About Our Practice in Thornhill

Dr. Clara Yi was born and raised in Thornhill and the surrounding areas. After graduating from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Human Biology, she moved to England to complete her Optometry degree at Aston University in Birmingham. She continued to practice in the UK for a number of years and completed an ocular disease clinical rotation at the Royal United Hospital Bath, in 2010.

Dr. Yi returned to Canada in 2011, where she settled back into the Thornhill area and joined Thornhill Vision Care. In 2016, she acquired our long-established 30+ year old practice. With particular interests in dry eye treatments and myopia management, Dr. Yi continues to develop the practice and serve our community with the latest in optometry.

The most fulfilling part of her role as an optometrist is the long-term relationships that Dr. Yi has built with her patients and their families. She loves caring for multigenerational families and seeing her patients grow up and start families of their own. Dr. Yi also truly enjoys being able to solve her patients’ eye issues.

Dr. Yi is a member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists and the Canadian Association of Optometrists. Dr. Yi comes from a diverse background and has a working knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin. 

She happily resides in the community with her husband and daughter. When she’s not at work, Dr. Yi likes to travel around Europe and take beach vacations with her family. She prioritizes time and making memories with her daughter while she’s still young. She also enjoys going to the gym and getting outside regularly.

Dr. Victoria Lam grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, where she developed an interest in optometry. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree with Honours from the University of Waterloo, specializing in Biomedical Sciences. Subsequently, she was accepted into the only Canadian English-speaking Doctor of Optometry program at the University of Waterloo, where she also graduated with Honours. Dr. Lam is certified by both the Optometry Examining Board of Canada (CACO or OEBC) and in the United States (NBEO).

Dr. Lam has a special interest in myopia control, specifically in orthokeratology, and has experience in the management of advanced glaucoma. During Dr. Lam’s externship in the Detroit VAMC (John D. Dingell), she gained useful knowledge in diagnosing diseases related to diabetes and the treatment of glaucoma. She also has extensive experience and certifications in specialty contact lens fittings, including ortho-k lenses, scleral lenses, RPG lenses, and myopia control lenses, to name a few.

Dr. Lam approaches her patients’ care with optimism and compassion. She finds helping patients solve problems to be the most fulfilling part of her work, whether that problem is simple, such as finding the right prescription, or more complex, like diagnosing uveitic glaucoma.

Dr. Lam joined Thornhill Vision Care in early 2023, but she has worked in the York Region (Richmond Hill and Markham specifically) for the past 12 years. Dr. Lam can provide eye exams in English or Cantonese and converse in Mandarin. 

She lives in Markham with her husband, daughter, and son. Her hobbies include travelling, baking, and trying out new restaurants in Toronto.

Dr. Hadassa Rutman graduated from the State University of New York College of Optometry and completed a residency program in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation. She worked for 7 years as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Optometry and collaborated in pediatric and vision therapy clinical research before moving back to Toronto in 2015 to work in private practice. 

Dr. Rutman is an active member of several optometry organizations, including the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO), Vision Therapy Canada (VTC), and the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA). She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) and of OVDRA (FOVDR, formerly FCOVD). She is also the Vice-Chair of the International Examiner’s College Board (IECB) for OVDRA.

Dr. Rutman enjoys helping change people’s lives through improving their functional vision. She is inquisitive and analytical in solving problems, but her bubbly personality shines through to patients the most. 

When she’s not in the clinic, Dr. Rutman enjoys spending time with family, and focusing on her hobbies: art, reading, and travelling.

Dr. Carol Fan was born and raised in Toronto, and loves to explore different cultures through travel and cuisine. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Waterloo, she studied at Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where she graduated cum laude. Having completed board exams in both the United States and Canada, she chose to come home to establish her optometry career.

Dr. Fan is dedicated to providing eye care to patients of all ages. She is a strong believer in patient education and the importance of disease prevention to maintain a lifetime of clear, comfortable vision. She has a particular interest in dry eye therapies and is experienced in pre- and post-operation procedures involving LASIK, PRK, and cataract surgeries. 

Dr. Fan finds optometry particularly fulfilling because of the impact she has made on the lives of others, helping them to see and feel their best. She brings creativity and a detail-oriented nature to work, helping her solve problems with her patients.

With a passion for volunteering all over the world, Dr. Fan is grateful to have spent time in South Africa, China, India, Peru, Tanzania, and Mexico, providing eye exams and glasses to those in need. One day, she wishes to take her husband and 2 kids to volunteer abroad!

When she’s not in the clinic, Dr. Fan likes cooking healthy meals for her family and flexing her creative muscles through crafting balloon garlands.

Tammy has been part of the Thornhill Vision Care team since 2016. In addition to managing clinic operations, Tammy has her Medical Aesthetics diploma from the Canadian Beauty College. 

Tammy brings a happy, fun energy to the clinic and likes to connect with team members and patients. She enjoys working in a clinic that focuses on helping people, and she loves to solve problems. 

When she’s not at work, Tammy likes to spend time with her family, shop, and go out with her friends.

Sandy graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science and a minor in Medical Physiology. Since completing her education, Sandy has been working in the eye care industry and joined our team in mid-2025.

Sandy enjoys working with a team that helps people and solves problems for their patients. She brings a friendly, genuine energy to work every day.

When she’s not at the clinic, Sandy enjoys biking and playing pickleball. She also likes to shop and connect with family and friends during a dinner out.

Nadia joined our team in mid-2025. She has 2 years of previous experience in eye care. Before settling on a career in eye care, Nadia studied at Recording Arts Canada and achieved her Audio Engineering Diploma. 

Nadia enjoys being part of a team that supports both patients and doctors. She finds helping patients feel comfortable to be the most fulfilling part of her job.

When she’s not at the clinic, Nadia keeps her love of music alive by playing in a band and making music. She also enjoys playing tennis, going to the gym, and trying new foods with her friends.

Joyce joined our team in early 2025. She earned her certification as an Ocular Hygienist from the Dry Eye Summit in 2024.

Joyce enjoys helping patients see and feel better through her work. She loves to connect with others, assist and lend a hand wherever needed, and brings a positive, bubbly energy wherever she goes.

When she’s not at work, Joyce likes going to the gym, cooking, and hanging out with her friends and family.

Zoe joined our team first as a summer student in 2022. She now assists in the clinic as needed and takes care of our social media platforms. Zoe has earned her Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from McMaster University, where she graduated summa cum laude. She is currently studying for her Master of Science in Biochemistry at the University of Toronto.

Zoe really enjoys working together with patients to solve their problems, whether that includes finding an appointment time that works with their schedule or a pair of glasses that matches their style. She is kind, calm, and enthusiastic about helping others.

Outside of her time at the clinic, Zoe enjoys training for dragonboat and knitting.