About us

fretz neuro vision

Improving Vision. Improving Lives.

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Fretz Neuro Vision

Unlock your vision potential

At Fretz Neuro Vision, we strive to provide our patients with the very best with our cutting edge vision development and rehabilitation centre. Each patient receives individualized care to ensure that everyone can reach their full potential and get the most out of life. 

1949 – 2018

About Dr. Betty Fretz

Dr. Betty Fretz graduated from the School of Optometry in Waterloo in 1976. Her dream was always to help everyone she could. In pursuit of that dream, Dr. Fretz began to offer vision development and rehabilitation services. While her passion for optometry and improving the lives of her patients was always at the core of her practice, her dreams were suddenly interrupted when she contracted encephalitis while volunteering on a missions trip. 

Dr. Fretz’s lengthy and courageous recovery from encephalitis afforded her the opportunity to experience neuro-optometric rehabilitation first hand. She returned to practice with a renewed passion and personally-vested interest in vision development and rehabilitation. Dr. Fretz pursued her new-found passion with vigor and a single-mindedness rarely seen. She was granted fellowships in the American Academy of Optometry, the International Orthokeratology Society, and in April of 2015 the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. In addition, she became a clinical skills assessor for the CACO administration of Canadian Examiners in Optometry, a supervisor for the International Optometric Bridging Programme, a supervisor for final year externs at the University of Waterloo, a writer of examination questions for the Canadian Examiners in Optometry, a coordinator of a portion of the Canadian Optometric Association education for Certified Canadian Optometric Assistants, an inaugural member of the Canadian Optometrists in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation, and a host for vision development and rehabilitation courses for the Optometric Extension Program Foundation. She was an active member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists, the Canadian Association of Optometrists, and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Dr. Fretz was also designated as a prescriber of topical therapeutic agents.

Dr. Fretz built a thriving vision therapy practice at her Listowel Vision Care clinic. As her practice continued to grow, she designed and built her dream clinic with every detail designed to accommodate neuro-optometric rehabilitation. The new location opened in May of 2017, shortly before Dr. Fretz fell ill with cancer. Tragically, Dr. Fretz lost her courageous battle with cancer on March 26, 2018.

Remembered fondly by her patients and colleagues, in 2018 Dr. Fretz was posthumously awarded the Yves Bastien award for contributing extensively to the promotion of vision therapy in Canada. Dr. Fretz’s legacy inspired Vision Therapy Canada to create the Fretz Fund, the first scholarship of its kind in Canada. Through Fretz Neuro Vision, Dr. Fretz’s legacy continues to live on, offering healing and hope to so many individuals across Canada.

Meet the Team

All Fretz Neuro Vision Doctors and Vision Therapists are trained and certified and are dedicated to continuing their education to remain up-to-date with the latest technologies and strategies.

DA
behavioural optometrist

DR. DIPTY ACHARYA

OD, COEP, FOVDR

JB bitmoji
behavioural optometrist

DR. JANPREET BEDI

OD, COEP

Debra Holtzhauer w bkgd
Vision Therapist

DEBRA HOLTZHAUER

BA, CCOA, PVT, COEP-T, COVT

Heather Espensen w bkgd
Vision Therapist

hEATHER EPSENSEN

CCOA, PVT

Linda Hunter w bkgd
Vision Therapist

LINDA HUNTER

CCOA, PVT

Melissa
Vision Therapist

MELISSA BOUWMAN

PVT

IMG 5257
Vision Therapist

RACHAEL ZEHR

PVT

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Fretz Neuro Vision

Our Facility

Fretz Neuro Vision provides our patients with access to the very latest cutting-edge technology and an extensive background in neuro-optometric rehabilitation and development. Our clinic has pioneered vision development and neurovision rehab in Canada! Located within Listowel Vision Care, our main clinic includes a spacious eye gym. In addition to our main clinic, we provide satellite clinics to various locations in Southwestern Ontario, including Exeter, Mount Forest, and Waterloo. Patients unable to attend any of our locations should consider virtual care:  accessing our services from the comfort of your own home.

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