Dr. Aish Sundaram, MD FRCSC MEd
Ophthalmologist · Abbotsford, BC · Fraser Valley
A fellowship-trained ophthalmologist with a genuine commitment to patient education and equal access to care. Dr. Sundaram built her Fraser Valley practice on the belief that expert, compassionate eye care should be available to every patient — regardless of where they live or what they can afford.
A Compassionate, Education-First Ophthalmologist
Dr. Aish Sundaram chose to build her practice in the Fraser Valley because she saw a community that deserved better access to specialist eye care. The Fraser Valley's diverse and growing population — agricultural workers, long-established families, newcomers to Canada, seniors — all share the same need for high-quality, respectful medical care close to home.
What sets Dr. Sundaram apart is not only her clinical training but her philosophy. She holds a Master of Education in Health Interprofessional Education — a credential that is unusual for a clinician, and one she earned deliberately. She believes that informed patients make better decisions, experience less anxiety, and recover more effectively. Taking time to explain what is happening, why, and what to expect is not an afterthought in her practice: it is central to it.
Her practice is founded on the principle that every patient deserves the same standard of care. Dr. Sundaram does not operate on a tiered model where MSP patients receive lesser attention than those seeking private services. All patients receive a thorough consultation, honest advice, and clear explanations of their options — with no pressure toward privately billed upgrades.
Training & Credentials
Dr. Sundaram's academic and clinical training spans two decades of rigorous preparation in medicine, ophthalmology, surgery, and education.
Research & Publications
Dr. Sundaram's research has focused on teleophthalmology — particularly the use of remote technology to improve access to diabetic retinopathy screening and glaucoma detection in underserved communities. This work reflects the same values that guide her clinical practice: a commitment to reaching patients where they are, and removing barriers to specialist care.
This body of research informs how Dr. Sundaram thinks about access to care. The Fraser Valley communities she serves — many of them agricultural, rural, or lower-income — are precisely the populations that teleophthalmology research was designed to benefit. Her practice reflects lessons learned from that work.
Philosophy of Care
Dr. Sundaram's practice is guided by a set of principles she has held since medical school and that have only deepened through her clinical and educational training.
Dr. Sundaram does not operate a two-tiered practice. MSP patients receive the same thorough, attentive care as any other patient. No one is rushed through their consultation because of how they pay.
Every patient is told clearly what is covered by MSP and what represents an optional private upgrade. There is no pressure, no upselling, and no confusion. Your wallet does not influence Dr. Sundaram's clinical recommendations.
The MEd in Health Interprofessional Education is not a marketing credential. It reflects genuine scholarly engagement with how healthcare professionals communicate, teach, and collaborate — and it shapes every patient interaction.
Recommendations are grounded in current evidence. Dr. Sundaram maintains her academic engagement as a UBC Clinical Instructor to ensure her practice reflects the latest research and surgical standards.
Dr. Sundaram understands that coming to see a specialist can be an anxious experience. She takes time to listen fully before speaking, to answer questions honestly — including "I don't know" when that is the truthful answer — and to ensure that patients leave their consultation understanding their diagnosis and their options. This is what she means by patient-centred care.
Building a Practice in the Fraser Valley
The Fraser Valley is not simply where Dr. Sundaram chose to work — it is where she chose to build. There is a difference. Building a practice means investing in relationships with referring physicians and optometrists, engaging with the community's specific health needs, and committing to long-term availability for patients who need continuity of care.
The Fraser Valley has historically been underserved for ophthalmology. Patients in Chilliwack, Hope, Agassiz, and even parts of Mission and Langley have often faced the choice of long waits or long drives to Vancouver for what should be accessible specialist care. Dr. Sundaram's Abbotsford clinic is a direct response to this gap.
She is proud to serve this community and is actively building a referral network with family physicians, optometrists, and other specialists across the region. If you are a healthcare provider in the Fraser Valley, Dr. Sundaram welcomes a conversation about how she can support your patients. If you are a patient, she welcomes you — regardless of your background, language, or financial situation.
Dr. Sundaram is currently accepting new patient referrals from family physicians and optometrists throughout Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Langley, Maple Ridge, and all Fraser Valley communities. Referrals can be sent by fax to (604) 426-2720 or through Ocean Health eReferral.
Request a Referral to Dr. Sundaram
If you are a patient looking for expert ophthalmology care in the Fraser Valley, ask your family doctor or optometrist to refer you to Dr. Sundaram. New referrals are welcome from all Fraser Valley communities.