OUR OPTOMETRISTS
Our Visionfirst Optometry eye doctors aim not only to correct any vision problems you may have but to help prevent future ones from arising. From yearly eye exams to dry eye treatment, our full range of services will cover all your eye care needs. Our eye doctors tailor their approach to each individual patient in order to offer you the best vision care and solution possible.
Meet The Eye Doctors At Visionfirst Optometry
Our eye doctors take the time to explain the results of your eye exam, describe your options and listen to your eye care needs. Because maintaining good eye health is an ongoing partnership, we encourage you to ask questions and share your health information, which could be vital to monitoring, diagnosing, and treating potential vision problems.
Dr. Noel Erhardt graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1985 and moved to Kelowna with his wife Crystal that year. The practise in West Kelowna was opened in 1990. Dr. Erhardt received his Ocular Therapeutics certification from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2004. He has enjoyed practising Optometry at both locations of Visionfirst Optometry and has been blessed to raise his family of four children, and now four granddaughters, in this wonderful community. As a Doctor of Optometry, Dr. Erhardt views ongoing professional education as a part of his commitment to his patients. As technology and the world around us changes, he understands the need to keep up-to-date in order to provide the best eye care possible.
Dr. Lucas Erhardt was born and raised in Kelowna, BC. Lucas completed 3 years of undergrad study in Biochemistry before pursuing Optometry at Western University of Health Sciences in California. He graduated in 2017 as a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometry Honors Society. Although he is thankful to have completed his education in sunny California, Lucas has found there really is no place like home. He could not be happier to be back in the Okanagan joining his father, Dr. Noel Erhardt, and the team at Visionfirst Optometry. In 2008, Dr. Noel Erhardt took his family on a missions trip to Peru to provide vision care to the local community there; it was on this trip that Lucas discovered his passion for serving people through their visual needs. This impactful experience helped motivate Lucas to pursue his Optometry career. He looks forward to providing progressive eye care to the patients of Visionfirst Optometry, ranging from the treatment and management of ocular disease to the management of vision correction and all associated needs. Whether on the lake or in the mountains, Lucas loves to explore the great outdoors with his wife, Naomi, and their three daughters Josie, Oaklyn and Delilah. He looks forward to raising his family in the beautiful Okanagan.
Dr. Nancy Friessen has been thankful to call the Okanagan home since 2017. She left the flatlands of Ontario and moved out to the mountains after finishing her Doctor of Optometry Degree with Honours at the University of Waterloo. Prior to this, she completed both a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education Degree with Distinction from the University of Windsor in 2012 and 2013. During her time at Waterloo, she served as the social events coordinator and later as the executive secretary for the Optometry Student Society. In 2015, she had the opportunity to provide eye care on a mission trip to Romania. Dr Friessen currently offers a wide range of eye care services including full eye examinations, LASIK/PRK co-management, ocular disease management (glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataract, etc.), contact lens fitting, pediatric examinations, and myopia management.
Outside of the clinic, Nancy can be found fully enjoying the Okanagan lifestyle paddleboarding Okanagan Lake, snowboarding at Big White or hiking to find a spectacular view with her goldendoodle Hugo. She is looking forward to joining Visionfirst Optometry and is accepting patients in both Kelowna and West Kelowna.