About Our Practice
in St. Thomas, ON

Dr. Stephanie Millar knew she wanted to be involved in eye care from the age of 13 when her optometrist fitted her with her very first pair of contact lenses, freeing her from a pair of heavy, high-prescription glasses she had worn since the age of 4. This was a life-changing moment! Dr. Millar wanted to help others in the same way and graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in 1997. 

As co-owner of First Optometry, she is passionate about bringing her patients the latest in eye care knowledge and technology and keeping up to date with new developments and treatments in ocular disease, with a special interest in dry eye and ocular nutrition. Dr. Millar strives to help her patients see their best and feel their best!

Her favourite activities include spending quality time with family and friends, walking and hiking with her Goldendoodle, Loki, travelling, enjoying live music, and attempting to play golf.  

Dr. Oozeer is a co-owner of First Optometry. He strives to create a friendly, comfortable environment where patients can freely discuss their symptoms and concerns. Answering any questions and exploring all treatment options is his goal in determining each patient’s individual plan for managing their specific issues. 

In his spare time, Dr. O enjoys playing hockey and volleyball.

As a recent graduate of the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science, Dr Espinosa is passionate about delivering exceptional eye care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. His approach combines friendly, personalized service with a commitment to finding the best solutions for your eye care concerns. His goal is to help you leave our clinic feeling well taken care of and with a better understanding of your eye health.

When he’s not in the office, you can find him staying active on the basketball court or soccer field. He also loves to take some time to try out different restaurants and enjoy other cultures.

Emma has been a certified optometric assistant since 2013 and is an integral part of keeping the office running smoothly. From computers and programming to the mountains of paperwork to be processed, she is the glue that holds the office together. She’s a true team player, always there with a helping hand in all areas of the office. She loves interacting with people and will always aim to answer your questions in a kind and caring manner. 

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and walking on the beach, reading, and knitting or crocheting. For Remembrance Day, you will see staff members wearing the poppies that she knits.

Laura is a highly engaged leader with a team-focused mentality. Her many years of optical experience as a certified optometric assistant help our patients receive quality service and products from First Optometry. Her pleasant demeanour, understanding, and willingness to go the extra mile are evident in her daily interactions with patients and staff alike.  

In good weather, Laura commutes to work on a 3-wheeled Spyder. She enjoys camping, yoga, writing, and spending time at home with her zoo of pets and family.

Sue is an integral part of our dispensing team. She is a certified optometric assistant with many years of experience. Listening to our patients is the key to understanding what they need, and Sue does just that. Her strong work ethic and attention to detail help her provide a great experience when selecting the perfect frame and lenses for her patients. 

Sue enjoys walking, gardening, and tutoring in her spare time and loves spending time with her grandchildren. 

Sara’s knowledge of all things optometry is irreplaceable at First Optometry. Her gentle and soothing demeanour creates a positive experience during your dry eye treatments, special testing, and preliminary screening.  

During her off-hours, you will find her with her giant family, enjoying delicious food and great music. Ella habla Español.

Jennifer is pleased to work throughout the clinic, performing multiple tasks, including dry eye treatments, specialty testing, and dispensing. A recently certified ocular hygienist with over 20 years of industry experience, she is our “Jen” of all trades at First Optometry. 

Charity performs the pretesting that will make your eye appointment with the doctor more efficient and productive. Her infectious smile will guide you through the initial stage of your examination with ease. She is always willing to lend a helping hand, which is why she has also landed the position of First Optometry handywoman.  

In her spare time, she likes to play various recreational sports and spend time with her family and 3 dogs.

Melissa is the first face you will see as you walk through our door. She welcomes everyone with her kind nature, positivity, and helpful ways. She enjoys making people laugh and will make sure that your time spent in the office is done with a smile.  

On her time off, she loves to go for walks, watch Netflix, and spend time at her parents’ boathouse in Port Rowan. 

Laura G. loves to help out where needed. You will see her in the dispensary helping patients select the perfect pair of glasses and performing the pretesting before you see the doctor. 

Laura has a love for travel. Her favourite trips include Kenya, Australia, and Norway. In her spare time, she is a hair, skin and wellness consultant. She enjoys cooking, reading, and hanging out with family.

Meredith is a key member of our First Optometry team.

With 20-plus years of aesthetic experience, Meredith brings her knowledge and strong patient care skills to our Dry Eye Spa. Working alongside our optometrists, she administers modern treatments to improve the symptoms of dry eyes.

She is currently enrolled in the certified optometric assistant course and is eager to learn the other roles in the office. You will sometimes find her at the front desk, answering calls, and performing the pre-tests required before seeing the doctor.

Sarah is our student optometric assistant. She has been working at First Optometry for the last three years during her summers home from university.  Sarah brings a happy smile to work every day and enjoys helping out wherever she can.