Celebrating 20 Years of Eye to Eye Optometry Clinic

For 20 years, Eye to Eye has provided personalized eye care in Crestwood. To mark the milestone, we spoke with founder Dr. Leanne Kile about the practice, its people and the changes she has witnessed in optometry.

I’m told Eye to Eye is celebrating its 20th anniversary!

Yes, it is! It’s a little difficult to believe, but very exciting.

Tell us about the journey.

It’s been an enjoyable and rewarding adventure. I opened Eye to Eye in 2006 after practising elsewhere for six years. I love my work, my patients, my staff and our location.

What has been your favourite part?

My absolute favourite part is the patients. Many have been with me for all 20 years. I’ve heard about their travels, businesses and growing families, and I’ve had the pleasure of watching entire families grow up.

Not long ago, I examined a toddler who came in with their father—whom I had also seen as a toddler! That was pretty special.

I also love the intellectual side of optometry and the fact that every day is different. Whether it’s an engaging chat with a patient, dealing with a challenging case or learning something new, the days are always interesting.

What kinds of challenges have you faced?

The first thing that comes to mind could be called a “happy challenge.” My husband and I had been trying to start a family for several years. Eventually, when it looked like family life might not be in store for us, we shifted our focus and decided to open a clinic instead.

We did the research, secured a loan and days after the lease was signed, we received the news that we were also having a baby! It was a very joyful and very busy time. Our first daughter was born six months after Eye to Eye opened, and we had our second daughter four years later. Those early years were a blur of referral letters, late-night feedings, eyewear purchases and diaper changes, but all worth it.

Opening day itself was a challenge. Construction delays meant the night before we opened, my brothers were installing computers while other family members improvised plastic tables to serve as a front desk and glasses displays. We were determined to open the next day, and we did! A couple of years later was the 2008 recession; then came two break-ins and, of course, COVID.

Why did you choose Crestwood?

I’m also from Edmonton’s west end, and I love Crestwood’s close-knit community atmosphere, where people know their neighbours and value relationships.

Crestwood suited what I envisioned: a practice built around personalized care and quality products. Our staff enjoys welcoming many patients by name and remembering the small details, such as how a patient likes their glasses adjusted or the type of golf lenses they prefer.

The community’s appreciation for fashion and quality has also allowed us to offer interesting and unique eyewear.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in optometry?

It’s actually surprising how much has changed.

Twenty years ago, standard photographs captured less than 20 percent of the retina, compared to approximately 80 percent today. We also now have optical coherence tomography, which enables earlier detection and monitoring of retinal conditions and glaucoma. Paired with innovative treatments over the past 20 years, many ocular conditions now have much better outcomes.

I am happy to share that patients no longer need the dreaded “air puff” test! We use iCare tonometry, which most people find much easier. And our virtual-reality visual-field headset has also been very well received.

Dry-eye care has taken some big strides forward. With innovative therapies such as radiofrequency, intense pulsed light and amniotic membranes now available, patients can often find relief even if more standard treatments have not worked for them.

Some of my most satisfying cases in the past few years have involved myopia control for kids. This involves using specialty glasses, specialty contact lenses, and/or drops to slow nearsightedness changes, which in turn reduce future eye health risks and allow for lighter, thinner glasses and lenses. Myopia control can truly make lifelong improvements for these young patients. I only wish it had been around when I got my first glasses!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I could never have managed the past 20 years without support. Without the help of family and friends, Eye to Eye would not even have been able to open the doors on day one! Over the years, my husband and daughters have done everything from building furniture to modelling eyewear and creating window displays.

I would be overwhelmed without my associate, Dr. Jankovic, and lost without my office manager, Nicole. And none of this could happen without our team of caring staff.

I am also very grateful to the Crestwood community, to the patients who have been with us since the beginning and to the new patients who continue to help us grow. It has been a rewarding and enjoyable 20 years, and I look forward to many more!