“Dr. Nowlan and Dr. Anderson Penno have a uniquely collaborative practice where the optometry and ophthalmology expertise is leveraged to provide the most thorough and efficient eye care for every patient.”
Great vision care starts with a deeper understanding of the patient behind the prescription. For Dr. Ellen Anderson Penno and Dr. Regan Nowlan, collaboration is key to delivering comprehensive care that addresses each person’s unique vision needs.
Dr. Penno, a Mayo Clinic-trained ophthalmologist, with a refractive fellowship with Dr. Gimbel, and founder of Western Laser Eye Associates, and Dr. Nowlan, optometrist and leader at Twenty20 Eyecare, bring together two complementary areas of expertise to create a more connected approach to eye health.
Working alongside optometrists Dr. Nana Boadi, and Dr. Vaneet Kaloti, the team takes a collaborative approach to eye care, ensuring patients benefit from the combined expertise of both optometry and ophthalmology at every stage of their vision journey.
A key part of their shared vision is educating patients about the benefits of collaborative care. By combining ophthalmology (also sometimes called Eye MD, providing medical and surgical care of the eyes) with optometry’s focus on vision correction with glasses and contacts, their collaboration focuses on preventative care, and long-term eye health. Dr. Penno and Dr. Nowlan are working together to improve access, enhancing communication, and helping ensure patients receive the right care at the right time. Working side by side means that patients who present to the ophthalmologist needing updates on eyewear can be easily seen by optometry, and when people think they simply need an update in glasses or contacts but are in need of more advanced medical care they can more quickly be seen by an ophthalmologist.
Advanced technology also plays an important role in delivering precise, personalized eye care. Western Laser Eye Associates uses sophisticated diagnostic tools such as ocular coherence tomography and Eidon retinal imaging to provide detailed assessments of the retina, optic nerve, and overall eye health, helping physicians detect and monitor conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other retinal concerns.
For those looking to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses, assessments for SMILE (small incision lenticular extraction – the newest technique in laser vision) are being done in collaboration with Visionmax, offering the only minimally invasive treatment method that combines the extensive experience and safety of traditional vision correction techniques with the newest femtosecond laser technology in a gentle one-step treatment.
Dr. Penno and Dr. Nowlan combine the latest technology with an individualized approach. From glasses or contacts to laser or other medical treatments, taking the time to listen, educate, and understand each person’s health, lifestyle, and vision goals allows for more informed decisions and customized treatment plans.
Whether patients are seeking preventive eye care, clearer vision, or specialized treatment, the clinic’s collaborative model reflects a commitment to making comprehensive eye care more accessible and helping patients protect their vision for the future.
Photography by: Graham Mckerrell Photography
WESTERN LASER EYE ASSOCIATES & TWENTY20 EYECARE
6427 Bowness Rd NW
Calgary, AB T3B 0E6
Laser Inquiries
403-547-9775
Ophthalmology & Optometry
403-247-1477
Website: www.twenty20eyecare.ca
Website: www.westernlasereye.com
Facebook: WesternLaserEyeAssociates
Facebook: twenty20eyecare

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