Kimberley Vision Care

Chatten's key to success is her hard work and careful consideration of her patients' needs

Optometrist, Christine Chatten, has been practicing in Kimberley for over fifteen years. — Photo by Lisa Crane

Dr. Christine Chatten, owner of Kimberley Vision Care, has been meeting the optical needs of Kimberley, B.C., for over 15 years. Her father, Dr. Reg Chatten, was an optometrist in nearby Cranbrook who practised for 37 years. Chatten said that she saw how much her father enjoyed his job.

“So I followed in his footsteps,” she said.

Chatten initially studied at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook and at the University of Calgary, and she went on to complete her studies in optometry at Pacific University, a private school founded in Oregon in 1849. After working in Vernon, B.C., for a time, Chatten bought the practice in Kimberley in 1996.

Kimberley Vision Care is located in downtown Kimberley, close to Centre 64, and the business occupies the building that has been home to the community's optometrist for over 50 years.

“It has just changed hands a few times,” said Chatten. “So people know where to find me.”

Passion and hard work

Chatten is obviously passionate about what she does, and said the key to her success is her careful consideration of her patients’ needs along with hard work.

“Optometry is always evolving, with new technology and therapeutics,” she said. “I find there are always new challenges.”

Chatten actively promotes the importance of eye health. She said there are many diseases that can be detected by an eye exam, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. She said that she is now certified to treat glaucoma and she handles the full spectrum of eye treatments except for surgery, although her practice does pre- and postoperative care. She said she works very closely with Dr. Louw, the ophthalmologist in Cranbrook.

“I like owning my own business,” said Chatten. “It is certainly hard work—but it is worth it.”

Chatten enjoys working in the Kimberley community. She said everyone is so welcoming and friendly.

“I have treated some patients for years and I enjoy getting to know them,” she said. “I love Kimberley as a community, too. We enjoy the outdoors and it is a great place to raise my family.”

For information about the full services of Kimberley Vision Care, please contact the office at 250-427-2020.