Doctors

                Dr. Pinto Ng Zhao, OD

 Dr. Pinto is a passionate optometrist with a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of vision development. Born in Venezuela and raised in Tennessee from the age of two, he obtained his bachelor's degree in Microbiology from the University of Tennessee before pursuing his Doctor of Optometry at the Southern College of Optometry. It was during his time at optometry school that Dr. Pinto found his calling in vision rehabilitation and development, inspired by mentors who showed him the profound impact vision improvement can have on unlocking an individual's full potential. Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Pinto is an active member of the Poway-Scripps Rotary community, where he dedicates himself to service and philanthropy. He has also volunteered with Remote Area Medical, Lions Club and VOSH, all providing free eye exams to underserved communities in the United States and abroad, including Jamaica, Honduras, and Mexico. In his leisure time, he finds solace in activities such as meditation, Tai Chi, and traveling.  Dr. Pinto mainly enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Wai, and their dog, Bear.

                    Dr. Patricia Wai, OD

Dr. Wai, an accomplished optometrist, graduated from UCSD before earning her Doctorate of Optometry with Honors from Western University of Health Sciences. She completed her internships at the VA Hospitals in Colorado and Connecticut, and also at the San Diego Naval Base. In 2022, she and her husband, Dr. Pinto, opened their own private practice to provide personalized eye care for patients from a holistic approach. Dr. Wai practices full scope optometry, and is licensed in treating ocular disease with therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, glaucoma, and lacrimal irrigation and dilation.  Fluent in a multitude of languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese and English, she ensures effective communication with a diverse range of patients. Beyond her profession, she enjoys cooking new recipes with her husband and playing with their Shiba Inu. 

              Lyra Farrell, Vision Therapist 

Lyra graduated from UC Davis with a bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science with an emphasis in neuroscience. Originally from Carlsbad, she has experience working with children as an early childhood instructor. Outside of her work as a vision therapist, she is passionate about reading, playing guitar, and exploring different music genres. At home, she enjoys the company of her two cats, who add a playful energy to her daily life.