Dr. Bruce Lidkea

Optometrist & Clinic Director

Dr. Bruce Lidkea, OD, CPNP, FCCSO, FOWNS, is an optometrist and Clinic Director at Lidkea Optometry in Fort Frances. He provides advanced eye care with a special focus on neuro-rehabilitation, ocular nutrition, and whole-person wellness.

Born and raised in Fort Frances, Dr. Lidkea is proud to continue the family legacy of patient-centered eye care established by his father, Dr. Robert Lidkea.

Education and Clinical Training

Dr. Lidkea completed his Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Waterloo before earning his Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University in 1994.

His clinical training included intensive experience in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease through specialized rotations, including:

• F.D.R. Veterans Administration Hospital, Montrose, New York
  Intensive ocular disease training
• White River Apache Reservation Public Health Service Hospital, White River, Arizona
  Combined ocular disease and pediatric care rotation

These experiences provided a strong foundation in both complex ocular conditions and comprehensive patient care.

Advanced Vision and Neuro-Rehabilitation Care

Dr. Lidkea has developed advanced expertise in neuro-rehabilitation optometry, working with patients who experience visual and functional challenges related to neurological conditions.

He regularly works with patients experiencing:

• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neurological conditions affecting vision and visual function

 

Through specialized assessment and rehabilitative strategies, Dr. Lidkea helps patients improve visual performance, comfort, and quality of life.

Nutrition, Wellness, and Eye Health

Dr. Lidkea believes that eye health is closely connected to overall health and lifestyle.

As a Certified Personalized Nutrition Practitioner (CPNP) and Fellow of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society (FOWNS), he incorporates evidence-based nutrition and wellness strategies into patient care. This approach supports the management and prevention of many eye conditions, including:

• Macular degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Dry eye disease

His goal is to help patients protect and strengthen their vision through personalized, preventive care that considers the whole person.

Professional Leadership and Teaching

Dr. Lidkea maintains an active role in advancing optometry through leadership, education, and mentorship.

He currently serves as Secretary and board member of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society, contributing to international education focused on nutrition and wellness in eye care.

He is also an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, where he mentors fourth-year optometry students in:

• Primary eye care
• Ocular disease management
• Vision therapy and neuro-rehabilitation

 

His dedication to teaching helps shape the next generation of optometrists.

Continuing a Family Tradition of Care

Dr. Lidkea joined his father’s practice in 1994, continuing a tradition of compassionate, community-centered eye care that began in Fort Frances in 1952.

Over the years, he has helped expand the clinic’s services and technology while maintaining the personal relationships and high standards of care that have defined Lidkea Optometry for generations.

Community Involvement

Outside the clinic, Dr. Lidkea remains deeply connected to the Fort Frances community.

He has previously served with the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce and continues to contribute to local culture and community life as Pipe Major of the Fort Frances Highlanders Pipes and Drums.

A Whole-Person Approach to Eye Care

Dr. Lidkea is passionate about helping patients protect and enhance not only their sight, but also their overall health and quality of life.

Through advanced clinical care, wellness-focused strategies, and strong patient relationships, he continues the Lidkea Optometry tradition of thoughtful, personalized care for every patient.