Dr. Shirley Ha earned her Honours Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from the University of Waterloo in 1990 and completed an Ocular Diseases and Primary Care externship at the Hospitals of Yau Ma Tei and Prince of Wales in Hong Kong.

Dr Ha has received accreditation to prescribe Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents (TPAs) in the treatment and co-management of ocular diseases from the Northeastern State University - Oklahoma College of Optometry in 1995 and re-certification from Nova Southeastern University - Florida College of Optometry in 2009.

Dr. Ha is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FOVDR) and a Fellow of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (FNORA), the only optometrist in Ontario with dual fellowship!

She is one of the founders and served on the Executive Board of Vision Therapy Canada, a non-profit organization that provides vision therapy education to optometrists and raises awareness of vision therapy and rehabilitation through public and government advocacy across Canada. She also served on the Advisory Board at the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association.

Dr. Ha has a special interest in pediatric eye care and binocular vision abnormalities. Her interest in both developmental and neuro-rehabilitative optometry took her on a path of continuing professional development to include: The core clinical curriculum from Optometric Extension Foundation Program, Neuro-Visual Processing Therapy from the Padula Institute of Vision Rehabilitation, Skills Development Program from the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, Syntonics Phototherapy from Dr. Stefan Collier of Switzerland and from the College of Syntonic Optometry and Other vision therapy and habilitation/rehabilitation education from around the world.

Dr. Ha is a member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) as well as the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO). She believes true professionalism means giving back to the profession that has supported and helped her. She served on the OAO Board of Directors from 1999 to 2004 and as President in 2004-2005 and is forever grateful for the priceless experiences gained and the countless volunteers she met during her tenure.

Her accolades include the OAO President’s Award in 2007 and the OAO Public Education Award of Merit in 2012.

Since 1998, she has participated as a contributing member of the Questions Committee for the Canadian Examiners in Optometry (CEO), as well as OSCE Assessor to verify skills competencies for the Canadian Assessment of Competence in Optometry (CACO).

In Dr. Ha’s Own Words: What is Dr. Ha’s goal as an optometrist?

>To give patients of all ages the gift of vision beyond healthy eyes and 20/20 eyesight and afford them every opportunity to see and succeed in life.

Dr. Shirley Ha earned her Honours Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from the Un... Read More

Maxine, BA, CNP, PVT, COVT

Health, Happiness and Gratitude are words that best describe Maxine and her outlook on life. She is grateful for every experience life has given her, and for all the lessons learned that formed who she is today. Helping others is second nature and has been practiced over many volunteer positions, fundraising projects and through her work life – most recently in her career as Vision Therapist at A-Ha Vision in Oakville.

Maxine attended Vision Therapy Canada’s Practical Vision Therapy Accreditation Program (PVTAP) and was in the first graduating class where she obtained her PVT certification in 2017. In 2023, Maxine was nominated to the Board of Directors of Vision Therapy Canada, and is proud to represent all vision therapists across Canada, as Director, Therapist Relations. Most recently Maxine is thrilled to now also hold the designation of Certified Optometric Vision Therapist (COVT), which was awarded through the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA) in the United States.

She has completed courses in Neuro-Motor Maturity: Optimizing Vision Therapy through Testing and Integration of Primitive Reflexes; Neurorehabilitation through the Ontario Brain Injury Association and Brock University; Concussion Management Workshops through Concussion Rehab Works and the University of Toronto; The Exotropia Seminar through the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF); Concussion Prevention, Detection and Management as a MOOC through the University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology; and continues to expand her knowledge by attending continuing education courses and conferences at every opportunity!

Outside of the field of Behavioural Optometry, Maxine received her Degree in Business as well as a concurrent Certificate in Psychology at Ryerson University, and is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner through the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.

Currently, Maxine dedicates her professional time to vision therapy and vision rehabilitation for patients with learning-related vision problems, visual dysfunctions, strabismus, amblyopia, acquired/traumatic brain injuries, autism and children and adults with retained primitive reflexes.

“After many years in the corporate world, making money for big business, I realized that what was missing from my life was the opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives. I started in optometry years ago, working in the dispensary, and enjoyed it because it was fun to help people look good, and see well. As a Vision Therapist, I have uncovered my true calling. Helping people learn to hone their visual skills directly impacts the quality of their lives. The happiness and gratitude I get back from the breakthroughs and “A-Ha” moments in the clinic are so rewarding that I can’t imagine being in a more meaningful career.”

With an eye toward all things health related, and a particular interest in helping patients better their lives through Vision Therapy, Maxine is thrilled to be part of the team at A-Ha Vision and part of this great community of Vision Therapists and Behavioural Optometrists.

Maxine, BA, CNP, PVT, COVT Health, Happiness and Gratitude are words that best describe Maxine a... Read More

Helen began her exciting journey as a Vision Therapist in 2012 and has since worked with patients of all ages, with acquired traumatic brain injury, retained Primitive Reflexes, learning-related vision problems, visual/vestibular dysfunctions, strabismus, amblyopia, autism, and Sports VT. As a Vision Therapist, she has found tremendous satisfaction in helping her patients achieve their vision and life goals while creating a fun and nurturing environment to learn. She loves creating personalized curricula to keep her patients motivated and to increase their visual awareness thereby accelerating progress.

Helen continuously upgrades her skills and has completed courses such as Vestibular Processing: A Key Component of Visual Function and Balance with Dr. Curtis Baxstrom and Dr. Jason Clopton, Eyesight to Insight: Visual Vestibular Assessment and Treatment with Dr. Carl Hillier, VT Procedures with Dr. Angela Peddle, Vision Development: Part of the Missing Puzzle in Autism with Dr. Susan Daniel and Vision Therapy/Learning Related Visual Problems: VT2 from the Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Arizona, USA. She is also a Certified Optometric Assistant-Canadian Association of Optometrists since 2011.

Outside of Vision Therapy, Helen loves spending time with her family and their puppy, Leia. She also enjoys hiking, exploring new places, and learning to garden.

Helen’s Favourite Quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson ~

Helen began her exciting journey as a Vision Therapist in 2012 and has since worked with patients... Read More