Meet our Staff

Dr. Michael Bense, MD. FRCSC

Since graduating from the Pretoria University Medical School, South Africa in 1970, Dr. Bense has distinguished himself in the highest manner both academically and professionally.

Upon completing his residency in ophthalmology in 1984 at Dalhousie, Nova Scotia, he was chosen to do a retina fellowship in Diseases and Surgery of the Retina and Vitreous at the University of Toronto Medical School the following year by the CNIB'S, A.E. Baker Foundation. In 1986, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCSC Ophthalmology), Canada.

Dr. Bense serves as Medical Director for Bense Vision in St. John's. He was also the Chief of Ophthalmology at the Health Sciences Complex in St. John's, and is still a retina consultant with privileges in all St. John's hospitals. He is affiliated with MUN and is an Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Memorial University, and is on the executive of the Canadian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Bense is licensed to practice medicine and ophthalmology in Newfoundland and Labrador, and in South Africa. He is currently ophthalmologist to CNIB in St. John's.

Over the 12 years, Dr. Bense has performed over 20,000 vision correction operations which includes over 15,000 laser eye surgery procedures, and has established a comprehensive medical and surgical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery facility that has few rivals in this country. Throughout his career, Dr. Bense has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in clinical research, education and patient care.

Dr. Bense also leads an active family life with his wife Sharon, their son Jonathan that heads up Bense Optical and Optometry. He spent 4 years in Belfast to graduate with BSc (Hon) Optometry and then became certified in Canada as a Doctor of Optometry in 2006. His daughter Allison is a Cordon Bleu Chef and a certified Pilates instructor. She is the Owner and Operator of Bense Pilates. His other daughter Christine has a master's degree in Chemical Engineering and true to our family's health tradition, works for Kraft foods International in Chicago.

Professional Affiliations

• Fellow: Royal College of Surgeons of Canada
• Member:
  Atlantic Provinces Ophthalmological Society (APOS)
  Canadian Ophthalmic Society
  Canadian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
  American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
  Newfoundland Medical Society
  Canadian Medical Association
  South African Medical and Dental Society
  International Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
  CLASS
  Others

A Letter from your Medical Director: Dr. Mike Bense:
"I personally wish you luck with your decision. Today we live in the magical, wonderful world of iLASIK, a world that both surgeons and patients have been awaiting for a decade. iLASIK is a wonderful procedure that could restore your clear, natural, unaided vision once again. Please schedule a complimentary consultation at our office, if you think you may be a candidate. We have successfully corrected the vision of many thousands of very happy clients from around the world with laser surgery. I can personally attest to laser vision correction treatment, having had it done to myself several years ago. Hope to see you soon."
Dr. Michael Bense, MD. FRCSC

Dr. Todd McEachren, MD FRCSC

Dr. McEachren was born in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and grew up in the town of Stephenville. He completed his Bachelor of Science at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia in 1990. He then returned to Newfoundland to obtain a Master of Science in biochemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1994. He thereafter completed his medical degree at Dalhousie University in 1998 and went on to obtain a fellowship in Ocular Pathology at the University of Ottawa in 1999. From 1999 to 2004 he completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and he has been practicing as a comprehensive Ophthalmologist in St. John's ever since.

Dr. McEachren's personable approach and dedication to individualized patient care complements his academic and professional qualifications. It is this commitment to excellence that makes him a superb addition to the BenseVision team.

Outside of his clinical practice, Dr. McEachren enjoys riding motorcycles and snowmobiles. He also loves guitar, cooking, photography, running, skiing, and kayaking.

Professional Affiliations

• Fellow: Royal College of Surgeons of Canada
• Member:
  Canadian Medical Association
  Canadian Ophthalmology Society
  Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association
  Atlantic Provinces Ophthalmology Society

 

Sharon Bense R.N.
CEO - Bense Vision

A Letter from our President/CEO Sharon Bense, RN:
"It's no secret that laser vision correction is growing in availability and popularity. But when it comes to your eyesight, like anything else that's really important in life, great care should be taken to scrutinize your options before you make a selection. After all, you are making a choice that will result in trusting your vision correction to a specific surgeon. In areas of medical care, particularly the delicate and advanced procedure used in laser surgery, there should be no room for compromise. Thousands of people from all over the world seeking laser vision correction have trusted Dr. Mike Bense to provide the best possible visual result with the safest and most effective technology available. It is truly an awesome responsibility and, I can assure you, one that every member of our clinical and administrative staff takes seriously. At Bense Vision, we value your trust and make every effort to ensure that the highest standards of service and comfort are upheld. Thank you in advance for giving us the opportunity to meet and exceed your expectations. Best regards, Sharon Bense Co-Founder, CEO Bense Vision."

Dr. Jonathan Bense
O.D. Director
Bense Optical & Optometry

A Message from your on-site Optometrist:
"Many patients that attend Bense Vision already know me well. I am Dr. Jon Bense and I graduated from Ulster University in Northern Ireland with a baccalaureate degree in Optometry (BSc. (Hons) Optometry). I continued my education in Canada and received Canadian certification a few years later. I worked with my father Dr. Mike Bense and obtained much of my clinical skills at the Bense Eye Centre over the following years.

I have been practicing in the Newfoundland since 2004 and I have specialized in comprehensive adult family optometric eye care and the medical management of eye disease and post-laser vision correction eye care. I have developed extensive experience in contact lens and pre- and post- operative ophthalmic surgical care including the latest laser refractive procedures like Near Vision CK, Epi-LASIK, Advanced Surface Ablation techniques, LRI, RLE as well as all other procedures performed at Bense Vision by Dr. Mike Bense.

I am currently a member of the Newfoundland Association of Optometry, the British Optometric Association and serve as an elected member on the Optometric Council of Newfoundland. I have completed all of my licensing requirements and received certification to practice optometry in this province of NL.

I have seen thousands of patients in the last few years that have had successful laser treatments at Bense Vision. I also wish you well on your journey to successful iLASIK. Your wait is over!"

A Message from our Laser Director
Beverly Byrne:

 

"For many people laser vision correction is only a dream, something they have been waiting for all of their lives. Well, the wait is over. Every day these procedures help thousands of people become less dependent on contact lenses and glasses. It is truly a miracle of modern science and technology. We, the staff of Bense Vision, would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation of your time and the privilege of serving you. We know that you have a choice and that there are other many LASIK companies out there. We know that your time is valuable and that you are likely seeking good information about the safety and true costs of laser surgery, surgical results of the surgeon himself as opposed to those results from a ‘company', results generated by a hundred different surgeons and not your surgeon himself.

We would like to take a few minutes of your time to explain what sets us apart from the rest. As the oldest and most experienced refractive practice in this province, we are positive that after reading this information you will come to agree that we provide a safer and more comprehensive approach to laser vision correction and total eye care than many other competitors. Good Luck with your decision"