About Noufal Mais

Dr. Noufal Mais is an eye doctor and entrepreneur who founded The Eye Centre and Alliance Eye Doctors franchises in Alberta and Saskatchewan. He opened his first practice under The Eye Centre banner in Fort McMurray, AB, implementing a business model of providing top-quality eye care to small-town communities. He saw immediate success with his approach, expanding to a second town within a year. He’s now operating four branches of The Eye Centre, with two more scheduled to open in the coming months. Dr. Mais also operates three branches of Alliance Eye Doctors in Regina and Saskatoon, SK. Dr. Noufal Mais is committed to offering the latest in diagnostic and treatment tools in order to serve his clients’ particular needs and symptoms. In addition to his office practices, Dr. Mais manages a Mobile Eye Clinic, traveling to rural indigenous towns and work camps during the summer months to handle eye care needs. He is currently launching a telehealth initiative, Digital Optometric Services, continuing his efforts to expand eye care access to less accessible regions of western Canada. Outside of his clinics, Dr. Mais maintains an active lifestyle. He enjoys fishing, soccer, basketball, boxing, golf, and workouts at the gym. He prioritizes the pursuit of optimal health in both his life and his practice.
Q: Can you tell us about your journey into optometry and what inspired you to focus on underserved regions in Western Canada?

Dr. Noufal Mais: My passion for optometry began at university, where I became intrigued by the intricate workings of the human eye. After completing my studies, I realized that many communities in Western Canada had limited access to eye care. This gap in healthcare services inspired me to establish a practice focused on these underserved areas, bringing quality eye care to those who need it most.

Q: How crucial are cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment tools in your field?

Dr. Noufal Mais: Absolutely crucial. Advances in technology have revolutionized optometry. Cutting-edge tools enable earlier detection and more accurate diagnosis of eye diseases. This can be a game-changer in preventing vision loss, especially in remote areas where access to specialists is limited.

Q: Can you give an example of a particular technology that has significantly impacted your practice?

Dr. Noufal Mais: One example is digital retinal imaging. This technology allows us to take high-resolution images of the retina, helping in the early detection of conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. It’s particularly useful in remote consultations, where these images can be shared with specialists for further analysis.

Q: Beyond technology, how important is patient education in your practice?

Dr. Noufal Mais: Patient education is a cornerstone of our practice. Educating patients about eye health, the importance of regular check-ups, and awareness of symptoms leads to early detection and treatment, which is key in preventing serious eye conditions.

Q: What's your vision for the future of your practice?

Dr. Noufal Mais: We plan to continue our expansion of The Eye Centre franchise. We have branches in Ft. McMurray, Drayton Valley and Leduc, AB, and Prince Albert, SK. We’ve just opened a new branch in Yorkton, SK, and we’re announcing another location in the coming months. We’re also launching a new initiative, Digital Optometric Services, which will expand our ability to reach underserved populations via telehealth. We made huge strides with those capabilities during the pandemic

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring optometrists who want to make a difference in underserved areas?

Dr. Noufal Mais: My advice is to be passionate about what you do and understand the unique needs of the communities you serve. Building strong relationships within these communities is key. Always stay informed about the latest advancements in optometry to provide the best care possible.