About

Dr. Douglas A. Puttaert, BSc., B.P.E.,M.Ed., O.D., F.A.A.O. was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and initially completed both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Physical Education degrees at the University of Manitoba. He then entered post graduate studies and received a Masters of Education. After two years of teaching science and physical education he received his permanent teaching certificate. He then relocated to Waterloo, Ontario where he completed his Doctorate of Optometry Degree. Dr. D. Puttaert then completed his fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry (F.A.A.O.) in Los Angeles, California. He has served as council member and secretary treasurer of the Manitoba Association of Optometrists and as well has chaired three committees. Dr. D. Puttaert has had a long history in organized sports, having won a provincial volleyball championship, a national basketball championship when in University, and he played on the Manitoba basketball team for the 1975 Canada Games. He coached for ten years and was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994, as well as the “Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt” by then premiere Ed Schreyer. His sports experiences led him to volunteer for vision screening with Special Olympic athletes, and he was the lead Optometrist at the Athlete’s Village at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg. In 1992, he joined Dr. James Eastwood in professional practice and eventually expanded the practice to its present 3 locations.

Dr. D. Puttaert has received full scope optometry therapeutics designation and as a member of the Canadian Association of Optometrists stays current with continuing education. He continues to practice full time seeing patients of all ages, including special interest in pediatric vision, specialty corneal disease contact lens fitting, and ophthalmic disease co-management . He holds a private pilots license and enjoys flying his float plane, fishing, fitness, travel, the local arts and sports amenities, and most of all, time with family at the cottage.

Dr. Gregory grew up in the small rural town of Fisher Branch, MB on her family honey bee farm. She completed a Bachelor of Science with honours from the University of Manitoba. Then went on to Pacific University in Oregon, graduating in 2019 with honours from the College of Optometry. During her optometric training, Dr. Gregory had a wide range of clinical experiences in the many fields of optometry. Her passion and love for working with the pediatric and vision therapy patients led to her being presented with the COVD Excellence in Vision Therapy Award during her final year. Her ocular disease and therapeutics rotation with Veterans Association Central California Health Care System, had strong emphasis on retinal and anterior segment pathology including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, corneal and cataract management. She also worked with all types of contact lenses, dry eye syndrome cases and post-cataract surgery patients.

During her time in optometry school, Dr. Gregory was the President of her schools SVOSH chapter(Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) called AMIGOS Eye Care. This is a non-profit student and doctor run organization that provides quality vision care at no cost to underserved people globally and locally. She was a co-founder in establishing an annual trip to Senegal, Africa with a team consisting of 7 students and 1 optometrist. On this self-funded trip during spring break, they gave full comprehensive eye exams and glasses to 474 patients! She also travelled with a slightly larger team to remote Nicaragua and provided eye care to 650 people. Dr. Gregory aspires of establishing a VOSH group in Winnipeg, to continue providing care on annual trips both globally and locally.

Since then Dr. Gregory has re-established her love for treating patients with binocular vision problems. She has worked alongside our vision therapists to develop a strong vision therapy program for the offices. She also has developed a passion for educating and treating nearsighted progression with myopia control measures.

Dr. Gregory enjoys all outdoor activities, sun or snow, as long as she has her family, friends, and beagle by her side. She has made a home in the lovely town of Ste.Anne with her husband. Moving forward she is excited to build new relationships with her patients and continue to challenge herself in new developing fields of optometry.