2025

Consumer Choice Award

15+

Years in operation

5k+

Clients Served

25+

Eyeglass Brands

About Frederick, the Optician

Frederick Lai was born in Montreal, Quebec and later grew up in Ottawa, Ontario. As a child Frederick played hockey and liked to build things. And as a teenager he formed a rock band and even had the long hair to prove it! Frederick always excelled in mathematics and science and liked computers so, he decided to pursue a career in Engineering. He was accepted into the prestigious Systems Design Engineering program at the University of Waterloo. During his studies, Frederick worked at Microsoft as an intern and was one of the lucky few to visit Bill Gates' mansion! Frederick completed his Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering in 2001 and then started working at a company called Research In Motion, the makers of Blackberry phones.

While living in Waterloo, Frederick met Elizabeth after she completed her Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo. They met, they dated, and then got married. Shortly after, Frederick decided he wanted to change careers and interact with people more. He was also intrigued with the idea of starting his own business. Elizabeth suggested that he consider the eye care field. She thought he had the technical skills to be a great optician and the fashion sense to make choosing glasses fun!

So, Elizabeth and Frederick packed up their lives in Waterloo and moved across the country to Vancouver where Frederick completed the Opticianry program. After becoming a licensed optician, his technical skills and attention to detail have really enhanced the service he offers at his optical store, All About Eyewear Optical. He takes precise measurements and takes the time to adjust your glasses properly.

How did Elizabeth and Frederick end up moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia? Elizabeth and Frederick thought long and hard about what was important to them. They wanted to start a family in a safe community where the people are friendly and laid-back and they also wanted the surroundings to be beautiful. These are hard things to find in Ontario, but easily found on the east coast.

So, now after a decade of residence in Nova Scotia, Frederick and Elizabeth are thrilled to call the HRM home.

Professional & Educational Background

Professional Membership:

Opticians Association of Canada
Nova Scotia College of Dispensing Opticians
Nova Scotia Society of Dispensing Opticians
Professional Engineers of Ontario
University of Waterloo Alumni


Education:

Licensed Optician and Contact Lens Fitter, BC College of Optics, 2007
Bachelor of Applied Science: Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo 2001

Inventions:

US Patents: 7,984,372
7,920,486
7,843,820
7,840,686
7,505,421
List of patents filed and pending