Dr. Noufal Mais is the founder and CEO of The Eye Centre, an eyecare facility that began in Leduc, AB and has now expanded to include four locations in the province. He is also the founder of Alliance Eye Doctors, with three branches in Regina and Saskatoon. In addition to his clinics, Dr. Mais operates a Mobile Eye Clinic, traveling to remote and rural indigenous communities each summer to reach underserved populations. Through his dedication to ensuring all Canadians have access to optometric services, Dr. Mais is having a true impact on the quality and accessibility of eye care in Western Canada.
Q: What inspired you to blend your interest in optometry with your hunger for entrepreneurial ventures?
Dr. Noufal Mais: My passion for optometry stems from a desire to help people achieve and maintain optimal vision health. I started out as an optometrist’s assistant, and I learned a lot about operating under a business model and thinking like an entrepreneur. That approach really excited me, and I decided that as soon as I received my D.O., I would approach my practice like a businessperson as well as a practitioner. I realized that there were so many underserved populations in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and that if I applied a model of providing the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies to these populations, I would likely have success. And thus far, that’s proven true.
Q: How do you integrate new innovations and technology into your optometry practice?
Dr. Noufal Mais: We’re constantly evaluating cutting-edge technologies and looking for ways to incorporate them into our practice. We’re interested in anything that’s going to help us improve the accuracy of diagnosis, as well as enhanced treatment options. There are so many new innovations, and we prioritize adopting the ones that are going to elevate our quality of care while also giving our patients peace of mind.
Q: Are there some examples of new technological tools that you’ve recently adopted?
Dr. Noufal Mais: Certainly. One of these is Optical Coherence Tomography test, which uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of patients’ retina. This gives us a non-invasive way to determine the thickness of the tissue layers, which allows for early detection of conditions like glaucoma and age-related degeneration. Another tool we’ve incorporated is the Digital Retinal Photography technology, which lets us notice every subtle change to a patient’s retina. This gives us essential knowledge when determining treatments or referring to specialists. Our latest addition is the Optomap, an imaging technology featuring an ultra-widefield (UWF) This shows us any ocular pathology that’s occurring in the periphery of the eye – things that would definitely go undetected using traditional techniques. So we’re very excited to bring these state-of-the-art technologies to our patients.
Q: Could you share some of your notable entrepreneurial initiatives aimed at improving eye health?
Dr. Noufal Mais: During the pandemic, every doctor had to adapt to providing remote care. We all learned a lot through this process, and we also want to continue to leverage these new tools to reach remote populations. That’s why this year, we’re launching Digital Optometric Services, which will provide top-quality remote eye care to underserved populations of Saskatchewan. We will also continue to operate our Mobile Eye Clinic, traveling to work camps and indigenous communities to provide eye care solutions.
Q: How do you balance being a clinician and an entrepreneur in your daily routine?
Dr. Noufal Mais: As CEO, I have to balance both roles effectively, and I of course don’t want either to suffer. I’ve developed a healthy approach that requires detailed planning, as well as a dedicated team. and it takes Balancing both roles requires meticulous planning and a dedicated team. While my primary focus remains on patient care, I allocate specific time blocks to address the business side. For instance, every morning we start out with an executive meeting, where we address business strategies. We transition to a staff meeting where everyone gets on the same page with the day’s agenda. I have daily meetings with my CFO to go over marketing and advertising. So through this incredible team, I’m able to ensure all responsibilities are being met for the business without compromising the quality of patient care.
Q: What do you envision for the future of eye care, considering technological advancements and changing healthcare landscapes?
Dr. Noufal Mais: I know that A.I. will very soon transform the way we approach diagnosis and treatment – and to me, it’s very exciting. These tools will make the practice of optometry more accessible, precise, and patient-centric. Telemedicine and remote monitoring will likely play more significant roles, and we plan to remain at the forefront of those delivery techniques. Personalized treatments and preventive measures based on genetic profiling might become more prevalent, allowing for tailored approaches to vision health. Overall, I believe we’re about to see a revolution in the areas of early diagnosis and detection of eye disease.
Q: Any advice for aspiring optometrists looking to blend their clinical practice with entrepreneurial endeavors?
Dr. Noufal Mais: Sure. I’d say to remain passionate about providing excellent patient care, while also building a strong business foundation and exploring the approaches that work well for you. One thing I wish I’d done is to wait a bit longer before opening my second branch. I think I could have benefitted from the knowledge and experience of running my own business before moving into expansion. So that’s the advice I’d give, is to make sure your first branch and your patient base is strong before getting too excited about applying your business plans for expansion. But wherever you are in the process, stay open to new advancements. Network with other professionals who’ve had success with expansions – they provide valuable insights. Most importantly, find your niche—identify where you can have the most impact and pursue it with passion.
