Professional and thorough
Expert advice
Fantastic with kids
Quality customer service
Services
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Our thorough eye exams assess both visual acuity and ocular health using advanced diagnostic tools. We detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration while updating prescriptions for glasses or contacts. The exams include digital phoropter assessments, retinal imaging, and intraocular pressure testing. Our optometrists provide detailed explanations of findings and personalized recommendations for maintaining optimal vision health.
Diabetic Eye Exams
Specialized diabetic eye exams focus on detecting diabetes-related ocular changes through dilated pupil examinations and retinal imaging. We use Optos Monaco retinal camera and optical coherence tomography to identify early signs of diabetic retinopathy or macular edema. Our management plans emphasize collaboration with primary care physicians to control blood sugar levels while monitoring eye health progression through regular follow-up appointments.
Specialty Contact Lenses
We fit specialty contact lenses including scleral lenses for irregular corneas caused by keratoconus or post-surgical changes. Our process involves corneal topography mapping to create custom-designed lenses that vault the cornea while resting on the sclera. These gas-permeable lenses provide clearer vision and greater comfort for patients with complex visual needs compared to traditional contact lens solutions.
Glaucoma Management
Our glaucoma management combines early detection through tonometry and visual field testing with ongoing monitoring of optic nerve health. We utilize Zeiss Cirrus 6000 OCT for detailed retinal imaging to track disease progression. Treatment options include medicated eye drops, laser therapy, and coordination with ophthalmologists for surgical interventions when necessary, focusing on preserving peripheral vision and preventing optic nerve damage.
Pediatric Eye Exams
We conduct age-appropriate eye exams for children starting from infancy, following Canadian Association of Optometrists guidelines. Our assessments include binocular vision testing, amblyopia screening, and refractive error evaluation using both objective (retinoscopy) and subjective (eye chart) methods. We specialize in making exams comfortable for young patients while identifying vision problems that could affect developmental milestones and academic performance.
People
Dr. Guy Gorrell
Optometrist
Dr. Gorrell graduated with distinction from Pacific University's College of Optometry in 2003. He maintains hospital privileges at Whitehorse General Hospital and specializes in ocular disease management. With equipment upgrades enhancing diagnostic capabilities, he focuses on patient education and has practiced in Whitehorse for over 20 years, continuing his father's legacy since 2003.
Dr. Fatima Javed
Optometrist
A Yukon native, Dr. Javed earned her Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. She has clinical experience in pediatrics, retinal disease, and neuro-ophthalmology. Holding hospital privileges at Whitehorse General Hospital, she contributes expertise in complex contact lens fittings and ocular disease management while maintaining active involvement in community outdoor activities.
Dr. Adam Hulisz
Optometrist
Dr. Hulisz completed his optometry degree at Illinois College of Optometry and a residency in ocular disease at Chicago's Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. His expertise includes low vision rehabilitation and specialty contact lens fittings. He brings diverse clinical experience from rotations across three US states and maintains professional memberships in optometric associations.
Dr. Robin Vigneau
Optometrist
Originally from Nova Scotia, Dr. Vigneau earned her optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University. With over seven years practicing in Whitehorse, she specializes in traumatic brain injury-related vision disorders and ocular disease management. She maintains hospital privileges and combines clinical expertise with a commitment to patient-centered care in Yukon's unique environment.
Questions
What eye care services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive services including eye exams, diabetic eye evaluations, contact lens fittings, glaucoma management, macular degeneration assessments, dry eye therapy, and specialty scleral lenses.
Do you accept emergency eye care cases?
While we don't offer 24/7 emergency services, we prioritize urgent eye care concerns during regular business hours and coordinate hospital referrals when necessary.
Are your optometrists qualified to manage complex eye diseases?
Our team holds hospital privileges at Whitehorse General Hospital and specializes in managing conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration using advanced diagnostic technology.
What technology do you use for eye examinations?
We utilize digital phoropters, Optos Monaco retinal camera, Zeiss Cirrus 6000 OCT, and corneal topography systems for comprehensive diagnostic imaging and precise assessments.
Do you offer pediatric eye care services?
Yes, we follow Canadian Association of Optometrists guidelines for children's eye exams starting at 6-9 months old, with specialized assessments for amblyopia, strabismus, and learning-related vision issues.
