The physicians in this office, Richard Carlin M.D., David S. Carlin M.D., Michael A. DeRosa, M.D., Melanie Bennett-Sims, M.D., Allison R. Tyler, M.D., and Michael Willman, D.O. are ophthalmologists. They have spent 4 years in college and 4 years in medical school. Their degree allows them to practice medicine and surgery of any type in the state of Georgia. Following this they spent one year in a hospital situation (internship or transitional year) practicing various phases of medicine. Another 3 years was spent in an ophthalmology residency program where their training was confined to the practice of ophthalmology. J. Blake Thornhill O.D., .is an optometrist. He spent 4 years in college and 4 years in optometry school. His O.D. degree allows him to practice optometry in the state of Georgia. He examines eyes and treats certain eye diseases, but does not perform surgery on the eye.
Currently we do many services in reference to the eyes. We examine eyes for glasses (refraction), and fit soft, rigid gas permeable, hard, bifocal, toric (for astigmatism), and disposable contact lenses, for daily and extended wear. We evaluate eyes for diseases (e.g., cataracts, infections, glaucoma, macular degeneration); evaluate eyes for complications of other diseases (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disorders, brain tumors, anemia); perform tests such as fluorescein angiography; and perform ophthalmic surgery such as refractive, cataract, implant, laser, eyelid, muscle, glaucoma, orbital, and corneal surgery. The physicians have given talks and have written papers on ophthalmic topics for professional and lay organizations and publications.