04/28/2026
Dr. RODNEY D. FAIR RETIRES
Brighton Eye Associates has long been a cornerstone of our community, beginning 67 years ago when Dr. Ron Fair, now retired and a member of the National Optometry Hall of Fame, first opened the practice in 1959.
After completing his residency, his son, Dr. Rodney D. Fair, “Dr. Rod”, joined him, carrying on the family commitment to excellence. Now, after more than 44 years of serving Brighton as a highly respected optometrist, Dr. Rod Fair is retiring from practice.
Dr. Rod Fair grew up in Brighton and is a proud graduate of Brighton High School. He attended Hastings College in Nebraska, then the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, from which he graduated in 1982. He then completed a residency in pediatric vision and vision therapy at the State University of New York in New York City.
Throughout his career, Dr. Fair has been deeply involved in the Brighton community. He has served as a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Heart of Brighton, which supports the Armory Performing Arts Center. He is a past president of the Colorado Optometric Association and was appointed by former Governor Roy Romer to the Colorado Department of Social Services Medical Advisory Council.
His many honors include the Young Optometrist of the Year award, the Optometrist of the Year award, the Distinguished Optometrist award, the Optometrist of the Decade (1990s), the Clair Sewell Award, and the 2014 Small Business of the Year Award from the Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce.
Beyond his clinical excellence, Dr. Fair is known as a supportive employer, mentor, business owner, father, husband, and friend. Over the years, his office has employed more than 30 local high school students, supported local charities and organizations, and contributed countless volunteer hours to community initiatives.
Dr. Fair is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry— an honor achieved by only about 10% of optometrists—requiring extensive case reports and examination. He has a special interest in children’s vision, ocular disease, vision therapy, and contact lenses.
Dr. Cheryl Baker Fedel joined the practice in 2011 and has continued to provide outstanding eye care to the community.
She was the Valedictorian of her optometry college in Florida.
The next chapter for Brighton Eye Associates begins with Dr. Yessica Cañas, a Brighton High School graduate who grew up in Brighton. Dr. Cañas began working at the practice in 2009 at age 14, when Dr. Fair hired her as a part-time after school employee. She continued to work through high school and during summers while attending the University of Colorado and later Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Fair shared: “We hired a very shy young woman named Yessica Cañas to work at Brighton Eye Associates. It is always a blessing to see these young people blossom into competent adults. No longer quiet and shy but outgoing and confident, Yessica attended the University of Colorado at Boulder for four years and then decided to become an optometrist. She just received her diploma and is now a Doctor of Optometry, and we could not be more thrilled to call her colleague! Congratulations, Dr. Cañas!
Dr. Cañas purchased Dr. Fair’s interest in Brighton Eye Associates this spring, ensuring that the practice remains locally owned and continues its long tradition of serving the Brighton community with dedication and care.
We extend our warmest wishes to Dr. Fair and his wife, Monica, their daughter Miss Katrina Fair, parents Ron and Patricia Fair, as they begin this new chapter. Grant Fair was Rod and Monica's son and he lost his life at age 19.
Dr. Rod retires with confidence knowing that the 67-year-old family practice is in good hands and will continue its legacy of excellence for years to come. Thank you to all of the loyal patients and families who have supported Brighton Eye Associates for so many years including several 5 generation families that the Doctors Fair have cared for.
