A Childhood Patient Returns to the Clinic as Its New Owner
Life has a funny way of bringing people back to where they started.
When Dr. Shaun Pati was six years old, his mother was involved in a car accident that left her with serious eye injuries caused by broken glass. He remembers sitting beside her during appointment after appointment with their family optometrist, Dr. Tony Wang, watching as her vision slowly recovered.
Those visits left a lasting impression.
“I became fascinated by how the eye worked and how optometry could make such a difference in someone’s life,” Shaun recalls. “We stayed with Dr. Wang for years. He even prescribed my very first pair of glasses.”
That childhood experience quietly shaped the direction of his future.
After graduating from Pacific University in Oregon with his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2015, Shaun returned to British Columbia. While attending an optometry conference the following year, he unexpectedly crossed paths with Dr. Wang.
One conversation turned into another.
Before long, the doctor who had once cared for Shaun and his family was inviting him to carry that legacy forward.
Today, Dr. Wang still works alongside Dr. Pati at Real Eyes Optometry, where the two continue caring for many of the same families who have visited the clinic for years.
“It’s a pretty incredible story when you think about it,” Shaun says. “I grew up as a patient here, and now I get to care for the same community that inspired me to become an optometrist.”
As the clinic has grown, so has the team. Together, the doctors and staff continue to build a welcoming environment where patients of all ages can feel comfortable asking questions, learning about their eye health, and receiving care that fits their individual needs.
“We want people to know we are here for them.”
– Dr. Shaun Pati: Burnaby Now Profile of Excellence
Profiles of Excellence with Burnaby Now: More Than an Eye Exam
Ask Dr. Shaun Pati what he hopes patients remember after their visit, and he probably won’t start by talking about prescriptions.
He’ll talk about understanding.
“We want everyone who comes here to feel well informed and educated, that the whole experience was positive and informative, and well taken care of.”
That’s the kind of appointment he remembers having as a child, and it’s the experience he hopes to create for every patient who walks through the door today.
Questions are encouraged. Test results are explained. Treatment options are discussed together, not rushed through.
Learning doesn’t stop when patients leave the clinic, either.
“That digital transformation is important in this field too,” Shaun says. “We’re creating ways for people to learn more online. People can connect with us, book appointments, and find information and education there, too.”
That’s why Real Eyes Optometry has invested so much time into building educational resources that answer the questions patients are already asking. From children’s eye health and dry eyes to myopia, menopause, and laser vision correction, the goal is simple: make reliable eye care information easier to understand.
Of course, information is only one part of the experience.
Located in Metropolis at Metrotown, the clinic welcomes everyone from young children to grandparents for comprehensive eye exams, contact lenses, eyewear, and medical eye care. Many patients arrive because a friend, coworker, or family member suggested they book an appointment.
For Shaun, that kind of recommendation means more than any recognition.
“We’re grateful to be included in Burnaby Now’s Profiles of Excellence,” he says. “If it encourages someone to book an eye exam they’ve been putting off or to get help for an eye problem that’s been bothering them, then that’s a wonderful outcome.”
Burnaby Now Profiles of Excellence FAQ’s
Does Burnaby NOW still exist?
Burnaby NOW published community news and the annual Profiles of Excellence magazine for many years. In February 2025, Glacier Media announced that Burnaby NOW, along with the New Westminster Record and Tri-City News, would cease publication as standalone newspapers. While the publication has closed, past articles and special features, including Profiles of Excellence, remain part of the community’s history.
What was Burnaby NOW’s Profiles of Excellence?
Profiles of Excellence was an annual special publication that highlighted local businesses, organizations, and professionals from across Burnaby and the surrounding communities. It combined editorial-style stories with sponsored business profiles, giving readers an opportunity to learn more about the people and businesses serving the community.
How were businesses selected for Profiles of Excellence?
Businesses featured in Profiles of Excellence typically worked with Burnaby NOW to share their stories as part of the annual publication. Rather than being a competitive award or ranking, the magazine focused on introducing readers to local businesses, their history, and the people behind them.
Why does Real Eyes Optometry still share this article?
Although Burnaby NOW is no longer publishing, the story remains an important part of our clinic’s history. It captures Dr. Shaun Pati’s journey from being a young patient of Dr. Tony Wang to eventually returning to purchase the practice and continue caring for the Burnaby community. We continue sharing it because that story hasn’t changed.
What’s the difference between Burnaby NOW’s Profiles of Excellence and the Burnaby Business Excellence Awards?
They’re often confused, but they’re different.
Profiles of Excellence was a special publication that introduced readers to local businesses through editorial-style stories and business profiles.
The Burnaby Business Excellence Awards is a formal awards program organized by the Burnaby Board of Trade, where finalists and winners are selected through an application and judging process.
While both celebrate businesses in Burnaby, they have different purposes and selection processes.
Why do people still recognize the Burnaby NOW name?
For decades, Burnaby NOW was one of Burnaby’s primary community newspapers, covering local news, events, sports, and business stories. Even though the publication has closed, many residents still remember it as an important part of the community and recognize businesses that were featured in its pages.
