Dr. Chawla began her extensive career by earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree at McMaster University and then graduating from the State University of New York College of Optometry. Here she was awarded the College of Optometrists in Vision Development’s Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy.

While in school, she focused on learning about the many aspects of optometry, with a particular focus on infant evaluations, contact lens exams and fittings, eye disease diagnosis and management, optic nerve disorders, and neurological conditions with ophthalmic complications. Following graduation, Dr. Chawla worked in New York at Beth Israel Medical Center in the Department of Ophthalmology. Some of her work there included infant and pediatric vision care, contact lens services, pre and post strabismus surgery care, cataract co-management, and glaucoma co-management.

While working in New York, she served as an examiner for the National Board of Examiners. Currently, Dr. Chawla is a Board Director and Chair of the Children’s Vision Committee for the Ontario Association of Optometrists. She also volunteers with ORBIS, an organization dedicated to blindness prevention in developing countries. Her volunteer work has brought her to Vietnam, Nepal, and South Africa.

Dr. Chawla has spoken on children’s vision across the GTA area, including for The Family Medicine Form and the Ontario Association of Infant and Child Development Annual Conference.