Our Optometrists

Dr. Harvey Kuntz

Dr. Kuntz and Dr. Reisner (who is also Dr. Kuntz’s nephew) acquired and expanded Urban Optique into its current Calgary NW location in 2006/2007. Dr. Kuntz was born and raised in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and graduated from the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry in 1969 and brings over 40 years of experience to the practice. Dr. Kuntz started his first practice in Saskatchewan and eventually settled in Moose Jaw where he built one of the largest Optometric Clinics in Canada. He moved to Calgary in 2000 and remains passionate about eye-care and his patients. Dr. Kuntz has an on-going and special interest in age-related macular degeneration (“ARMD”), one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 60. Dr. Kuntz’ interest in ARMD has taken him to the Filatov Eye Disease Institute in Odessa, Ukraine one of the leading ophthalmologic centres in Europe, where he gained exposure to new and non-invasive therapies for ARMD. Dr. Kuntz is a member of the Alberta Optometric Association and is certified in Ocular Therapeutics.

Dr. Margaret Penny

Dr. Penny has been in private practice in Calgary NW for over 30 years and joined Urban Optique in 2007. She strives to provide excellence in diagnostic vision care, with an emphasis on the individual’s personal needs. She believes that quality vision care enhances a person’s quality of life. She has a Masters Degree in Educational psychology. As a result, she has a special interest and passion in working with children and adults who have visually related learning difficulties, tracking, focusing and binocular dysfunctions, and perceptual delays. Vision therapy and rehabilitation of these problems has been an integral part of her practice and career. Dr. Penny has been actively involved in her profession, serving as Alberta College Chairman, Registrar, and Assessment Chairman for the Canadian Examiners in Optometry. She is still actively involved in giving seminars and lectures both in Alberta and neighbouring provinces, on “Vision and its Impact on Learning”, and the assessment and treatment of vision problems in the traumatic brain injury patient.

Dr. David Schmidt

Dr. Schmidt graduated from the School of Optometry in Waterloo in 1970. Originally from Stavely, Alberta, Dr. Schmidt began practicing in his hometown as well as at two Calgary offices. In 1987, Dr Schmidt opened his own practice on Center Street with his wife Barbara – whom he met in optometry school. Dr Schmidt joined Urban Optique in 2007 and looks forward to providing excellent eye care to his patients for years to come. In his spare time he enjoys being outdoors, either on his bike or snowmobile.

Dr. Camellia Mazur

Dr. Mazur was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She received her Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) from the University of Manitoba in 1994. In 1995, she began her study of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. During her time there she received the Anonymous Alumni Scholarship (1995), Wildermuth Scholarship (1996 & 1998), RGP Excellence Award, Bachelor of Science in Visual Sciences (1997), and Pepsi Scholarship (1999). After graduating from Optometry school in 1999, Dr Mazur went on to pursue a residency in Primary Care/Ocular Disease (with a special interest in glaucoma) at the Illinois Eye Institute (2000). In 2002, she earned her Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. Dr Mazur started her non-dispensing practice at the North Hill Shopping Centre in 2003 and has worked at various other clinics in the Calgary area. Dr Mazur joined Urban Optique in September 2010.

Dr. Sonja Hagemann

Dr. Hagemann grew up in the Ottawa area and moved to Calgary as a teenager. She attended the University of Calgary and earned her Optometry degree with honors from the University of Waterloo in 1986 (Beta Sigma Kappa). She has served on eye care projects on First Nations reserves, volunteered in developing countries and currently manages the eye care program at CUPS medical clinic, which offers free health care to Calgarians who struggle with poverty. Dr Hagemann also serves with the Canadian Examiners in Optometry. Dr Hagemann has been practicing in NW Calgary for many years at Dalhousie Station and joined Urban Optique in August 2010. She has a special interest in alternative medicine and prescribing nutrients in the intervention and prevention of macular degeneration, low tension glaucoma, cataracts and dry eye. In her free time she enjoys yoga, hiking and travel.

Dr. Pri Tawar

Dr. Tawar was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. After completing his undergraduate studies in Anatomy & Physiology at the University of Saskatchewan, he attended the Inter-American School of Optometry graduating in 2004. He has now been practicing in Alberta for over 5 years and sees patients at all three Urban Optique locations.

Dr. Colleen Brown

Dr. Brown is proud to be born and raised in Calgary. She graduated from the University of Calgary in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology. She then attended the University of Waterloo and earned her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2000. She received awards in pharmacology, binocular vision and low vision.

Dr. Brown has been practicing optometry in the Calgary area for over 10 years and joined Urban Optique in September 2010. She is pleased to continue providing high quality optometric care to her valued patients. Dr. Brown enjoys reading and spending quality time with friends and family. She is a sports enthusiast and loves to support her daughter’s and son’s athletic teams.